I’m a sentimentalist, but I feel like there’s something special about getting married on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. The idea, perhaps, that because Judy and David picked that day they had the gift of extra time to celebrate, extra sunlight, extra hours to call “day” on your wedding day. And I’d say the theme of this wedding was just basically how obsessed they are with each other. Obsessed. Which, as a wedding celebrant, is fine with me!
Read MoreAbigail and Tim’s wedding day took place in their own shed on their own land. Which was fitting, as young farmers. And when a couple get married in their own house/garden (or farming shed haha!) it makes me excited for them, thinking: you can visit your wedding venue whenever you want. You live here.
Read MoreThe heavens opened just in time for Kelly and James’ big day. Very Alanis Morissette lyrics. But as I said to lovely Kelly - better to have dodgy weather and the beautiful, gorgeous relationship they have, than gorgeous weather and a dodgy relationship.
Read MoreRachel and Connor honoured the splendour of the setting by hiring a string quartet, and to make the most of the live music - and get everyone up on their feet- we sang soul classic Stand by Me. I can’t tell you the RELIEF when the guests GO FOR IT. People sang their hearts out - “won’t you stand, staaaand by meee”- and it was glorious.
Read MoreDuring the ceremony we popped a (posh) bottle of champagne they’d saved from their engagement, after I’d told the brilliant story of how this was a wedding that almost didn’t happen. Because it started with a first date that almost didn’t happen, after Molly broke her phone and ghosted poor young Jason.
Read MoreThe charming stone barn was already looking wedding-ready with the colourful flowers and setting off the stained glass windows, and white paper lanterns hung like stars. And a banner that read “We’re gonna know each other forever” from their favourite song by their favourite band. And the vibes were chilled and gorgeous too, as guests got ready on site, many having camped the night before.
Read MoreWith three dogs (with jobs), this wedding had more animals than I’ve had as part of any other wedding to date! First Nellie came down the aisle with the bridesmaids, Ziggy was the ring bearer, and then Aries, who can’t be fully trusted, was just there for a good time. The lovely Cameron from Wagging Tails played chaperone.
Read MoreIt’s important to me to know what’s important to my brides and grooms. And for this particular bride and groom, Sarah and Mark, it was for their wedding ceremony to feel homely. So ‘home’ was a theme to the ceremony and on the day, when we added in the magic ingredients of closest friends and family and their beloved dog Ollie, it ended up feeling so gentle and relaxed.
Read MoreI was excited to meet their much-loved octogenarian uncle, Catholic priest Father Tom. He had officiated at the other sisters’ weddings and was to play a role in this ceremony too, but with me leading. I loved Fr Tom immediately as he cheekily noted this was the first time he was to play second fiddle; “I can be your altar boy!” he said.
Read MoreIt’s my job to match the vibe a couple are envisaging for their ceremony. Whether it’s relaxed, sentimental or fun, it’s up to me to suggest ideas that might fit and bring that particular energy to the day. So when Beckie and Adam told me they wanted a “spooky, festive” feel I was excited. This sounded a bit different.
Read MoreMiddleton Lodge had been on my Dream Venue List for a long time. In fact, not even necessarily for a wedding - I just wanted to cast my eyes on the place and the famous, steam-rising-in-the-courtyard outdoor pool. Suffice it to say I was excited when Harriet and Julian told me their venue and asked if I would be their celebrant, and overexcited (in festive sequins) when their December day rolled around.
Read MoreI was struck, as soon as I stepped into the ceremony space, by the brilliant banner (“Home is wherever I’m with you”) that hung front and centre, perfectly rust-coloured in the rustic space. “My Nana made it!” Charlotte told me. A nana-sewn banner? Erm, what could be more delightful?!
Read MoreI love an autumnal wedding, it’s far and away my favourite season. Jesmond Dene House, in among the trees with their obediently-falling leaves, was the perfect location for the season and Beth and Dan really leant into the fabulous, rusty colour scheme. I even spotted blackberries in the bridal bouquet - how stunning!
Read MoreI talked about how the Turkish have a word "vefa" which doesn’t directly translate into a single English word, but describes a profound loyalty and faithfulness. I told the story of how when Yunus’ hometown in Turkey was struck by an earthquake, Emily was there for him in every possible, profound way.
Read MoreWhen I first met Alice and Amber in a coffee shop I wasn’t just meeting an engaged couple, I was meeting two Swifties high on the fumes of the Eras tour they had just returned from. We talked non-stop about Taylor and weddings - barely taking a breath between the three of us - and it was Girlhood™. And it was delicious.
Read MoreLián and Jacob’s was my first wedding at Doxford Barns and it wasn’t a disappointment. Not least of all because during the portion of the day where I infiltrate the bridesmaids’ gang and get all the tea (both literally and figuratively) I discovered that the mirrored bridal dressing room leads STRAIGHT down a set of stairs into the ceremony room…
Read MoreThey are the type of #couplegoals pair who - when it came to their wedding - wrote sweet, decorated notes for each other to open on the morning. The type of pair who co-baked their own wedding cake. The type of pair who grew flowers for the centre pieces in their back garden.
Read MoreIt was an emotional ceremony, but not without moments of absolute hilarity, like Joanne needing her glasses to read her vows and not remembering who she’d given them to for safe keeping. These two know how to laugh at themselves - and each other! - and the vibe in the room was brilliant.
Read MoreOne of my favourite parts of Clare and Reece’s ceremony was the story of how they first met: at work…and she didn’t think much of him! The bride and groom share a self-deprecating sense of humour and it was fantastic to hear their friends and family laughing along as we went through the timeline of their enemies-to friends-to lovers trope.
Read MoreIt was a windy day, when The Day dawned. A blustery day as our friend Winnie the Pooh might say. But did Tom care as I stood with him, welcoming guests? Did he heck. And did Sophie care when she practically floated on a cloud of joy, down the beach path? Not a jot.
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