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Bjorn & Aisling’s Boho DIY Wedding

I first met Bjorn and Aisling as good friends of my daughter and her partner Johnny, I’ve watched as they became a family, with their little boy Tadhg, then getting engaged.  I was thrilled they chose me as their celebrant to create and deliver a wedding ceremony like no one else’s!

They both work in the film industry, and are a hardworking, driven, extrovert and fun-loving couple – so I knew we were going to have fun creating their ceremony!   We had a few video calls so I could listen to their ideas and plans (and get to know Tadhg their son) before creating their ceremony.

Helping and reassuring them through their marriage legalities. The couple were planning a DIY Boho Style Wedding in a friend of the family’s rustic barn. My daughter also volunteered my services & my garden – to create the bridal bouquet, using hydrangeas and gypsophilia which I really loved doing.

THE REHEARSAL.

This took place the day before wedding rehearsal at 5:30pm, I was staying overnight at a local Inn. Knowing everyone was exhausted with setting everything up for the wedding (I really do applaud them on doing everything themselves – it is such hard work).

Having got everyone involved in the ceremony’s attention, we chatted through and agreed the running order for the ceremony, making a few tweaks to the ceremony itself.

I left everyone feeling reassured that ALL would be well on the day (always expect the unexpected!)

THEIR WEDDING.

Aisling and Bjorn wanted a fun, relaxed, happy celebration with all their families and friends.

I created a unique wedding celebration ceremony with traditional elements, all of which guaranteed to keep their guests attention and ensure it would be memorable.  The day was gorgeous, a beautiful warm day, everyone looked amazing, the venue looked fabulous, all their hard work had really paid off.

We had a slight delay, which was no problem at all, as a few guests got stuck in traffic.

After welcoming everyone, instead of the outdated tradition of the bride being given away, we asked both sets of parents for their blessing and to continue to support them as a couple. A tense moment but I am pleased to say both sets of parents agreed unanimously!

The rest of the ceremony was awesome, guests “Ooooing” and “Ahhhhing” as they listened,  at the end the cheers for the happy couple was incredible.

A moment I will never ever forget –  along with meeting Ricky Gervais lookalike Tim Oliver(scroll to the bottom for a picture), is when I shared the marriage advice and secrets to a good marriage which guests had written during the ceremony – it was such fun! 

Happy Ever After & lots of love to you Mr & Mrs Franklin!

AISLING’S REVIEW OF LOUISE & THE CEREMONY COMPANY

“We had heard how great Louise was before asking her to be our celebrant at our wedding.

Bjorn and I feel so blessed that even our expectations were dwarfed by what she actually brought to our wedding. Respect, passion, creativity, humour, and bundles of support which we needed running up to our big day. 

She was so cool, calm and collected through our video chats, at our rehearsal and then on the day itself, the build-up to our ceremony and the ceremony itself.  

I almost want a little pocket-sized version to carry around with me always!! 

She welcomed our guests with a smile, had everyone crying, laughing and cheering and literally helped make our wedding as beautiful and as memorable as it could’ve been. We can’t thank her enough. 

A & B x”

Photography by the talented Alex MacPraed

If you enjoyed this post and would like to discuss how I can help create a perfect ceremony for your special day don’t hesitate to get in touch. Also, please help us by spreading the word, email this blog or how to contact us to all your friends or share it on Facebook. Thank you!

with love,

The Ceremony Company

 

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Romain & Yohann’s English Elopement

The gorgeous Romain & Yohann got in touch from their home in France and we arranged a Skype meeting on Valentines Day. They shared with me how they met and came to be, we bonded over being keen animal lovers – they have three dogs and three cats! They booked an outstanding venue – the stunning Armathwaite Hall Hotel in the Lake District – a very special place to them, as it is where the proposal took place!  How romantic! There was only going to be myself, the couple and a photographer, Gavin Powers, for the ceremony so it was going to be really intimate. We exchanged emails over the next couple of months and created a personal ceremony that celebrated them as a couple, their love and commitment to each other, as they intended to hold their legal marriage in France the following month.

The Rehearsal

We arranged to meet the day before their special day to have a run through and ensure everyone’s expectations would be met. It was also on this day that I was introduced to the wonderful and talented photographer Gavin who would be capturing there special day.

The Blessing and Handfasting Ceremony

The weather was true British weather… Rain! But Romain and Yohann did not let this spoil their day one bit.Dressed in gorgeous matching traditional kilts – with bowties made out of wood, I had never seen anything like them before! Such a handsome couple.

Due to the rain, we held the first part of their ceremony under a pretty pagoda in the gardens of Armathwaite Hall Hotel. It is here that I took Romain and Yohann back over their story, how they met, what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to, they also chose to exchange traditional vows and personal promises. 

Then we took the brave move to hold the next part of their ceremony in a field at the far end of the gardens, under a beautiful old Oak tree, it was a stunning location and more importantly it is exactly what my couple wanted!  

So through the long grass we rambled, me in my heels, the couple in their woollen jackets and kilts and the photographer, the rain could not stop us! The location was perfect and it meant so much to them both – we laughed as we all wondered what a spectacle we were to all the other guests! This only added to the romance and fun of the day!  

Once under the huge oak tree (avoiding the nettles) we began the Handfasting.  Romain and Yohann (although not “Rainbow” kind of guys) wanted to acknowledge and honour Gilbert Baker, choosing rainbow coloured ribbons the symbol for LGBT (which you can see in the photo) we gave thanks to the courageous work and endeavours of people like Gilbert – equality for everyone in all aspects of life and marriage.  

I thought this was not only emotional but an inspirational touch. As it was only the four of us, I had the pleasure of tying the rainbow ribbons together – it really was an honour. Once I had removed the ribbons, never to be untied, our couple exchanged their wedding bands after which I blessed their hands and as a surprise to them both I read a beautiful reading about Love. Before closing the ceremony I asked them both to look around, at the special place they had chosen, asking them to hold in their hearts the true meaning of coming back to where Yohann had proposed, then I blessed their intimate union and congratulated them both as they kissed. Myself and Gavin gave them the biggest round of applause that two people could muster! We all had a lovely glass of bubbles and cup of tea (to warm up) before they changed outfits and left for their photographs.

I have to say these two true gentlemen and their very personal ceremony really is lodged in my heart as being not only beautiful but very meaningful and I’m honoured to have been a part of such a memorable day.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. Feeling inspired? Get in touch today to talk about how I can help you create your perfect happy ever after.  Also, don’t forget to please help and spread the word, email this to a friend who is thinking of an Elopement or Wedding Blessing Ceremony or share it on social media. Thank you!

with love,

 

The Ceremony Company

x

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Fiona and Simon’s Stunning Autumnal City Wedding

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Photographs provided by the very talented Shane Webber

Fiona & Simon got in touch both knowing they wanted their ceremony to be much more personal than what is offered by a traditional Registrar.  We arranged to meet one evening at John Lewis at the Trafford Centre (this cafe is a great place to meet) and we chatted over a cuppa!

Fiona had brought along her notes and we discussed all of the ideas for their ceremony.  Fiona and I hit it off and we both got excited about the plans that were beginning to form.  Both Simon and Fiona had been married before and both really wanted something more personal and to be and feel different. After our meeting, I couldn’t wait to create their personal ceremony as their marriage would not only change their lives but that of their 3 children.

Over the next few months, we exchanged emails and agreed on a truly perfect ceremony. We arranged to meet at the venue Great John Street Hotel, Manchester to run through the logistics as the ceremony was on two levels – the ceremony and close family on the mezzanine and guests on the lower ground.

THE WEDDING DAY.

It was a perfect Autumn day, the hotel looked enchanting and the guests began arriving excited. Simon looked relaxed as he greeted guests enjoying a drink while Fiona was finishing getting ready with best friend and bridesmaid Kirstie and two children Dominic & Eirin. I have to say that Fiona’s choice of dress was gorgeous!

Micheal Bublé’s beautiful voice filled the room and there was a real buzz of excitement and anticipation as guests took to their seats.

As 4 pm neared we all got into our positions, Simon and his bestman Chris stood next to me in the centre on the mezzanine, with Simon’s daughter Sophie seated next to him as their beautiful ring bearer. Soon the music changed to Nat King Cole “L.O.V.E.” and the double doors opened… Fiona walked in… she looked stunning! She slowly made her way up the stairs to stand beside Simon. The look on his face when he first saw her was like one of those movie moments. It was as if nobody else was in the room. Fiona’s children Dominic and Eirin looked so cute as they followed behind bridesmaid Kirstie and took their seats close by.

Throughout the ceremony, Simon and Fiona never stopped smiling at each other. Fiona’s close friend Claire shared a reading and quote from the film “Shall We Dance” (which I love) and after Fiona was given away by her father Lord Tom. They exchanged traditional vows and personal promises and we included a special acknowledgement of their new family of “Five”. An amazing moment where the children came forward and all held hands united together to show support for their mummy and daddy’s day. Sophie then brought the wedding rings forward to be exchanged, after which I announced them as husband and wife and our couple kissed to a rapturous round of applause!

They both sat to sign their certificate and I brought the ceremony to a close announcing our couple as Mr and Mrs to everyone. They walked down the stairs to Benny Goodman “Sing, Sing, Sing” to waiting cocktails and bubbles.  Photographs were then taken with their guests and even I managed to have one too, thank you Shane Webber!

Simon & Fiona have kept in touch and sent a lovely thank you email saying how perfect their day had been from start to finish! I have to agree with them, they were a dream to work with and you can see from the photos what a perfect day we had!

Thank you so much for taking time to read this post about the story of Simon and Fiona’s day. Get in touch today to find out how I can help you have a lovely and relaxed day with a personal ceremony. Once again, please help spread the word, why not email this to a friend who is recently engaged and planning their Wedding or share it on Facebook. Thank you!

with love,

The Ceremony Company

 

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