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Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@yourhampshiredorset.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Personalised Ceremonies
| Q | A few of my friends have recently married, and I'm worried my wedding will not stand out. How can I add something special to my big day? |
| A | Andrea Lindsay says: Looking for a wedding that will leave a lasting impression and be tailored specifically to you? A celebrant-led wedding is the answer! It offers a one-of-a-kind and completely personalised experience that sets your special day apart from the rest. Unlike traditional religious or civil ceremonies, a celebrant allows you to create a wedding that truly reflects your personality, beliefs and love story. Every ceremony aspect will resonate with you and guests, from unique vows to meaningful rituals and special readings or music. This level of customisation ensures that your wedding will be truly memorable and stand out as a genuine celebration of your unique journey together. Celebrants possess a unique talent for storytelling, weaving the couple's past, present and future into a captivating narrative. This storytelling not only entertains but also fosters a deeper emotional connection between the couple, their guests and the significance of the occasion. With elements of humour, emotion and introspection, celebrant-led ceremonies offer a well-rounded and memorable experience for all. This personal touch distinguishes these ceremonies from traditional weddings, where the couple's influence over the content and style is limited. Celebrant-led weddings provide a personalised and engaging experience and offer incredible flexibility when choosing the location and structure of the ceremony. The supplier can officiate weddings in various settings, from beautiful outdoor spots to unique venues that hold sentimental value for the couple. This adaptability also applies to the format and timing of the ceremony, ensuring a seamless transition throughout the wedding day. Whether the couple desires a small, intimate affair or a lavish celebration, a celebrant can tailor the ceremony to match any vision perfectly, creating a day as extraordinary and unique as the love being commemorated! |
Andrea Lindsay, Halo Celebrancy
Exchanging Vows
| Q | We've just started wedding planning, and our friend mentioned hiring a celebrant. What is the supplier's role? |
| A | Andrea Lindsay says: In a world where individuality and personalisation are highly valued, the role of a celebrant has emerged as an exciting way of having a completely personalised ceremony crafted specifically for you! A celebrant will take the time to get to know you as a couple, understand your love story, and craft a ceremony that celebrates your love as well as commitment, along with your personal beliefs, values, and specific ceremony preferences. They'll help you articulate your feelings and emotions, creating a heartfelt and memorable experience. Celebrants are skilled officiants who have been trained in creating and conducting personalised ceremonies tailored specifically to the couple they're working with. No two ceremonies are alike! Any element that you would like to include in your ceremony can be incorporated, as there are no restrictions apart from any that might be imposed by the venue! One of the key distinguishing features of a celebrant is their focus on customisation. They offer a refreshing alternative to traditional religious or civil ceremonies, as they provide the flexibility to design a ceremony that truly resonates with a couple's love story and can reflect different cultural backgrounds and faith traditions or simply provide a creative and personal celebration ceremony. Rather than adhering to predetermined scripts or religious doctrines, celebrants work closely with their clients to co-create ceremonies that authentically reflect their personalities, stories, and relationships. This collaborative process allows individuals to include personal touches, reflections of their love journey, recognition of important people or events. If desired, they can include rituals or symbolic elements that hold deep significance. Whether you're planning to have an intimate wedding, a garden setting, a festival-style event, a country house celebration, a wedding at a hotel or even a secret elopement, a celebrant will adapt to whatever setting or style you choose, ensuring that ceremonies feels genuine and memorable |
Andrea Lindsay, Halo Celebrancy
It's Snow-Time
| Q | We love Christmas and want to incorporate festive nods into our ceremony. Do you have any ideas on how we could do this? |
| A | Richard Sheath says: As an independent celebrant, we have the freedom to create a ceremony that's bespoke and personal to you! Christmas is a very romantic time of the year, with lights and candles in plenty. It's a beautiful time to celebrate your love while creating wonderful memories. How lovely would it be to have your first kiss under the mistletoe? This could be extended to your guests by hanging sprigs in unexpected places to encourage friends to share the love. Share the first drink of your marriage by combining the ancient tradition of sipping from the two-handled loving cup (or quaich), which symbolises a bond of love and trust. Use the festive favourite of mulled wine to complement the time of year. Christmas and unwrapping presents go hand-in-hand. So, why not wrap your wedding rings in a box containing special love messages to read aloud instead of a traditional vow exchange? These are just a few ideas, but there are many more to make your Christmas wedding a truly fantastic day. Be creative and think outside the box. |
Richard Sheath, The Wessex Celebrant
Memorable moments
| Q | Our wedding planner has suggested we hire a celebrant for our big day. Should we book one, and what are the benefits? |
| A | Karen Hopwood says: In short, your celebrant will do everything to ensure your ceremony goes as smoothly as possible. They'll help you create lasting memories with your own words of promise while getting to know you both to reflect your personalities into your ceremony. They'll work with you to share personal touches and special words with your partner because you're not restricted in what you say, unlike a clergy member or registrar. You can hold your ceremony anywhere with a celebrant, like a beach or a back garden, and they should arrive early to ensure you have everything needed. When guests arrive, they'll direct loved ones to the ceremony setting before the wedding party walks up the aisle. |
Karen Hopwood, Coast Ceremonies
