CHRISTINE O'MALLEY
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More couples are looking to have a Celebrant led ceremony. Recent statistics showed that only 12% of couples are choosing to marry in church. There are many reasons for this change and they are as diverse as the couples themselves. The rise in Wedding venues has made it easier for couples to book a one stop service for their Wedding day but does this option provide everything the couple is hoping for ? I believe it may not in all cases. Venues are often set up to work with the Registration service and these do not always allow couples to express their own individuality. The alternative is for a couple to undertake the legal process prior to their wedding day and then book a Celebrant to create a bespoke ceremony on their wedding day.
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A recent survey by "Hitched" stated that the next big trend coming from the catwalks for brides next year will be black wedding dresses but I wonder if this fashion will catch on. The trend for white wedding dresses was started by Queen Victoria and has been a popular choice ever since. Prior to Queen Victoria making white popular, people were more practical and bought an outfit they could wear after the ceremony or wore their "Sunday best". I am a firm believer in celebrating life's milestones with family and friends. As a Celebrant I can help to make your event a truly memorable occasion by developing a ceremony based on your wishes. Ceremonies are a wonderful way of sharing new beginnings or the start of a new chapter. Choosing a colour theme you like can help to bring everything together for your special day. From the colour of the bridal parties dresses and ties, to the flowers and table decorations it all helps to make a cohesive look. Did you know that individual colours represent different emotions and moods ? Here are just a few examples Orange Optimism Yellow Friendship Red Excitement Green Peacefulness Blue Trust Purple Creativity Perhaps you are considering a sand ceremony or handfasting as part of your ceremony and could incorporate these colours into that to. Have fun choosing just what you want to say through the colours you choose.  This neon sign and tropical floral arrangement added real pizzazz.   Whether you are outdoors in indoors making the space your own is very important when thinking of the area your ceremony will take place in. Above you can see a beautiful arch created within an orchard. A table was included so that a certificate could be signed. As guests walked through the orchard they were drawn to the area in which the ceremony was to be celebrated.  A gift given within any ceremony can have a special meaning and will be a keepsake of the day.
The gift may be a simple flower or feather or it may be something of greater monetary value. Gifts can be used to express love. When considering a Renewal of Vows ceremony, for example, different anniversaries have different materials associated with them. A fourth wedding anniversary is associated with flowers or ripe fruit. This represents the comfort felt by the fourth year together. The couple have established themselves within their relationship and feel settled. A gift given within any ceremony can have a special meaning and will be a keepsake of the day. The gift may be a simple flower or feather or it may be something of greater monetary value. Gifts can be used to express love. When considering a Renewal of Vows ceremony, for example, different anniversaries have different materials associated with them. A fourth wedding anniversary is associated with flowers or ripe fruit. This represents the comfort felt by the fourth year together. The couple have established themselves within their relationship and feel settled. Giving a special gift to a child as a memento of their Naming day is a wonderful way to remember the happy occasion. It also means that as the child grows older the significance of the gift can be explained. This is an extract from a ceremony I conducted in which a gift of a silver thimble was given. "In the story of Peter Pan, Peter and Wendy meet for the first time when Peter is attempting to reattach himself to his shadow. Since his attempt to stick it back with soap fails, Wendy offers to sew the shadow onto Peter with a needle and thread. Once it is attached she offers to give Peter a kiss and he holds out his hand. Not wishing to offend him Wendy places her thimble in his hand. So the thimble becomes a symbol both love and the capacity for compassion in a child." Couples wishing to celebrate a Civil Partnership may wish to do so with a Celebrant led ceremony following the completion of the legal declarations at a Registry office. Within a bespoke ceremony you can express your commitment to each other, make promises for the future and exchange rings, gifts etc. You may also choose to use traditions and symbolic actions from a range of different cultures, beliefs or trends. |
AuthorChoosing a Celebrant to help you create that special ceremony is an important step towards making your occasion a really memorable one. Why not take advantage of the free initial meeting I offer ? I believe it is important to meet informally to discuss your ideas and what I can offer. Meeting also gives us an opportunity to explore the type of ceremony that would best suit your needs. Archives
October 2023
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