Here are a few ideas you might like to think about when you start to write your promises

Don’t forget to say “I love you”

Talk about the fact you plan to always be there for your partner
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Add some personal things which are unique to you  - such as promising to

• Always move the spiders out of the shower
• Buy your partner’s favourite cheese
• Dance in the kitchen
• Make an early morning cuppa
• Binge watch TV together
• Make time each day to listen
• Walk the dog

 
Within a Wedding Celebration ceremony you can make promises and vows or just a promise or just a vow.   There is often a little confusion about what is a vow/promise because people talk of vows and promises as the same thing, indeed vows often start with the phrase “I promise”.

Personally, I always think that the wording of vows reflect the more formal declarations being made and are usually made when giving or receiving rings.
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Promises on the other hand are much more personal and are more reflective of you as a couple and your hopes and dreams for the future.


Check out next weeks blog for some inspiration about what to include.

“Florigaphy” or the language of flowers dates back to the Victorian times when suitors would send flowers expressing feelings which could not be spoken aloud.


Popular choices included

Red roses spoke of love
Yellow roses to  express  joy
Red and white mixed meant Unity and undying love.
Red carnations signalled admiration
White carnations reflect pure love
White Calla lilies for beauty
 
However, flowers had to be fresh for a withered flowers spoke of rejection.

Hitched is one of the leading Wedding Directories in the UK.  Each year they publish a report which I find fascinating.

The report for 2025 has recently been published and I took a peak.

The survey is based on the returns from 2020 couples.

• The average age of people getting married is 34 yrs
• Most couples have lived together for at least 5 yrs
• The average planning time is 15 months
• The average number of guests is 70
• 71% of couples choose a civil ceremony
• The Average cost is £24,000

Whilst I find these figures very interesting I just wonder about the couples who don't want average, who want their day to have structure but also be inspirational, want it simple and exciting.

If you are looking for something that is not "average" for your special day then why not give me a call and we can talk about how I might help you create an creative, joyful and bespoke ceremony.  

Why not drop me a line using the contact form on this site ?

Alongside my work as an Independant Celebrant I also work as a tutor Assessor on an NVQ level 3 course.  My role is to train new Celbrants to be Family and Couples celebrants alongside my colleague, Emily.

The last course was held at Cranfield University at the end of February and I was thrilled to recieve very positive feedback from two of the participants, which was passed on by the office.


"Please do pass on my thanks to Chris and Emily who were really supportive throughout and offered some useful advice"
Claire


"Jilly sends her love to you both – for your amazing support – you are both amazing."

I thought it was wonderful that Claire and Jilly took the time to send their thanks.

Each Celebrant is different and different Celebrants click with different couples.

So what is my signature style?

Overall I beleive I am freindly, sincere and professional.

But what do these three words mean with regard to your ceremony

Freindly - I like to make the ceremonies I create accessible to all , to include some gentle humour and lots of smiles.  I spend time getting to know you and I hope that you will feel relaxed and enjoy your moment.

Professional - I am a fully qualified Celebrant and have ten years experience as both a Celebrant and as a trainer of other Celebrants.   It is my belief that everyone present should be able to see and hear all that is happening so that they can feel part of your day.  

Sincere - Your ceremony should be heartfelt, not simply something that is read from a script, downloaded from the internet, but specifically crafted for you and with you. 

So if you think I might be the right choice for you, why not complete the contact form here on my website nd we can start a conversation.

I am a firm believer in delivering the ceremony that my couples want.  Each ceremony is carefully crafted to your requirements which means that each one is unique.

I always start by meeting my couples either in person or via a video call.  This is a no obligation meeting and it allows me to understand what your requirements are and you to decide if I am the right person for your special day.

Just as every couple is unique so every Celebrant has their own style and it is important to find the one who you feel will interpret your ideas well.

Once we have reached an agreement then I usually set up a WhatsApp group so that we can quickly exchange ideas as well as an email link for longer correspondance.  

We would meet to discuss your plans and talk about the contents of your ceremony.

I then draft a script based on these discussions.  We can then tweek this until it is just right.

On the day I will read the script we have agreed.

My aim is to create ceremonies that are sincere, friendly and professional so that you and your guests  feel relaxed and look back with joy at the many memories of the day.

When putting together a Wedding Ceremony which is  special to you  you might think about who you wish to include.  

Within any ceremony there are opportunities to include not only adults but also children and or pets.

The roles children and pets play can vary depending upon age and the overall feel you wish to create.

Your tail friend may play the role of ring bearer or accompany you down the aisle.

Perhaps this is the celebration of a new begining as a blended family.  If so you might wish to make promises to the children as well as each other.

Children can take their part as readers or musicians.  They may join you in doing a sand cermony or lighting candles.

There are many ways in which their contributions can enhance the ceremony.

Perhaps you would like to discuss this further id so, why not fill in a contact form and arrange an informal chat ?

A Wedding ceremony presented by an Independant Celebrant can be as long as you like.

However, I would urge you to consider how long is too long.

I would suggest that a good length for a Ceremony would be between 20 and 40 minutes.  The overall legnth will depend on how many elements woul wish to include.

Examples of what might be included

• Personal vows and promises
• Music
• Poems
• Readings (including those from different faiths)
• Unity ceremonies such as the lighting of candles, the giving of gifts, the sharing of wine, mixing something
• Confetti tunnels
• Traditons from other  cultures

If you would like further information please get in touch.

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There has been a rise recently in the number of couples using online serives to create their Wedding Ceremony.

Online companies offer complete ceremonies which can be read by family or friends.  The scripts they offer are very generic and rarely offer the personal touch which is achieved by working with a professional Celebrant.

A good Wedding ceremony will reflect you as a couple and will express your love for each other, your hopes for the future and all the special things that make you unique.

No two couples are the same and it is through conversation and getting to know you as a couple that a Celebrant is able to create and deliver a bespoke script.

The wedding ceremony is the very heart of your day and a real personal ceremony will ensure it is  memorable for a lifetime.