Whilst researching superstitions related to weddings I was interested to learn of one from the Middle Ages which I thought I would share.

In the Middle Ages it was considered a bad omen for the newly married couple to meet a cat, dog, lizard, snake or rabbit as they left the church.  However, meeting a wolf, spider or toad was extremely good.  

How times change,

 
Your wedding day will be full of emotion as you create many happy memories and as a couple pledge yourselves to creating a future together.  

Don't worry if everything gets a little too much for it is good luck for a bride to cry on her wedding day as it symbolises that she has shed all her tears and will not shed more during her marriage.  

My top tip - enjoy your day and wear waterproof mascara !

It can be really good to include a custom from another country or culture in your ceremony.  Here are just a couple of ideas you might like.

Ringing bells

Bells are traditionally rung to keep evil spirits away and ensure harmony.  It is an Irish tradition to also include bells within the bouquet as a reminder of the vows that have been made.

​Breaking glass

In Italy many newlyweds smash a vase or glass at their wedding.  The idea is that each fragment of the glass represents a year.  Therefore the more pieces the glass smashes into the longer the marriage will last.

For more ideas about what you can include in your ceremony why not contact me ?

All ceremonies can be enhanced by adding a simple act which has a symbolic meaning.

The lighting of candles provides an opportunity to think about the light that a child brings into the lives of others.

There are lots of different ways to include candles in a ceremony depending on what you wish to express.  Here is an extract from a ceremony I created and conducted in which candles were lit.

 
 "This is a symbol of the light and warmth which has been bought into all of your lives through the birth of this child.

As this candle burns brightly, so we hope that this child's pathway in life will have a bright future. May they know the warmth of the love that surrounds them."

Please contact me via the contact form to be found on this website if you are interested in discussing a Naming ceremony for your child.

As part of a Naming ceremony it is often lovely to give a gift to the child either from yourself or from a sibling.

The gift can be something that can be kept as a memento of the day.  It can be something quite simple that has a deeper meaning. 

This is an extract from a naming ceremony I conducted in a small woodland clearing.

Roots and wings

A gift of a feather was given to the child by her older sibling.

"It is said that there are two things that we can give our children, roots and wings and this feather is a symbol of these things.
 
Roots  - not to tie you to the ground but to guide you to where fulfilment can be found, a nourishing start and a firm foundation.
 
Wings  - to soar over obstacles, to fly free and glide the heights of the best you can be and to return you home."
 
For further ideas about Naming ceremonies please contact me via my contact form.

 
I am often asked what is a Naming Ceremony and how does it differ from a Baptism.

The answer is quite straight forward - the purpose of a Naming ceremony is to welcome a child into their family and community and parents and others make promises to be there for the child and support them on their journey to adulthood.

A Baptism is the welcoming the child into the Church.

Families who wish can have both ceremonies  as each has a different purpose.

Example of a Naming ceremony 
 
Opening words by Celebrant
First reading
Naming of the child by their parent/parents
Parent's promises
Supporting adults' promises
​Acknowledgment of others who will be there for the child eg Grandparents, siblings etc
Signing of a certificate
Closing words
 
This  simple ceremony can be added to by including , additional readings, musical items, the giving gifts and  actions with special meanings.

Each ceremony I conduct has a unique script which has been written to reflect the hopes and wishes for the child's future.

Please make contact if you would like to discuss a Naming ceremony for your child.

Last week saw mw once again at Sedgebrook Hotel to be part of the training team for new Wedding Celebrants.

I always feel a great sense of achievement as I see new Celebrants develop and hone their skills as the week progresses.

Well done to all those who participated, it was a most rewarding week from my prospective and I hope you all enjoy your new roles as much as I do.

Just prior to Covid I wrote a blog about Sequel weddings and suggested that we might see more couples opting for them.   It seems that the idea of having more than one event to celebrate a couple getting married is now becoming increasingly popular.

Sequel Wedding celebrations are not new and in many different cultures it has long been the tradition to have multiple wedding ceremonies.

Couples choosing to have a Sequel wedding can spread their celebration over several days or even months.  They may choose a small intimate celebration with close family and friends either here or abroad and then follow that with a more lavish wedding celebration to which they can invite a larger group of guests.
 
If a couple legally marry in a small ceremony then the second gathering lends itself to having a Celebrant led ceremony This ceremony would have none of the restrictions of the legal process and therefore be far more personal.

I have been part of a number of events which would fit into the category of Sequel weddings, conducting ceremonies as part of a weekend wedding festival, following two plus two registry office services or at the start of a large family party.  

Planning a series of events gives a couple the opportunity to celebrate in different ways.

If you are considering this idea why not get in touch and discus how I might help ?