But have you taken the same care with your wedding ceremony? If you have the bog-standard council ceremony, how memorable will that be? Will the interest of your guests fade? Rather than really listening to your wedding vows, will your guests just be waiting for the drinks, food and entertainment?

With a wedding ceremony led by a Celebrant, the anticipation and excitement of your arrival is aided by the Celebrant’s engagement with your guests. White Rose Ceremonies encourage the happy chatter and applause for when the first member of the wedding party arrives.

We make sure everybody is seated and check that everything is where it should be for the ceremony. It’s part of what we do.

And we make sure your perfect wedding ceremony is all about you.

It may well include the lovely traditional elements of a wedding ceremony, such as readings, vows, exchange of rings and the signing of a certificate. It might include symbolic rituals that celebrate your commitment to each other in different ways.

But your guests will be engaged and immersed in your perfect wedding ceremony as we tell your story. We have lots of ideas of how we can include special people without them having to get up and read.  These are things that you won’t get with the council ceremony.

This is your day.  It is all about creating memories.  It is all about giving you your perfect wedding ceremony.  These ceremonies can take place at any location, licensed or unlicensed. We provide you with the opportunity to have your perfect wedding ceremony wherever you want it.  It can be in a formal venue, your home, your grandmother’s garden, on the beach or in a forest.

Your promises can be celebrated with as many people as you want and with the words, music and feeling that you want. Whether that is humanist, religious or secular (not connected with any particular religious or spiritual matters), it is your ceremony.

We have even conducted ceremonies with a translator for friends and families who don’t speak English and as for including pets – well, we are becoming quite the experts!

Creating memories for your perfect wedding ceremony is easier than you think. Contact us for more information!

Photographs courtesy of David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies.

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Different ends of the beautiful Victorian Long Barn hosted separate ceremony and reception areas. This barn has the biggest ‘oh-wow’ factor we have ever seen!  Childerley looked after the wedding with professional dedication and care.

Joe proposed to Karen on the historic Southwold Pier in Suffolk. Having waited 13 years, Karen was an absolutely stunning bride in her David Tutera wedding dress. Her three bridesmaids wore beautifully elegant grey dresses which complemented the tweed jackets worn by the groom and his groomsmen.

We celebrated their wedding vows in style. One hundred friends and family were there to share in Karen and Joe’s promises of love and commitment. There was laughter and tears when we shared what Karen and Joe love about each other. We even laughed aloud in the vows when Karen deliberately over-emphasised the word HUSBAND in her vows!

Karen and Joe’s ceremony included a personally written reading by their children, which was met with happy cheers and applause. Their friends Tomi and Victoria played and sang a beautiful Adele track during the signing.

Fairylights on bay trees flanked the ceremony area and were a real feature in the reception area, along with the silver glittery accessories. Delicious food including an Eton Mess Bar was provided by Puddini Caterers and their mobile bar with LOTS of gin was set up by Banquet Inn.

Made by Keen for Cakes, their beautiful cake was surrounded by equally delicious cake pops.

The evening celebrations were accompanied by foot-stomping music by the Indietones and carriages at midnight brought the celebrations to a close.  Many happy memories were made and these will last a lifetime.

Our congratulations to Karen and Joe – a wonderful Childerley wedding that had it all.

Celebrant: Rebecca Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

Venue: Childerley

Food: Puddini Caterers

Drink: Banquet Inn

Entertainment: Indietones

Blog photographs: published with kind permission of David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

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Here are a few points to help you decide who you want to conduct your Wedding Ceremony:

Celebrant

You have complete flexibility regarding the words and content of your Ceremony.  This can include spiritual references, singing and lighting of candles if you wish.

Your Ceremony can be conducted anywhere you want. These can be on licensed or unlicensed premises or on public land.  Remember to get the relevant permission from the landowner.  Think about formal venues, fields, forests and beaches.  Also at home, in poppy fields or bluebell woods.

Your Ceremony can be as traditional, quirky, emotional or as funny as you wish.

You will have met your Celebrant and spoken to them several times before your Ceremony.  You can meet our team here.

These Ceremonies do not have any legal status.

You will need to complete your legal license in the registrar’s office (a ceremony room will cost you extra) with two witnesses beforehand. This will cost you around £50 plus license fees and takes around 10 minutes.

Then share your marriage vows with each other in your beautifully unique Wedding Ceremony.

The Ceremonies can involve your families and friends and sets a happy, celebratory tone for the rest of the day.

These Ceremonies are ideal for couples who are happy to put thought and effort into creating a personal Wedding Ceremony that is unique to them.

Registrar

The words will be those that Registrars are required to use by law.  Find out more by clicking here.

You might have a choice between three very similar and standard scripts.

These ceremonies can only be conducted in licensed venues.

You will not know which Registrar will conduct your ceremony until you arrive for your ceremony.

You are not permitted to have any religious or spiritual references.

These ceremonies are legally binding.

These ceremonies are ideal for couples who just want to get the legalities done in a standard ceremony before the wedding reception.

Minister

These ceremonies will be about a God or religious belief and the sanctity of marriage.  Find out more here.

Words will vary depending on the religion.

These ceremonies can only be conducted in a consecrated building (church, chapel, mosque etc).

In most religions, this ceremony is legally binding.

These ceremonies are ideal for those who follow a certain faith.  They are particularly suitable for those who believe that the ceremony reflects their faith and who they are as individuals.

So…

…you know that old joke – a Celebrant, Registrar and Minister walked into a pub and….?  No, nor do we but we hope we have helped you understand the differences between a Celebrant, Registrar and Minister.

Please contact us to talk about your very own unique and wonderful Wedding Ceremony.

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And yes, your outdoor wedding ceremony can be absolutely wonderful.  To help you achieve this and, based on our experience, we have compiled a list of things to take into consideration.

Noise!

If you are having your wedding in a barn and/or field on a working farm then get comfortable with the fact that there will be NOISE. Tractors, geese, donkeys and even a light aircraft taking off just 200 feet away are just some of the noises we’ve had to contend with at White Rose Ceremonies!

Have a chat with the owner and tell them that this isn’t just a wedding reception.  Tell them that you are actually having an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony and it would be great if tractors, combine harvesters and planes could be kept under wraps for 30 precious minutes.

And if it is windy the voice of the officiant, the bride, the groom and anybody who is reading will be swept away.

So regardless of what the noise is, some of your guests won’t hear anything.  Having a good sound system for your ceremony MUST be part of your budgeting. It’s a great shame if your guests can’t hear your vows and they will probably mention it to you afterwards.

If you decide to have your ceremony in a Barn, you may still have a tractor or two driving past. We’ve even had wheat being harvested!

Additionally, if you have a mobile bar inside your barn, tell the supplier that they must not set up their bar while the Ceremony is in progress. The noise of clashing bottles, unwrapping plastic beakers and the squashing of empty plastic bottles is distracting, to say the least.

Rain!

If it is drizzling or raining, don’t assume that a “bit of rain won’t hurt anybody”.

If you want your Outdoor Wedding Ceremony to be exactly that – outdoors – regardless of the weather, provide a big basket full of umbrellas.  The umbrellas should be big enough to cover the whole guest, not just their head.

Have tarpaulin or plastic covers to cover hay bales or seats before the ceremony.  You can delegate the removal of them to your groomsmen, family or friends before the guests sit down.  Sitting on damp hay bales or wet plastic chairs is not a pleasant experience for anybody.

You might be completely engaged in what’s going on but your guests will be wondering how they can keep warm and dry.  They certainly won’t be focussing on you as a couple and your carefully written vows.  You really do need to have a Plan B!

Just remember – a soggy guest is not a happy guest!

The Sun!

Think also about heat. Will your guests be in full sun when your ceremony takes place? Advise them to bring sunglasses, a cover-up for shoulders, maybe a hat.

Consider having your ceremony under trees or big parasols so your guests have some shelter from bright rays. Even in the British sunshine the heat can be uncomfortable and having the sun in your eyes rather than a perfect view of the happy couple just spoils the experience.

Footwear!

It might seem obvious but, if your outdoor wedding ceremony is in a field on a working farm, make sure your guests know that they should wear suitable footwear.  High heels and fields don’t work – broken ankles are not great on a wedding day. And if the field is normally used by sheep, cows or geese then somebody really does need to get a spade out to clear up before you get ready for the ceremony!

If you are having your ceremony on a lawn, think about providing heel protectors for all those who wear high heels. Even a little rain can make grass difficult to walk on.  Otherwise your guests really will get that sinking feeling.

Enjoy your outdoor wedding ceremony!

If you take a little extra time to plan for these eventualities, your Outdoor Wedding Ceremony really can be every bit as happy and fabulous as you imagine.  Just make sure your guests can hear what’s going on and that they are sheltered and comfortable.

We hope these hints and tips help and finally, here are ‘our’ geese!  Have an absolutely wonderful day!

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We know that there is a lot to think about when planning your wedding.  The venue, the dresses and outfits, photographer, caterer, entertainment, flowers, wedding favours.  You spend all your time on Pinterest creating mood boards for the most perfect wedding.

But what about the perfect Ceremony?

Imagine your guests focussed on you both, laughing, clapping! Probably shedding a happy tear and totally engaged with you as share your promises of love with each other.

Want to sing? Well, let’s sing! Want to remember a loved one who has passed away? Let’s light a candle. Want your pet to be the ring bearer? Yes – let’s do it!

When you plan your Ceremony with a Celebrant, they provide you with a fresh and unique approach.  Celebrants get to know you.  They write your script and weave the story of your journey as a couple throughout the Ceremony, making it completely personal to you.  Your script will never be the same as another couple and that is guaranteed!

Celebrants also have great ideas when it comes to including special people too! As for your venue, it can be wherever you want it to be. Inside, outside, at home, at a formal venue, in a tipi, marquee, in a forest, by the sea – anywhere you want.

And the legal paperwork?  Just complete it with two witnesses in the basic ceremony that all registrars should offer.  You don’t have to use a special room.  The legal documentation can be held in the registrar’s office.  Our couples at White Rose Ceremonies call it the ‘admin appointment’!

We love our team of Celebrants at White Rose Ceremonies but there are other fabulous Celebrants out there as well.  So wherever you live, you can have an amazing Ceremony conducted by a Celebrant.

You can plan your Ceremony with us, of course! But there are also other amazing Celebrants who we highly recommend:

Katie Deverell at www.ceremonydesigner.co.uk

Ellie Farrell at www.alternativeceremoniesuk.com

Katie Keen at www.trueblueceremonies.co.uk

Judy Mansfield at www.cherish-ceremonies.co.uk

So – planning your Wedding? Plan your Ceremony! Have the most fantastic start to your wedding celebrations! We wish you lots of love, joy and happiness x

The post Planning your Wedding? Plan your Ceremony! appeared first on White Rose Ceremonies.

It’s important to form this relationship because ,when it comes to your big day, you want a friendly face and somebody who knows exactly what you want for your celebration.

Whether your celebrant wedding is on a farm, in a Labyrinth, at a formal venue, or in your garden, we make every effort to make sure that you feel comfortable with us and that you trust us to conduct the ceremony that you want.

Read on to find out how we do this…

We visit you several times and, without being intrusive, we get to know you.  As part of your package you receive our Wedding Book. It’s full of resources that provide you with lots of choice for your ceremony such as unity ceremony, handfasting, rose ceremony and many other ideas.

We have lots of lovely ways to include special people – grandparents, children, friends and even your pets…

We include a rehearsal so that you become familiar with where to stand.  We also talk to your ushers and bridal party about where they should be and, if they are not at the rehearsal, we will talk to them before the ceremony starts.

After your celebrant wedding ceremony, we wish you all the very best for your married life and that we hope to keep in touch.  And we are so very happy that we do exactly that – keep in touch.  Enjoy your day!

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With Sarah’s Scottish background and Joshua’s Australian background, this wedding was destined to be an interesting fusion of both cultures.  There was a wonderful mixture of traditional Scottish kilts and contemporary short-sleeved shirts, braces, bowties and boutonniere of Scottish thistle.

The bridesmaids wore pink while the flower girl wore white and carried bouquets of white gypsophila.  Mitsie, the Puppy Bridesmaid, wore a garland of pink and white flowers.

The Father of the Bride looked resplendent in ceremonial Scottish dress complete with bearskin hat as he escorted his beautiful daughter up the aisle.

Sarah carried a delicate bouquet of blue, pink and white flowers.  She wore a stunning sleeveless embellished dress with a long veil edged with lace which floated behind her as acoustic guitar was played during her walk to meet Joshua.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids flanked Sarah and Joshua throughout their wedding ceremony.  The ceremony included everything that Sarah and Joshua wanted.  This included a lovely reading by their seven year old flower girl.  With vows made, rings exchanged and the commemorative certificate signed, the final words were said and the happy couple left to applause and congratulations.

Sarah and Joshua’s Scottish Australian Fusion Wedding celebrations continued long into the evening at The Willow Tree in Bourn.  After their wedding they provided us with a lovely testimonial:

“The service we received at White Rose Ceremonies was absolutely fantastic. Rebecca and her team were extremely supportive, whilst at the same time kind, caring and patient. My new husband and I cannot thank Rebecca, Pam and Dave enough for giving us the ceremony we have always hoped for and it was perfect. This was thanks to all of their time and dedication in tailoring it to how we wanted it. I would highly recommend White Rose to anyone looking for a top class and customised service.”

We had a wonderful time with Sarah and Joshua, preparing their special ceremony.  We wish them lots of love and luck and every happiness in the future.

Celebrant: Pam McCarthy, White Rose Ceremonies

Photographs taken by: David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

Ceremony Venue: The Great Barn, Manor Farm, Bourn, Cambridgeshire

The Wedding Reception: The Willow Tree, Bourn, Cambridgeshire

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Planning ‘The Kiss’ and getting it perfect is as important as planning everything else. Your first kiss will be photographed and remembered by many people for years to come. And it’s very easy to get it wrong!

We witness many kisses as Celebrants and thought it worth sharing our experience of the kiss with you. Should it be a quick peck? Full on and passionate? Let’s talk about ‘The Kiss’.

A quick peck can seem cold, as if you are too uncomfortable to kiss. A full on and passionate snog will leave your Celebrant and your guests completely embarrassed. And, quite frankly, we all just wish it would stop.

Here are some ‘’no-no’s” that we have actually witnessed ourselves. Read these before we give you the absolutely perfect wedding kiss:

• No dry pecks (very disappointing)
• Absolutely NO tongues (it’s really not pleasant to watch)
• Don’t go on kissing for ages (we get bored easily)
• Don’t kiss each other so hard that lipstick is spread all over your face (you will be upset by the photographs afterwards)
• No bent-over-backwards-tango kisses (losing your balance is very easy to do)
• Don’t grab the veil or yank your partner’s head backwards (that hurts)
• No panting or moaning (honestly, that is REALLY embarrassing)
• No munching (yes, really, no munching)
• And no dribbling (what can I say…)

So, what is the perfect wedding kiss?

The best kiss in our opinion is the ‘linger’. A soft linger on each other’s lips is romantic, loving and perfect for all those watching.

For those who want the technical details, a ‘linger’ is lips closed and pressed warmly on those of your partner. Linger there for about five seconds then break away. It looks so lovely that your Celebrant and your guests will be more than happy for you to have two or three more lingers. It’s very romantic, it’s loving and it expresses just the right sentiment. It’s great for the photographers and it’s not embarrassing for anybody who witnesses it.

So there you have it, ‘The Kiss’. And one final hint. It really is worth practising ‘The Kiss’. Take it from us, it’s great fun! And, what’s more, you’ll be more relaxed about it on the day.

Enjoy!

If you would like more information about the services we offer, please use our Contact Page or call us on 07725 795316.

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You can have the Wedding of your choice. The only thing that you have to do is to make sure your marriage is legally binding. Traditionally this has presented you with only two options. To have your Wedding at the Register Office or to be married in church where the church ceremony reflects your faith.

If a standard Register Office or a Church Wedding is not for you, consider the third option – using the services of a Civil Celebrant.

Every Wedding is unique. No two people are the same.  The circumstances in which you met are not exactly the same as anybody else. Your life ahead will not be the same as anybody else’s and so there is no reason why you should have the standard script delivered at the Register Office or Church.

We love beautiful weddings that ooze tradition but we also love alternative weddings that ooze individualism. Whatever your preference, imagine your Wedding guests leaving at the end of the day with praise on their lips about your special Wedding day.

We can help you achieve that if you can change your perception of a ‘real’ Wedding. Change it from a Register Office or Church wedding to one that is conducted in a location that you connect to emotionally, such as in a forest, a field, a beautiful formal venue, your home or a beach.

Your ceremony will be much more significant to you as a couple because you have been involved with your Celebrant in writing your Wedding script. And so, your ceremony will be much more meaningful, emotional and joyful than a standard ceremony.

We must emphasise that, in England and Ireland, you do need to go to the Register Office with two witnesses to complete the legal marriage. At the time of writing this blog, this takes 15 minutes and costs £46. This can be special in itself. Go with close family or friends in jeans and t-shirts or make it part of your celebrations and enjoy a lovely meal afterwards.

Then prepare for your wonderful ceremony with as many family and friends as you wish in the location of your choice. You can have a unique Wedding Ceremony that reflects who you really are.

Your New Year’s Resolution? To have the Wedding of your choice! Contact us for more information via our website at White Rose Ceremonies, email us at whiteroseceremony@btinternet.com or call us on 07725 795316.

Photos courtesy of:

Bill Bowman Photography

Yokan

David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

Chris Taylor Photography

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A Debating Chamber, a field, a labyrinth, a supermarket, Cambridge University Colleges, an Inn, a Mansion House, a barn, a privately owned old hall, a working farm, village halls, a family home – these are just some of the locations we have delivered unique wedding ceremonies. Where will you hold your Wedding Ceremony?

We are contacted by many people who are frustrated not just by the standard script that’s delivered at ‘normal’ wedding ceremonies, but by the lack of opportunity to hold their Wedding Ceremony at a location that’s special and personal to them. Provided you complete the legalities at your local Register Office, we can then deliver your wedding ceremony wherever you want it. OK, we don’t jump out of planes, bungee jump or get naked, but other than that we are very flexible!

We also provide our lovely wedding couples with our unique White Rose Wedding Book which has over fifty pages of ideas for your wedding ceremony. How to involve special people, wedding vows, ring vows, different ceremonies to consider and lots (and lots!) of readings and poems. We include those special moments where you say “I do” in all our ceremonies. We deliver very special traditional wedding ceremonies but we can also mix it up, ensuring your guests are intrigued and engaged throughout the whole ceremony.

As well as providing you with a super copy of your Wedding Ceremony Script and Certificate afterwards, we also bring our own wellies, umbrellas and spare outfits to cater for all weather conditions!

Our focus is on you and what you want in your ceremony – and where you want it.  We can deliver your Wedding Ceremony outside in the fresh air or inside at your home, local hall or at a formal venue.  Here are links to some of the stunning venues where we have delivered ceremonies:

Tofte Manor, Bedfordshire

The Old Hall, Ely

Nonsuch Mansion in Surrey

Downing College in Cambridge

The Cambridge Union (Debating Chamber)

Still feeling frustrated by lack of options?  We have more unusual locations for our wedding ceremonies coming up in the next year or so. Contact us for more information by using the the contact page on our website, calling us on 07725 795316 or emailing us at whiteroseceremony@btinternet.com.

Happy planning.

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