Lilie and Scott had a beautiful wedding at the French Chateau du Val in Brittany, a country that they love and have visited many times. We spent plenty of time with them in the UK before the wedding, to develop their unique and personal ceremony script.

Their ceremony was held outside at The Chateau du Val in early May, on a bright and breezy day.  Lilie and Scott were framed by a beautiful flower arch as they exchanged their vows.

Family joined in with readings and their wedding rings were sealed by the love of their grandparents. Everybody sang their hearts out to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley.  A really beautiful Ceremony!

Lilie wore an exquisite Mark Lesley dress from the wonderful Shades of White in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

She and her bridesmaids carried silk bouquets of peach and dusky pink from Judy Kennedy.  The bridesmaids were dressed in elegant shimmering and soft grey dresses.  Lilie’s little flower girl shone in white and carried a wand.

The Groom, his Groomsmen and the pageboy were all very smart in navy suits and grey ties, with the groom wearing a white tie.

The Chateau hosted a wonderful wedding reception in the beautiful summer room.  This room is particularly stunning with its classic look and chandaliers. The tables were decorated with homemade favours and named after places that Lilie & Scott had visited in France.

Their super wedding breakfast was enjoyed with background piano music. The evening celebrations continued with a disco and dancing in The Lodge and a spectacular display of fireworks, organised by the Chateau.

Lots of family and friends travelled over to the Chateau du Val in Brittany.  With fifteen rooms available to them, they spent a few nights in the Chateau, including the Wedding Day.  They were all able to take advantage of the swimming pool, the beautiful grounds and the surrounding area.

We were so pleased to be part of Lilie and Scott’s wonderfully happy day and we wish them lots of love, joy and happiness!

Here are the fabulous suppliers!

Wedding Venue:  Chateau du Val

Celebrant: Rebecca Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

Wedding Dress: Shades of White, St Ives

Bridesmaid Dresses: DIY Dress

Hair and Makeup: Natalie Daniels

Groomsmen’s Suits: Moss Bros

Flowers: Judy Kennedy

Catering: Mark at Cerise Catering

Cake: Martin Fisher at Petits Anglais

Pianist: Iain Dunnet

DJ: Arnaud

Stationery: Point Graphics

Blog Photographs: David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

Official Photographer: AG Photography

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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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What is a Civil Celebrant?

It’s our first year anniversary this month and what an incredible year it’s been. From not knowing what a Civil Celebrant was, to becoming one, to experiencing and being involved in the full range of events that happen in people’s lives – Weddings, Baby Namings and Funerals.

I am asked so often, what is a Civil Celebrant? Well, we have some fabulous experiences with couples who want their wedding ceremony to be somewhere different, such as on a working farm – think of haybales, bunting, the clink of lemonade bottles and cattle in the background; in fields or meadows – think wild flowers, sunshine, a gentle breeze, ribbons on chairs; or at beautiful formal venues – think of the dresses we buy!

We laugh, we cry, we clap, we hug, we cheer, we get stuck in mud with our wellington boots, blown by the wind, barked at by dogs or lost in country lanes trying to find the right field.

We write scripts for all the ceremonies we deliver so that they are unique and, each time we do, we are reminded how privileged we are to meet such amazing and lovely people and, what a great honour it is for us to be asked to lead the happy ceremonies or more sensitive funeral services for these families.

A Civil Celebrant is a person who conducts civil ceremonies that focus purely on the people involved and are not linked to any particular religion or other institutional standard. We are free to deliver the ceremony or service that the family want and are not limited with what we can say or do. We are also free to conduct a Baby Naming or Wedding Ceremony wherever we are asked to although, for obvious reasons, funerals must be conducted either in a cemetery or crematorium.

We come equipped with lots of experience, stories to share, creative ideas and a professional yet fun way of working with people.

So, what is a Civil Celebrant? It is absolutely the best job we have ever been involved in and we wouldn’t swap it for the world!

Follow our blog for more insights into the life of a Civil Celebrant.

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