White Rose Ceremonies – White Rose Ceremonies

A Celebrant Community – World Celebrants Week

Rebecca Waldron — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 21:10:17 +0000

A Celebrant Community – World Celebrants Week

It’s World Celebrants Week this week and, as a Celebrant community, we have a lot to celebrate! Celebrants have been at the sharp end of wedding ceremonies in the UK this year. With Council Registrars unable to fulfil the demand for rearranged pandemic weddings with their short template ceremonies, couples have opened their hearts and minds to the incredible experience that is a Celebrant wedding.

Celebrant Ceremonies

Couples are certainly reaping the rewards with radiant, colourful and bespoke ceremonies that honour rituals and traditions that we love. They can also celebrate with new rituals that we write specifically for them. We bring our couples stories to life, creating an exciting energy in the ceremonies that everybody loves and remembers!

Celebrant Photoshoot!

And one aspect of my work that brings me joy, is being part of an incredibly collaborative Celebrant community in which we support each other. In fact, I’m so proud of having such vibrant and passionate friends in the same business, that I organised a photo shoot, just for Celebrants! We had SUCH a great time together!

The incredible force of nature that is Richard Jarmy took lots of amazing shots, including head shots that we can each use in our own publicity. And we had just the best day hosted by the beautiful and versatile venue, The Meadows, Norfolk – make sure you check it out!

We spent time sharing our Celebrant experiences, telling tales and learning from each other. So let me introduce these incredible Celebrants to you!

Jamie Walker, Humanist Celebrant

Francesca Foulsham Celebrant

Judy Wayman, Moonstone Ceremonies

Stuart Kenrick Celebrant

Rob Head, Oaktree Ceremonies

Susan Vieira, Wholehearted Ceremonies

and of course – me!

Rebecca Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

We were supported with beautiful props by the wonderful and talented Valerie at Samphire Vintage Props – thank you so much!

Thank You!

So this week – World Celebrants week – I want to say a great big thank you. A big thank you to my Celebrant friends and to the organisations that we belong to and who support us. Another big thank you to The Celebrants Collective for organising such a special week of celebration for Celebrants. Thank you also to all the couples and families who book us, for their incredibly special day.

And huge thanks to my friend – Richard.

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Ten perfect ceremony locations

Rebecca Waldron — Fri, 07 May 2021 21:11:51 +0000

We have identified ten perfect ceremony locations below, for your perfect wedding.

Our creative, modern and discerning couples want to have as many choices available to them, as possible. And, if you don’t know already, you open up so many incredible options when you choose a Celebrant led wedding ceremony!

So, in the same way that a birth is registered, our couples happily get the legal registration of their marriage completed by the council registrar in a 10-minute appointment before their wedding day. And then they enjoy an amazing Celebrant wedding ceremony, sharing their personal vows and promises in the location of their choice!

Your perfect ceremony locations can be licensed or unlicensed – take a look here:

One – At home

Imagine the scene. You are getting ready in your family home, the garden is full of flowers, the house is full of memories, families and excitement!

If you, or a relative or friend, has a garden that can take it then this is the perfect place to share your wedding vows and create a really special moment in time.

Two – On the beach

For those of you who love the sand and the sea, having a super-relaxed wedding ceremony on the beach is just perfect. Even in the UK!

What’s not to love about getting ready in a beach hut and being barefoot in the sand? With a picnic or fish and chips to follow, it’s a fantastic day!

Three – In a forest

Perhaps you love the idea of exchanging your vows while surrounded by beautiful trees with dappled light through a canopy of leaves?

There is something really magical about trees. If this is you, find a forest or wood right now and get in touch to discuss how this will work for your ceremony!

Four – In a beautiful field

With an empty field at your fingertips, there is ample opportunity to fill it with whatever you want.

Do you want haybales for relaxed seating at your amazing wedding ceremony? A marquee? Tipi? Fairground rides? Whatever it is, you will have more than enough space to do it!

Five – Down on the farm

Farms provide lots of incredibly flexible options for your Celebrant led wedding ceremony. Clean out the cowsheds, dust down the stables, clear the paddock, line the tractors up.

Let’s get the bunting up, embrace the great outdoors and let’s celebrate in style!

Six – Cosy barns

If you want a beautifully authentic feel to your Celebrant led wedding ceremony, then let’s get in a barn that is decorated with fairy lights, foliage, rugs and lanterns.

Do it yourself or get events organisers to dress it for you. However you do it, it will feel magical.

Seven – Formal venues

We also spend a lot of time at some stunning formal venues. They may or may not have a license and that doesn’t matter! We work at the most beautiful venues with the option of having your Celebrant led wedding ceremony inside or outside. Featured here is the beautiful brick barn at The Granary Estates:

And the stunning outdoor location at Longstowe Hall:

We work with so many beautiful venues that we will write a blog post especially for them soon!

Eight – Chateaux

We are recommended suppliers at Le Chateau du Val at Saint Just, Brittany and love the versatility along with the relaxed yet opulent style.

If you want to take your family abroad for a wedding, then a Chateau could be the perfect choice! Many offer exclusive weekends for your weddings and provide beautiful accommodation along with swimming pools and amazing scenery.

Nine – Dry venues with glamping

Several dry venues will have glamping and camping facilities, which means you can take over for the weekend and enjoy your celebrations at your leisure. Horsley Hale Farm has been one of our favourites ever since it opened, with a new range of stunning accommodation in natural surroundings that includes the most beautiful lake.

Wellington Wood is another favourite of ours in Norfolk. This beautiful venue has several options for your ceremony, including their beautiful Larch ceremony area. You’ve got lots of choices available to you for your whole day and a selection of accommodation, along with a flower meadow and ancient woodland. Just perfect!

Ten – On a river

And if you like a lazy sail on the river, then grab your crews, blankets, champagne and have the most special day of your life.

There are no limits!

The only thing that will hold you back is the limiting belief that you can only have your wedding ceremony at certain places. With so many perfect ceremony locations, you really can find one that is perfect for you.

If you want any help at all with discovering perfect ceremony locations in your area, just get in touch and let’s talk!

Photo credits

David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

Chris Taylor Photography

Yokan

Nicki Shea Photography

Peter Denness Photography

Lorna Newman Photography

Sarah Brookes Photography

Vicky Plum Photography

Liz Greenhalgh Photography

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Six Beautiful Ways to Remember Loved Ones

Rebecca Waldron — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 17:43:12 +0000

SIX Beautiful Ways to Remember Loved Ones

We have six beautiful ways to remember loved ones at your wedding ceremony, following the first National Day of Reflection. This was the first anniversary of lockdown in the UK. It was a day to reflect on the losses we have suffered, to support those who have lost the ones they love and to hope for a brighter future.

Some of our couples want to remember those they have lost, during their Celebrant led wedding ceremony. And you can do this without taking any of the joy from your celebrations!

So here are six beautiful ways to remember your loved ones.

One – light a candle for them

Lighting a candle is a symbol of love and hope, of light and warmth, of celebration and commemoration. They give light in times of darkness and we often light them as a symbolic gesture so that the light keeps the memories bright.

As my couple did in this photograph, taken by the fantastic Fountain Photography, you can light a candle together as a couple and keep it, to light each year in remembrance. If you would like family involvement invite them to light tea lights around the main candle and you light your candle from the flames of the tea lights.

Two – include them in a hand tying ritual

If you are including Handtying in your ceremony, include a ribbon or two to remember your loved ones. The colours of ribbons represent different values, so think about the loved ones you want to remember and their key qualities. For example, orange represents kindness, support and encouragement. Yellow represents joy and charm. Blue represents tranquillity, patience and devotion.

The knot that is tied in the ribbons represents the binding nature of the promises you make. Imagine the emotional significance of making those promises with the memories of your loved ones imbued in them. The ribbons in this photograph taken by our lovely friends at Film Media show a beautiful hand tying ceremony, in which family and friends were involved.

Three – plant a tree

Planting a tree at a ceremony is symbolic in that a tree is a symbol of enduring strength. The roots indicate strength and stability, which are representative of your family heritage and the ones you have lost, whereas the branches of the tree will grow upwards and outwards, symbolising the growth of your family in years to come.

You can have a small tree ready in the pot at your ceremony, with two separate pots of earth and trowels, so that you can each add earth to the pot. And why not include other family members in this ritual? There are some beautiful words that can be written, so get in touch if you want to hear more about this.

Four – sing their favourite song during your ceremony

Music evokes many beautiful memories and is a wonderful way of including all your guests. Imagine singing the favourite song of your loved one. Raising your voices in carefree song in their memory will certainly bring laughter and tears. And what a joyous way to remember them, while contributing a fabulous energy to your ceremony – just take a look at this incredible photo taken by David Waldron, of White Rose Ceremonies.

Five – reserve a chair in their memory

Remember loved ones by reserving a chair for them, as our bride and groom did in our photograph here. You can make it clear who it is for without saying a thing.

Six – talk about them

And finally, remember loved ones by talking about them in your wedding script. Talk to us about how they can be included in your ceremony. It can be emotional as is obvious in this beautiful photography by Alexandra Cameron Photography, of one our couples at their socially distanced lockdown wedding. But you are the ambassadors of your loved ones legacy, you are their memories and their future. Honour them by keeping those memories alive.

We can remember your loved ones and celebrate their memory at your ceremony. So just get in touch if you would like to find out more.

Photos courtesy of
Fountain Photography
Film Media
David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies
Alexandra Cameron

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The PERFECT Micro Wedding

Rebecca Waldron — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 22:37:29 +0000

The Perfect Micro Wedding

The Perfect Micro Wedding took place in Norwich, in July 2020 and it was an incredible day!

It wasn’t what Joanne and Philip had planned at all, but they took on the challenge with gusto! With 12 guests in attendance and many close family on Zoom, they held their wedding ceremony at The Bird Cage, in Norwich.

And WOW – what a result – it was a very special ceremony.

The Challenge

Joanne and Philip’s wedding journey had been full of challenges, courtesy of Covid-19. Their plans for a fantastic wedding day were scuppered by the uncertainty of not knowing if they could get married. They were told by email that their legal marriage had been cancelled only one week beforehand.

But, with everything against them, they were determined to have the most beautiful time! They woke up in a luxury B&B that was exclusively theirs and walked together to the venue, with their photographer.

Tucked away inside The Birdcage were their close family. Family who couldn’t be there physically, were there virtually on Zoom to share their happiness.

The Joy!

There was so much joy for Joanne and Philip that day! What an emotional journey and what a wonderful story to share during their micro wedding ceremony. We learned all about their first date, the proposal, the new house, their funny and irritating little habits, their love for each other and their life together. Throughout their ceremony we also heard about the encouragement and support they received from their families.

And we shared the love and a few tears for Joanne’s dear dad and their four-legged wuff, Eddie, both of whom are no longer with them.

Joanne and Philip’s guests laughed and cried. They listened and cheered, joined in, applauded and raised a toast to the happy couple. Their family on Zoom joined in as well. You can have a ceremony like this if you get in touch with us!

The staff at the Birdcage were fantastic. What a wonderful and unique venue it was. Absolutely perfect! Fish and chips were delivered to us after the ceremony from Grovesnor Fish Bar and such a tasty treat!

Joanne and Philip’s photographer, Alexandra Cameron, was amazing. She took them off for a stroll around Norwich for their fantastic photos, after which they got together with family again for an evening of fun and games.

Joanne and Philip had the legal registration of their marriage the following Monday. They are planning their big reception later this year. From being bitterly disappointed to being totally blown away by everything that happened for them, they still have so much to look forward to.

The Perfect Micro Wedding

Small and micro weddings might not be what we want, but they can be very special indeed. Thank you Joanne and Philip. It was wonderful to be part of such an amazing and wonderful day.

Remember to get in touch with us to find out how special your ceremony can be!

Photographs courtesy of Alexandra Cameron Photography – thank you.

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Creating Memories, Your Perfect Wedding Ceremony

Rebecca Waldron — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:31:05 +0000

When it comes to your Wedding Day, you and your partner are creating wedding memories. For your guests, that starts with drinks on arrival, greeting family and friends. The care that you have put into creating memories for your perfect wedding ceremony will be remembered for many years.

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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Beach Ceremony, Norfolk

Rebecca Waldron — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 20:01:18 +0000

We had the happiest of days with our lovely couple, Wendy and Mark, when we conducted their beach ceremony in Norfolk. Having discounted the sterile Registry Office option, they had been unable to find a venue that suited them. Wendy and Mark were blown away by the photographs of our own beach ceremony that we displayed at a wedding fair, run by the amazing Stephanie and her team from Truly Scrumptious Weddings and Events.

We met with Wendy and Mark for a consultation meeting in their home to discuss their ceremony. Choosing what they wanted and approving the wedding script that we wrote was all part of the fun and excitement in the build up to the happy day. We ensured they had the words they wanted, along with a few lovely surprises along the way.

The day was sunny and bright and, surrounded by friends and family, they exchanged their promises of love and commitment. These were emotional moments, full of love. Their children played an important part in the ceremony and all took part in the Sand Unity Ceremony, symbolising the individuality of each person, yet also symbolising the blended family unit.

Their beach ceremony included the signing of a commemorative certificate, the all-important kiss and applause all round. Wendy and Mark then hosted a reception on the beach with Prosecco, fish and chips and lots of love and laughter.

We had such a wonderful time and felt so privileged to be part of their happy day on the beach. They left us a truly wonderful review on our Guides for Brides page, and here is part of it:

“We were simply blown away by Rebecca and David from White Rose. Being a second time wedding we were worried that our options would be limited but on meeting them we realised that all of our dreams of a relaxed beach wedding in Norfolk were completely possible. From first meeting to the big day their service was truly outstanding. Our ceremony was beautiful and we went on to have a sand ceremony to unite our blended family into one which made all of the children feel that it was a really special day for them too. Our wedding only took place yesterday but we’ve already received lots of messages today saying that it was the nicest and most personal and touching service people had ever attended. Rebecca and David had us completely at ease, I don’t think We’ve never smiled quite so much. David’s photography is truly amazing and he’s given us beautiful photographs to remember the day. I wish there were more stars I could award to Rebecca and David, they’re not just celebrants .. they’re dream makers!”

Thank you so much Wendy and Mark! We wish you many many years of love, happiness and fun as a couple and with your gorgeous family.

Photos provided with kind permission of David Waldron, White Rose Ceremonies

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A Wonderful Childerley Wedding

Rebecca Waldron — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 20:26:42 +0000

Love, laughter and tears were present all day at Karen and Joe’s wonderful Childerley Wedding.

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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Simply Perfect Wedding Ceremony

Rebecca Waldron — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 14:34:57 +0000

We have conducted many amazing weddings and what a privilege it is to do so! But one thing that strikes us is how much pressure couples are under to have “the best”. It seems that, nowadays, the simply perfect wedding has to be the most unique, the most noteworthy, the most memorable and the most expensive. They have to have all (and we mean all!) the finishing touches, the funniest moments and the biggest wow factor.

This is not to say it’s wrong to want these things. You should have what you want but the media puts a lot of strain on those wanting a simple day. So, we think the biggest ‘wow factor’ is how much stress is involved! Such pressure must surely take away from the true meaning of the day?

Your love for each other

Our wedding ceremony really was a simply perfect day, without the stress and it was memorable for that reason.

We had a long weekend up in Scotland and completed the legal paperwork at Gretna Green Registry Office with two witnesses. This was wonderful in its simplicity, happiness and lack of pressure.

But for us, our Wedding Ceremony on the beach was most important and significant day. We shared our heartfelt love for each other in our vows and exchanged wedding rings with a lovely ring ceremony. Our guests were all quite happy to stand or sit on the blankets that they had brought with them and to generally ‘muck in’.

We just stood in a circle in the place we love the most and celebrated afterwards with tea and cake. Refreshments were accompanied by sandcastles, bubbles and lots of laughter!

Simply perfect.

You really can have your Wedding Ceremony anywhere you want. We have written about outdoor weddings in our blog and you can read it here.

If you want to know how it all works regarding the legal side of things, please use our Contact Form and we will get in touch. We are always happy to share our knowledge and experience and we are here to help you make it the best day of your lives.

We hope you have a really wonderful time planning your simply perfect Wedding Ceremony.

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Friday 13th Wedding

Rebecca Waldron — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 08:54:26 +0000

Regardless of our individual beliefs there is still ‘something’ about Friday 13^th. Even in this modern age, superstition surrounds anything to do with that date and a Friday 13th Wedding is not often welcomed.

There are many people who think it is unlucky, for all sorts of reasons. According to this BBC article, Friday is thought to be unlucky because it was the date of the Crucifixion. The “unlucky 13” came about because it includes the number of people present at the Last Supper or the number of witches to make a coven. But it was actually the Victorians who put the day Friday and the number 13 together.

So, is it unlucky? We don’t think so – and especially not if you’re planning a wedding. One of our lovely couples, who booked a Friday 13^th Wedding at relatively short notice in 2016, found they had so much choice.

Venues and suppliers were more available and our couple had their wedding in the venue they wanted, with the suppliers they wanted, on the date they wanted!

Sending out their invitations brought an initial “Oh wow!” from their families and friends. But they all thought it was a great idea and the whole day was wonderful.

However, these dates are few and far between. Bookings at White Rose Ceremonies currently go into 2020 but none as yet fall on Friday 13^th.

Here are Friday 13th Wedding dates for the next three years:

Friday 13^th April 2018

Friday 13^th July 2018

Then a huge gap of 15 months until…

Friday 13^th September 2019

Friday 13^th December 2019

And then…

Friday 13^th March 2020

Friday 13^th November 2020

So if you want a wedding that will be remembered for everything – including the date – a Friday 13^th Wedding just might be right for you.

Good Luck.

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Who Can Conduct Your Wedding Ceremony?

Rebecca Waldron — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 19:17:45 +0000

You know that old joke – a Celebrant, Registrar and Minister walked into a pub and…..? No, we don’t either, but who CAN conduct your Wedding Ceremony? Did you know that you are NOT restricted to having a Registrar or Minister? You can have a Celebrant – also known as Civil Celebrant or Humanist.

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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