What is your most memorable wedding?
All my weddings are so different but I have to say I loved a festival-style wedding I did in the heat of summer 2022. The ceremony was in the gorgeous shade of oak trees deep in beautiful natural setting of Bishopdale, North Yorkshire. It was great getting to know the couple and tell their unique love story with warm humour and to help get their amazing day off to a wonderful start.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Classically traditional, calmly relaxed, warmly humorous & deeply personal.
What about your business are you most proud of?
I was England's most recommended Wedding Celebrant in the 2022 Hitched Wedding Awards.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Start your wedding day when you want it to start with a celebrant.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
I love it when children, pet dogs or guests are included in a wedding ceremony.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
After holding a date with a 50% booking fee, I will send the couple a "welcome pack" which will include, amongst other things, a detailed questionnaire. This can help the couple plan. 3 months before the wedding I get the couple to return the completed questionnaire and book their initial meeting with me. I will spend time getting to know the couple, how they met, why they want to get married and what they value most in each other. I will talk them through a draft order of service based on their questionnaire. I will then email them with a summary of decisions made, next steps and a range of attachments and links to help them with deciding on their vows, readings, music etc. I will then share with them my draft introduction & welcome to their ceremony which will include my telling of their "love story". Couples can ask for as many changes as they like and I keep in touch with them informally through a WhatsApp group to help them in the process. I arrive at the wedding venue at least an hour before the start of the ceremony to set up and to help reassure the couple and to welcome guests.
What is the most unusual thing you’ve been asked to plan?
A Handfasting wedding ceremony involving a tie because the couple were both mad on Doctor Who and this is how he married River Song! I included a number of references to The Doctor and time travel in the wedding ceremony for them.
How do you ensure a stress-free wedding?
Being very well planned in advance, and liaising with other wedding suppliers before the wedding day. This will normally include chatting with key people (venue co-ordinator, photographer, videographer, musicians etc) before the guests arrive making sure the couple's wedding party know what they are doing before the ceremony starts.
What do you love most about your job?
Plan for what will make you feel happy, don't feel pressured by what you think others may think or might expect.
What is your favourite moment at a wedding?
I love helping the photographer organise the wedding guests with the confetti-shot immediately after the ceremony (if the photographer wants me to). This allows me to play the couple's upbeat exit music again and announce the newlyweds "for the second time...." as the photographer gets that amazing and happy confetti shot!