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the latest updates on ceremonies, law reforms and more!
Photo and film credit @awardweddings
Music at your wedding - what to expect.
Music is the soundtrack to your life. So there isn't a more important time than your wedding to get it right. Whether you choose some really funky songs to waltz up the aisle to or a really cool live musician to belt out your favourite song as you face each other to exchange vows, it really does capture a special moment in time.
Why not fly out a super, talented singer to your venue and have them entertain your guests at every opportunity?
There is nothing quite like hearing the strum of an acoustic guitar and the smooth tones of a live singer, as your Groomsmen take their places and your Bridesmaids walk across the gardens to meet them. Then, as the Bride finally takes her place with the eagerly awaiting Groom, the musician sings their favourite soul ballad. Pure, poetic perfection!
Or the distant tinkling of ivories and dulcet vocals, serenading as you take to the dancefloor for your ceremonial first dance. The heady cocktail of mellow harmonics from the grand piano and expressive vibrations of the saxophone. Just wow! An absolute treat for the ears.
Continue long into the night with your very own playlist or hired D.J. to pump out the tunes with some great dancefloor fillers. Go all out creating a cool CLUB area with Cocktails and a BAR, your guests won't be able to get enough!
If you want a Festival vibe then why not have your musician play a live jam session for your guests? I mean, a glass of cold beer or cider in the French sunshine, as he hits notes you never knew existed! This guy was amazing! Taking requests from the guests and even letting a fellow guitarist from the Wedding party join him on stage!
Whether garden ghetto blaster or brass band, whatever music you love should set the tone and be momentous.
Just remember to plan your playlist, save your money and do your research of musicians, D.J's or singers. The fun you will have along the way will be a guaranteed invaluable experience. I was lucky to have the pleasure of leading the ceremony last year when Tom played and can vouch for his outstanding performance. Why not hit him up on insta @official_tomsutch or look up his website suaveagency.com to see the amazing artists on offer.
Music enhances every occasion, so make yours truly unforgettable. You won't regret it!
Photo and film credit @awardweddings
It's not just about the flowers!
Foliage has absolutely flooded all parts of the Wedding arena over the past few years.
Ceremonial backdrops, table centres and arrangements began to be replaced on the odd occasion but now Brides are ditching traditional in place of the green stuff, in spades.
Foliage offers a world of possibilities in texture, scent and the aesthetic. It is timeless, elegant, classic and matches with absolutely any colour theme. Styled correctly the lush green, silvery and blue tones of the leaves and many intriguing shapes can create a truly exquisite bouquet.
I had the pleasure of working with these appealing tones, textures and scents at a Clients Wedding when she chose this glorious option. Every aspect of the Wedding encompassed foliage including for her and her bridesmaids.
The aisle was dressed with swathes of Eucalyptus and Olive. Urns stood at the top and bottom of the aisle, where masses of fresh Olive, Italian and French Ruscus, Laurel, Grevillea, Myrtle and Eucalyptus Parviflora were full to brimming.
A mix of Eucalyptus Silver Dollar, Lemon Leaf, Thistle, Asparagus Fern, Rosemary and Hops adorned the Bridesmaids hair in either a full or half foliage crown, foliage slides or clips. They each carried varying sizes of foliage bouquet, all popping against their chic, silver dresses.
Though there were no hair adornments for the Bride herself, she went full on dramatic with her over-sized, hip to ankle length, foliage filled bouquet. Abundant with all of the above plus stems of Eucalyptus Baby blue, Honey Bracelet, Bells of Ireland, Dusty Miller, sprigs of Leatherleaf and Tree Ferns, bunches of Poms, Poppy pods, trailing Ivy and green Amaranthus. All bound in ribbons of slate grey leather, a stunning alternative to raffia or cord, tied off securely with a knot and comfortable for the Bride to hold against her crisp white classic dress. The foliage fantasia both ethereal and epic!
If you are tired of Roses, Peonies and the like, then no fear! Whilst these flowers are beautiful in every way, there are some equally beautiful foliage stems to absolutely pack a punch or whisper among the breeze depending on what look you are going for.
It doesn't have to cost a packet but it absolutely can if you want it to, so go for it!
Photo credit Allwood-Sundstrom
Celebrant led weddings not legally binding in England and Wales ... yet!
So for the time being, you will have to arrange a Civil Partnership Registration in any UK Registry Office to legally register your marriage, in the presence of two adult witnesses. This is purely for administration reasons, costs approximately £60.00, has 41 words plus your names and takes around 10 minutes. Full details can be found by following this link to Marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales: Check if you can get married or form a civil partnership - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This also applies to couples who have a Humanist ceremony, unless you live in Scotland and Northern Ireland where Civil Partnerships conducted by a Humanist Celebrant are legally recognised.
Now it's time to get on with all of the exciting aspects of your wedding including readings, vows, music, rings and your celebrations with your loved ones. Celebrants can officiate any formal ceremony with versatility so let's hit the beach, woodlands or lakes and get this wedding started. You can go traditional or non traditional with the vows and the Ceremony. You can choose for it to be as cultural or religious as you wish, though Celebrants cannot officiate in religious venues.
It really is all about you and exactly what you require of your dream Celebrant led Ceremony.
Whilst Celebrants can also support in the completion of the necessary requirements for the marriage licence they do not have the authority to approve it. So, until such time as we can also approve the legal stuff, let's just keep creating the enjoyable and memorable part of proceedings!
