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Ceremonies Treasured Ceremonies - Helen Williams Do I have to have lots of symbolism?
No, your wedding will be absolutely beautiful without. Much of the beauty of a great ceremony derives from the words spoken. Most people have some sort of symbolic gesture, for example, an exchange of wedding rings. However, there’s an enormous range of extra touches we can put in your ceremony from very simple, like wedding band blessings or candle lighting, to elaborate hand-fasting ceremonies, shared loving cup/cocktail. Some bring all of your friends and family into the ceremony, some just a few family members or friends. I can help you decide exactly what’s right for you.
Is this the legal ceremony? In Wales and England, you have to have a licenced registrar- or minister-led marriage ceremony in order to be legally married. Most couples who have their ceremony with me complete the legalities of their marriage a few days before their “wedding day”, which they have with me. Some have been married already in another country. Think of it as separating the legal from the ceremonial, just as we do in many other walks in life (baby-naming/christening, funerals). On one occasion, we held the wedding before the legal ceremony since it was a surprise for the bride (It’s OK, she loved it!).
Do we have to have the legal ceremony?
No, but understand you won’t then be legally married. However, what you will have done is commit yourself to another in the presence of those who are dear to you; you will have had a very meaningful “wedding ceremony”, or if you prefer, “commitment ceremony”. Equally moving is a simple commitment ceremony within which two people commit themselves to each other with no witness present but me.
Will you help us renew our vows? Yes, please, I’d love to. It would be a very similar process to a wedding ceremony, but with more to talk about compared to most. By the way, we can have a “vow renewal” without actually “re-inventing” your vows if that’s what you’d prefer. Years spent together as a couple can be celebrated beautifully through reflection and/or through symbolic gestures.
Do I have to/can I write my own vows? Yes, you can, no you don’t have to. Everyone is different, some love the idea and dive in. Others are keen but terrified at the thought of it. I can guide you in this, or simply write them for/with you. However, I will want your input as to what’s important to you. If you want simple vows which are traditional in nature, that’s OK as well.
Do you have a LGBTQ policy?
I’m happy to join any two people in their wedding vows. I believe that love is love, whatever your belief, orientation or ability.
Can I hold my ceremony anywhere? Yes. Absolutely anywhere you want to. Assuming, of course you have permission from the land/building owner, no license is necessary. I even come with my own PA system for those outdoor wedding ceremonies.
How much notice do I need to give you?
I created the surprise wedding mentioned above in a week. However, I suggest a little more notice than that for all our sanity, and to reserve the date. I tend to only attend one ceremony a day, so if anyone (not me, I hope.) is late, there’s no problem.
Can I have a hymn or a prayer at my ceremony? Yes. I personally have no problem with this. A friend of mine said she’d been disappointed that her daughter hadn’t had the hymn that she and her own mother had sung at their weddings, but it wasn’t allowed in the civil ceremony. Shame I hadn’t been a celebrant back then.
Allow Helen, your local celebrant to put you, your vows, promises and memories at the heart of your ceremony.
07986 526732
www.treasuredceremonies.co.uk
How does the process of having a “Treasured Ceremony” work? Once you’ve decided to employ me on your day, you reserve the date through paying your deposit. I’ll send you a questionnaire to get you thinking about what you’d like for your ceremony. We can stay in touch by email (or any other means) after this, for instance if you want to discuss any aspects of the ceremony. About three months before your big day, I’ll contact you to arrange to meet in person or online if we live far apart. Then, we’ll dig much deeper into you as a couple and as individuals. We often land on some appropriate symbolism as a result of this discussion and go into the details of how this will be done. After our meeting, I write your script then send you a copy for approval. You can make as many changes as you like as often as you like. If you’d like a rehearsal, this can be arranged, though I’ve yet to have a couple who felt the need to have one. On the day, I’ll create a
presentation script for you to keep, and ensure that any props we may need for symbolic gestures are in place.
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