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Weddings

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How can I help?

I offer bespoke and beautiful spiritual ceremonies, created for you, and with you, to make your wedding day just a little bit more unique and special. As your Celebrant (Officiant) I would meet and talk through your hopes and dreams not only for the day, but for the future. Then I will carefully interweave these personal wishes into your ceremony to make the vows your own.

Handfasting.

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition that literally symbolises ‘tying the knot’.

The choice of colour and texture of the ties is often chosen to blend with the Bride’s colour scheme, or they can be simple white satin ribbons. The couple hold hands and as I ask for confirmation of each vow the ribbons or chords are loosely wrapped in a figure of eight binding the hands together.

The symbolism is explained to the guests as the couple come to the front, and as this is often a surprise to many it adds a real sense of anticipation and delight to your wedding day.

Image by Ethan  Marston

Candle Lighting Ceremony.

My ceremonies also include a Candle Lighting Ceremony.

From one large central candle, representing Universal Light, the couple each light a separate candle from the flame.

This symbolises their uniqueness and independence, whilst recognising that they take they light from, and are energised and inspired by, the Light of the World. The candles are then kept and can be lit on anniversaries and many special occasions into the future.

Rose of Love.

A long stemmed Rose of Love is exchanged between the couple with a few chosen words, symbolising their devotion and love, as the first gift to one another after the ceremony.

The couple then enjoy sharing a toast of sparkling wine with their guests as they lift their glasses to one another at the end.

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Jumping the Broom (Optional).

Either I lay a decorated broom onto the floor, or bridesmaids hold it, and still holding hands the couple jump (or carefully step) over it together to loud cheers and applause of all the guests to end their wedding ceremony. 

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This fun tradition a super fun finale and thoroughly enjoyed at all my wedding ceremonies. Broom jumping is steeped in ancient culture. It can be found in African history associated with days when slaves were not allowed to marry so would jump the broom to create their own ceremonial public show of commitment.  It can also be found in Celtic culture and European traditions too. The wooden handle represents strength of commitment, and the straw represents family and friends, whilst the ribbons hold it all together. The brush sweeps away the past, and sweeps the path clean for the future. 

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These old fashioned traditional corn brooms are made up and decorated lovingly by me, in the bride’s colour scheme, and interwoven with fresh herbs, essences and flowers of the season, representing all the qualities of marriage, such as faithfulness, longevity, love, health and abundance.  This brings a completely unique extra final touch to the ceremony, and  of course this is for the couple to keep. … And perhaps jump over each year on their anniversary?

Ring Warming.

A ring warming is when you give your loved ones the opportunity to hold the couple's wedding bands with a wish, blessing or prayer for your marriage. By the time your rings make it on to the fingers of the couple they will be saturated with the love of their friends and family.

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Image by Alvin Mahmudov

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© 2024 Christine Astell.

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