The Love Blog
Five reasons why you should consider hiring a humanist wedding celebrant for your wedding
Your wedding celebration should feature laughter. Wedding in London
Hello, hello, hello! If you’ve made it to this blog, you’re probably considering hiring a humanist wedding celebrant for your special day. HOW EXCITING! It can be difficult to decide on this key part of your wedding, so let me provide some reasons on why I feel I’d be the PERFECT fit for you!
Customised to your wedding
No two weddings are the same – so why would the same ceremony work again and again! I create a personalised ceremony that reflects your unique values and beliefs, your story and most importantly, YOU! As a humanist celebrant, I believe that your wedding ceremony should be a true reflection of who you are as a couple. (This is also my favourite part, as hearing the same stories from two different perspectives ALWAYS makes me laugh!)
Here for LOVE, not discrimination
I am open to all couples, regardless of your backgrounds or beliefs! Humanism is a non-discriminatory philosophy that values the inherent worth and dignity of every human being! I am committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all couples, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. You deserve love, you deserve happiness, and I love to help you capture both of these things on your special day!
A non-religious alternative
Not everyone wants a religious wedding! I can offer a non-religious alternative to traditional wedding ceremonies: If you are looking for a ceremony that is free from religious language or symbolism, a humanist wedding may be the perfect choice for you. I can help you create a ceremony that is meaningful, authentic, and reflects your shared values and beliefs.
Environmentally conscious support
We all want to do more to support the environment – including on our wedding days! I can work with you to create a ceremony that is environmentally conscious, committing to promoting ethical and sustainable practices.
Whether that means using eco-friendly decorations, choosing a location that is easily accessible by public transportation, or incorporating sustainable rituals into your ceremony – there is always something we can do to help the planet a little more!
Guidance, Support and Stress Relief!
There’s no beating around the bush here - wedding planning is STRESSFUL! So much goes into it, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed – and that’s where I come in! I can offer guidance and support throughout the wedding planning process, and I’m happy to help you every step of the way. Whether it’s choosing the perfect readings and music or creating a ceremony that reflects your unique love story, we can do it! Let’s craft your wedding the way YOU want it.
I hope the above has answered some of your questions on the humanist wedding celebrant process! To summarise, I am here to HELP – and would love to answer any queries you have about your special day.
I am taking bookings for weddings in 2024 and beyond NOW, so hit the link below to drop me a line!
Love,
Kathryn x
Five tips for planning the PERFECT Spring wedding!
Spring has sprung! The dark nights are in the rear-view mirror and wedding season is almost in full session… I am so excited!
Planning the perfect Spring wedding involves careful consideration of various elements to create a memorable and beautiful celebration for your special day. I’ve done a LOT of Spring weddings in my time as a humanist wedding celebrant, so here are five essential tips for you to consider!
Find a flexible venue
Seems obvious, doesn’t it? Choosing a location that showcases the natural beauty of Spring, such as a space with a garden, outdoor park, or vineyard can encapsulate the season perfectly.
Ensure that the venue can accommodate both indoor and outdoor spaces, as the weather can be unpredictable during this season. It's important to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather! I have a couple of blogs from recent weddings on this site you can check out that perfectly cater for indoor and outdoor weddings – check them out for inspiration!
Capturing Colours
Select a colour palette that reflects the fresh and vibrant hues of Spring! Pastels like blush, mint, lavender, and soft blue are very popular choices for this season. Incorporating these colours into your bridesmaid dresses, table settings, and floral arrangements can create the perfect cohesive setup – with just enough diversity to celebrate the full wonder of Spring bloom!
Flowers, flowers and more flowers!
You can’t think of Spring without flowers, right? Embrace the season by using an abundance of Spring flowers in your bouquets, centrepieces, and decorations!
Popular Spring flowers include tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, peonies, and cherry blossoms. Consider working with a local florist to source seasonal blooms and create stunning arrangements that reflect the beauty of the season.
Mastering your menu
It can be wise (and fun!) to create a menu that highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients to delight your guests. Spring is the perfect time for lighter dishes, such as salads with seasonal vegetables, seafood, and (arguably most importantly) fruit-infused cocktails!
You could also include a delicious Spring-inspired dessert, like a lemon or berry-flavoured cake.
Dress to impress on your special day
This is one that a LOT of people forget about! Yes, Choose wedding attire that is comfortable and appropriate for the season. Lightweight fabrics are ideal for Spring weddings. Brides may want to consider a tea-length dress or one with lace details, while grooms can opt for lighter-coloured suits or even linen for a more casual feel. We want your special day to be MAGICAL, not worrying about being too hot or too cold!
So there you have it! Spring is such a beautiful time of year and the perfect time to get married. If you are planning a wedding in 2024 or beyond and are interested in booking a humanist wedding celebrant, get in touch! I would love to help you capture your special day.
Love,
Kathryn x
High Billinghurst Farm: The Enchanting and Romantic Wedding Venue that NEEDS to be on your potential venue list!
Whether it’s an idyllic indoor ceremony or an outdoor showstopper; High Billinghurst Farm caters for all.
I’m lucky enough to have been to HBF a few times, and every time I’m greeted with an ambience and awe that lasts firmly in the memory bank. The team at HBF have a unique ability to transform the venue for every couple, perfectly encapturing their ideas and creating exactly what they visualised, every time.
VENUE FLEXIBILITY
I’ve experienced a couple who wanted an outdoor ceremony and when the rain halted those plans, HBF were able to adapt quickly to an indoor ceremony – IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS. The staff are warm, welcoming and go above and beyond to make your day as magical as can be. There is an obvious passion from the HBF staff for weddings and it’s obvious the people make this place the perfect venue that it is!
Words really don’t do this venue justice – you must go and visit to truly experience its beauty. From the stunning grounds to the beautiful rooms in which you can book and stay in with your family and friends, the whole venue is perfect for all wedding requests. The outdoor ceremony areas and explore the field and visualise what you’d like to add in to make it your perfect day. I can’t stress enough, if you are interested in booking this venue then BOOK to visit immediately; dates do go VERY quickly and we wouldn’t want you to miss out!
TOP TIP FOR THE VENUE – VISIT BEFOREHAND!
Another reason to visit the venue in advance is to understand the exact way to get there – and to relay this information to your guests! The first time I visited the venue I lost signal about 10 minutes into the journey - Google Maps then had me going around in circles for a half an hour!
Luckily I wasn’t late for anything, but this is a tip if you are having your event or Humanist Wedding Ceremony there. You wouldn’t want anyone getting lost - or even worse MISSING out on the entrances! The team at HBF will provide clear, concise instructions on how to get there for you.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Again, I must reiterate that you have to see this venue in person – however, the below Instagram reel gives you a flavour of what a wedding at High Billinghurst farm is like. Click the link and have a look!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfdvrYsDzi1/.
To summarise, High Billinghurst Farm is a venue that can cater to all wedding needs. The team are courteous, friendly and VERY accommodating – no request is too much! If you are looking for a venue in Surrey for your Humanist Wedding Ceremony, then I highly recommend you check out High Billinghurst Farm.
Thanks for reading this blog! If you are looking for a Humanist Wedding Celebrant to help capture your special day, I am now taking bookings for 2024. Simply click here to get in touch and we can discuss how I can help!
Kathryn
Wedding at Hedsor House - Luxury Wedding Venue in Buckinghamshire
Introducing the beautiful Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire the perfect spot to hold your wedding ceremony.
Introducing Hedsor House: a picture-perfect venue, steeped in history. Just outside London in Buckinghamshire, this stunning Georgian mansion offers over 100 acres of private land – providing the perfect location for weddings!
Hedsor House. Captured by David Wheeler
NATURAL BEAUTY IN ABUNDANCE
I have been both a Humanist wedding celebrant and a wedding guest at Hedsor! Every time I’m there, I’m blown away by the stature of the House and the internal decor. It is elegant and the high-rise ceilings leave you walking around with your mouth open, gobsmacked at its natural beauty!
The house itself is surrounded by perfectly bright and floral well maintained listed gardens, providing a holistically stunning venue.
Hedsor House Grounds and Gardens - Captured by Isobel Murphy
FREQUENTED BY THE STARS
Hedsor House is often used for filming blockbuster movies – and upon arrival, It’s obvious why! From Dustin Hoffman's Quartet to Tom Hardy's Legend, many renowned films have utilised the venue to capture iconic scenes on the big screen – and this means the House is extremely popular for wedding showcases, too!.
Stepping through the stunning front door, you are immediately greeted with a feel of grand décor. It really does make you feel like a Disney princess, or a Royal Family member – only better!
Hedsor House Front View. Captured by John Nassari
THE PERFECT WEDDING BACKDROP
The Hedsor House Staff are available to support with your every whim and need – their guidance and professionalism truly echoes the beauty of the venue they work in! The on- site amenities are first class too, with a downstairs cloakroom and toilet facilities situated at the front of the house. This is perfect for guests who have travelled from far and wide for the ceremony, and ensures everyone is comfortable and ready for a magical day!
I’ve been lucky enough to see the bridal suites at Hedsor House in person and they are perfect for brides to get ready and spend the night relaxing after the big day.
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF!
Hit the link below to see an Instagram reel of Hedsor House – I’m sure you’ll agree, seeing it visually echoes everything I’ve said above (and even then, I probably haven’t done it enough justice!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbE9LSxjGCw/
If you’re looking for a humanist wedding celebrant, please drop me a line! I’m now taking bookings for 2024 and would love to help you capture your special day.
Kathryn
City Wedding London
Shauna & Thomas got married in the heart of Shoreditch, London in 2025
A Spring Wedding at Shoreditch Studios | Shauna & Thomas
There’s something about April weddings in London that just feels right. The city starts to wake up, the light softens, and you get those first glimpses of sunshine that make everything feel full of possibility. Shauna and Thomas chose this exact moment to celebrate their wedding at Shoreditch Studios, and it couldn’t have suited them more.
Shauna is originally from London, while Thomas is from Singapore, where they now live together. Bringing everyone back to London for their wedding felt really intentional. It gave them the chance to celebrate with family and friends in a place that means so much to Shauna, while also giving their Singapore-based loved ones a proper London experience.
A Shoreditch Studios Wedding in the Spring Light
Shoreditch Studios is one of those venues I always love working in as a wedding celebrant London couples come to for something a bit more relaxed and modern. It has that perfect mix of industrial character and soft, natural light, especially in spring.
The space looked incredible without needing to be overdone. Shauna and Thomas kept everything elegant and understated, letting the venue speak for itself. With the sunlight pouring in and a room full of people who genuinely cared about them, it created such an easy, joyful atmosphere.
Their Ceremony
I had the absolute pleasure of leading their ceremony, and it was one of those moments that just felt completely them. As a wedding celebrant London based, those are always the ceremonies I love most. Personal, relaxed, and full of meaning without feeling over-scripted.
They mentioned that the fact I was a humanist wedding celebrant was the real reason why they choose me.
We told their story in a way that reflected both where they have come from and the life they have built together in Singapore. There was laughter, a few tears, and that real sense of connection that you only get when a ceremony truly reflects the couple.
Celebrant-led weddings give you that freedom. You can shape the ceremony around who you are, include what matters, and leave out anything that does not. Shauna and Thomas really embraced that, and it made all the difference.
April Sunshine and That London Energy
And then there was the sunshine, which is never guaranteed in April. When it does show up, it completely transforms the day.
Guests were able to spill outside with drinks in hand, soaking up the warmth and catching up properly. It added a relaxed, almost destination wedding feel right in the middle of London.
For couples planning a spring wedding at Shoreditch Studios, this is exactly why April can be such a great choice. You get that softer light, a bit more energy in the air, and sometimes beautiful sunshine to tie it all together.
A London Wedding Worth Coming Home For
For Shauna and Thomas, this was about more than just choosing a venue. It was about bringing their worlds together, celebrating with the people they love, and marking the start of their marriage in a way that felt completely authentic.
That is always the goal.
Planning Your Shoreditch Studios Wedding | Tips from a Wedding Celebrant London
If you are thinking about getting married at Shoreditch Studios, or planning a London wedding from abroad, here are a few things I always share as a wedding celebrant London based.
Make the most of the light. Shoreditch Studios is all about natural light, so think about your ceremony timing, especially in spring.
Keep styling simple. You really do not need to over-style this space. Let the textures and architecture do the work.
Choose a celebrant for flexibility. If you want a ceremony that actually feels like you, working with a wedding celebrant London gives you complete freedom over how it looks and feels.
Think about your guests’ experience. If people are travelling, especially internationally, build in time to connect. Welcome drinks and relaxed moments go a long way.
Have a plan for the weather. April can surprise you, so make sure your plans work either way so you can stay relaxed.
Shauna and Thomas’ wedding was such a perfect reminder that when you focus on what really matters, the people, the story, and the atmosphere, everything else falls into place.
And as a wedding celebrant London, those are always the weddings that stay with you.
“What Does a Wedding Celebrant in London Actually Do? (And Is It Right for You?)”
London Celebrant
If you’ve found yourself Googling wedding celebrant London and wondering what that actually means, you’re definitely not alone. It’s one of the most common conversations I have with couples at the very start of their planning.
Because here’s the thing… most people don’t realise there’s an alternative to a registrar ceremony until they start looking properly. And once they do, everything shifts.
As a wedding celebrant in London, my role is to create and deliver a ceremony that feels completely personal to you. Not templated, not rushed, and not something you’ve heard ten times before. Something that actually reflects your story, your relationship, and the way you want your wedding to feel.
What is a Wedding Celebrant?
A wedding celebrant in London designs and leads bespoke, completely personalised wedding ceremonies.
That means:
Your ceremony is written from scratch
Your story is at the centre of it
You can include personal vows, readings, rituals, or cultural elements
You can get married anywhere
Unlike a registrar, there are no restrictions on structure, wording, or location. Whether you’re planning a luxury London wedding, a Shoreditch studio celebration, or something more intimate, a celebrant-led wedding gives you complete creative freedom.
Wedding Celebrant vs Registrar in London: What’s the Difference?
This is usually the moment everything clicks for couples.
A registrar in London provides the legal part of your marriage. It’s structured, time-limited, and often takes place in a licensed venue with set wording.
A wedding celebrant in London, on the other hand, focuses entirely on the experience.
With a celebrant-led wedding in London:
There are no scripts or standard wording
You’re not restricted on time
Your ceremony can be emotional, relaxed, and genuinely engaging
You can choose any venue, not just licensed spaces
Most couples choose to do the legal paperwork separately (often quietly at a registry office), and then have their ‘real wedding’ ceremony led by a London wedding celebrant.
It means your wedding day isn’t dictated by legal constraints.
It’s designed around you. Your love story. Your life!
Why More Couples Are Choosing a Wedding Celebrant in London
There’s been a real shift towards celebrant-led weddings in London, especially for couples planning modern, luxury, or design-led celebrations.
London weddings aren’t one-size-fits-all anymore. Couples are choosing:
Creative venues like studios and warehouses
Multi-cultural ceremonies that reflect both families
Personal storytelling instead of formal scripts
A more relaxed, editorial feel to the day
Working with a wedding celebrant London based allows you to create something that feels effortless, but deeply considered.
What a Celebrant-Led Ceremony Actually Feels Like
This is the part that’s hard to explain until you experience it.
A celebrant-led wedding ceremony doesn’t feel stiff or overly formal. It feels natural. Guests are listening, laughing, sometimes crying, and actually present in the moment.
It feels like you.
As a wedding celebrant in London, I spend time getting to know my couples properly. The result is a ceremony that flows, that feels elevated but never forced, and that sets the tone for the entire day.
Can You Legally Get Married with a Wedding Celebrant in London?
This is one of the most searched questions around wedding celebrant London, and it’s important to be clear.
In England, celebrant-led weddings are not yet legally binding on their own.
What most couples do is:
Complete the legal paperwork at a registry office (often on a separate day)
Have their full wedding ceremony led by a wedding celebrant in London
And honestly, this is where the magic is. Because your actual wedding ceremony is no longer restricted. It becomes the experience you and your guests remember.
Why I’m So Passionate About Celebrant-Led Weddings
I recently had the chance to talk about this in more depth, including the difference between a registrar and a celebrant, and why so many couples are making the switch.
In it, I share exactly what goes on behind the scenes, what couples are really looking for now, and why a wedding celebrant in London offers something completely different.
Because at the heart of it, this isn’t just about having a ceremony. It’s about creating a moment that actually means something.
How to Choose the Right Wedding Celebrant in London
If you’re searching for a London wedding celebrant, this part matters.
You’re not just booking a supplier. You’re choosing the person who will tell your story in front of everyone you love.
Look for:
Someone whose tone and style feels like you
A writing style that resonates
Experience with luxury or design-led weddings (if that’s your aesthetic)
Someone you genuinely feel comfortable with
The right wedding celebrant in London will make the entire process feel easy, collaborative, and genuinely exciting.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a wedding and want something that feels considered, personal, and beautifully put together, working with a wedding celebrant in London gives you that freedom.
It allows you to create a ceremony that isn’t just part of the day, but the part everyone remembers.
If that’s what you’re looking for, that’s exactly what I do at Love Celebrants.
“How to Plan a Luxury Wedding Ceremony in London (That Actually Feels Personal)”
Kathryn Wilson Love Celebrants - Luxury wedding London
When you start planning a luxury wedding in London, it’s very easy to focus on the big visual elements first. The venue, the flowers, the styling, the guest list. But the part that quietly shapes the entire day, and often gets left until later, is the ceremony.
And in reality, it’s the ceremony that sets everything in motion.
As a wedding celebrant in London, I see this shift happen all the time. Couples begin with aesthetics, but what they really want is something that feels considered, personal, and completely their own. The ceremony is where that happens.
Start with the Ceremony, Not the Timeline
If you are planning a luxury wedding in London, one of the best things you can do is start with how you want your ceremony to feel.
Not the schedule. Not the logistics. The feeling.
Do you want it to feel intimate, even in a large space? Relaxed but still refined? Emotional without being overwhelming?
When you work with a wedding celebrant London based, the ceremony becomes something that is designed around you from the very beginning, rather than something that has to fit into a pre-set structure.
Choose the Right Setting in London
London offers some of the most incredible backdrops for a luxury wedding ceremony, and I’ve been lucky enough to work in some truly iconic spaces.
From ceremonies at the Natural History Museum to weddings at Cliveden House, Blenheim Palace, and the Bodleian Library, each venue brings its own atmosphere and sense of occasion.
I’ve also led ceremonies at some of London’s most refined hotels, including The Connaught and Claridge's, often for high-profile and celebrity clients who want something discreet, elevated, and entirely personal.
The key is choosing a space that aligns with your energy as a couple, not just how it looks.
Make It Personal (Without It Feeling Overdone)
Personalisation is often misunderstood. It doesn’t mean including everything, or making the ceremony overly long or complicated.
For a luxury wedding ceremony in London, it’s about refinement.
It’s knowing what to include, what to leave out, and how to tell your story in a way that feels effortless. That balance is where a celebrant-led wedding in London really stands apart.
As a wedding celebrant London couples trust for high-end weddings, my role is to create something that feels elevated but natural. Thoughtful, but never forced.
Work with a Wedding Celebrant in London
This is where everything comes together.
A wedding celebrant in London allows you to step away from limitations and create a ceremony that is entirely bespoke. No scripts, no restrictions, and no time pressure.
For many of my couples, especially those planning luxury London weddings or multi-day celebrations, the ceremony becomes a central experience rather than a formal requirement.
It also means we can work collaboratively. Every word, every moment, every transition is considered.
Create a Guest Experience, Not Just a Ceremony
For luxury weddings, the guest experience matters just as much as the visual elements.
Your ceremony sets the tone. It’s the first time everyone gathers, the first shared moment, and it shapes how the rest of the day feels.
When it’s done well, guests are completely present. They are engaged, emotionally connected, and part of something meaningful.
That’s always the intention.
Timing, Light, and Flow
London light is something people don’t always think about, but it makes a huge difference, especially for a luxury wedding ceremony.
Spring and summer weddings in London offer that softer, flattering light that works beautifully in both historic venues and modern spaces.
Planning your ceremony timing around this can completely elevate the atmosphere, particularly for photography and the overall feel of the day.
A More Considered Approach to Weddings
Alongside my work as a wedding celebrant in London, I also work as a broadcaster and regularly speak about weddings, relationships, and modern ceremonies.
Through my work at Love Celebrants, I’ve become known as the UK’s only wedding expert and commentator, offering insight into how weddings are evolving and what couples are really looking for now.
What I see, consistently, is a move towards weddings that feel more intentional. Less formulaic, more personal, and ultimately more memorable.
Final Thoughts
Planning a luxury wedding in London is about more than creating something beautiful. It’s about creating something that feels like you.
When the ceremony is given the same level of thought as the rest of the day, everything else flows more naturally.
If you’re looking for a wedding celebrant London based who can create a ceremony that feels effortless, elevated, and entirely personal, that is exactly what I do.
And it’s always where the best weddings begin.
A surprise for the special guest at Tip Top
Humanist Wedding Ceremony, Ring hiding!
This weekend in late July I was Humanist Celebrant as a gorgeous Wedding Ceremony in Milton Keynes for Chloe and Ollie Jones. With an intimate ceremony of just 67 guests, the sunshine was perfect with a slight cloud cover as the bride made her way down the aisle.
The wedding was set beside a tipi on a lake at the Beautiful Tip Top venue. This day was a celebration of true love! The relationship of C & O had been that of best friends, boyfriend and girlfriend for over 15 years.
Take a look at the reel for this wedding.
As part of the Ceremony, the couple decided we would have a ‘Ring Warning’ ritual but before that, we would create some shock, surprise and wholesomeness for one special person. This was done with the Best Man – A very nervous but excited Kempy began by approaching the front with the wedding Ring Box filled with two Haribo rings instead of the actual rings!
Stashing the rings.
This came as a shock to the guests gathered. I then suggested that this was a total “disaster”, and we simply could not continue the ceremony without an actual ring. After a few moments, I then let everyone in on the surprise by asking everyone to look under their seats. Pre-ceremony myself and the best man had planted a clear button bag underneath the seat of the groom’s sister – Kerry. This was made a little harder as we had to ensure she actually sat on that seat!
Kerry eventually found the bag with the rings then she brought them to the front and replaced the haribos! I believe she was completely surprised and I do hope it made her feel part of the ceremony as the couple intended.
Nothing like making everyone at your ceremony feel ‘Part of it’ by having to do something mid-ceremony.
Surprising a family member is highly thoughtful and includes something unexpected and fun.
I’ve found some other ideas to surprise your loved ones on the day
Make a surprise entrance.
Start a flash mob mid-ceremony.
Make the first dance song special and learn something to surprise guests
Introduce a little magic, someone unexpected or dressed up in a particular way
Humanist Wedding Celebrant Kathryn Wilson Discussion on LBC
It all begins with an idea.
A conversation about Humanist Wedding Ceremonies with LBC
In July I was asked to go on LBC to discuss Humanist Wedding Ceremonies, The Law Commission Report, current rules on ceremonies and the plan for legalisation in England and Wales to match the laws of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Jersey.
In a conversation with Shelagh Fogarty we discussed her views on couples potentially having a legal ceremony in their own back yard and how this may cause weddings to become less ‘special’ the less public they are considered.
I pushed my belief that all couples should have the right to choose where, when and how they are legally married.
Some people have suggested Shelagh asked me some difficult questions but I handled the challenge well. What are your thoughts?
Listen to the full live interview here:
I just got engaged, How do I start planning my wedding?
My advice is to start a ‘dreamboard’ this can be on your phone, via Pinterest or even together as a couple (Great date idea, right?)
To get some inspiration there’s some cool weddings on youtube. I also scroll for hours on Instagram searching my favourite wedding hashtags. People are proud of their wedding day and like to share it with the world. I adore watching Humanist Wedding Ceremonies online because they are truly one of a kind and all about the couple.
Once you’ve had some inspiration it’s now time to start looking into your suppliers. Wedding Dresses? Flowers? That seriously boujee cake you want to rub into each others faces? (Not for everyone this one but I personally love it!)
Most companies in the wedding industry are FIRST CLASS in what they do which often means they are fully booked YEARS in advance. This is the main reason people book their venues or wedding ceremony date quite far in advance so they can get the suppliers they want rather than settling for the mediocre.
How to deal with wedding nerves
It all begins with an idea.
Nerves, we all get ‘em right? This doesn’t mean you have to suck it up. There are some tips below that help me when I’m feeling a bit nervous before my or someone else’s BIG DAY!
1/ Get prepared to feel prepared.
Want to read through your script with your celebrant so you know what to expect? Practice your vows?
2/ Visualise the day
Walking up the alise and seeing the faces of your love, Perhaps you are imagining how slick your groomsmen will look in their suits? Imagining these things that will make you feel happy will make you feel settled and less nervous
3/ Tell yourself its excitement and not nerves
This is one I use ALL THE TIME. Audition? “I’m so excited to be here” Job interview? “I’m excited at the idea of this role”
The brain and body can’t differentiate between the two; Sweaty palms, shortness of breath, heart beating that little bit faster. It’s excitement, right?
4/ Have a rehearsal
Not a lot of couples have rehearsals, I think this is because they don’t want to overly practice their vows or how the day will be. Some opinions on that include “We wanted it to be the first time and only time for it to be truly authentic”. Rehearsals are fantastic if you are feeling nervous as these only usually include the bridal parties and your Wedding Celebrant.
5/ Eat well and stay hydrated
We’ve all seen the memes of Brides/ Bridesmaids / Grooms / Priests / Wedding guests fainting! A lot of the time it’s down to lack of food, heat, and dehydration. This is due to nerves on a Wedding day. Plan out what you are going to eat and the morning drink before your wedding before the day itself and stick to it. We are humans that need energy. Discuss with your celebrant to have water to hand for you and your partner during the ceremony. If you’ve eaten well and managed to stay hydrated it means you can continue the party until the wee hours…am I right?
What’s the difference between a Humanist Wedding Celebrant and a Celebrant?
Kathryn Wilson Humanist Wedding Celebrant
Firstly, I’d like to note that this is written by someone who is a fully accredited Humanist Wedding Celebrant. I will state opinions on this one.
To become a Wedding Celebrant you need a bloody good platform to start; Excellent marketing and a lot of self belief.
When you become a Humanist wedding celebrant you sign up to a course to become accredited by Humanists UK and Humanist Ceremonies, you pass or fail several modules, you have course work and workshops to learn all about what it’s like to work with a couple and plan the biggest day of celebration. The training is intense, expensive but majorly worthwhile.
Humanists don’t believe in religion and to book a Humanist Wedding Celebrant most will ask you to perhaps take a quiz to see if your beliefs are aligned with that of humanism.
All Celebrants work independently, and they have choice regarding what they feel is appropriate to include in a couple’s ceremony. However, the main difference is that humanism is a belief and a way of life that people adhere to.
Humanist Celebrants won’t include any religion in their ceremonies (although this is possible in readings from others – This is based on the personal beliefs of that Celebrant)