Fanfare Ceremonies

05/08/2024

MIDWEEK WEDDINGS 🩵

There seems to be a rise in midweek weddings. It makes perfect sense. By not choosing a Saturday particularly in the busy summer months you are bound to have more choice of suppliers and venues and you might even get a good deal.

I was staggered to see in a post from that after analysing a total of 163,866 2024 wedding dates in its database that... wait for it... MONDAY 23rd September 2024 was the most popular wedding date!!!

By the way if you have tried to get a celebrant for that date and haven’t been able to - I’M FREE!

06/06/2024

What an opportunity it was to speak to John Acres about my business & being a celebrant on yesterday morning as part of the “Up before 7” feature. Goodness it was an early start! But well worth it to spread the word about Celebrants. Did anyone tune in?

26/03/2024

HOW DO I CRAFT A CEREMONY THAT TRULY REFLECTS YOU? 🩵

It starts with my commitment to understanding your unique story. By meeting both of you and dedicating as much time as necessary to build a foundation of trust. When you feel confident sharing the intricacies of your journey with me, it provides invaluable insight into your relationship. I’ll weave personal anecdotes and significant moments into the ceremony, infusing it with authenticity and depth.

Your story will take centre stage, celebrated in a way that resonates with yourselves and everyone present. Involving your family and friends is key. Their perspectives and stories symbolize the love and support surrounding you on this special day.

Together, we’ll create a ceremony that not only reflects your relationship but also honors those that have shaped your journey. 🫶

21/02/2024

I am an experienced celebrant and have presented ceremonies in many of the west country’s most prestigious high end venues as well as some beautiful family gardens and farms across the UK.

21/02/2024

EXCITING NEWS

I have launched a new monthly newsletter Your go to on everything you ever need to know about celebrant led ceremonies.

https://fanfareceremonies.co.uk/mailing-list-sign-up

Everyone should have their wedding ceremony where, when and how they want it. A celebrant led ceremony is the way to achieve this.

My newsletter will be your go-to source for insightful tips, inspiring stories and expert advice relating to wedding ceremony.

I intend for it to be informative but also filled with warmth and laughter just like the ceremonies I create.

Hit the link to sign up. https://fanfareceremonies.co.uk/mailing-list-sign-up/

I am an experienced celebrant and have presented ceremonies in many of the west country’s most prestigious high end venues as well as some beautiful family gardens and farms across the UK.

28/12/2023

WALKING THE AISLE ✨

I mentioned in an earlier post how many iconic moments there are during the wedding ceremony and this is another. The 'walking the aisle' moment! It's a scene that we've all watched a thousand times. But when it comes to your turn do you know who stands where.

Following tradition and stereotype this is how it goes... As you look up the aisle to where I shall be waiting for you the brides family will be seated on the left and the groom's on the right. The bride will arrive with me standing between her groom who is on her right and her father on her left. How special it is when I have a bride, her groom and her dad all in front of me and something of a watershed moment for them. It marks the beginning of the next chapter of their lives.

A great idea is to tell one of your bridesmaids this is how it goes in case you forget in all the excitement! As I say this is the traditional way. However, if you don't want to be traditional and you have decided to move away from the norm well done you and you go for it! Your wedding, your way.

Whichever way you decide to walk the aisle I'd love to be the smiling and reassuring face awaiting you.

Get in touch and let's start planning your ceremony.

13/12/2023

Who cares if your wedding is legal or not? Weddings are about love and happiness not paperwork and formality. 🩵 Don’t you agree?

The true essence of a wedding lies in the love shared between two people. Love doesn’t adhere to societal norms or legal formalities.

However big or small you are planning for your wedding to be, remember love is the driving force behind it all. It’s the laughter, the tears of joy, and the promises made that make your wedding day truly special.

Christmas is one of the most popular times to propose. Those couples who get engaged will not be thinking about the legalities of their proposed union but their love for one another. Your love is valid, cherished, and celebrated by those who truly matter not the signing of legal contracts. This should be reflected on your wedding day and not be compromised in any way at all by rules and regulations.

It’s your love that sustains the incredible journey of marriage. It’s what truly matters. Make sure your wedding ceremony reflects it. Don’t forget to contact a wedding celebrant as well as a registrar when you start your wedding planning - my inbox is open! 🩵

📸: .rose.events

12/12/2023

HURRAH TO CHRISTMAS WEDDINGS ✨

The magic of Christmas set against the wonder of a Wedding Day, perfection! 🎄

Winter weddings really do have a lot going for them. It’s an unorthodox choice, nearly three quarters of weddings take place between May and October, yet if done well, a beautiful one.

The season after all arrives with so many emblems of romance, roaring fires, snow blanketed landscapes, candles & fairy lights, crimson blooms... and on a practical basis more choice of suppliers, potentially better rates and no wedding fatigue.

I have bags of availability still for winter 2024. You love her. She loves you. What are you waiting for? Go for it. Have a lovely romantic winter wedding - and book me to write and present your ceremony!

📸:

11/12/2023

WEDDING SCRIPT WRITING ✨

I start writing your script as soon as I possibly can after we have had our main meeting. When I have many ceremonies booked like this year I try and get these meetings all completed before ‘wedding season’ starts in earnest i.e June. From then, more or less, until mid September are the bulk of my bookings (not all Saturdays I may add) so it’s important to get these meetings which are lengthy (mainly because I get so immersed that I lose track of time) scheduled in early.
They are in-depth and essential. It’s when I truly get to know you and you me. It’s the “why are you getting married” meeting. It’s the best part of my whole job and without exception all my clients have said how much they enjoy them as they too have to reflect on why they are getting married. ♥️

Meeting done I return home and convert the story you have told me and the reasons you are getting married into your script. Sometimes the writing of your script can take me 2 hours, other times much longer. It can vary and I haven’t discovered yet why this happens. Mostly I will finish writing it and then go back to it the next day and definitely improve it. Some celebrants don’t show their scripts to their clients. I always offer my clients the choice. The majority want to see it first. I still have many more clients to meet and many more scripts to write. I’m looking forward to meeting them all and writing their stories.

It’s truly my favourite part of being your celebrant. ♥️

07/12/2023

LOVE STORY ✨

Although every client’s love story is different - they are all similar in that there is a how, a what and a why. 🩵

How a couple first met and how they felt at that moment then what… what makes it so good, what do they do together, what did they find out about one another and then why there was a proposal and why it was accepted? This is the backbone of every love story. Of course, the circumstances of each and every couple is completely different. 🩵

I’m still working out which I prefer more - listening to couples stories, the highs the lows, the laughter, the sadness or the writing of them. Turning all their feelings for one another and their shared experiences into a story that will enlighten and enthral their guests.

What’s your Love Story? I would absolutely love to hear it!

📸 :

06/12/2023

OUR STORY 🩵

When Nick and I were married over 32 years ago we never even questioned where we would marry. Traditions are handed down from generation to generation. Our parents were married in church and even though neither of us were overly religious there was never a second thought. It was always going to be a church wedding ceremony and all the traditions that went with it. But… so much has changed over the years and I wonder if now, as someone who is not overly religious, would I be so quick to follow the course of my parents. I think I might feel, like so many of my couples, uncomfortable purely using the church as a beautiful venue when holding little or no belief.

Can you relate? I would love to hear your story! 🩵

05/12/2023

TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES... ✨

In a recent post I was talking about the style of my ceremonies - in essence they are traditional.

So, where does this love of the traditional wedding stem from. When Nick and I were married over 32 years ago we never even questioned where we would marry. Traditions are handed down from generation to generation. Our parents were married in church and even though neither of us were overly religious there was never a second thought. It was always going to be a church wedding ceremony and all the traditions that went with it. But so much has changed over the years and I wonder if now, as someone who is not overly religious, would I be so quick to follow the course of my parents. I think I might feel, like so many of my couples, uncomfortable purely using the church as a beautiful venue when holding little or no belief.

I became a Celebrant because I wanted to offer a bespoke wedding service to enable couples to have a ceremony that is authentically them and help them put a modern twist on all those familiar traditions. Restriction and rule free. That was the theory behind the evolution of Fanfare Ceremonies.

📸:

04/12/2023

DAN & LOUISA 💛✨

This was my second wedding this year held at a family home. And, it was absolutely spectacular, what a setting! Her parents family farm is Louisa’s favourite place in all the world, somewhere that’s bursting with incredibly happy memories and now will be even more special.

Their ceremony was celebratory from start to finish filled with warmth and laughter - it epitomised everything that is good about a celebrant-led ceremony! When you grow up somewhere that means the world to you, why not have your wedding there! That’s exactly what Louisa wanted and we did it - nothing better on every level.

Thank you, thank you Dan and Louisa - I loved getting to know you both.

SUPPLIERS ✨

Photographer -
Videographer -
Caters -
Hair -
Make up - .makeup
Flowers - & Louisa & Dan
Pianist - Paul Evans
Dress -
Bridesmaid Dresses -

Bride 💛 -

29/11/2023

5 FACTS ABOUT ME ✨

5 things I’m a sucker for - clothing, Pipers Cheese and Onion crisps, , Pain au Raisin & a dance floor! 🪩 🩵

I would love to learn a little more about you - why not share a few things below that you’re a sucker for? Tell me all! 🩵

📸:

28/11/2023

BUTTONHOLES ✨

I do have a bit of an obsession about buttonholes. In my opinion they are miniature floral masterpieces - just look at this stunning creation by . 🩵

So, what’s the story behind them. They are believed to have originated in ancient Greece, when men wore miniature bunches of flowers and herbs to the left of their chest close to the heart to ward off unwanted spirits.

Goodness over the years there have been last minute panics over buttonholes! Where are they, drooping, upside down, left side, right side. Needless to say like all things wedding etiquette dictates, if you care about such things and believe it or not there is a right way and a wrong way. Traditionally the groom has a slightly bigger buttonhole than the best man/men and fathers of the bride and groom, and often the design makes it feel a bit more special.

It should be on the man’s left lapel, just above the heart, and centred horizontally. The flowers should rest on or just below the widest part of the lapel. Position the stem so that it’s parallel to the edge of the lapel. On women, the buttonhole or corsage should be worn on the right. Women can, if they wish, choose to wear the flower facing down, stem parallel to the edge of the lapel, so that it sits more naturally on the bust. Finally use a round-headed pearl pin to secure. Turn the lapel over to expose the back. Thread the pin horizontally through the fabric and through the stem just below the flower heads. Finish by threading the pin back in the fabric, as if you were making a stitch, at a slight downward angle. Wiggle the buttonhole to make sure it’s well attached… and you are done!

So, are you a buttonhole lover too? Did you have these at your wedding? 🩵

📸:

27/11/2023

HOW TO CELEBRATE LEGAL MARRIAGE WITH AN AUTHENTIC WEDDING CEREMONY ✨

You’d think you’d be able to celebrate your wedding how the hell you’d like wouldn’t you? Sadly though despite it being unfair and unreasonable if you include the legal marriage within the wedding ceremony it is not currently possible. This is because of the current archaic marriage laws. So how do you get legally married and have a wedding that’s authentically you and not compromised with ridiculous restrictions on content amongst other things.

Modern forward-thinking couples are identifying that the legal marriage is a necessary formality and not a necessity that has to be included within their wedding. They understand that by removing it and treating it as a separate entity completely they can take control of their ceremony meaning they can choose where and when it is held, the content of it and who officiates.

Curious to learn more? Hit the link in my bio to read my latest blog! 🩵

📸:

​

23/11/2023

GRACE & ELIJAH ✨

Weddings are all about community and this was a wonderful example of just that. Boy did it pay off! It really was the most beautiful setting for a ceremony almost italianate and what struck me more than anything was how relaxed everyone one was.

Thank you & Elijah - thank you for putting your trust in me as your celebrant. 🩵

22/11/2023

ELOPEMENTS ✨

Typically an elopement was thought of a couple running away without telling friends or family, but that definition has changed over time. Though I am sure some couples do still truly elope, this type of wedding is now more a celebration with either just the couple themselves or with small gathering of friends.

I carried out my first elopement ceremony in September this year at Brickhouse vineyard. Having previously only led ceremonies where there were many many guests I was at first uncertain how it would work. This concern did not last long. I found it to be an incredibly rewarding and intimate experience. Why? Because the focus of the day was not on all the trappings of the day but on the ceremony which celebrated the couple and their love for one another.

A celebrant led ceremony is the bespoke option for your elopement with every word resonating with you as a couple. No rules or regulations just pure and unadulterated romance and intimacy and putting love and commitment fair and square at the heart of it.

This is what I did for Hayley and Mario. I’d love to do it for you.

Stunning photography showcasing the day by

21/11/2023

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS 📷

I have so grateful that I have noticed many talented photographers have followed me over the past couple of weeks. Please check out my recent posts & testimonials so you can truly understand what a Celebrant is & how you can recommend us to your clients. ✨❤️

Thanks to , .gallery, , .photo, .photo & for recently following me, I would love to open up the conversation with you about Celebrants & all we can offer. Feel free to send me a DM!

📷:

20/11/2023

JUST IMAGINE... ✨

Imagine a football match between celebrants and registrars. The goals are the advantages of using one or the other for your wedding ceremony. You will see that celebrant win 5:1. Allow me to elaborate on the scoring...

Celebrant scoring first...

1. COMPLETELY personalised script written especially for you and ABOUT you.
2. Any location.
3. Total flexibility on times and dates.
4. Allow spiritual and/or religious content.
5. Choice on who officiates your ceremony.

Registrar scoring now...

1. Can legalise the marriage.

Everyone loves a winner don’t they? Which team do you support? 🩵

01/11/2023

COUPLES CHOICE ✨

I’ve learned since becoming a celebrant that there is a lot of ignorance surrounding weddings and the choices open to couples. Over the years I have learned a lot myself and part of my role as a celebrant now is to inform and to make sure that couples are aware of the choices open to them.

This ignorance is partly because those planning their weddings have in the main never done it before so why should they know. So, today I want to clarify for those who were not aware that there is a difference between marriage and a wedding.

Marriage is the legal contract or longevity of a relationship.
A wedding is the celebration.

Why is this important? Because in England it is widely encouraged and is therefore the norm that the signing of the marriage contract should be done at the same time as the wedding. Why is this a problem I hear you say? There is no problem exactly but by including it your ceremony will become restricted and generic. Is that what you want? Do you mind that you have no control over what is said and by whom?

A good analogy for this is when you buy a house. Do you remember the day you signed the contract or the day you were handed the keys and opened the front door for the first time. Be free to make your own decisions on your wedding ceremony look into working with a wedding celebrant.

Sign your marriage contract separately and have the rule free, relaxed ceremony you’ve dreamed of.

📸: .photography

31/10/2023

WHAT ARE WEDDING CELEBRANTS? ✨

I have been working as a wedding celebrant now for 7 years and it saddens and frustrates me that I am still writing blogs with a title like this one “What are wedding celebrants?”. But I must. It is essential that I keep plugging away because the simple fact is that the majority of engaged couples have either never heard of a wedding celebrant or the pivotal role they play in a wedding.

This unawareness leads to missed opportunities for couples who are looking for a meaningful and inclusive wedding ceremony experience.

So, what are Wedding Celebrants?

Wedding celebrants are lovely, warm, empathetic and creative individuals who are professionally trained and specialise in creating and conducting wedding ceremonies that are tailored to a couple’s preferences and beliefs.

Unlike their counterparts, ie religious figures or registrars their role goes way beyond simply officiating ceremonies. They offer a more flexible and personalised approach collaborating with couples to create a ceremony that truly reflects their very personal story, values and beliefs.

Hit the link in my bio or story now to read my latest blog!

Photographer:

30/10/2023

IS BOOKING A CELEBRANT WORTH THE EXTRA COST? ✨

There’s no point beating about the bush here. A celebrant led ceremony is more expensive than booking the legal ceremony and having it officiated by a registrar. But is it worth it? The simple truth is that when you pay for a bespoke service you as a rule have to pay a bit more. So if having a truly bespoke ceremony, one this is tailormade and unique to you then I’d say yes a celebrant led ceremony is definitely worth the extra cost. 🩵

The result will be a ceremony that will be remembered as something truly special and, as so many of my previous clients have said, the highlight of their day.

26/10/2023

LAURA & TOM ✨

Reviews from my couples never fail to make me smile. 🩵 Laura and Tom heard the script of their ceremony for the very first time at their wedding in the heavenly silver birch church at Higher Holcombe… boy, was it wonderful!

✨ SUPPLIERS: ✨

Flowers:
Caterers:
Venue:
Music:
Videographer:
Photographer: Rachel J
Band:
Dress:
Hair & Makeup:

23/10/2023

CIVIL WEDDING CEREMONY- THE ULTIMATE GUIDE ✨

The civil wedding ceremony has overtaken church weddings as the most popular way of getting married. For the purpose of this blog I am assuming that tying the knot in church is not an option and instead it is the civil wedding ceremony path.

Understandably this is unchartered territory for couples and it is easy to get swept along ending up with the most common process. So lets dig a little deeper into the civil wedding ceremony and explain all the options that are available.

Did you know you actually have two options of civil wedding ceremony? The first can be held at the registry office and the other held at an approved or licensed venue.

Hit the link in my bio to read my latest blog! ♥️

20/10/2023

WINTER WEDDINGS ✨

I mentioned on my stories that my inbox is wonderfully full of enquiries for next summer & even 2025, but I can’t believe how few enquiries I receive for weddings during the winter. Winter weddings really do have a lot going for them. ♥️ It’s an unorthodox choice, nearly three quarters of weddings take place between May and October, yet if done well, a beautiful one.

The season after all arrives with so many emblems of romance, roaring fires, snow blanketed landscapes, candles & fairy lights, crimson blooms... and on a practical basis more choice of suppliers, potentially better rates and no wedding fatigue.

I have bags of availability still for this coming winter. You love her. She loves you. What are you waiting for? Go for it. Have a lovely romantic winter wedding - and book me to write and present your ceremony!

📸: stunning creation by .rich.flowers ✨

18/10/2023

MEGHANN & NIGEL ✨

Nigel and Meghann have been a joy to work with. They were so excited about their ceremony and the result was 35 minutes of love, joy and music. Honestly the happiest of afternoons. What a privilege to play my small part.

Bride & groom - and

Suppliers:

17/10/2023

LAURA & TOM ✨

Laura and Tom heard the script of their ceremony for the very first time at their wedding in the heavenly silver birch church at Higher Holcombe. They wanted the script to be a complete surprise and chose to have no readings but more for the focus to be entirely a celebration of their love and story. From these stunning photos I think you can see this was exactly the right decision!

As Laura walked the aisle, the heavens opened and it continued to rain hard for the first 10 minutes. In my head I thought should I stop? Should I keep going? I pressed on, the energy was so joyful, by stopping briefly we risked losing it. It mattered not a jot and then the sun came out and it was as if it had never rained at all.

Thank you, Laura and Tom for choosing me. ❤️

✨ SUPPLIERS: ✨

Flowers:
Caterers:
Venue:
Music:
Videographer:
Photographer: Rachel J
Band:
Dress:
Hair & Makeup:




❤️ Bride: