Fanfare Ceremonies

02/10/2024

HOW MUCH DO I COST? 🩵

After all these years I dread that question and still for some reason feel the need to justify it. I never disclose my fee until I’ve arranged a meeting with potential clients. But, with my big girls pants I am going to come clean and admit that my fee may considered by some as high. I would suggest that it is reassuringly expensive. It reflects my service as premium, high-quality, and trustworthy. I am seasoned, proven and experienced.

If you want to invest in the value of a stress-free, personalized, and memorable experience and see the long-term value rather than just the price tag let’s set up that no obligation zoom meeting and I can tell all about the service I provide. 🩵

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!

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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!

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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.

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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! 🩵

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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? 🩵

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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! 🩵

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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