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Your wedding, your day, your way ... Nearly every Bride dreams about their special day.
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They project manage it from start to finish to make sure it all goes according to plan but one of the hardest decisions to make is where to hold the wedding and the reception. That is where a Celebrant wedding is the answer, because you can have your wedding wherever and whenever you want because there are no rules or restrictions. Providing you do the legal bit beforehand you can even have your dream wedding in your own back garden...

24/05/2022

Wedding Lore
by: Mary Jane Holmes

There are few other life events so steeped in tradition as weddings. Do you know the origins of our present-day customs? Why do we follow them? Well, that one is easy you do it because your mum did and her mum and so on back countless generations. Here is some of the history behind many of our modern-day wedding traditions.

Bridesmaid Dresses are often identical in style and color. Why? In ancient times the bride’s friends and female relatives would dress exactly like the bride to fool evil spirits bent on spoiling her happiness.

The Post Vow Kiss of the Ancient Romans sealed every legal contract with a kiss. Thus, the marriage was not legal until the bride and groom kissed. Therefore, the wedding official says, “You may now kiss the bride.”

The White Wedding Gown brides have always worn white, right? No, white wedding dresses did not become common in the west until Queen Victoria wore one at her wedding. Before those bright colors were the norm.

The Receiving Line originated in ancient times when it was believed that good luck came to anyone who touched the bride and groom on their wedding day.

Giving Away the Bride Long ago an unmarried girl or woman was considered her father’s property, so at the wedding, he would walk her down the aisle of the church, and “give her away” thereby transferring ownership to the husband.

Why Does the Groom Carry the Bride Across the Threshold? There is more than one bit of lore about this practice. One is that when a girl could be kidnapped and forced to marry against her will, the groom would have to carry her by force into her new home.

Another is that ancient Romans considered it bad luck for a bride to trip when crossing the threshold of her new home. So, the groom would carry her in.

Tying the Knot in Celtic, Egyptian, and Hindu cultures, the hands of the bride and groom were tied together to symbolize their new bond and commitment to the marriage.

June Weddings, Roman mythology held Juno as the god of home, childbirth, and marriage; this is thought to be where the popularity of June weddings originated.

Best Man Back when a man would steal his bride, he would often have to fight her male relatives to keep her. He depended on his best man (friend) for help in fighting them and to get him and his bride safely to the church.

A Locked Church Door: In Irish tradition, once the bride and groom were safely inside the church, guests would lock the church door to prevent the groom from running, if he changed his mind.

Honeymoon: This is another practice with different legends about its origin. One is that if a man kidnapped a girl and could keep her hidden from her family, for a month (moon) she was his to marry.

Another is that parents would keep the couple supplied with mead a drink made from fermented honey for a moon; there would be a male offspring within a year.

There are hundreds of other wedding customs many of them unique to a particular religious or ethnic heritage. So, if you want something different at your wedding seek out the traditions of your heritage

23/05/2022

Wedding Etiquette - Your Most Common Wedding Etiquette Dilemmas discussed here with helpful advice.

As one of the biggest and most potentially stressful events of your life, getting engaged and subsequently planning a wedding brings with it an onslaught of questions. As times change and weddings evolve, traditional rules of etiquette have followed suit, only adding to the confusion.

To gain perspective, first, understand that "etiquette" is above all about treating people with courtesy and making them feel comfortable. When an etiquette question arises, consider the feelings of those who will be affected. To steer you through the fog of questions.

Below is a quick look at the top five most common wedding etiquette dilemmas: Family Etiquette, Invitation Etiquette, Gift Etiquette, Attire Etiquette, and The Cash Bar Issue.

Family Etiquette:
Introducing Your Parents -

If the bride and groom's parents have not met prior to the engagement, tradition dictates that the groom's family calls and introduces themselves to the bride's family and arranges a meeting.

If the groom's parents do not make the first introduction, then the bride's parents should. Nowadays, who makes the first call is irrelevant; all that really matters is that the parents meet. If meeting face to face is impossible, a letter or phone call will suffice.
Introducing Divorced Parents -

If the groom's parents are divorced, the parent with the closest relationship to the groom should take the first step in meeting the bride's parents. If both sets are divorced, the parent closest to the groom should first contact the bride's suggested parent. If no one begins the introduction process, the couple should step in and ensure that everyone meets, while refraining from forcing potentially awkward situations.

You’re In-Laws -

The groom's parents often feel left out of the planning process. To avoid this, invite your future in-laws into the initial dialogue. You should immediately inform them of your ideas regarding the location, date, size, and style of the wedding. Take queues on their desired level of involvement and include them accordingly. Let them make offers to pitch in with finances or planning. Above all, keep them informed throughout your engagement.

Invitation Etiquette:
Inviting partners and guests -

If an invited guest is married, engaged, or living with a significant other, that partner must be included in the invitation. A single invitation addressed to both individuals should be sent to spouses or couples who live together, while separate invitations should be sent to each member of an engaged or long-term couple who doesn't live together. Inviting single guests with a date is a thoughtful gesture, but one that is not required.

If you are inviting a single guest with a date, try to find out the name of your friend's intended date, what they are like and if agreed include that person's name on the invitation.
Otherwise, inner envelopes may include "And Guest," indicating that he or she may bring any chosen es**rt or friend.

Guests Who Ask to Bring a Guest -

Your guests should know better! It is never appropriate for a guest to ask to bring a date, and you have every right to politely say no. However, if you discover that a guest is engaged or living with a significant other, you should perhaps reconsider and extend a written or verbal invitation.

Invitations to out-of-town guests
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Many brides ponder whether it's appropriate to invite long-distance guests for whom it may be impossible to attend. Use your best judgment. Is this person truly a close friend who would want to attend your celebration? If so, failing to extend an invitation may be insulting
Remember, these days friends and family are often spread all over the country, and people are accustomed to traveling. On the other hand, if you haven't spoken in years, an invitation may look like no more than a request for a gift. In those cases, send a wedding announcement instead, which carries no gift-giving obligation.

Gift-giving Etiquette:

Yes, we all love to receive gifts, and weddings are a perfect occasion for gift-giving. Friends and loved ones customarily honor the commitment of the newly betrothed by showering them with gifts.

As the happy couple, just remember to always feel privileged—not entitled. So, let's review a bit of etiquette as it relates to wedding gifts...
1) Never mention gifts (gift choices or gift registry) on the invitation.
2) Publicize your registry information by word of mouth. It's also acceptable to include it on a wedding website or shower invitation (since showers are not typically hosted by the bride or groom)
3) There is no polite way to ask for cash gifts. This can only be done through word of mouth.
4) Honeymoon registries are appropriate.
5) Do not use any gifts until after a wedding.
6) All gifts, even shower gifts, must be returned if the wedding is canceled or annulled before living together as a married couple.
7) Gift giving for a vow renewal, reaffirmation ceremonies or encore weddings is not mandatory but is a nice gesture.
8) There is no special formula for determining the appropriate amount a guest should spend on a gift. The idea that each gift should cost as much as one plate at the reception is an impractical misconception.

Attire Etiquette:

While rules for modern wedding attire have evolved with the times, there are still traditional standards for fabrics, lengths, and styles.

Here are some guidelines:

The formality of your bridesmaids' dresses should match that of your wedding dress. Although traditionally the dresses were the same length as the wedding gown, the rise in popularity of tea- and knee-length bridesmaids' dresses have relaxed that rule. If the fabric and overall style matches the formality of your floor-length gown, shorter bridesmaids' dresses are perfectly acceptable.

For evening weddings, guests should dress for a nice dinner or event - which includes suits (or black tie) for men and dresses or skirts in sophisticated colors and fabrics for women. Lengths can vary according to the style of the event and location. Female guests may now wear black, but never white.

The Cash Bar Issue:

Yes, weddings are expensive. Yes, couples should be on the lookout for budget-saving tips. Yes, weddings are expensive - we know. But never - under any circumstances - should you ever consider hosting a cash bar at your reception.

Think about it - you would never ask anyone to pay for a cocktail in your own home. People at your reception are still your guests, even if the event is not held in your house. That said, if a full bar is not within your budget, consider these alternatives:

Host a soft bar, in which guests can order champagne, beer, and wine.

Find a reception site that allows you to bring in your own alcohol; you will save serious cash, and anything unopened can be returned for a full refund.

Cut down the size of your guest list - the only significant way to reduce costs in the first place.

These are guidelines everything is your choice.

17/05/2022

It doesn’t have to be a Posh wedding to hire a Toastmaster, value for money we have no equal!

More than ever, you will regularly see the professional toastmaster at work at all good weddings, where his or her organizational skills are put to the test. The friendly red-coated master of ceremonies will make all the difference to the big day.

Taking into consideration, the overall cost of a wedding, a toastmaster’s fee is small in comparison. Yet, value for money, we have no equal.

The Professional Toastmaster has been part of the British banqueting scene for more years than can be remembered. The Toastmaster’s presence has long added style and professionalism to every occasion.

The familiar red tailcoat has been recognized the world over as the symbol of authority, however formal, or informal the event. Indeed, the toastmaster’s expertise has been relied on by the highest in the land, ensuring their expectations are fulfilled to the highest standard.

The role of the Toastmaster is to manage the event and to ensure that it runs in exactly the manner the client wishes. Professional Toastmasters is the ultimate stage managers.

In today’s ever-changing world we see many more civil ceremonies and with new legislation, same-sex ceremonies and ‘pink weddings’ as they are more commonly referred to. The toastmaster’s delicate tact and specialized knowledge of the procedure, allow them to take control of the proceedings, thus allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the occasion.

Your wedding doesn’t have to be ‘Posh’ to have a Toastmaster – they are just ordinary guys and gals that love pleasing people. But, without a doubt, they will give your special day a touch of class, the icing on the cake, and make it a special day to remember for the rest of your lives.

Go on, don’t settle for second best – Hire a Professional Toastmaster!

Contact The Executive Guild of Toastmasters

NOW!

13/05/2022

Eric Gill Training

Questions you may be asked …

What does a Celebrant do at a Civil Wedding?

Put simply, a celebrant is a person who performs and officiates formal ceremonies –such as weddings, vow renewals, baby naming, or even funerals and memorials. By booking a Celebrant for your service, you can have the vows you want, the music you want, and the readings you want.

Is my Celebrant Wedding Ceremony legally binding?

No. You will need to arrange for a Civil Partnership Registration in the Registrar's office with two adult witnesses to legally register your marriage. This is the 'admin' part of the process and does not need to be treated as a formal ceremony.

And therefore, a Celebrant Wedding Ceremony is not a legally binding ceremony. It is about celebrating your love and relationship in a way that is special to you when you wish to confirm your commitment to each other without legal ties.

What is the difference between a registrar and a celebrant?

The difference between Registrars and Celebrants in a Nutshell. Registrars have the power to marry you in the eyes of the law. Celebrants will help you to create a personalized bespoke ceremony, taking place wherever you would like. You can include personalized vows, live music, and family.

Celebrant-led ceremonies can take place in any location, at any time and they can take any format or style you want with content that's special and meaningful to you.

Celebrant ceremonies are becoming more and more popular here in the UK, If you have your heart set on a specific location to tie the knot or would like a more personalized reading at your ceremony, you may want to consider using a celebrant for your big day.

Can a ceremony with a wedding celebrant be held both indoors and outdoors?

Yes, it can, and with trends for outdoor weddings on the rise, a celebrant can often unlock the potential within a dedicated wedding venue as celebrant ceremonies are not required to take place underneath a permanent licensed structure. “The vast majority of weddings are outdoors (with marquees as a wet weather backup plan), and this provides couples with much more flexibility in terms of setting.”

If you opt for an outdoor celebrant ceremony, then you can position yourselves anywhere so long as the wedding venue has granted permission for you to do so.

Why not take advantage of fantastic views at a venue, have these as the backdrop to your day, and use the inside space for the wedding breakfast and evening reception? Explore all possibilities for ceremony settings at your venue and remember it does not need to be licensed if using a celebrant – you really can have your dream location!

Are there specifications in terms of where, when, and what time a wedding celebrant ceremony can take place?

Not at all, you can select the time YOU want, without restriction on time slots or indeed location.
Many couples will still opt for an early afternoon ceremony time, but some couples prefer an altogether different plan for their celebrations and will perhaps have a roof terrace ceremony under the stars followed by cocktails and dinner for example.

More and more couples are thinking outside of the box and doing away with tradition, and indeed opt for something a little more ‘unexpected’ and unique to them. A celebrant wedding ceremony offers couples complete flexibility!

How long does a ceremony with a wedding celebrant take?

This varies, depending on the content of your ceremony. “The vast majority of ceremonies are around half an hour and are created with a fantastic flow. Celebrant speaking parts are always creatively punctuated with guest readings or involvement in some other way so that the ceremony feels like everyone there has a role in the proceedings, and indeed in supporting the couple.

It becomes a lovely experience rather than someone just standing and reading to a group of people which can otherwise feel quite cold by comparison.”

Can guests do readings in a ceremony with a wedding celebrant?

Of course! “Celebrants actively encourage it and have lots of lovely ways in which this can be done. Guests can select a popular piece of poetry online, or they might want to write something personal about the couple that is shared on the day, but there are lots of other options too. Celebrants work with their couples and ensure that the content accurately reflects who they are and that those doing readings are comfortable with everything on the day too.

Celebrants love to use guest involvement to really add something a little bit special to the ceremony, and depending on the couple, can add elements of religion, acknowledge a cultural background, or even a family tradition.
Some Celebrants include many different rituals into a ceremony, numerous Celtic mini-handfasting variations, the creation of marriage time capsules, sand ceremonies, and a whole host of other lovely activities too! Celebrants really can make it truly personal, and unique to the couples.”

Can any type of music be played during a celebrant ceremony?

Yes indeed. A celebrant will talk you through various music options with the couple in advance. They may want to walk down the aisle to their favorite song, or sign their certificate with their favorite band playing in the background?

There are no restrictions when it comes to music during a celebrant ceremony at all and couples can opt for something that they both love, and not feel limited in their choices.

If one or both of us have been married before, can we still have a ceremony with a wedding celebrant?

“Absolutely. This has no bearing whatsoever on your ceremony with the celebrant.” Most celebrants will happily work with couples and families with varying circumstances and proudly embrace diversity.

Will we need to sign any documentation during our celebrant ceremony?

Signing documentation during the ceremony is not obligatory but many couples do like to sign a commemorative certificate which can then be presented to them with a beautiful keepsake folder at the end, with copies of their personal vows and readings inside too.

You can even choose to have ‘witnesses’ join you to complete the signing if you wish, and this is a nice way of involving other family members that perhaps were not part of the legal proceedings.

Would we get to write our own vows, or would the wedding celebrant read them to us?

“This is a personal part of the ceremony, and a celebrant would tend to try to keep this as modern and relevant as possible. There are three styles that can be used, the “I do” that many people expect to hear, the ‘repeat after me’ vows where a celebrant reads a sentence and this is repeated by the groom than the bride, and of course, personal vows written by the couple and then read to one another during the ceremony.

Many couples like to do all three and weave the words into the flow of the ceremony, but some prefer only one or two.
Celebrants can provide lots of great ways in which a couple can deliver their personal vows and are happy to help their couples in terms of creating something special, and ensuring they are of similar in length and tone.

So, what does a person need to become a good Wedding Celebrant?

• Good literary and writing skills with the ability to write concisely, grammatically, and effectively.
• A good public speaking voice and the confidence to speak to groups of people from two to several hundred.
• Smart appearance.
• A mature, calm, reassuring manner.
• Sensitive interviewing skills.
• Availability at weekends, when ceremonies may be required.
• A genuine interest in providing a quality service and improving the choice and quality of ceremonies.
• Access to, and ability to use, email is essential.
• Use of a computer and confident word processing skills, with good experience of using Microsoft Word (or similar package) and a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel or similar.

If you are concerned about your IT skills, then click below for a more detailed list of requirements.

Then, it's Knowing how …. Knowing how to put together the essential structure of a ceremony including appropriate inclusion of both secular and religious content and appropriate music and poetry.

• Knowing what constitutes a truly personal ceremony and awareness of potential pitfalls.
• Knowing how to interview clients to obtain relevant information and effectively translate the information into a well-written ceremony script.
• Knowing how to deliver a ceremony with confidence and sensitivity.
• Knowing how to make the best use of space available at ceremonies and understanding movement and logistics.
• Knowing how to present clients with a beautifully presented souvenir script to keep.
• Knowing how to set up, promote and administer your business
• Knowing how to explain the ceremonies that you conduct to others and understand the current legal situation about ceremonies in the UK.

When you know all the above - you are ready!
Eric is ready too - to train you!
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12/05/2022

Eric Gill Training
3 Keys to a Successful Marriage
(Or Love Life)

No one enters marriage (or any modern variation on a long-term committed relationship) intending it to end. No one thinks that will happen to them.

Yet you'd have to be a supreme ostrich not to have some awareness of the odds of your marriage lasting “‘til death do you part." (I'm going to say "marriage" to save a lot of typing from here on, okay? Insert your own variation as we go along!)

So here are a few keys to increasing your chances of your marriage being one of the successful ones. (You know the kind: when the press asks you on your 80th anniversary, "What's the secret of a successful marriage?")

Successful Marriage Key 1 - Know Your Outcome.

Ideally, you should do this before you propose or accept the proposal, but it's never too late to change!

Ask yourself, (not your beloved - yourself!), what kind of relationship suits you.

For example, whilst equality may be one of your ideals, if you're scrupulously honest with yourself, are you naturally drawn to being dominant in other areas of your life?

If you're bossy at the office, (even if you're not the boss), the leader and motivator of your social group, it's unlikely you'll be happy being a mouse at home!

If that's your personality type, for you to have a successful marriage, choose a spouse who’s happy being led by you.

On the other hand, if you're comfortable being the deputy, and you're a great organizer if someone's told you how they want their filing cabinet sorted or their garden to look, then you don't want a mousy partner if your marriage is to succeed.

Are you extroverted or introverted in nature? Are you optimistic or pessimistic? How resistant are you to change like moving house or career change?

Give yourself a personality workout. It's these kinds of characteristics far more than "interests in common" that make a couple compatible.

If you're already well into a marriage by the time you read this, at least you know where to look, (inside yourself!), for where the causes of any struggle might lay. Once you get some clarity about this, have a deep and honest conversation or ten with your spouse.

Successful Marriage Key 2 - Learn Each Other's Language.

It has been said that only 7% of communication is verbal. The old chestnut of "my wife doesn't understand me" - the almost cartoon excuse for an extra-marital affair - isn't going to wash in the twenty-first century.

The main reason that couples don't understand each other is because they don't know each other's language. I'm not talking about what you say in words.

You each will have codes. Facial expressions, tones of voice, and of course, codes of conduct. These are behaviors each of you will have grown up with. I know of at least one couple whose marriage suffered badly in the early days because whenever they argued the wife would leave the room, whilst the husband was yelling "Don't you dare walk out on me!"

It turned out that he had grown up in a family who believed that no matter how big or bad the disagreement, you stayed until it was resolved. His wife, on the other hand, grew up in a family where it was considered the ultimate insult to dignity to be shouted at, and you simply didn't stay in a room where that was going on.
Once they discovered this, they were able to at least come to some agreement about how to disagree!

Successful Marriage Key 3 - Dare to be honest.

It sounds simple but this can be the toughest one of all because every one of us has fears that if "you knew X about me, you wouldn't like me."

We all have them because no one gets through childhood without ever receiving a message that parts of us are not perfect. We are reminded that it's rude not to say thank you, impolite to belch publicly, and so on.

Then there are social, moral, and religious codes that we are "obliged" to follow, not to mention legal rules. Most of us, at times, walk tightropes in some of these areas of life, and a few of us have even been known to cross the odd line from time to time. (No one I know ever has, of course! But I've heard the rumors).

But the more you are prepared to "psychologically unpack" with your nearest and dearest, the more you'll build up trust between you, but there's a much more important result to this.

You'll feel more loved because you'll discover that the parts of you that you yourself had thought unacceptable, even unlovable, are now accepted, and cherished as part of you by the person who matters to you most. As they say ‘Warts an’, all’

In return, you'll love her or him all the more for loving you.
Now, who'd want to leave a marriage like that?

And, if you find that you can’t live happily without each other. If you both really, truly, want to spend the rest of your lives together – it's love – do it!

My wife says - quote: “at times he’s such a lazy old so and so, but that’s men, they are all the same no matter what anyone says, even so, I love him so much that I love looking after him ‘cos he’s mine”

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12/05/2022

Eric Gill's Training
Wedding Blessings & Traditions

• A Quote (Mark Twain)
• Apache Wedding Prayer
• Blessing of Rings
• Blessing of the Hands
• Forever One
• Indian Wedding Blessing
• Jewish Blessing
• Marriage Prayers or Blessings
• Marriage Blessing
• Scottish Blessing
• Scottish Traditions
•

A Quote

Mark Twain

“A marriage...makes of two fractional lives a whole; it gives to two purposeless lives a work, and doubles the strength of each to perform it; it gives to two questioning natures a reason for living, and something to live for; it will give a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, and a new mystery to life. “

Apache Wedding Prayer

Now you will feel no rain,
For each other will be shelter for the other,
Now you will feel no cold,
For each will by warmth for the other

Now you will feel no loneliness,
For each of you will be companions to the other.
Now you are two persons,
But there are three lives before you:
His life, her life, and your life together.

May beauty surround you both
On the journey ahead and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion
To the place where the river meets the sun.

Now go to your dwelling
To enter the days of your life together
And may your days be good
And long upon the earth

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Blessing of Rings

Marriage is a state in which two people come together and create a union greater than the sum of its parts. It is difficult to express in words the profound relationship that is love. The ring has long been a symbol of the sincerity and permanence of a couple's love for one another and regard for their marriage. As the circle can begin anew at any point, a good marriage can pick any point to renew itself. These rings are symbols of your eternal love.
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As circles have no beginning and no end, rings have naturally come to symbolize eternal love within the union of mind, body, and spirit that constitutes the sanctity of marriage. They are freely offered as gifts of faith and hope as visible signs of the promises given on this day. May these rings are blessed and hold the dreams ……………and…………………..share for their union. May the shiny metal mirror the sacred vows made between them, now and forever.
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Let us bless these rings. These circles are symbols that remind us of the sun that shines above us, the Earth holding the sand beneath our feet and the cycle of the tides before us that rise and fall against this beach. At this moment, bring blessings to these rings to be symbols of unity, commitment, and renewal. Grant that the love which ……………..and……………….feel for each other this day reside always in their hearts.
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…………………..and………………….'s rings are an external and visible sign of the internal and spiritual bond of love which unites their two hearts. May they serve as a seal of the vows…………………and……………………have made to one another. Bless these rings, symbols of eternity, beauty, and strength. Bless the couple who give them and wear them--may they ever live in harmony, unity, love, and happiness from this day forward
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Bless these rings, symbols of eternity and forgiveness. A reminder that love is never-ending, but instead can be renewed at any time and place of our choosing. May these rings grace the loving hands of……………and……………..with a joyful and nurturing presence, symbolic of the eternal love and faithfulness they pledge to one another.
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Bless these rings which……………and……………..have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts. This circle will now seal the vows of their marriage and will symbolize the purity and endlessness of their love. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them here.
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Bless these rings that……………………and……………………..are about to exchange. May these rings forever remind them of their covenant with one another, as well as the circle of love they have publicly created here today. May their compassion and kindness for one another always be like these rings, with no beginning and no end.

May the precious metal remind them of their precious commitment, and if begins to tarnish, may they joyfully undertake the sacred duty to make it shine brightly again. May their relationship always be like these rings, separate but close, simple but beautiful. May these rings always belong to their hands, and their love always belong in each other’s hearts
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Blessing of the hands

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.
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These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
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These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort like no other.
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These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
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These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
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These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
************
These are the hands that will help to hold your family as one.
************
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
************
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
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Forever May
May life bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for each other
And let each other do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever one.
Forever one

May you go on to be righteous
May you go on to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever one
Forever one
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of change shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever one,
Forever one

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Indian Wedding Blessing

Now we will feel no rain, for each of us will be a shelter to each other.
Now we will feel no cold, for each of us will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no loneliness, for each of us will be a companion to the other.
We are two bodies, but there is one life before us and one home.
When evening falls, I’ll look up and there you’ll be,
I’ll take your hand; you’ll take mine and we’ll turn together
To look at the road we travelled to reach this; the hour of our happiness.

It stretches behind us, even as the future lies ahead.
A long and winding road, whose every turning means discovery.
Old hopes, new laughter, shared fears.
The adventure has just begun.

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A Jewish Blessing

Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord
We bless you out of the house of the Lord
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with singing.
O God supremely blessed, supreme in might and glory,
guide and bless this bridegroom and bride

Unto Thee, O God, and Father, we lift our souls in praise
All creation declares Thy glory.
Through human beings, fashioned in Thine image,
Thou hast revealed Thy Majesty
Within his heart, thou hast implanted the ennobling influences of love and devotion
Thou art the Source of life and of joy,
Bless the covenant which this bridegroom and bride now seal in Thy name.
Be with them in this sacred hour and in all the days to come.
Amen

Wine sharing

(Ba Ruch Ah Tah Ah Do Nai
Eh Lo Hay Nu Meh L**h Hato Lam
Bo Ray Pri Ha Ga Fen )

Blessed art Thou
O Lord our God,
King of the Universe
Creator of the Fruit of the vine

Marriage Prayers or Blessings
By Joanna Fuchs

Dear Lord, please bless this man and this woman as they enter a commitment to spend the rest of their lives together in harmony and happiness. We pray you will bathe them in bliss, the indescribable happiness that comes from finding one’s true soul mate and life partner. We pray you will guide them through life's exciting adventure and lead them to fall in love with each other again and again as time passes.
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Not that they won’t ever disagree, Lord; they probably know that already. But we pray you will bless them with an all-encompassing, transcendent love that generates deep respect for each other. Bless them with a willingness, even eagerness to listen to each other, to put the other first, as it says in the Bible in Ephesians. Bless them with a desire to focus on each other’s good points to remember why they are together, and a wish to express affection and praise for each other often.
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Dear Lord, please manifest yourself in their marriage. May Your peace that passes all understanding envelop all their joys and pleasures, challenges and fears. Give them confidence in Your constant presence in their lives, that you are always there to love them, lift them up, encourage them, and strengthen them. Let this be a marriage where one plus one equals more than two, as You bring them closer to each other and to You, with their love maturing and becoming more satisfying with each passing year.
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Bless them as they love each other, help each other, share in each other’s joys and comfort each other when life isn’t as they wish. May they always feel that You have given them more than enough and that their lives are filled to overflowing with Your blessings.
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Dear Lord, we pray You will direct them and gently lead them on the path You would have them take, within Your plan and purpose for them, according to Your Holy will.
Dear Lord, bless this man and this woman with unity in their minds, oneness in their bodies, peace and joy in their souls. May they keep each other warm, content, satisfied and peaceful, with you as their guiding light.
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Marriage Blessing

May your marriage always be blessed
With the pure and profoundly loving feelings
Drawing you so closely together now:
Extraordinary communication,
Listening and understanding,
Putting yourselves in the other’s place,
As well as expressing your own needs;
Eagerness to compromise,
Because you love so much, you want to give
Whatever is needed, wanted, for happiness;
And deep commitment to do whatever it takes
To maintain the strong bond
Present on your wedding day.
May your marriage always be blessed,
Now and forever.

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Scottish Blessing
A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage.
May you be healthy all your days.
May you be blessed with long life and peace,
May you grow old with goodness, and with riches.

Bless this marriage, as ………………… and …………………. begin their journey down the road of life together.
May they respect each other’s likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams. and fears, even though they may not understand each other.
May they rest in the knowledge that no matter what happens by holding on to each other, things will work out for the best.
Most of all, help them to keep the torch of love burning with the fire that they now share in their hearts.

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Scottish Wedding Traditions

Family Tartan

Every Scottish clan, or Celtic clan, has their own family tartan. Traditionally the Bridegroom pins a “plaid” or sash of his family tartan on his Bride after the exchange of rings. This symbolizes the bride joining her husband’s clan

Bagpiper
Very popular use in many weddings, even outside of the Scottish heritage. The piper most often plays at the arrival or departure. The piper would be given a “wee dram” in appreciation of his playing.

Banns of Marriage
An announcement of the intent to marry is posted in the church three Sundays prior to the wedding. It is supposed to prevent marrying in haste and gives time for any objections to be raised. Required in areas under British Rule, including Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

Broom
At the end of the ceremony, a broom is placed in the path of the couple’s exit. They have to get over it somehow. They can walk over it. He may carry her over it, or jump over it together, it is up to them. This symbolizes the daily details of marriage, like who is going to sweep the floors, etc.

Creeling

An old popular custom in the Scottish Highlands. A large basket (creel) is filled with stones and tied to the Bridegroom’s back. He then has to wander through the town, carrying the creel, searching for his Bride. If she is found and will give him a kiss, he is allowed to get rid of his burden.

Dirk

Dagger, provided by the piper, is used by the bride to cut the cake. The bride’s hand is guided by the bridegroom.

Foot Washing

Custom where friends wash the bride’s feet on the night before the wedding. Symbol of sending the couple off on a fresh path. A wedding ring from a married woman is placed in the tub, and whichever bridesmaid snatched it during the foot-washing was supposed to be the next to marry.

Handfasting

Possibly a tradition from pre-Christian Celtic marriage laws, meaning a betrothal or a genuine marriage.
Then- A priest or minister wrapped the couple’s hands at the end of his stole the symbolize the “Trinity” of marriage- The Man and Woman joined by God.

Now- The couple’s hands are wrapped using an especially made cord or embroidered cloth, especially of clan tartans. If both couples are Scottish, then both Tartans are entwined to symbolize the joining of the clans.

Heather

Traditional flowers are used in bridal bouquets as a lucky omen. It can also be kept as a keepsake over the years.

Horse Shoes

Symbol of luck. Sometimes worn on the Bride’s arm, or a page might deliver one to the Bride as she arrives for the ceremony.

Ribbon Cutting

A tradition where the father of the bride cuts a ribbon fastened to the church gate or door as a symbol of setting the bride free.

Scammy

“The Scramble”. The old tradition of the bridegroom throwing a handful of coins to children. Custom says it that this token will be constantly returned to the Bride and Bridegroom throughout the marriage.

Sixpence

Traditionally the Bride wears an old silver British sixpence in her shoe for luck.

Other Symbolic Traditions

The husband gives his wife wheat to provide for their (our) home
The wife gives the husband some woven cloth to provide for their (our) home
The husband gives a dagger for the defence of their (our) home
The wife gives a Bible for the spiritual defence of their (our) home

Address

Flat 34, Giffords Court
Melksham
SN127DY

Website

https://www.countycelebrantsnetwork.com/celebrant-member-list/eric-gill/

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