The Somerset Celebrant

16/11/2024

A Lithuanian Bread, Salt and Wine Ceremony.
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It is a Lithuanian wedding custom for the parents of the couple getting married, to present them with some dark rye bread and salt, washed down with either vodka, water or wine
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Traditionally, the dark rye bread represents wealth, health and generosity, as it is almost a sacred thing in Lithuanian culture
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The salt represents some challenges in life that are bound to happen, and it is a must to face and embrace them
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Water symbolises purity and life, a fresh start, whilst wine or vodka is used to toast and celebrate the couple’s marriage.
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Grazina and Matt chose to include a Bread, Salt and Wine ceremony to acknowledge Grazina’s heritage and to include her parents in their ceremony, in a beautiful and meaningful way.
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At the beginning of our ceremony, I welcomed everyone in both English and Lithuanian, with the words,
‘Dėkojame, kad esate čia šia laiminga proga – Thank you for being here on this happy occasion’
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Just before the vows, we invited Grazina’s parents, Sandra and Agnius, to come forward and present the bread, salt and wine🥖🍷🧂
By each breaking a piece of the bread, putting salt on it and eating it, Grazina and Matt showed that together, they would enjoy the good things in life and also accept its bitter moments. The drinking of the wine, symbolised how they would remember to celebrate their marriage through the years
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Sandra then read the advice she had to give Grazina and Matt, to ensure they had a long and happy marriage
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Although Sandra’s words were in Lithuanian, we could feel how kind, touching and important they were to the couple.
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Our Lithuanian Wedding tradition element finished with hugs and kisses and a few tears of love and happiness
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Photos

13/11/2024

I ofter get asked, ‘How can I incorporate different elements into my wedding ceremony to make it truly personal and memorable?’
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The ‘Elements Series’, on the blog, on my website, explains the meaning and significance of different rituals and traditions, and show some of the ways my couples have chosen to incorporate these elements into their ceremonies in their own unique ways.
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I will also share some ideas on here in the coming weeks 😊
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12/11/2024

Celebrants who have been well trained with a reputable celebrant training organisation and have many years of experience under their belt will be very proud to share this information with you
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It is something to bear in mind when choosing a celebrant as it will guarantee not only the quality of your ceremony, but also your enjoyment of working alongside the celebrant and creating it together
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You should ask the questions:
Are you a trained celebrant?
Who was your training body?
How long have you been a celebrant?
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I obtained my Diploma in Family and Funeral Celebrancy with the United Kingdom Society of Celebrants in 2017.
I am a highly trained and experienced family and funeral celebrant.
I have the required skills to create, construct and deliver unique, bespoke and personalised life event ceremonies, including:
wedding ceremonies,
vow renewal ceremonies, commitment ceremonies, handfastings,
child naming,
celebration of life ceremonies,
memorials,
funeral ceremonies.
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If you are looking for a celebrant who listens, and works alongside you, to create a memorable and meaningful ceremony, please get in touch 07530570943
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11/11/2024

Each celebrant has their own distinctive style, which is an important consideration for when it comes to choosing one
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I follow a traditional structure, so your guests will recognise the different parts of your wedding ceremony. However, it certainly won’t be old-fashioned. And, as you are not bound by rules or tradition, you are free to let your imagination inspire you
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Your ceremony can be as secular or as spiritual or religious as you wish
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I am happy to include any special elements or family traditions that are important and meaningful to you
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Some couples want a traditional wedding, with traditional vows. Their ceremony is personalised through the telling of their love story, what brought them to this moment, and their hopes and dreams for their future together
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Some couples want to add special elements, for example a Celtic Handfasting to give a nod to Scottish ancestry, or an Arras Money Ceremony, a Filipino wedding custom, or maybe share bread, salt and wine in a Lithuanian wedding tradition. I have even had 2 very large snorting pigs go up the aisle in a German, Glucksschwein, good luck wedding tradition.
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To sum it up ‘Your day - your way’
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If you would like to chat further, here’s my number 07530570943

10/11/2024

My great - great uncle, James Kennedy, from Cavan, was born on 9th August 1888 and died on 14th March 1915 age 27.

He was a Lance Corporal: 2nd Battalion Irish Fusiliers.

On the day he died his regiment were defending St Eloi, a small village 5km south of Ypres.

On 14th March, the Germans attacked after springing two mines beneath the trenches: I guess he was blown to smithereens, as his body was never found.

He is immortalized on the Menin Gate

In 2016, Brian and I went to visit the place of his death - it’s now a well-tended memorial to those years of hell - a garden with some trees and a small pond.

We also spent a lot of time at the Menin Gate, finding his name in the book, and engraved on the wall. At 8 pm, we listened to the buglers from the local fire brigade play The Last Post, whilst wreathes of poppies and flowers were laid and these words from ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon were read,
‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and the morning We will remember them
It was extremely moving

The poet TK Hulme wrote this poem, whilst serving in the same trenches as my great-great uncle. He too was killed in the war.

Trenches: St Eloi
Over the flat slopes of St Eloi
A wide wall of sand bags.
Night,
In the silence desultory men
Pottering over small fires, cleaning their mess- tins:
To and fro, from the lines,
Men walk as on Piccadilly,
Making paths in the dark,
Through scattered dead horses,
Over a dead Belgian’s belly.
The Germans have rockets. The English have no rockets.
Behind the line, cannon, hidden, lying back miles.
Behind the line, chaos:
My mind is a corridor. The minds about me are corridors.
Nothing suggests itself. There is nothing to do but keep on.
T E Hulme 1883 - 1917

Lest we forget x

09/11/2024

What are the advantages of doing the ‘legal bit’ separately from your wedding?
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Separating the legal side of your wedding ceremony enables you to have a bespoke ceremony that is truly unique and memorable
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A ceremony that truly reflects who you are as a couple and incorporates your ideas, values and personalities
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A registrar can only hold a ceremony in a licenced venue.
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A celebrant gives you the freedom to hold your ceremony in a place that’s significant to you, be it a beach, a forest, a bluebell glade, a pub, your farm or garden, stately home, tipi, castle or even a licensed wedding venue. It’s completely your choice
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This year, I have led some weddings in the most stunning hidden gems, including a 12th Century almshouse, in Glastonbury, a village green, a wedfest wedding field, an old stone dancehall, and even in a cider vat on a Somerset cider farm - don’t worry it was empty!!
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07/11/2024

The Amber Spyglass

“I will love you forever; whatever happens. Till I die and after I die, and when I find my way out of the land of the dead, I’ll drift about forever, all my atoms, till I find you again… I’ll be looking for you, every moment, every single moment. And when we do find each other again, we’ll cling together so tight that nothing and no one’ll ever tear us apart. Every atom of me and every atom of you… We’ll live in birds and flowers and dragonflies and pine trees and in clouds and in those little specks of light you see floating in sunbeams… And when they use our atoms to make new lives, they won’t just be able to take one, they’ll have to take two, one of you and one of me.”
Phillip Pullman

06/11/2024

I often get asked, ‘What is the cheapest way to get the legal bit done?
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The cheapest and shortest option available to complete the legal part of your marriage is to have the  basic “2+2” ceremony, at a registry office
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The 2+2  ceremony includes: a declaration, contracting words, and an optional ring vow, chosen from a short standard selection.These are the legal elements needed to perform a marriage
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The only people to attend will be yourselves, your two witnesses and the registrars
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The cost is £42 per person to give notice and £68.50 for the 2×2 ceremony
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My partner, Brian, and I were the witnesses at my daughter, Millie and Ben’s 2+2 at Taunton Register Office. It was a couple of months after their wedding ceremony. Although a low key affair, held in the entrance hall, at the bottom of the stairs, we had a lovely day.

05/11/2024

Celebrant of Registrar ? What’s the same ? What’s different ?
Both a registrar and a celebrant want you to enjoy your ceremony, but what they offer is very different
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A registrar is employed by the local authority and is able to perform the legal part of a marriage. The service must be held in a licensed area.
Registrars may perform 3 or 4 wedding services a day, so you get given a time slot, and you probably will not meet them before the day.
The format and content of the ceremony is dictated by legislation and no religious or spiritual content can be included. Any readings must be seen and approved before the ceremony
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An Independent celebrant is self-employed and is unable to perform the legal part of the ceremony
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Some couples choosing a celebrant-led wedding tend to get the legal part out of the way a few days before, leaving them free to enjoy their wedding day as they truly want it. This can give them more days of celebrations
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Which is exactly what my daughter Sophie and her husband Chris opted for
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04/11/2024

My 2024 wedding season is coming to a close. This year, once again, I have had the privilege of getting to know, working with, and leading ceremonies for the most amazing couples.
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I have returned to, as well as discovered, new amazing venues, and been welcomed into the most stunning family homes and gardens
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We have jumped brooms, warmed rings, tied knots, poured sand, signed parchments, laughed and wiped tears, kissed and cheered and celebrated love
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I’ve also worked alongside some extremely talented wedding professionals
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It’s been a fantastic year
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In January, I will start working on next years ceremonies, but between now and then, as well as taking bookings and chatting to new couples, my plan is to post regularly and share tips, help, advice, and recommendations
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03/11/2024

Did you know I was once in an episode of ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’!!
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The first pic came up on my newsfeed today and really made me smile
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It’s me with Sophie and Gavin on ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’ from June 2018!!
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They were a brilliant couple and we had an amazing day
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If you would like the inside story, what goes on behind the scenes, you can find it on the blog page of my website - I have put the link in the comments box below 😜😜

02/11/2024

Do you like my new profile pic?
I love it
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Whilst we were working together at a vow renewal ceremony, Chris, Somerset Photographer took time to take some photos that I could use for my business - how kind is that!
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28/10/2024

Congratulations Hannah and Kristian on your wonderful handfasting ceremony
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It was such a joy being your celebrant and getting to know you both over the year
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You chose to have your ceremony under your favourite tree in the park, on the most glorious autumn day.
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I know you have the most exciting adventures ahead in Rome and I wish you both every happiness in the years ahead
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25/10/2024

Waiting for the Handfasting Ceremony to start.
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11/10/2024

A destination elopement in Paris
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Watching this beautiful couple posing for wedding photos on Pont Alexandre 111, the most ornate, extravagant bridge in Paris, reminded me of a beautiful wedding ceremony that I led for Jiajing and Xiao, (Jenny and Shaw) in , a couple of years ago.
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Xiao, from China, was completing his 2-year post doctoral studies in the UK and had promised Jiajing a romantic destination wedding ceremony in England
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The ceremony was very intimate, just the two of them, their photographers and videographers and myself. After spending the day being photographed and filmed in front of many famous London landmarks, they were driven to the castle, where I was waiting to greet them for their ceremony
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Jiajing and Xiao have kept in touch and recently sent me a photo of their beautiful baby daughter
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Destination elopement ceremonies are particularly popular with Chinese couples and it was a great experience to be part of one
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10/10/2024

No words needed
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The joy and happiness of the day is captured exquisitely by Somerset Photographer

This 5 Year Wedding Vow Renewal was in and around Wells where they originally got married at The Swan. We all had the best Fun with their 2 guests and us (their 2 Photographers). What a Beautiful Sunshiney Day with the Vintage Cars and the lovely Celebrant! I would recommend the experience to anyone wanting to renew their vows! 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

06/10/2024

The Kiss is undoubtedly the most photographed shot in every wedding - as a celebrant you have to ensure you are well out of the way when it happens - two is company…..
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I’m on holiday at the moment, which always means enjoying my passion for art
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This week, in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, I saw what is thought to be the first kiss in the history of art
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It was back in the year 1305 when Giotto di Bondone painted a fresco capturing the moment when Virgin Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, kissed each other at the Golden Gate in Jerusalem
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It’s lovely to know that we have all enjoyed kissing for such a long time
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