Ceremonies by Laura Bell

13/06/2024

Charlotte & James’ Handfasting 🪢

There are so many different ways to tie the knot, symbolically and physically - handfasting is my favourite ritual to include. I will guide you through the process whether that’s 1 chord or multiple ribbons / strips of fabric.

You can choose for me to include an accompanying blessing piece, talk about the history of this beautiful ritual or keep things simple.

Sometimes handfasting is referred to as a handtying which is less spiritual and incorporates things like shots for guests when you tie the knot!

Would you include a handfasting or handtying in your ceremony? 💫

Photos by the incredible

30/05/2024

Always a pleasure working with Weymouth Town Council 🩵

Even with the rain, Weymouth Beach proved to be the perfect destination for a wedding blessing earlier in the week 🌧️💍🏖️ Ceremonies by Laura Bell

27/05/2024

If you’d like to opt to sign a keepsake certificate within your ceremony, it’s lovely to include a couple of friends or family members to co-sign with you.

It makes a beautiful keepsake and a lovely moment to have a little chat with each other and take in your surroundings. 💫

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23/05/2024

As part of James and Charlotte's wedding ceremony, his sisters gave the most hilarious and surprise reading about their brother! Surprises within ceremonies for the couple or the guests always go down SO well!

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22/05/2024

I absolutely adored Charlotte & James' wedding ceremony at Venn Farm. It was the hottest day of the year and a gorgeous oak tree shaded us all from the sun's blazes as I shared with their family and friends, their gorgeous love story. 📷

02/05/2024

Ceremony script feedback like this 🥲🥲🥲

When you receive your first draft, take the time to read through together. Have your favourite music playing or maybe your wedding playlist (if you’re that organised), a nice glass of something, some snacks and make an occasion of it!

Some first thoughts are to cull detail like “we met on an app” but ultimately, that’s your story. Pretty much everyone meets on an app these days!

In same breath of course I will remove anything you don’t want in there but if you’ve supplied it in the questionnaire, I will use it. 😂 This is why I like to issue a first look before the day so you’re comfortable with the style and content of your script.

But ultimately don’t hide what makes you, you or - the things you enjoy as a couple.

It’s YOUR wedding ceremony after all. 🧡

01/05/2024

It’s May which means my first beach wedding of the year on Weymouth Beach takes place this month! 🏖️

I adored Kirstein & Matt’s beach wedding ceremony. 🩵

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28/04/2024

Home from a little freelance writing trip and gig in Sweden. 🇸🇪

Wedding season officially starts next week, I’m so excited and refreshed for this year!

If you get the chance to explore Gothenburg, it’s a pretty little place.

24/04/2024

Ceremony feedback ✨

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14/04/2024

Featured in the wonderful Wedding Fix 💫

Sadie and Bee wrote the most beautiful summary of their gorgeous wedding day, last September in the latest issue of the digital magazine by Bridal Reloved.

They completely trusted me with their ceremony and wanted the content to be kept a surprise. We agreed on rituals and readings and the rest was left to me to curate.

I absolutely adored this ceremony and magical day. Thank you immensely for your trust Sadie Osborne.🫶🏼

17/03/2024

It’s me, hi! ✨

Popping up to let you know I’m still here, working quietly in the background before my wedding season properly begins.

This time of year is mainly filled with questionnaires, script writing, venue visits, couples meet-ups, stock take for certificates, ribbons, wax and other ritual resources.

It’s also a time I spend time writing for wedding magazines, planning newsletters, SEO and website updates and admin.

I work full time and have a 6 year old so my days are planned to the minute to maximise the time I spend with him and also, to be the most efficient and productive I can be.

Therefore, a friendly reminder - if you can’t make a zoom call - however last minute, just let me know. It means I can be present for bedtime for him.

I’m so excited by the love stories hitting my inbox, the ritual ideas and the lovely couples I’m so lucky to work with this year and next.

I’m not currently booking 2026 ceremonies, my diary for this will open in January 2025.

Peace and love, catch you down an aisle near you, this year 💫

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08/03/2024

No words needed ✨

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25/02/2024

I’m a little quieter on socials this time of year as I spend time researching, writing and answering enquiries and booked couples.

I’ve been playing around with new ways to present scripts, piecing together love stories and reviewing gorgeous galleries from the past season.

On my screen: Ash & Lena’s Austrian Ceremony 🇦🇹

28/01/2024

When it comes to choosing a Celebrant I, along with others in the industry, will recommend you chat with a Celebrant or at least have a look around before deciding who will lead your ceremony.

One question I sometimes get asked is:

“Can my friend be my Celebrant?” Simply put yes, however this breaks my heart slightly when I get turned down in place of a friend. Not because I miss out on a booking but, because I want the very best for your special day.

Read my guide to why you should consider an industry-led professional and one that is both certified and insured like moi 💫

26/01/2024

Last in the series of this gorgeous Austrian fairytale for now… 💫

You may have noticed another fellow on stage with me. To the right, you’ll see Bernie, the bride’s brother. He was so helpful at providing full translations for sections of my script for the bride’s friends and family.

We didn’t have any time before to rehearse but he absolutely smashed it and I think he might have a new career in the pipeline, (although he might think differently!)

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25/01/2024

All of the emotions ✨

24/01/2024

A love story shared in the mountains of Austria 🏔️💫

Still not over this weekend… shared with permission and much enthusiasm from the cutest couple.

So love to work with .hochzeit and for the best tunes!

21/01/2024

Well I guess I can call myself an international celebrant now, right?!

This weekend was an absolute dream come true, pure magic in the mountains with the most incredible bride and groom. Huge love ❤️✨🏔️

21/01/2024

The most incredible ceremony venue 💫🇦🇹🏔️

14/01/2024

First wedding fair of the year 🪩🪩

Did you catch me? Spoke to so many amazing couples who had no idea celebrants exist! Proud to spread the good word of celebrancy. 💫

Loved sharing a stand with 🎤

13/01/2024

I’m at Weymouth Pavilion’s Wedding Fair tomorrow with Anna Charlotte Wedding Singer 💫

It’s free to visit and, it’s a really good fair to meet so many local wedding suppliers under one roof!

Booked couples - come and say hi! If you’re thinking of a Celebrant-led ceremony but unsure of how it all works, come and chat.

Our stand is a safe space. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a few minutes to gather your thoughts, come and hang with us. 🥰

11/01/2024

The booking process 💫

Due to a flurry of enquiries, I thought it would be helpful to re-share.

Gentle reminder, ceremonies aren’t booked until the deposit is paid and paperwork returned.

Photo credits:
Laura Dean Photography
Ivyhouse Photography
Kirsty Hastie Photography
Danielle Watkins Photography
Kirsty Hardiman Photography
Sadie Osborne Photography

10/01/2024

Childhood sweethearts 💓

Back in October I had the pleasure of officiating the most beautiful wedding ceremony for Tom and Jade. Having known Tom for over 18 years, it was so special that they both wanted me as their Celebrant for their wedding at

Lots of happy tears were shed by all and beautiful moments were captured by

Tom’s family member is a chimney sweep, locals to Weymouth will recognise him. It’s traditionally good luck to have a chimney sweep appear at your wedding!

09/01/2024

Let’s go 2024 💥

Photo credits: Laura Dean Photography ⚡️

06/01/2024

FEATURED 💫

Handfasting & Handtying 🪢

I could write pages about how this ritual has been used throughout history within ceremony however…!

asked me write a simple guide in their latest addition which is out now. 💫💫

Photos of the beaut and Bianca by Kirsty Hardiman ❤️

06/01/2024

Handfasting & Handtying 🪢

I could write pages about how this ritual has been used throughout history within ceremony however…!

Wedding Fix asked me write a simple guide in their latest addition which is out now. 💫💫

Photos of the beaut Sadie Osborne and Bianca by Kirsty Hardiman ❤️

02/01/2024

All aboard for 2024 ❤️ I love recommending unique wedding venues to couples!

Photography:
Planning, coordination and styling:
Venue:
Lace dress:
Sequin dress:
Hair: Facebook - Hair by Em
Celebrant:
Make up: .l
Flowers:
Stationery: .stationery
Cake:

01/12/2023

My 2023 Recap 💫

This year I took on less ceremonies to have a better work-life balance but - I still had an absolute blast! 💥

Check out my ceremony stats and breakdowns for this year. Huge thanks to the most wonderful couples and trusted suppliers I’ve continued to work with. You rock!

Calendar is filling quickly for 2025, limited dates available for 2024… message me quickly if you want in.

Photo credits:

Sadie Osborne Photography
Katherine Newman Photography
Kirsty Hardiman Photography
Ivyhouse Photography
Laura Dean Photography

23/11/2023

Pure joy for Mr & Mrs Clarke 🧡

Gorgeous autumn tones, a beautiful ceremony and sunshine in September!

Annnnd I got to work with the awesome and yet again! ✨

14/11/2023

Tying of the knot 🪢

A beautiful symbolic ritual that’s fun for guests to watch (especially if they can take shots whilst you tie the knot)!

Sadie and Bianca opted for exactly this and their guests did shots of baileys as they tied their knot.

To close the ceremony, I blessed their handfasting chord with water from a natural water source to symbolise a wet knot is harder to untie.

A beautiful ritual to include in your wedding ceremony and it can be as simple or theatrical as you like!

Stay tuned for my piece in on the differences and origins of this ritual.

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