'We are not, and never will be perfect. Thank goodness.
But when I met you, and let you inside my walls, little pieces of me I had forgotten about came back.
As though they recognised you before I did.
As though they saw a safe place to breathe, at last.
And little by little, I started to feel more whole.
Its not that you completed me.
Its that you loved me enough that I could complete myself.
So when I say I love you with all my heart, I mean.'
'You are Loved' by @donnaashworthwords
Happy 1st Anniversary lovelies!
Luke's granda aka Pops shared this piece beautifully during their ceremony. Hopefully I can do it justice Pops!
How to Make a Beautiful Life Together’
‘Let love be your shelter.
The world is noisy and confusing at times,
So make a home that is a haven, a peaceful place where you can
listen to your hearts and savour the comfortable closeness you share.
No matter how busy your days may be, make time for yourselves.
Hold hands.
Unwind.
Surprise each other.
Find little chances every day to show you're grateful to be partners,
to be friends, to be married.
Life is not perfect.
You will make mistakes,
but each time you meet life's challenges together,
you will grow wiser, stronger, and surer of your love.
Cherish your yesterdays.
They are irreplaceable souvenirs of your journey through life.
Make memories that will bring smiles and sighs whenever you look back.
(Look back often!)
Look forward, too.
Dream together. Plan together.
Make promises to keep.
Believe in your tomorrows,
because tomorrows are what forever is made of.
To make love last, put each other first.
That is the way to make a beautiful life together,
the kind of life you both deserve so much.’
📸 @pop_photographyni
#MarriedByJean #Vow #Vows #Ceremony #WeddingCeremony #WeddingVows #WeddingReadings #ChooseJoy #Humanist #HumanistWedding #HumanistWeddingCelebrant #HumanistCeremony #Family #Joy #Love #2024wedding #2025Wedding #WeddingCeremony #Weddingsni #NorthernIreland #WeddingOfficiant #SpringWedding #SummerWedding #LoveClub #JBQsLoveClub #CeremonyInspiration #CeremonyInspo
‘Go n-éirí an bóthar leat
Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl
Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d'aghaidh
Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna
go mbuailimid le chéile arís’
'An Irish Blessing'
'May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields
until we meet again.'
I pulled out the Leaving Cert Leinster Irish to deliver a little bit of Gaeilge in Colleen and Brendan's ceremony last week. Having a bilingual element that celebrated both of their cultures was extremely important to them so I was honoured they were happy for me to share a little. I know the pronunciation is not spot on, it's been a long time, please don't come for me!
This is a slightly edited version of 'An Irish Blessing' which my family had on the wall of our kitchen when I was growing up!
#Irish #IrishLanguage #LeinsterIrish #IrishBlessing #MarriedByJean #Vow #Vows #Ceremony #WeddingCeremony #WeddingVows #WeddingReadings #ChooseJoy #Humanist #HumanistWedding #HumanistWeddingCelebrant #HumanistCeremony #Family #Joy #Love #2024wedding #2025Wedding #WeddingCeremony #Weddingsni #NorthernIreland #WeddingOfficiant #SpringWedding #SummerWedding #LoveClub #JBQsLoveClub #CeremonyInspiration #CeremonyInspo
Kayla & Daniel
Friday the 13th - September 2024
All credit for this beaut collection of moments goes to Aisling @greyacrestudios. What an absolute treasure it is to have a snapshot of this ceremony.
Here's a brief summary of this epic ceremony in the forest @beechhillcountryhouse. So you ready?
🎵3 musical entrance segments celebrating the wedding party.
🫧Bubble Folk bringing alllll the vibes.
🐶Bowser the Corgi.
⭐Daniel and his mum, his 'North Star' walking up the aisle.
👨👧 Kayla and her dad.
🇮🇪Surprise bespoke poetry as Gaeilge.
📖Carefully chosen readers and meaningful pieces delivered tenderly.
🎗️Chosen family completing the hand tying.
💍Ring bearing parents (with a 50 euro exchange for comic effect!)
👰Maaaa WIIIIFFEEE' declared proudly by Daniel.
✍️Personal vows (with a masterclass in delivery by Daniel)
🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈💛💜🖤🤍 Allyship displayed through Kayla's wedding ensemble (there will be a separate post!) That dress deserves its own post!
♥️And love...ohhhhhh the love .... ♥️
Nestled beneath the trees, sheer, unbridled joy encompassed Kayla and Daniel.
Sigh.
Can we do it all again?
#MarriedByJean #Vow #Vows #Ceremony #WeddingCeremony #WeddingVows #WeddingReadings #ChooseJoy #Humanist #HumanistWedding #HumanistWeddingCelebrant #HumanistCeremony #Family #Joy #Love #2024wedding #2025Wedding #WeddingCeremony #Weddingsni #NorthernIreland #WeddingOfficiant #SpringWedding #SummerWedding #LoveClub #JBQsLoveClub #CeremonyInspiration #CeremonyInspo #WeddingInTheWoods
Forget the gym, celebranting gets the reps in!
#henchcelebrantsofinstagram
I know, I know I make it look eeeeeasy (JOKES - me arms are in bits!) and in 4inch heels too I thankya but it's genuinely a case of stubbornness; doing it in one run back to the car!
So if I've married you and your wondering why I'm outta breath when I come for a post ceremony chat it's coz I have just horsed 17 bags, mics, leads, speakers and the kitchen sink back to the car!
Video taken by the beaut that is Lindsey @velvetpeonies
#weddingsuppliermoms #selfemployedmoms
Sure it's only World Book Day!
Check out the beaut 'Little Book of Humanist Weddings' filled with gorgeous stories, quotes, poems and excerpts from real ceremonies by real @humanists_uk celebrants!
You might find a little bit of inspiration in there and a page or two by yours truly!
Drop me a comment if you have a copy!
#worldbookday @worldbookday2024
On this so-called day of love, I am sharing this piece I wrote in solidarity with Palestine along with members of @wed4pal community who are pouring love and desire for Justine and liberation into what we do best in this industry, craft and creativity.
'We lie in bed, sleep deferred as images of bare feet dangling under rubble or tiny bodies wrapped in white cloth or lifeless limbs and chubby cheeks with names written on them play in our minds like a carousel.
The words from reports which are too graphic to show narrate segments of our day. We now don't even need to see what's behind the 'sensitive content ' pixelated image, we don't have to imagine anymore. We've seen it before over and over again. And every day there's more and more and more and more. Like a terrorising Groundhog Day.
The blood curdling screams of parental grief, the trembling little bodies eyes wide, literally shell shocked, stop us in our tracks as we gather up clothes for the laundry, prepare dinner, brush our teeth. Safe in our 'western privilege', we are but observers to the public live slaughter.
The colour of death.
The amputated limbs.
The starving faces.
The abandonment of Hind.
The horror. The horror. The horror.
We watch, we bear witness. We protest. We amplify. We petition. We rage. We sob. And repeat. And repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Any words we could muster to describe the resilience, courage, bravery, care and humanity displayed by the Palestinian people in the face of such horror will never be enough.
I will bear witness.
I will demand justice.
I will never, ever forget.
Gaza has changed me forever.
Ceasefire now
End the occupation
Hold Israel accountable
Free Palestine
Image description: 'A small greet post it with the words 'I luv you' written in red marker by my 5 year old son.'
#FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #Wed4Pal #WillYouFreeMyPalestine #AllEyesOnRafah #SaveRafah #HandsOffRafah
Hello my 2024 lovelies!
YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED THIS YEAR!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
After a not so fabulous start to the new year (a nasty combination of Covid and Bronchitis did a number on me!) I am feeling relatively human again and JBQ Headquarters is buzzing! I will be in touch with all you gorgeous humans over the next week with regards to an updated timeline to submitting legal documents (where necessary), returning Questionnaires and planning a little in person rendezvous (where possible). I cannot wait to tell your love stories and freaking marry the heck outta you all!
Make sure to keep an eye on the post, there may be a little somethin' somethin' on its way to you very soon to inspire! Veerrrryyyy mysterious indeed!
Can't promise I'll bust these shapes the next time I see ya, but I DO promise to bring all the energy and all the Jean-thusiam to your wedding ceremony adventure.
2024, you ready?
📷 By the only woman who can get me to dance like this in the middle of the day with no alcohol in sight @pop_photographyni
#MarriedByJean #Vow #Vows #Ceremony #WeddingCeremony #WeddingVows #WeddingReadings #ChooseJoy #Humanist #HumanistWedding #HumanistWeddingCelebrant #HumanistCeremony #Family #Joy #Love #2024wedding #2025Wedding #WeddingCeremony #Weddingsni #NorthernIreland #WeddingOfficiant #SpringWedding #SummerWedding #LoveClub #JBQsLoveClub #CeremonyInspiration #CeremonyInspo
