What is your most memorable wedding?
Ooh thats too tough to narrow down to one, every wedding or commitment celebration is special. I'm a people person and storyteller who simply adores working with couples who smash the box never mind think out of it.
I've had owls, dogs and next year a racehorse will deliver the rings, married couples on old hallows eve at dusk on the beach and hosted a circus-themed wedding with fire eaters and ariel artists..... then there have been the intimate elopements just the couple, photographer and me in the wild... I love what I do.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Alternative, creative, incomparable, unconventional, personal.
What about your business are you most proud of?
I could say the blogs or media that North East Wedding Celebrant ceremonies have featured in, but if I'm brutally honest it is the couples I've had the pleasure to collaborate with, celebrate with, laugh and cry with.. the rest is just the icing on the cake.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
In a modern world, it is easy to appeal to the masses, become mainstream and bland! The ethos of the service has always been Be Bold, Be Different, Be You, don't compromise on your ideas or conform to the industry expectation of what Instagram or Pinterest depicts as on-trend... do what feels right for you
Describe your typical process with a couple.
Planning a wedding is similar to building a house, if you firstly secure the perfect location, create a good foundation, infuse the right energy, fill the space with family and friends and then add your unique decor and finishing touches..... My style is modern, free spirited and the couples I worked with have commented on how simple I make everything.
I always suggest starting with a get-to-know-you meeting, this can be via zoom or over coffee, then together we start the process of clarifying your must-haves, and identifying the must not's! Couples who secure the service of an independent celebrant are looking for something different and often the need for a celebrant is influenced by the location of the wedding.
I have created a creative planning schedule based around you, keeping each stage simple with a guide for each area of the ceremony, (Script, Vows, Reading, Rituals, even music and how to create the perfect atmosphere) there's a fun questionnaire, loads of samples stuff so you dont have to search google (I've hopefully done all the donkey work) leaving you to enjoy the journey of working with me.
How do you ensure a stress-free wedding?
Easy, step by step planning.
What do you love most about your job?
Breathe, sounds really silly but overwhelm and stress isn't enjoyable.... take one stage of the planning at a time, write a list of what is essential, important, and would like if able! Talk openly to each other about how you see your day, the season, large celebration or intimate, venue or DIY, UK or overseas...
Communication is key.
What is your favourite moment at a wedding?
I adore the exchange of vows, always highly emotional and a beautiful intimate moment....