What is your most memorable wedding?
It was a fabulous Indian wedding with all their beautiful clothes and family. During the ceremony I suddenly felt what I thought was a cat brushing my leg. When I looked down it was a small boy, no more than 3 years old. He spent the rest of the ceremony leaning on me and occasionally stroking my leg. It was so sweet.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
friendly, creative, calm, professional, enthusiastic
What about your business are you most proud of?
Creating the ceremony of their dreams for all my couples.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Follow YOUR dreams. This is your amazing, magical day and it should be exactly the way you want it
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
When the bride's daughter read out a poem that she had written especially for the couple, welcoming the groom to the family and wishing them both lots of love, and luck.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
To start we need to have a getting to know you chat by Zoom or face to face, when you can ask me all your questions and decide whether I am the celebrant for you, and I can ask you about your ideas for your wedding. When you know that you would like to work with me I will do a happy dance and then prepare a quote which I'll send together with a contract to sign and return together with a deposit to secure the booking. Once these are in place I will send you a questionnaire to complete separately, it's very interesting how different, and indeed how similar your answers can be. I will arrange a follow up chat to maybe go over a few items, find out a little more if it's unclear and make absolutely sure that I am clear about everything you want to include in your ceremony. I will write a draft script and send it to you for checking if you'd like me to - some couples want the surprise on their wedding day along with their guests. Don't worry, there's no way I'll embarrass you. I'm happy to make changes or additions as needed, and then I will write the final script. I will also help you with writing your vows if you would like me to. I am available by phone or email whenever you have any questions or ideas for the ceremony you would like to discuss. Final payment is due four weeks before the big day. On the afternoon or evening of the day before, maybe just before a family dinner, I like to have a rehearsal so that you and your bridal party know how everything is going to work during the ceremony. On the day itself I will be at the venue 1-2 hours before the ceremony is due to begin with my ceremony folder containing the script, copies of your vows and any readings and your certificate if you choose to have one, plus my emergency kit. My aim is to keep this as stress free for you as I possibly can so that you can go into your ceremony with confidence.
What is the most unusual thing you’ve been asked to plan?
My couple wanted their pet llama to bring in the rings.
How do you ensure a stress-free wedding?
Being as calm and straight forward as possible during the planning and rehearsal so that on the day both the couple and I know that everything is as nailed down as we can possibly make it and you can truly relax and enjoy your ceremony.
What do you love most about your job?
Follow YOUR dreams. This is your amazing, magical day and it should be exactly the way you want it
What is your favourite moment at a wedding?
Hard to choose between the groom's first glimpse of the bride, the vows and the kiss, so I shall choose all of them.