Blog | Devon Celebrant | Wedding Celebrant | Natural Ceremonies

The Wild Weather Breaks for a Beautiful Wedding on the Edge of Dartmoor

December 7, 2018/in Weddings /by Fan

Cast your mind back to June this year– we’d had a spell of the most beautiful weather and we were all feeling a little complacent and were beginning to assume that all would be well for a BBQ or indeed ….. a wedding. I could hardly bear it as I left home to present Andy and Sarah’s ceremony at Wonward Barton. It was pouring and I mean properly pouring with rain.

Wonward Barton is a cosy, rustic wedding venue with fantastic views towards Cornwall. In prime position taking full advantage of the said view, was a beautiful ceremonial arch made especially for the day by Andy’s uncle. Indeed he wasn’t the only family member who had been hard at work preparing for the day. This really was a family affair. Everyone had helped to make this special day the very best for this incredibly kind, fun and busy couple. The beautiful marquee was festooned with literally miles of bunting made by Andy’s Mum. The garden was full of outside games. How dare the weather turn on my nurse and paramedic?

But there is a God up there after all and the rain did stop and although still very unsettled I was delighted when Andy decided five minutes before the ceremony was due to start that Yes, we were going to have it outside. All of us set to and within minutes the chairs were in place and we were ready to go.

Their’s was a lovely story to tell and their love and friendship are worthy of great celebration. Having met with them, got to know them and laughed with them, we collaborated and created a script that reflected their relationship and love. This ceremony was truly personal. Everyone who attended knew them well, loved them a lot and recognised them in the story we told.

The rain was never going to dim the light at this wedding. Simply because it was shining bright in Andy and Sarah’s eyes and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.

Images by Emma Oakes Photography

My Darling Buds of May – Becky & Ranald

November 16, 2018/in Weddings /by Fan

The wedding of Becky & Ran. Images by Daniel Weeks Photography. Celebrant wedding. Devon wedding. Outdoor wedding. On 26^th May this year I was lucky enough to conduct the ceremony for Ranald and Becky at her parent’s farm in Wilmington, East Devon. Everything about this wedding was unique, personal and truly bespoke.

Family is hugely important to both Becky and Ranald and their wedding certainly celebrated, not only their marriage, but also the love and the closeness or their two families.

Becky’s parents had been working tirelessly to get their beautiful home prepared for this glorious celebration. The ceremony was held high on a hill above the farm beneath a beautiful wedding arbor that Becky’s father had made with seating on straw bales. It was a hot steamy day and the storm clouds were gathering but fortunately came to nothing. Many of the guests, despite the sweltering conditions, puffed up the steep hill whilst others took advantage of the vehicles laid on to ferry those less energetic. The view from the top was breathtaking.

The wedding of Becky & Ran. Images by Daniel Weeks Photography. Celebrant wedding. Devon wedding. Outdoor wedding. They wrote their own vows. Becky’s godmother had written a poem which she read describing their relationship and characters to a tee.

This wedding typified everything that a celebrant ceremony is all about. Becky wanted to be married from her wonderful home. They wanted it to be personal, relaxed and intimate. It was all that and more. It was unpretentious. It was charming. It was rustic.

They are a lovely couple who take joy from their family, their children, nature and each other’s company. They really were the Darling Buds of May just as HE Bates described. I loved it.

The wedding of Becky & Ran. Images by Daniel Weeks Photography. Celebrant wedding. Devon wedding. Outdoor wedding. The beautiful images were captured by DHW Photography.

A Double Celebration For Ula

November 2, 2018/in Baby Naming /by Fan

On 14^th April this year, I headed to Starcross Yacht Club and presented a Naming Ceremony for Tim and Shiona’s beautiful daughter Ula. This was a double celebration as it was also Ula’s first birthday the following day.

Both Shiona and Tim have a massive affinity with the sea and many happy days have been spent by them at the yacht club. It was therefore a perfect venue for Ula’s Naming Ceremony and goodness what a setting it was.

I think the shipping forecast would have used words along the lines of a south-westerly 3 or 4 rising – good for sailing but rather brisk conditions for a naming ceremony right on the edge of the estuary (I’ll know not to wear a wraparound dress another time on a blustery day in such an exposed location– thank heavens for the safety pins in the yacht club’s first aid box!).

It was a real family affair with all hands-on deck (spot the sailing pun) with a bit of a retro feel (I very happily joining in the fun – I haven’t stuck cheese and pineapple on a cocktail stick for a long time) to get everything ready for the feast that was to follow the ceremony.

Ula, which in Celtic means ‘jewel of sea’, surrounded by her parents, guide parents, family and friends was as good as gold. The ceremony included two wonderful readings ‘Before you came’ by Beverley Butcher, read by her uncle and ‘You are my I love you’ by Maryann Cusimano Love, read by her Great Aunt. We celebrated her actual naming, Ula Petrea Julia, by a rapturous three cheers followed by some energetic bubble blowing.

All in all, the happiest of days and my one and only Naming of the year. I hope I am asked to do another soon.

The Rockbeare Manor wedding of Helen & Troy

October 10, 2018/in Weddings /by Fan

I had a wonderful surprise back in late March this year. I received a phone call from Helen, the Event Manager at the wonderful venue that is Rockbeare Manor, to ask me if I would meet her to discuss the possibility of my writing and presenting the wedding ceremony for her and her partner Troy (one of the chefs at Rockbeare).

There was no time to lose as the wedding was just a month away and so I arranged a visit immediately and met Helen and Troy …….. no I’m not joking! They had met through their work at Priston Mill near Bath (a sister venue of Rockbeare) and I loved hearing their story from the early days up until when Troy proposed which I would then replicate as a part of their ceremony script. A busy 10 days followed with Jan and Richard’s postponed wedding on 7^th and a Naming Ceremony on 14^th (blog to follow).

Their wedding was such a happy day and their ceremony an emotional one but also filled with humour. Me being me of course couldn’t resist squeezing in a reference to Helen and Troy which they must have heard a thousand times but allowed it! Troy a Maori had some special friends and relatives who had made the huge effort of flying all the way from New Zealand. One of the highlights for me was the fabulous music they had chosen to leave the ceremony, Poi E the iconic celebratory song and unofficial NZ national anthem. It’s a brilliant party starter.

Thank you for Nova Photography for these images. Pity about my bad hair day! I suppose everyone has one! I’m already looking forward to the two weddings I have booked at Rockbeare in March 2019.

Jan & Richard. Powderham Castle. Nick Walker Photography

Jan & Richard – It Was So Worth The Wait

August 6, 2018/in Weddings /by Branwen Cook

For those who follow me on Instagram or Facebook you will have seen that I have been busy presenting ceremonies all over the place this year.

Today though I’m concentrating on my first wedding at Powderham Castle for Jan and Richard. Their big day had to be postponed because of the snow, meaning so few of their guests were able to get to Devon. This was such a difficult decision for them and hard to believe now with this current heatwave. Fortunately every single supplier was able to change the date. All of us desperate to accommodate if we possibly could.

And WOW what a venue Powderham is and what a day it was! It was a pleasure working alongside Sarah the Weddings Manager there and indeed Nick of Nick Walker Photography who came all the way from Cornwall to take these absolutely stunning photographs of this awesome couple. How did he manage it without any of us really being aware he was there?

Jan, Richard and I worked on the ceremony together. It reflected their characters and relationship, but also the importance of their friends and family. And not forgetting their humour. And there was a lot of that. Beautiful music was provided by the uber talented Rosewood String Quartet which included a specially arranged version of The Reckoner by Radiohead; a favourite of the couples. Jan had her best friends as bridesmaids and her mother gave her away.

Beautiful bride. Blissfully happy couple. Awesome venue. Enjoy!

Image Source: Nick Walker Photography | Instagram | Facebook

A Love Story

March 9, 2018/in Vow Renewal, Weddings /by Fan

Every time I’m asked why couples should choose a celebrant ceremony, my first response is always because it is completely unique. And the reason it is unique is that the main part of the ceremony apart from, of course, your vows is your love story. In my ceremonies a large section of the ceremony is just that.

They say a picture paints a thousand words, but your specific thoughts about how you felt when you first met your fiancé, what made you fall in love and why you want to spend the rest of your life with him or her can be conveyed in your ceremony. These feelings can only be communicated in words and your celebrant ceremony provides the opportunity to do just that.

My second meeting with my couples is when I get down to the nitty gritty and discuss their love story. After which I will produce the first draft of their ceremony. I take notes of what happened during their relationship to the present date and how they felt in those moments. It is a lovely meeting. Not only do I get to know the couple incredibly well by the end, but I also get to understand their love and their relationship. I think, if possible, it may even deepen your connection because you both get a chance to re-live some of the most special times of your lives together.

Sharing the words of your love story is a simple, yet power way to add personal meaning and intimacy to your wedding day. Your flowers, wedding décor and food will say something about you as a couple, but those things can never tell the complete story about how you came together and fell in love. Surely that’s what your wedding day and more particularly your ceremony is all about.

Romance Is Alive & Kicking

February 13, 2018/in Weddings /by Fan

ROMANCE IS NOT DEAD. Thank goodness for that!

I posted on our Facebook page recently, a lovely romantic tale about a rickshaw driver in London on New Year’s Eve and how his kind act brought two strangers together.

With Valentines Day fast approaching love is everywhere and romance is thankfully very much alive and kicking. It was certainly in the air before Christmas with Prince Harry’s announcement of his engagement. That look of adoration and love for Meghan as he introduced her to the world surely must have warmed the hearts of even the most cynical.

romantic gestures, romance isn't dead, love Image source

I honestly believe that we all have the capacity for romance. Often people get squeamish over romantic gestures but they don’t have to be cheesy, complicated or extravagant. Real romance isn’t manufactured. It’s very individual but once you’ve experienced it you won’t forget it. It’s a powerful force that makes you feel connected to someone in a deeper way. It’s the gestures, both big and small, that make you feel especially touched and cherished by your partner. Romance is what takes your relationship past friendship.

It’s showing the person you love that you’re thinking about them. It shouldn’t feel forced. There are no limits. It can be shown by a handwritten note, by going for a walk, or even by making someone a sandwich. Romance is simple, sweet and innocent that reminds your partner why they fell in love with you in the first place.

Romance is so not dead. We just have to remember to be romantic.

Good Things Come in Small Wedding Packages

January 26, 2018/in Weddings /by Fan

MICRO WEDDING is the latest buzz word in ‘wedding world.’ In a nutshell it is an alternative to a full-blown elopement. The definition of elopement is the act or instance of running off secretly. A micro wedding is not that but more an occasion which allows the focus to be on the ceremony attended by your very closest family and friends.

alternative-elvis-elopement-in-vegas-13-780x521 Image Source

Elopement suits some. Running away in secret to get hitched privately is romantic but it can potentially hurt, disappoint and can cause misunderstandings which is of course is not the intention. However, if you want to keep your wedding small, simple or short and you don’t want to spend a small fortune a micro wedding might be the answer. It is a whole easier to keep sight of your budget when are only 20 versus 150 guests.

A ‘micro’ is simpler in format, relaxed in atmosphere, less stress to organise than a traditional wedding and much easier on the pocket. The whole occasion can no more than 2 hours allowing sufficient time for a meaningful ceremony, photographs to remember the occasion and some celebratory drinks afterwards. By limiting your guest list, the emphasis is on the ceremony and those precious people who are key in your lives whom you want to witness this significant and important event. Not only will you feel more connected with your family and friends but they, in turn, feel hugely honoured and valued.

lindsie_grey_wedding_photography_candid_documentary_aperture_room_winter_wedding_1098(pp_w768_h512) Image source

The whole concept of a micro wedding ‘marries’ (excuse the pun) perfectly with a celebrant ceremony. Bespoke, unique, intimate and inclusive. Here’s a thing, you could rent a beautiful house in your most favourite place and invite only your closest friends and family and get married in the garden or even in the kitchen if that suits you better. You could even keep it a huge surprise for everyone.

Having said that many licensed venues are now offering elopement packages which are, in essence, micro weddings. Our favourite is Bridwell Park.

I’d love to hear your stories of intimate weddings you’ve been part of, or you are planning yourself.

10 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Celebrant For Your Wedding

January 10, 2018/in Vow Renewal, Weddings /by Fan

When it comes to deciding where to get married, there is an array of choices available to you. All of which have their advantages and disadvantages – whether that be down to availability, size, venue restrictions or religious beliefs.

Deciding on who should marry you, however, is still something that falls way down to the bottom of most couples’ wedding preparation priorities. I hope to change that by giving you 10 reasons to choose a celebrant for your special day, rather than a registrar.

Barons Hill Barn wedding Choose a wedding celebrant if…

Your perfect venue does not have a civil marriage licence. This could be your own garden, woodlands, a beach or an unlicensed wedding venue
You don’t want to be restricted by the limitations of a licensed ceremony
You don’t want to be married by a complete stranger
You want to be married somewhere where all your friends and family can stay together i.e self catering accommodation
You want to include a religious element within your ceremony but don’t want to get married in a church
You want to be married outdoors without a permanent structure
You want to be confident in the knowledge that your celebrant will have one booking that day and therefore there is no need to rush or fit in with a schedule
You want a ceremony that has no template or standard script, no tick boxes or restrictions.
You want to add a hand fasting, sand ceremony, religious or cultural element, to give your ceremony added personality
You want your ceremony to be completely personal and unique to you.

So, now you know. Your wedding need not follow the same template or wording. Your ceremony will not feel rushed or conveyor-beltish. Your special day will be completely and utterly unique. If you have any other questions please, please do contact me via the website. I’m always happy to chat and help in any way I can.

Amy & Dave Marry at Barons Hill Barn

September 6, 2017/in Weddings /by Fan

Amy and Dave were married at The Barn at Barons Hill Barn in South Devon. Guests sat on straw bales with the sound of the stream trickling by in the background. Amy entered to Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran and was met by a very emotional groom, Dave, who was resplendent in his Royal Artillery uniform.

This was a happy, relaxed wedding ceremony on a beautiful, sunny day. Images by Zoe Griffin Photography.