There are many ways to create a unique wedding – the venue, the styling, the music, clothes (or even costumes, if you prefer) – but if you are looking for something that completely reflects you and your partner why stop there?
We spend time on the little details that will make our wedding memorable – the table names that have a special meaning to us, the favours which will make people smile or handmade paper flowers that will last a lifetime – yet, all too often, we compromise on the wording (because the officiant is using a standard script), the readings (because the Registrar is not permitted to allow religious texts) and the participation of others (because there is only time for two readings).
Well, with an Independent Celebrant all of this compromise vanishes and you are free to say what you want, include religious texts from one or more faith or spiritual practice (or not) and include all the friends and family you choose…and in more ways than just readings.
What’s more, you’re not constrained to spaces sanctioned for weddings* so if you really want your ceremony in the woods or your own front room then no-one is stopping you.
So that means in the same ceremony you could:
- Arrive to your favourite pop song
- Open with a Buddhist chant
- Include the story about how you met, with memories shared by your family and friends
- Have a reading from Christian scripture, a Native American prayer and a passage from The Tao of Pooh
- Include one or more symbolic gestures, like a ring warming, a hand-fasting or jumping the broom
- Close with a hymn
The only thing that limits us when it comes to creating a ceremony is our imaginations. This is your day…feel free to do it – and most importantly, say it – your way!
* At the time of writing, the law in the UK requires that for a marriage to be legally binding it must be officially sanctioned by an appointed person – typically a state appointed registrar. However, it is only the Declaratory and Contracting words that need to be included.
