Bella and James’ personality-filled wedding at Sprotts Farm, Colchester
When I first met Bella and James over a virtual cuppa, I could instantly tell they were a vibe. Within seconds, I knew we were a great match, so I was absolutely overjoyed when they booked me as their wedding celebrant for their DIY festival wedding at Sprotts Farm in Colchester.
From the very beginning, it was clear that a traditional, cookie-cutter wedding ceremony wasn’t for them. Bella and James were genuinely excited about creating a ceremony that felt completely personal, reflected their personalities and told their story in a way that was authentically them.
And when it came to crafting their wedding ceremony, we certainly weren’t short of ideas!
A wedding ceremony full of personality
Of course, Bella and James had a gorgeous love story that I couldn’t wait to write and deliver. But what really set them apart was their enthusiasm for a truly personalised wedding ceremony. Bella, in particular, was keen to throw the traditional wedding rule book out of the window, and both were hugely invested in creating a ceremony that was fun, meaningful and completely unique to them.
Surprise wedding ceremony readings
The personal touches started with surprise readings.
With my experience as a wedding celebrant, I suggested that Bella and James pre-select their readers. This meant we could make sure they were guests who would feel confident and happy reading in front of around 100 people. We also wanted to make sure the surprise didn’t leave the readers feeling completely unprepared! So, the readers were given their readings during the pre-ceremony drinks, giving them a little time to prepare and settle any nerves.
It certainly added to the fun of the ceremony, particularly when one of the groomsmen energetically ran around the ceremony space with a microphone!
And, naturally, the readings were hugely personal to Bella and James. They chose well-known science quotes to reflect their shared passion for science, adding another lovely layer of personality to their wedding ceremony.
Personal vows with plenty of heart and humour
The personal touches continued as I told Bella and James’ love story, from their early friendship through to the moment they realised their relationship had grown into something much deeper.
Their love story concluded in beautifully crafted personal vows, which struck the perfect balance between heartfelt emotion and humour; both Bella and James acknowledged the qualities they admire in one another, as well as the little quirks that make them who they are. Their vows were sincere, funny and incredibly personal.
To complement their pastel colour scheme, I also handmade their vow books using linen card and chiffon ribbon. These little details might seem small, but they are exactly the kind of touches that can make a celebrant-led wedding ceremony feel so personal.
A four-legged ring bearer
And then came Pluto! After their personal vows, Bella and James’ dog, Pluto, surprised their guests by appearing as their ring bearer.
This was another moment where my experience as a wedding celebrant helped everything come together seamlessly. I made sure we built enough time into the ceremony for the bridesmaid walking Pluto down the aisle to reach the back of the ceremony space and go through the all-important cues. That meant Pluto could make his entrance at exactly the right moment, ensuring the guests didn’t miss out on this seriously adorable part of the ceremony.
A meaningful handfasting ceremony
Following the ring exchange, Bella and James couldn’t resist adding one more personal element to their wedding ceremony: a handfasting. Each of their parents was lovingly invited to the front to lay a ribbon over their joined hands, symbolising Bella and James coming together in marriage. It was a beautiful and poignant moment within the ceremony, and when Bella and James officially tied the knot, there was plenty of whooping and cheering from their enthusiastic guests!
Rehearsing the ceremony together
With so many personal elements and an extensive wedding party involved (Bella had an impressive 8 bridesmaids!), it was really important to Bella and James that they had the opportunity to rehearse their wedding ceremony with me the day before the wedding.
A rehearsal meant everyone knew where they needed to be, what was happening and when, helping the ceremony run smoothly and giving Bella and James reassurance that everything would unfold exactly as they had imagined.
As a wedding celebrant, I always offer my couples the option of a wedding rehearsal. This can be at their venue ahead of the big day for a small additional fee, or online for free.
A truly personalised celebrant-led wedding
Bella and James’ wedding ceremony was the epitome of what a celebrant-led wedding can be. From surprise readings and science quotes to handmade vow books, personal vows, a four-legged ring bearer and a meaningful handfasting, their ceremony was packed with personal touches.
Together, we created a wedding ceremony that was completely and unapologetically them. And with my experience as a wedding celebrant in Surrey and across the south of England, I was able to bring all those individual elements together harmoniously, ensuring the ceremony flowed seamlessly from one moment to the next.
That’s one of the things I love most about being a wedding celebrant: there are no rules saying your ceremony has to look a certain way. It can be funny, emotional, unconventional, full of personality and completely you.
Planning your own personalised wedding ceremony?
If you’re a modern couple looking for a wedding ceremony that’s full of personality and personal touches, I’d love to hear from you.
I’m an independent wedding celebrant creating and delivering 100% you wedding ceremonies in Surrey and beyond, helping couples with their dreams of a ceremony that feels authentic, meaningful and anything but traditional.
