This summer (July 2025), I had the absolute pleasure of conducting a vow renewal ceremony for Lucy and Pat at Hookhouse Farm in the village of Outwood, Surrey. Lucy came to me through the lovely Carole at the venue and I was ecstatic when Lucy chose to book me to be their celebrant based purely on recommendation. I was totally in awe of Lucy’s romantic attitude, wanting to organise a ten-year vow renewal, initially as a surprise for her husband, on the very same date and venue where they originally tied the knot.

Lucy and Pat planned an intimate ceremony with just six of their nearest and dearest, including their two gorgeous children whom they’ve welcomed to the world since their wedding day in 2015. It was an honour to be asked to be their celebrant at such a private and special event. Lucy and Pat’s vow renewal was to celebrate the huge milestone of reaching ten years married, overcoming obstacles and embracing a new perspective - based on their ceremony, ten-year vow renewals should definitely be a thing!

It was evident when I received Lucy and Pat’s ceremony questionnaires how their love had deepened over time, strengthened through challenges and kept alive through humour, teamwork and a whole lot of patience. It was easy to see through their words how safe, supported and comfortable they feel in one another’s presence and their adoration for each other and now their children too.

Family was a strong theme through their vow renewal ceremony, beginning with Lucy and Pat’s children walking Lucy down the aisle. When choosing who would read their vows first, Lucy and I had planned a fun way of deciding (to play rock, paper, scissors). However on the day, instead of Lucy and Pat playing, it was their children who played! Their daughter being team Lucy and son being team Pat – team daddy won and Pat chose to read his vows first. It was such a fun way to incorporate their children and was a real reflection of the fun-loving family unit they have built.

In addition to these little touches, a major way in which Lucy and Pat incorporated their family was through a handfasting. Each member of their intimate ceremony lay a ribbon over Lucy and Pat’s joined hands, having a positive thought for their future as they did so. These ribbons where then tied into an infinity knot to represent their never-ending love. It was gorgeous!

Lucy and Pat chose to write their own vows, and were the perfect combination of humour and heartfelt (the best combo if you ask me!). They beautifully captured their journey so far and set the intention for their future. You could feel the love behind every word – magic! In between the vows and handfasting, Lucy and Pat rededicated their rings…again their children embraced lovingly into the ceremony handing the rings to their mummy and daddy. It was so cute!

I closed the ceremony with a reading from Bob Marley…ever so slightly adapted to suit a vow renewal. When choosing a reading to include, this one resonated as Lucy and Pat had commented on being each other’s perfect person in their vows. See below:

‘You’re not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if you can make each other laugh at least once, cause each other to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes…hold onto to each other and give the most you can. You aren’t going to quote poetry, and you aren’t thinking about each other every moment, but you will give each other a part of yourselves that you know could break. Don’t hurt each other, don’t change each other, and don’t expect for more than what can be given. Don’t analyse. Smile when they make you happy, yell when they make you mad, and miss them when they are not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect doesn’t exist, but there’s always one person that is perfect for you.’

Following Lucy and Pat’s ceremony they left the barn hand in hand, and this was promptly followed by some stunning family portraits by the wonderful wedding photographer Cat Brant. Lucy and Pat then slinked off for some couple photos with Cat in the corn fields, whilst I entertained their children with some bubble wands I brought along for them. Carole, the venue owner, then invited us to feed a baby cow – which I have to say was a huge positive of having the ceremony on a working barn and gorgeous highlight for the children…it’s not every day you get to feed a calf!

After this, I said my farewells to the family and left them to their very special celebrations. It was an absolute privilege to create and deliver Lucy and Pat’s vow renewal. They are an inspiration and my heart was totally captured.…they are the epitome of team. I hope they’ll have me back in another ten years for the next one – it would be my pleasure!

Some very lovely words from Lucy following the ceremony:

All I can say is wow!!! Emily was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Her infectious smile and her attention to detail made our vowel renewal the most beautiful experience. She was engaging and warm with an amazing sense of humour through out. We couldn't have picked a better celebrant than her. Thank you so much Emily for making it a magical experience xxx

And some more lovely words from wedding photographer Cat Brant:

I’ve worked with Emily recently and seen her at work as a wedding celebrant, she’s warm, kind, funny and approachable. Plus her readings were moving and emotive, she’s a total joy to be around and any couple would be so lucky to have her as their celebrant!

If you are considering a vow renewal in the future I would love to work with you to create and deliver a ceremony which is warm, heartfelt yet light and which is a beautiful reflection of how ever many years you have spent together whether it be one year, five years, ten, twenty and so on. Contact me to arrange a cuppa, I can’t wait to hear your love story!

Hookhouse Farm Surrey Wedding Venue Blog

https://www.hookhousefarm.com/

https://www.catbrantphotography.co.uk/