Weddings ~ Civil Partnerships
These are just some of the things you can include in a Commitment ceremony
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You can also find more ideas for the ritual elements I offer on my Unity Ceremonies page.
Remembering those we've lost
It is often at these key moments in our life when we remember those who are not in the room, to celebrate with us, but who have been much loved within our lives.
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We can ensure they are mentioned in your service but we can also find a way to take a moment and include them in the day; words in the service, photos of them in the room or lighting candles are just some of ways to make them part of the occasion.
Music
The service can include music and this can often be a key part of the service.
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You may be choosing recorded or live music, whatever you decide upon I would enjoy working with you plan how music plays a part in your special ceremony.
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The music tends to come at the beginning, the middle for photos / music and at the end when you head off to celebrate.
Celebrate anywhere ~ no restrictions
When you have your heart set on a specific location an Independent Celebrant will be able plan a special ceremony that can be wherever you dream it would be.
The rules around legal marriage or Civil Partnership locations can limit you as to where it is you marry.
Marrying or forming your Civil Parternship independently allows for more choice and the service can be more personalised because we don't have to work within a restricted timeframe or to a template of words.
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However, it is important to know that independent marriages or civil partnerships in England and Wales are not yet "legal." Please read my FAQs to find out a little bit more about the formalities.
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Having been a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages I can guide you through the process of giving legal notice of marriage or Civil Partnership.
Personalised keepsake certificate and script
When we meet to talk through the type of service you are after I will be asking you lots of questions all about your stories of how you met, the special moments you've shared and might want to recall, funny stories and adventures, people you'd like to remember or thank.
This is so that the service is as personal as you would like it to be.
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We can also discuss the words you may want to write and include yourselves or it might be that you just want to write your own personal vows to one another.
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To complete the service I can provide you with a keepsake script and certificate.
Unity ceremonies
Some couples like to include historical rituals by interweaving elements of a Unity Ceremony to mark the moment of transition from their lives 'before' to their lives 'after' the commitment ceremony.
Including these elements can hold so much significance because everyone has a physical experience of the occasion. It is more than listening to the important words being said, it is also about being and feeling involved at a more meaningful level.
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For other ideas about the different unity ceremony elements you can include please visit the Unity Ceremonies page.
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Poetry
Poetry speaks on a level that sometimes our own written words just can't. It describes your deeper feelings. It can capture your sense of humour, or it is simply to include your favourite poet. Whatever the reason you include poetry it can be inspiring and add something more to the service as a whole.
I have a wide range of poems and we can also use any you may have written or found yourself.
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I am always amazed at the poignancy of a poem when it can so accurately reflect how a person feels. Whether it has been one selected by a published writer or if it is the talent of the couple or their friends and family.
Renewal of vows
Writing your own vows
A renewal of vows ceremony is completely personalised. You can include your own words or promises to one another.
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Some of the reasons people decide to renew their vows can be varied.
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It could be that you have just gone through a challenging time together and because of this you want to celebrate the closeness you have as a couple once again.
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It might be that you are celebrating an important anniversary milestone of 1, 5, 10 or 50 years of being together.
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You may just feel you want to reaffirm your feelings for one another through a celebratory ceremony.
An intimate occasion or a big 'do!'
For whatever reason you are renewing your vows you will know if you are looking for something intimate or a big occasion. Something that reflects your personalities.
Big or small I can work with you to create a ceremony that is exactly how you would like it and can include all the elements covered above for weddings and Civil Partnerships.
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Remembering those you've lost
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Poetry
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Music
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Ritual
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Writing your own words/vows/promises
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A meaningful location
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Please also visit my Unity Ceremonies page to find out more about other ritual elements we could include.
A meaningful location
You can choose to hold your renewal of vows ceremony anywhere.
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Just make an enquiry to see if I am available for the date you have in mind.
Unity Ceremony
You have the flexibility and time to add special elements and involve the family.
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Please see my Unity Ceremonies page for some more ideas.
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All ideas on this page can also be incorporated into a Renewal of Vow ceremony.
Wedding Celebration
Marriage abroad ~ celebrating back at home
Sometimes when couples marry abroad, they would still like to share a ceremony again with those they love back home.
We can re-live the day once more and prepare a special ceremony with all the special elements you might like to include. There are no time restrictions and you can be as creative as you like.
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Please visit my Unity Ceremonies page for some more ideas.
Career Milestone
Promotion
A promotion is a new milestone and turning point in your life. If you decide to celebrate your achievement and you would like me to support you in planning the occasion. Please get in touch.
Your promotion may require you to move out of the country or further away from your loved ones and your new opportunity is also a chance for the family to wish you well.
Employer Reward and Recognition
If you are a corporate company or a charitable organisation you may be considering an awards or celebration ceremony/event as a chance to tell your employees how much they mean to you.
This often comes after a huge rebrand, a successful product launch or an acquisition.
Some companies have decided to do something because of the effects of the pandemic.
It can be anything that's left you feeling like you'd like to give a heartfelt thanks to those staff who've supported the charity or your business through a certain period.
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Please visit my Unity Ceremonies page to find out more about the type of ritual elements we could include to make the occasion truly memorable for you and your staff.
