Summer (obs!) is traditionally the time for outdoor weddings and I’m really looking forward to several upcoming outdoor ceremonies at Alcott Weddings where I am the recommended Celebrant. In order to look forward – I was looking back at last year’s ceremonies at the same venue – in particular Heather and Pete’s relaxed outdoor wedding and ceremony.
They love their travelling (Pete is very much the outdoor type!) and the combination of a Caribbean steel drum band to welcome Heather as she walked down the aisle, together with an extract from a much loved Native American wedding blessing, a holiday in Thailand, a proposal in Berlin and visits to the Peak District, it was only natural that this wedding day was an eclectic mix of all things personal to this lovely couple. Even jelly babies as table favours!
“May the sun bring you new happiness by day
May the moon softly restore you by night
May the rain wash away your worries
And the breeze blow new strength into your being
And all the days of your life
May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty.”
(Extract from a Native American Wedding Ceremony)
The weather was good to them and the hay bale seating (protected by light covering to avoid any scratchy bits #Tip 1) welcomed guests as they were invited to ‘pick a seat and not a side.’ It is always a good idea to have a Plan B just in case the weather turns – and their tipi was large enough to comfortably fit the ceremony area if necessary (#Tip 2).
Heather & Pete chose to incorporate the lighting of a Unity Candle during their ceremony before they said their ‘I Do’ and were introduced as a married couple. A traditional Unity Candle ceremony is a symbolic representation of a couple’s joining in marriage. The bride and groom each light a taper candle before they exchange vows – this represents them as individuals; following the vows, the bride and groom jointly light the main centre candle, as a symbol of their marriage and union.
With so much planning to do on their part– I got a huge surprise when I was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers by the very thoughtful couple for my role in the day!
photos courtesy of my iPhone and professional pics by Sara Beaumont Photography
