Wedding Feature: All the small things

Claire Western, Independent Wedding Celebrant, can tailor bespoke ceremonies to cater for all tastes, beliefs … and locations

Your special day should be perfect in every way. So how wonderful to have the ceremony of your dreams! A ceremony that contains all that is most meaningful to you both, to share with all of your family and friends in the venue of your choice.
A celebrant ceremony can take place anywhere and is beautifully tailored to your needs. It may be as dignified as a church wedding or as frivolous as a party.

Weddings/Civil Partnerships
When you are choosing where to have one of the most important ceremonies of your life, you may be very glad to know that there is a third alternative!

So you have already decided that you don’t want a church wedding but you would love your ceremony to happen in a special place that has meaning for you. This could be in woodland, on the beach, in marquees, on boats, in castles, your own back garden or even the Herstmonceux Observatory!

I can conduct your wedding ceremony absolutely anywhere that you can get your guests to come to. Also, because I am an ‘Independent’ Celebrant, you can include any aspects of a non-religious, spiritual or religious nature in the ceremony. You can have a traditional ceremony with your wedding and ring vows and readings, a ‘Handfasting Ceremony’ (Pagan), or a mix and match of different elements. It can be exactly what you want it to be, as is only right and proper on one of the most important days of your life!
Celebrant weddings are inclusive of all the family and couples with children can make them a part of the ceremony. You can get the legal part of your marriage out of the way in just 15-20 minutes with the minimum of effort in the registry office, with your two witnesses, on another day (in the week, when it’s cheap!) and save all the ceremony and celebrating for your specially chosen venue with as many of friends and family as you choose to invite. Then the party can continue.
I also conduct Renewal of Vows ceremonies, if you wish to re-affirm the commitment you made in your wedding some time ago.
If you go on to having children, I can also conduct your Baby Naming Ceremony.

About Me
I am an Independent Celebrant, which means that I am not aligned with any particular religion or belief. I will follow your wishes for your ceremony and will make suggestions according to my experience.
I offer wedding ceremonies, civil partnerships, renewal of vows and baby naming to clients throughout the South East of England and elsewhere.
How it works is that I come to see you for an initial consultation – if you decide to work with me, then I will put together ideas from our chat and my own research and will email you. There is a wide range of readings, poems, songs and music that can be included. Elements from any culture can be incorporated into the ceremonies. I will then prepare your unique ceremony.
I will of course be at the wedding rehearsal, though will not give away too much of the actual ceremony!
Claire Western, Sussex Wedding Celebrant, 07535 090577
sussexweddingcelebrant.co.uk

When it comes to putting a personal stamp on your wedding day preparations, it’s all in the details

Chances are, you’ve been planning this day in your head for as long as you can remember. Chances, also, your tastes have changed a little since then … do you really want to get married in a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle costume, with Spice Girls scrunchies in your hair or your Jack Russell puppy as the ring bearer? Well, maybe you do. It takes all sorts. But if you’re looking for something a little more refined to add that touch of originality to your wedding ceremony, then look no further …
We’ve scoured the city for those ‘special somethings’, the crucial yet all-too-easily overlooked details that’ll elevate your day from beautiful to absolutely perfect. How will you add a touch of magic to your special day?

RAINDROPS ON ROSES

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Natural Rock Crystal Necklace, Curiouser & Curiouser, 2 Sydney Street, Brighton, 01273 673120, info@curiousersilverjewellery.co.uk

THE ICING ON TOP

Royal Pavilion cake, Cakes Beyond Belief, Brighton, www.cakesbeyondbelief.co.uk

Cupcake wedding stack, Flutterby Bakery, Brighton, info@flutterby-bakery.com