Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - Page number 67 - August/September 2021 (Issue 90)

HOT TOPIC Our experts answer your questions about micro weddings Meet the expert: Alison Carter founded Springwood Ceremonies in 2018, becoming a Berkshire-based celebrant after enjoying a career in marketing. She creates ceremonies that capture the essence of a couple, family or loved one. A celebrant-led ceremony takes inspiration from all aspects of life – a favourite poem or song, cherished memories, values and beliefs. Alison says: A micro-wedding, with just a few hand-picked guests, is an exclusive event. Couples may feel more comfortable expressing their emotions in front of a smaller number of loved ones. The focus is just on them and the commitment they’re making to each other and having a smaller guest list means it’s easier for everyone to get involved in the ceremony which creates some poignant heartfelt moments. Here are some ideas: Promise of support A marriage needs support. Here I ask the guests as a group to promise to support the couple, to love them and encourage their love for each other. The guests respond with “we will, we promise.” Ring-warming ceremony The exchanging of rings is the traditional way of sealing the marriage contract. It’s an unbroken circle, symbolising unending and everlasting love and is the outward sign of the lifelong promise that has been made. You could introduce a ring-warming ceremony just before this where each guest holds both rings while making a wish, or saying a prayer, and then passes it on to the person next to them, creating an inclusive and intimate aspect to the ceremony. An alternative way to approach the ring-warming ceremony is to have a ring-blessing ceremony that avoids the multi-touch element of the ring- warming ceremony. The rings are placed on a cushion, box or tray and passed around for each person to say a blessing. At the other end of the scale is the new trend of anniversary receptions – you can easily incorporate a celebration ceremony where the couple can reaffirm their love with all their friends and family. A very simple way to create a poignant moment is for each guest to light a candle and say a few words or to make a wish for the happy couple. A ceremini with your trusted circle of family and friends, those that mean the most in the world to you, creates an intimate setting where everyone feels they can be more expressive with their emotions which makes the ceremony even more personal. Springwood Ceremonies | 07766 750 446 http://springwoodceremonies.co.uk www.facebook.com/springwoodceremoniesuk www.gett yimages.co.uk THE RISE OF THE CEREMINI Since the singer Ariana Grande recently married at home, it has coined the term ‘ceremini’ with demand for intimate weddings rising. Are you able to give me some ceremony ideas that are perfect for small, intimate weddings? www.meg andaisyphotography.com Meet the expert: Lynn Tierney is an independent wedding and family celebrant based in Oxfordshire and founder of Lynn Tierney Ceremonies. She works with couples planning a wedding, vow renewal, naming ceremony or any unique occasion in a location of the couple’s choice. Lynn says: Having a small and intimate wedding offers many opportunities to embrace romance and emotion – here are some meaningful examples. Hand-fasting ceremony Think Mel Gibson in Braveheart kneeling on a woodland ground, just a couple in love and their celebrant... well, maybe you wouldn’t want to be kneeling, but you get the idea! Hands are held together and bound with each couple’s own special cords as they make their vows. Love letters in a box A couple can write a love letter to one another, telling each other why they fell in love, what they still love about them and what each other’s future hopes and dreams are. The sealed letters are placed inside a box to be opened and enjoyed on a future anniversary. Love lock There are bridges all over the world where lovers have placed their padlocks and thrown away the keys. Couples can find a spot in their garden, or a sentimental place to them, to attach their padlocks as they speak their vows, locking the love. Personal vows or special poems Imagine declaring personal vows, or a sentimental poem, in an intimate setting. Partners can share special words, written from the heart and committing to a future with the person who loves them the most in the world. Loving cup Consider sharing a quaich (which is a two-handled drinking cup) for the first toast. Couples can hold the cup between them taking three sips each - the first to toast the love that brought them together, the second for the love they celebrate on the day and the third for the love that carries them into their future. Lynn Tierney Ceremonies | 07495 417 589 http://lynntierneyceremonies.co.uk www.facebook.com/LynnTierneyCeremonies www.instagram.com/lynntierneyceremonies www.clar erandellphotography.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 67