YANGZI & JIAN AT SOMERLEY

There are some weddings that aren’t just worth the wait, they are so incredible that you’ll always feel that the wait somehow made them all the sweeter. This was certainly the case with one of my last weddings of 2022, Yangzi and Jian’s glorious celebration at Somerley, planned with such grace and precision by Katrina Otter Weddings and captured by Rebecca Searle Photography.

Delayed numerous times by the pandemic, Yangzi and Jian’s wedding was nothing short of incredible. I mean, just take a look at the florals! All For Love London filled Somerley with towering, cascading arcs of roses, blooms and greenery that were the most perfect backdrop to this longed-for celebration.

Somerley is also a remarkable wedding venue. If you’ve watched recent series of The Crown, you might well recognise it but let me tell you, when you approach the house, making your way down the long drive, it really does take your breath away.

But there is no doubt that it was Yangzi and Jian who, quite rightly, got all the attention on the day. They are a truly lovely couple - gentle, heartfelt, and emotional and being with them was such an honour. Their ceremony spoke of love across the miles, hopes for the future and their roots in their shared histories. Beautifully chosen music from Apollo Strings added yet more atmosphere to the occasion and there were definitely more than a few tears of happiness that afternoon.

As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait and Yangzi and Jian deserve the very best of everything as they, finally, get to enjoy married life.

ANDREEA & LUCAS AT NONSUCH MANSION

Well, here we are in autumn and the madness of summer is behind me now. Weekends are now not packed out with weddings and the pace of life has slowed a little. It’s so lovely to be able to take a breath and spend some time looking back on the glorious weddings that I’ve been privileged to conduct this year. Today, I’m turning the clock back into early September and remembering the joyful occasion of Andreea and Lucas’s wedding at Nonsuch Mansion.

Image by Shelby Ellis

Andreea and Lucas are, quite simply, one of those couples that make you smile. Positive, open, engaging and always delightful to speak to, it was an absolute delight to be able to be with them on their big day. As they’d had to postpone their wedding a number of times due to the pandemic, the atmosphere at their ceremony was something special as we all finally got to send them into married life with a big smile and a lot of love.

Image by Shelby Ellis

Expertly co-ordinated by Georgina of Georgina Alexander Weddings & Events, everything was perfect and, of course, having the super talented Shelby Ellis Photography on hand to capture everything was equally fabulous.

Image by Shelby Ellis

I loved every minute of working with Andreea and Lucas and I love how they included so many personal touches in their day - the flowers on their cake, for example, were the national blooms of their family’s countries and they’d also placed lots of photos of them around the venue and I know I loved looking at them! This was such a memorable day and I’m beyond happy that, after the delays, it was certainly a wedding worth waiting for.

Image by Shelby Ellis

“Tamryn was absolutely amazing and a delight to work with, we are so happy we had her as our celebrant. She put together and conducted our ceremony and it was one of our favourite parts of the day! It was so personable and reflected exactly who we are as a couple which made it extra special. The entire ceremony, including our vows, were beautifully written and all of the words made us feel so emotional. We will cherish the memory of our ceremony forever.”

— Andreea & Lucas, September 2022

Image by Shelby Ellis

ALEX & ROSS AT HOLYWELL HALL

Holywell Hall is most certainly one of my favourite venues. Not only is it expertly managed by Katrina Otter and her exceptional team but it’s beyond beautiful. The Walled Garden, the church, the grounds and the absolute sense of privacy and peace and belonging that you have there is just incredible. And on a late September Saturday, the sun shone on Holywell and Alex and Ross, a couple who I will love for the rest of my days.

From our very first conversation (that should have been a quick call but lasted hours!), Alex and Ross were all about personality and personal touches. They asked friends to write readings, we included a handfasting using some very special tartan and personal ‘surprise’ vows, and their whole ceremony was packed with love - for friends, for family and for each other. I felt so very honoured to be part of this heartwarming celebration and hearing the laughter, seeing the smiles and feeling the love at Holywell that day certainly lifted me. This wedding was everything.

“From the very first moment we ‘met’ you on Zoom, we could feel your love, warmth and a sense of joy and happiness radiating from you and we knew there was no one else we could ever consider working with. You created a ceremony that exceeded our wildest dreams and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and it is something we will never forget. The love, the joy, the energy and deeply personal ceremony was beyond perfect - and every guest said it was the best and most genuinely loving ceremony they had ever experienced. For us, the ceremony was always the most important part of the day - the reason we were all there and you quite simply made our dreams come true. All our love forever.”

— Alex & Ross

Images by James Kelly

ANDREA & DAVE AT ASYLUM CHAPEL

I can’t tell you how good it feels to be able to share some of this year’s amazing weddings after such a long time! Every ceremony this year feels so incredibly special and there’s a real atmosphere of love, gratitude and pure enjoyment in the air at every single one and Andrea and Dave’s July wedding at the extraordinary Asylum Chapel in London was one I won’t forget.

As you can see from the images in this post, not only is the backdrop to this ceremony stunning but Andrea and Dave make the most gorgeous couple and the ceremony was such a delight. Personal vows, beautiful readings, laughter, tears and every emotion in between - what more could you ask for?!

“We just wanted to say thank you so much for being there on our day!!

We had so many comments about how fantastic the ceremony was, about how well you spoke and how you made it just the right amount of funny and emotional. You really were an absolute dream to work with and you made it so special for us from start to finish - we honestly can’t thank you enough! We’re so glad you could be with us for the day, you really are so sensational at what you do!”

— Andrea & Dave

CAMILLA & TOM AT HOLYWELL HALL

And here’s a little look back at a high summer wedding at Holywell Hall, beautifully captured by Samantha Ward Photography. It was a delight to work with Camilla and Tom, through postponements and the pandemic, and to see them at their wedding was just such a treat. Holywell looked incredible in a way that only Holywell can and the sunlight pouring through the stained glass windows in the gorgeous church just made everything even more special. I have to give an honourable mention to Camilla’s spectacular dress too! Check out the utter fabulousness below…

I always love the images taken as a couple leaves their ceremony. There’s always something amazing just radiating from the newlyweds - love, pride, possibly a little bit of relief but there’s also so much hope and gratitude too. All that coupled with a unique, never-to-be-repeated happiness makes it such an extraordinary moment and the image above really shows that. I just adore it and I’m so so happy for Camilla and Tom and after all the delays, their day was absolutely worth the wait.

“We just wanted to say how amazing you were. Our ceremony was just perfect and honestly, so many guests commented on how fabulous you were and how the content of the ceremony was so engaging and heartwarming with the right amount of humour. We completely agree with them and could not have asked for it to have been more perfect! We described you to Cara & Kat, our wedding planners, as a ray of sunshine as really that’s what you are, regardless of the pandemic and the stressful nature of planning a wedding in general you were always so uplifting and happy whenever we spoke to you on Zoom that it really was a pleasure to have you as our celebrant!”

— Camilla & Tom

TEN THINGS TO TELL YOUR WEDDING CELEBRANT

I absolutely adore this time of year. With wedding season not that far away, evenings and weekends are full of conversations with couples as we start to work on their wedding ceremonies. I’ve put together this little guide of things to tell you wedding celebrant although the advice works for any style of ceremony. Over the years, I’ve found that the key to smooth celebrations is always communication - when people know what you want, they can make sure everything is perfect. So, here are ten details to share with your celebrant so that they can lead your amazing ceremony.

Jess and Ed at Pynes House. Image by John Barwood Photography

1. What are your timings? Obviously your celebrant will know the start time of your ceremony but share more than that if you can. What time will guests be arriving and taking their seats? What time will any pre-ceremony music start? What time will you and your partner be arriving? As a guide, I always aim to arrive one hour before the start of each ceremony so that I have time to talk to everyone involved in the ceremony, answer any questions and even listen to practices of vows if needed.

2. What do you want to be called? I’m a Tamryn who’s called Tam by almost everyone I know so if you’re usually known by a shortened version of your name, decide how you’d like to be referred to in your ceremony. Similarly, do you want to be ‘the newlyweds’, ‘the bride and groom’ or ‘Mr and Mrs’ at the relevant points in your ceremony?

3. Are you ‘unplugged’? If you’ve decided not to allow guests to take photos during your ceremony, let your celebrant know and they can include a gentle reminder at the very start of the event.

4. Who has the rings? Give your celebrant the name of the keeper of the rings! I always double check before the ceremony starts that the rings are exactly where they should be.

5. Who’s giving readings? Now this is something your celebrant will need to know as they write your ceremony but again, names are useful! I always offer to make contact with anyone giving readings before the day and I always speak to those giving readings when I arrive. I always carry spare copies of the readings too!

6. Do you want to sit down? Standing in front of all your guests, particularly during summer weddings, can be a bit much so do you want to sit down? Some couples like to sit after the introductions so that they can see the reactions of their guests to the first part of the ceremony and the readings.

7. What’s the vibe? This is so important - what’s the vibe you’re wanting to create? Do you want a laidback, super relaxed ceremony? Or do you want something with a little more gravitas? Would you like a touch or humour or are you more about the tradition and the emotion? Similarly, I always ask about the dress code so I’m suitably attired for the moment!

8. What do you really want to include/exclude? Are you keen to include any ‘traditional’ wedding elements in your ceremony or do you definitely want to ditch certain things? Would you like to add in some alternative elements or are you mixing religions or cultures? Celebrants are fantastic at crafting ceremonies that work perfectly so if there’s something you’d like to incorporate, you only have to say (or ask for suggestions if you’re not sure what’s possible!).

9. What are you doing after the ceremony? If you need guests to move off to a particular spot at your venue for photos or drinks, let your celebrant know and they can include a line about this in the ceremony at an appropriate moment. Similarly, if you want guests to throw confetti as you walk back down the aisle, tell your celebrant and they can help you get that perfect confetti moment.

10. Is there anything you’re particularly worried about? This is possibly the most important thing to mention so that your celebrant can do everything possible to make sure your ceremony is just wonderful. For example, I worked with a bride who really wanted to read her own vows but was worried that, on the day, the emotion might be too much. So, we wrote two versions of the ceremony and is decided, literally in the moment, which version we went with. Everything can be managed if worries are shared.

YOUR VERY OWN WEDDING CEREMONY

The term ‘wedding celebrant’ is one that you’re probably going to hear a lot more of over the coming year, even if you’re not quite sure what it means right now! You see, over the last decade or so, we’ve all become rather brilliant at personalising every aspect of our wedding days apart from the most important bit – the ceremony itself.

Now I know that you can choose your readings and choose your music but aside from that, the format of your ceremony has remained pretty much untouched for years. It’s true that more locations have become registered for ceremonies but there are still a whole heap of restrictions in place that could well stop you from having the style of ceremony that you want in a spot that means the world to you at a time that suits you best.

Victoria & Jon, 2018. Image by River & Fern.

However, with a celebrant-led ceremony, you can absolutely throw that rulebook out of the window. If you want to hold your ceremony in a park, on the beach or in a meaningful location that’s not legally registered, you can. As the saying goes - any time, any place, anywhere.

Now as great as that sounds, that’s not even the best bit. What makes a celebrant-led ceremony so very special is you. Instead of repeating standard words in a ceremony led by someone you might well not have ever met before, your wedding ceremony becomes totally and utterly yours when you work with a celebrant.

Vows written by Wild & Oak. Image by Hannah Duffy.

When you work with a celebrant, your ceremony is extra special. Instead of a script drafted by government bureaucrats, someone who’s got to know you and your amazing, wonderful, personal story writes yours with care.

You can include elements from various religions and cultures that are significant to you, you can involve many people in many ways and if you’ve got children, pets, extra special friends or adored family members who are no longer with you, they can all be included and honoured in a way that works for you.

Compare that with a ‘traditional’ ceremony where to become legally married, you need less than fifty words. Your history, your relationship, your hopes and dreams for the future don’t have a place in what should be the centrepiece of your wedding day.

Lucy & John, 2019. Image by Sanshine Photography

I can also promise you that your ceremony will still ‘feel’ like a wedding. We’re so conditioned to believe that weddings can only follow a certain pattern in certain places that it’s easy to think that anything else will somehow feel ‘wrong’ or ‘less’.

But this is your day, your relationship and most importantly, it’s your love story. You do have the option to tell it in the way you want and when it’s such a unique and special thing, doesn’t it just deserve the most personal celebration ever? I’m very sure it does.

COMING SOON TO A TV NEAR YOU!

Well, it’s been a wonderful year of weddings so far and I can’t wait to share some of them here with you soon. However, another of my August weddings could well be coming soon to a TV near you!

Earlier this month, I was so happy to conduct the wedding of an absolutely adorable couple at Cliveden House and it was filmed by Channel 4 for their upcoming documentary series that’s currently titled ‘A Very British Country House’.

Channel 4 say:

“The 3 x 60 minute series will follow the day-to-day life both front of house and behind the scenes of Cliveden House, a Grade 1 listed luxurious hotel set in 376 acres of National Trust grounds in the heart of the Berkshire countryside. It will feature the staff whose job it is to bring five-star service to Cliveden’s national and international clientele, and will feature some of the hotels most glamorous events of the year.”

And yes, you’ve guessed it, J & M’s wedding was one of those events!

Of course, we might not make the edit but it was super exciting to be part of their special day and, as you can see from the teaser image below, it was all kinds of beautiful…

Image by Wild & Oak

PETS & WEDDING CEREMONIES

I am most definitely an animal lover. In fact, my beloved black labrador is sitting under my desk as I'm typing thing. So, it should come as no surprise that I'm also a big fan of inviting your pet to be at your wedding.

Let's be honest, if you've got a pet of any shape or size, you love it. There's also the possibility that you might well love your pet more than some of your human relatives! Family relationships aside, if you share your life with an animal, the chance are you'd like it by your side when you wed. If you're nodding along right now, read on...

Left: Rachel Rose Photography on Want That Wedding | Right: via Your Perfect Wedding Photographer

If you're pet is going to be on the guest list, you need to make sure that the venue you choose is pet friendly. Obviously, if you opt for a celebrant-led wedding ceremony, you can go for any location that you like. Fields, paddocks, woods and lakeside glades are all perfect for pets and for ceremonies.

Alternatively, there are still plenty of options if you'd prefer a barn, country estate or stately home. Wedding venue directories such as Coco Wedding Venues even allow you to search specifically for locations that welcome furry friends.

Then, work out how best to include your pet. Whilst we're all seen those super cute videos of dogs delivering rings on cue, be realistic about your pet's abilities. Most of us would be happy for them to simply be present throughout with barking at the wrong moment or eating their floral collar.

Left: Ben Q Photography on BRIDES | Centre: Charli Photorgaphy on Rock My Wedding | Right: via Deer Pearl Flowers

So, have a good thing about everything (or ask your celebrant for some advice!). You might like to walk in with your pet and then encourage/bribe it to sit with you or with someone it knows. Just remember, there's no right and wrong - every animal has its own personality so choose something that suits yours without expecting too much. A stressed pet is never a good thing.

As with all things wedding, have a contingency plan (and, maybe, someone standing by with poop bags!). Remember that being able to have you pet with you on your wedding day is a special and beautiful thing. Even if they do get the odd muddy paw mark on your outfit...