Do you want your wedding your way? Caitlin and Duncan did.

I love it when couples really embrace the freedom that a humanist ceremony offers and that’s exactly what Duncan and Caitlin did.

They invited their friends and family to speak their words and thoughts, and they went down a storm!

We began with a candle ceremony to remember those who couldn’t be with us.

Then – after introducing the wedding party – Caitlin’s godmother’s partner Julie told the story of Caitlin & Duncan which began when they were just fourteen years old, when their relationship consisted entirely of them insulting one another. Some might say that hasn’t changed…

Then Julie Cook read that much-loved poem that starts like this… “marriage is all about giving and taking, forgiving and forsaking, kissing and loving and pushing and shoving…”

Bridesmaid Sarah was up next, asking that age old question, “What’s Mickie without Minnie?”

Then Julie picked up the story again, and read us the Bob Marley poem, “He’s not perfect”.

Jemma sang and played the Emma Goulding song, “How Long Will I Love You”

And Elliot read us an excerpt from Robert Fulghum’s lovely prose poem, Union before Duncan and Caitlin spoke their vows directly to one another and exchanged rings.

When she sent me these photos by Karen Grier, Caitlin said, “Looking back on our day and thinking about our ceremony really does make me smile.”

It was so personal and special to us.

I think it’s safe to say Duncan and I had no idea what was involved in planning a ceremony, however – with your help and the help of other members of our family, we created an unforgettable one.

Your book was a great help. It gave me many ideas, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who’s planning to have a humanist ceremony. 

So many people said that our ceremony was one of the best they’d been to.

The best thing was being able to create a ceremony exactly how we wanted. We did, and it worked perfectly.

Once again thank you so much for helping us create a magical day x 

It was my pleasure, Caitlin and I can see from these great photos by Karen Grier that you continued to have an amazing time long after I left the castle! How did Dachshund Darcie cope with the fireworks? My guess is that he was already over-excited and fast asleep by then. I’m very proud of you and Duncan for the way you owned the whole creative process, from first thoughts, through the script right down to the staging of the marriage itself and I’m delighted that your guests loved it as much as they did. That’s what it’s all about, so thanks again for choosing me as your celebrant, and all the best for the months and years to come!