Life of a celebrant – working with families and couples
As being a celebrant most of our communication with couples and families are at a distance. Some international and some from other parts of the UK. The local ones might seem easier but it depends on the couples and families. Are they good and timely at keeping in touch or do you have to keep reaching out for information?
Communicating with couples/families from a distance.
What are the pros and cons?
Visas and Licenses
International families for weddings need to follow a time line to get visas and marriage license applied for and if outdoors, in some areas permission from land owner.
Local families and couples also need to be mindful of filling in the correct paperwork for that area they want to get married in, so they have permission/agreements in place. From the celebrant point of view they might need to point out local registrar.
All the applications have a timeline that they need to be filled in by, but not before.
Do’s and Don’t of the venue
When working with venues celebrant might need to confirm certain details with the venue and ask questions on behalf of the couple that they might not asked.
Music – do they have a sound system that works outside. Will they have someone available to work system.
Live music – position of musicians, how does the sound carry over the celebrant speaking.
Rituals – Candles – is there a fire risk inside and outside. Where to place candles for the ritual
Confetti - artificial or dried eco-friendly, can this be scattered over the couple – inside or outside
Animals – are they allowed on the land, inside the buildings.
Parking – how close to the venue. This is more of an issue when the celebrant has a few items to take to the ceremony site.
Shelter – outside ceremony space. Is there any shelter for celebrant and couple/families/guests/musicians to go ahead even if weather is not so good
How far away is the venue?
Is there a family connection to the venue?
Decorating the ceremony space. As a celebrant I have a small amount and happy to supply if required. I usually take some items just in case it has not been thought about especially if the family/couple are from outside the area of the venue.
There are so many things to think about.
Emails/Video chat/face to face meeting and meet ups
This is where the celebrant and the family/couples decide if they want to work together in creating a ceremony.
If there is a time difference or work schedule out with GMT. This can cause issue in trying to have the first contact.
As time goes on the celebrant once chosen, needs to be very strict on the timeline for getting all information for the ceremony and the script writing. We need to have correct details so a script can be drafted and the family/couples are happy and understand how the ceremony will run.
Who is involved in the ceremony?
If additional family and friends are involved especially if any surprises are going to be part of the special day, everyone needs to communicate with the celebrant in a timely fashion.
Readings
Commitment words for baby namings
Memorials for missing family and friends
Singing/music
The celebrant needs to know the timings on all these factors, so the ceremony will run to a approximate time.
Then when and where to have a meet up and walk through prior to the ceremony. This will let everyone involved see the actual timing and layout expectation.
The overall logistics may need to be adjust due to venue space or outside landscape.
Photographs/slideshow/rituals
Photographs and slideshow, will be, on some occasion will be pulled together by the family/couples but will mostly be arranged by the celebrant also. Making sure all the required photographs are sent in time to arrange the display/slideshow.
Rituals – if anything needs to be purchased for the couple who are coming from outside the UK or another part of the UK and its easier for the celebrant to arrange order directly, any special wording or names need to be confirmed in advance.
All these things are the consideration of the celebrant and the family/couples. This is what will make or break a lovely, natural, romantic, meaningful, thought provoking ceremony.
So to say a celebrant does not have to do much but stand up and say some words is a bit of an understatement.
As a celebrant we do have contacts with other wedding vendors. So if the family/couple need photographers, florist, musician, cake maker, event decorator, cars, etc the celebrant will be able to supply names.
We are not recognised for the full part we play or what is required to make things run smoothly. We can think on our feet if there are little issues.
So make sure, you are asking the right questions well in advance of the ceremony and that everything is in place.
If you are on top of it then, the family/couple will have their to-do list all crossed off.
