11 Steps To Planning Your Perfect Wedding Ceremony

First of all… Congratulations!

If you are reading this then it’s likely you’ll be getting married very soon! Before this happens though, we have some planning to do.

Fear not, I am here to help you. The process of planning your wedding has been known to be just a little stressful so I’ve tried to simplify it with these simple steps.

1. Book the Venue

The great thing about a celebrant-led wedding is that you can let your imagination run wild about where you want to tie the knot! As a celebrant, I’m able to officiate ceremonies in any location and any style you wish. They can be performed on the beach, at a festival, in a stately home or even in a tipi.

The options are endless and so you have plenty of locations to choose from.

Once you’ve found a few wedding venues, let them know you are having a Celebrant officiate the ceremony for you. The venue will be able to offer other non-licensed rooms or locations for the ceremony as a Celebrant-led ceremony can take place anywhere!

If you want an outdoor ceremony, ensure you have a backup plan in case of bad weather. I wouldn’t count on anything with this British Weather!

Your back up plan could be anything from a marquee or a simple stack of umbrellas. Use this as an opportunity to get creative.

2. Pick your Celebrant

Finding your ideal Celebrant comes with lots of questions and choices.

I offer a service that is extremely flexible and offer a huge amount of versatility. I can offer a slightly different style based on your needs. Getting to know your celebrant a bit first makes the ceremony so much more personalised and meaningful.

If you want to chat about your special day then feel free to get in touch as my first consultation is absolutely free. If you think we’re a good fit then I’ll help you with the next step.

3. Personalising Your Script

The words that are said on your wedding day are very important, to say the least. They set the tone for your commitment to one another.

The words you choose will tell your story, be a reflection of your life together and will bind your commitments as a couple in front of your family, friends and loved ones.

Given the emotional content of the event, you’ll have an emotional connection with your officiant. By the time the big day comes round, I’ll know all about your life together, your hopes and dreams for the future and any ideas you have for your ceremony itself.

Having a Celebrant means the words that are said on the day are carefully composed, encompassing all of these aspects, and more.

Share as much as you want to as it only assists in creating a truly personalised ceremony!

The script can be as personalised as you like, or it can follow a traditional and more formal structure. You have the freedom to decide how it flows and what to include.

Perhaps you’d like two readings, or a song? Maybe you’d like your dog to walk the rings down the aisle? Or you’d like to include a bespoke or traditional unity ceremony element like handfasting to help tie the knot? Or send a lantern up into the air?

All of these little additions will make your ceremony unique and can be discussed with your Celebrant for them to include, or give you inspiration about or take inspiration from you!

It’s wise to choose your Celebrant as soon as possible so as to secure them for your chosen date and allows you plenty of time to create a bespoke ceremony.

4. Get your timings right

Once you have chosen where to have the ceremony, think about the distance between your reception and the ceremony, or more importantly, between your dressing room and the ceremony.

You may want to avoid a long walk once you are ready for the cameras!

How long will it take you to get from A to B on the day, or from B to A after the ceremony? It’s worth taking notes and ensuring you have enough time.

A Celebrant-led ceremony will typically last anywhere between 15-45 minutes and I’ll be on hand to run through any timings so that you are also totally clear about the logistics.

I will arrive with plenty of time in advance on the day of the ceremony to ensure you make contact with any important people such as best man/woman/person, the point of contact at the venue, the musician, singer, or band, the photographer and any other person in the ceremony such as those doing a reading or taking part in a symbolic ritual.

I will work to put your important people’s minds at rest and will fully take control of the Ceremonial proceedings on the big day.

5. Work out the seating arrangements

Try not to add too many ‘just in case’ extras and make sure there’s enough seats for those you have invited.

It’s a good idea to make a few reservation signs or instruct your wedding party to not seat people on the front row so there are seats spare for them.

You may wish to consider saving some allocated seats for anyone doing a reading, but as long as your Celebrant is introduced to them on the day, they can briefly talk them through where they would like them to stand when doing the reading.

6. Think Choreography

It’s often a good idea to have a rehearsal.

I will be on hand to do a rehearsal before the ceremony, but if you can’t get to the venue before the ceremony, just have a little run through at home to ensure you know where you are standing and who is sitting where on the day. Never underestimate the power of a Zoom meeting!

Traditionally, the wedding party will walk down the aisle first, filtering either side of the aisle to take a seat. Next up the happy couple will arrive. Most know this as the bride walking towards the groom with whoever is giving her away, but fortunately as marriage law changes so too does this, so the choice is yours.

You could also have your bridesmaids and groomsmen stand for the duration of the ceremony at each side of the aisle if you’d like. With same-sex couples, many choose to walk down the aisle separately with their parents, or some together.

The choice really is yours!

These kinds of fine details are entirely up to you and can be tweaked any way you wish with a Celebrant led ceremony!

7. Decide on readings and poems

From traditional readings, or quotes, through to the lyrics from your favourite songs, it’s easy to personalise your ceremony by adding readings and poems to the mix.

Our top tip is to choose a confident speaker who is happy to read. It can be quite a daunting task for some and the last thing you want to do is have them worrying about it or changing their mind on the day! A good Celebrant will seek to put their mind at rest by meeting them before the ceremony on the day and calm any last minute nerves.

8. Get your playlist in order

If you are having a musician attend, check they have the right equipment required to play.

If they need electricity for example, you might have trouble with this at the beach. If you can’t get access, ask them to make arrangements to be without.

Your Celebrant will always introduce themselves to the musician so they can ensure they signal them at the right time when starting or stopping music.

If you have your own music, choose wisely.

Check the introduction to the song isn’t too long so you don’t have to wait to start the walk down the aisle or keep your guests standing and waiting.

Speak with your venue too so they know what type of music you are having and can get what sound equipment they may need in place.

Again, your Celebrant will speak with the person in charge of starting and stopping the music and will signal them at the appropriate time.

It’s always a good idea to test the music before the ceremony so you know it will be loud enough for everyone to hear.

9. Practice your vows

As with anything, practice makes perfect, and you deserve nothing less on the big day. You will get the opportunity to practice during our practice day but take some time to get your words in order before we meet.

Your ceremony is more than just ‘I do’, it’s a chance to say to each other in your own words why and how you commit your lives to each other.

Many couples opt to write their own vows as it holds more significance and it’s in your own words. If you prefer, I can create personalised vows based off of the information you give me when creating the ceremony.

10. Choose a photo policy

Many couples ask Celebrants to inform their guests not to take any photographs during the ceremony as it can detract from being in the moment.

This of course is entirely your choice. You may want to have more photos rather than less or there could be multiple photographers/videographers for instance. You have no limitations whatsoever with a Celebrant.

Some couples also choose to ask guests not to post on social media before the official ones are available.

The great thing about having a Celebrant ceremony is your guests are able to take photos during a certificate signing, for example, which is unlike that of a Registrar service where there are more limitations.

The signing of the wedding certificate is a lovely opportunity for your guests to come up to the front or where you’re having the ceremony and feel like they’re part of it.

11. Get ready for the reception

It’s a great idea to let your Celebrant know what the are plans directly after the ceremony has finished so they can guide your guests if you would like them too.

Some couples have an MC (Master of Ceremonies) or individual such as an usher guiding guests, or there are simple instructions for them to see on boards or anything else creative to display them.

The wedding planner, if you have one, may also take charge of this, but always best to have a plan in place so your guests aren’t left stranded.

Most couples will have a handout or form of the order of service to give to guests upon arrival so they know about timings and locations.

Your Celebrant should have a copy of this too on the day or can discuss it with the person they liaise with at the venue, such as the best man, groom, wedding venue contact or another person of your choice.

Your Celebrant will be very experienced in leading ceremonies in different locations and with different styles. Use this excellent resource and talk to your Celebrant about any ideas for the ceremony, the timing and any tweaks you want to have to make it truly personalised.

And that’s your ceremony! Much less daunting when it’s all written down like this, isn’t it?

What is the main thing that you notice in each of these steps?

Your Celebrant is with you every step of the way.