Top Note Ceremonies blog
with Steve Pritchard-Jones
How do I include children or fiancé’s children in a Celebrant led wedding?
One of the main questions I get asked is for ideas regarding how to involve your children or your fiancé’s children in your wedding ceremony. In these modern times, many couples have children, either from a previous relationship or their current relationship.
Why book a Wedding Pianist
There are so many types of music that can be translated for piano even if they were originally composed for a completely different instrument or ensemble. How many people would have the main theme from films such as Star Wars or Mission Impossible played on the piano as the bride or groom, walks down the aisle? Believe me, it’s been done!
If you are looking to book a wedding pianist for your wedding day, Steve has over 30 years’ experience performing for weddings and civic functions and will play the music you love for your wedding ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast.
TOP TIPS FOR AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS WEDDING
TOP TIPS FOR AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS WEDDING.
Planning
Music
Wedding photographer
Christmas Tree
Christmas music
Christmas drinks
Holly green, Santa red, silver, gold and white are beautiful and romantic Christmas colours. If you integrate them into the room decorations, flowers, tree and wedding cake the room will look stunning.
What is a Naming Ceremony?
Naming ceremonies are generally non-religious but religious elements can be included. The ceremony allows parents and individuals the opportunity to gather with family and friends to welcome a new family member or to celebrate a change of lifestyle or name change.
As there’s no legal aspect to this type of ceremony, the ceremony can be held wherever you like, as long you have the necessary permission.
Ceremonies can be combined with beautiful symbolic rituals that have meaning to the family, these include tree planting, scattering of flower seeds, the sand ceremony, unity candle lighting, plus many more. See my ‘Rituals’ blog to find out more. A Naming ceremony is based on the idea of a welcome. Its purpose is to celebrate new life or in the context of a family, to welcome a new relationship with the person it concerns, or to celebrate a new addition to the family. A ceremony is constructed and officiated to ‘name’ or ‘welcome’ the new life and for the family to share their aspirations for the child’s future.
There is also no reason why a naming ceremony cannot be conducted for a newborn/young child or for a child being welcomed into the family through adoption for example. It is a wonderful opportunity to share the love for the change in family circumstances with family and friends
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation will provide a family with a simple, straightforward, affordable alternative to a traditional, full-service funeral.
It’s a cremation without any ceremony and is unattended without mourners.
In the future, many families choose to organise a separate celebration of life ceremony, interment or scattering of ashes memorial service, to commemorate the life of their loved ones.
Interment of Ashes
Interment of ashes refers to the process where ashes are placed in a permanent resting place in the ground. These range from dedicated family plots and cemeteries to home gardens and woodland spaces.
Much like a celebrant led funeral or memorial service, there’s no right or wrong way. You may hold a formal service led by a celebrant with friends and family, or just a quiet small informal get-together. This service doesn’t normally take place at the same time as the funeral, and it’s sometimes appropriate to have a separate interment ceremony months or years later. It’s the family’s personal choice.
An interment of ashes ceremony is a beautiful ceremony and can provide families and friends with the opportunity to say final goodbyes and condolences to their loved ones. It’s also somewhere the family can visit
Scattering of Ashes Ceremony
The scattering of the ashes ceremony is a special occasion to commemorate the life of a loved one. The occasion is meaningful, memorable, heartfelt and dignified but the best thing about this ceremony is that that it is entirely up to you how you do it.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to give your loved one the send-off they would have wished for.
Ashes are traditionally scattered in a place of significance, interned in the ground, or taken home in an urn.
HONOURING YOU FAMILY PET’S MEMORY
Coping with the sudden loss of a pet can be an emotionally trying time for most pet owners and can be devastating for the whole family, especially when they have been a source of unconditional friendship and love. For many of us, pets are a beloved extension of our family and we have a unique bond with them. For children, the breaking of this beautiful bond can cause high anxiety because it may be the first time that they experience the loss of a close family member or friend.
When your much-loved pet passes away unexpectedly, a part of us goes with them. We mourn their loss as that of any other cherished member of our families.
What should I look for when choosing a wedding Celebrant?
he fantastic thing about having a wedding Celebrant is that you get to choose the perfect celebrant. The Celebrant Directory Top Note Ceremonies ‘at your service’ – Celebrant – The Celebrant Directory is a good starting point.
Remember – your wedding, your way!
How do I choose my celebrant?
There are a several things to think about before booking your celebrant.
You should feel comfortable and confident that your celebrant will give you what you want. They will all have different styles – some will be more humorous, others more serious, while many will opt for a symbolic approach to their ceremonies – and it’s important that you find a style that works for you both.
You need to connect with your Celebrant; after all, you’re putting a lot of trust in them! Whatever their style, you need to feel confident that they will deliver a ceremony that fits in with your dream.
Can I be legally married by a life celebrant and why have a celebrant wedding?
To be legally married in England and Wales, you must sign the marriage license in front of a Registrar or an ordained minister, however, you don’t legally have to have your wedding ceremony performed by them. The exciting bits such as the exchange of rings and vows are purely ceremonial and not a legal requirement, this can be done at your wedding ceremony.
A wedding service led by a Registrar is usually over pretty quick with a set time limit, limited content and a short set script and not personalised. Your registrar ceremony must not include anything related to religion, information about you as a couple, or the journey to your wedding day. The ceremony will not include any special rituals which can make your wedding day extra special.