In this blog I talk about Suzi & Nick and to accept the unexpected!
Suzi approached me some time ago. A ‘mature’ (I assure you in age only!) bride-to-be, she wanted her first and only wedding at the age of 65 to be unique. She and Nick wanted something intimate, highly personalised and very relaxed.
She had met me whilst Bog Snorkelling here in my home town of Llanwrtyd Wells one August bank Holiday a few years earlier (I, as always was commentating the event). She decided then that, should she get married, I was the celebrant for her.
When she reached out, with her request, I immediately knew we would work well together and likely become friends… her email is ….pinkfluffybits….. (need I explain more?!)
I first met them in a remote call, which was a ‘norm’ for them as they had conducted much of their relationship living 300 miles apart. We talked, laughed and got to better understand each other.
We met subsequently with me remotely but them together cwtched up on the couch and giggling at their private jokes like a pair of love sick teenagers. It was joyful and endearing, I could not wait to deliver the ceremony we were creating together.
The wedding was planned, them, me, 20ish of their closest family and friends and a cosy room in the Cliff Hotel, Cardigan for the ceremony. The ceremony would begin with me explaining the plan to the congregation:
“Don’t walk behind me I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend”
Before which I had spent time with Suzi and her bridal party and separately with Nick and his son George. When they were both ready, I escorted Nick to Suzi for ‘the big reveal’, some photos with Graham (All About The Image). After my announcement to the congregation, the couple walked in together.
There was much speculation regarding my tool belt – containing tissues, water and 2 garden trowels.
These were to be whipped out for the couple to plant a sapling.
“…this marriage is a partnership, it requires feeding, and nurturing, much like this sapling here…”
Things do not always go as expected. Many brides micro manage their wedding to the tiniest detail, panicking or getting upset at any minor inconvenience. My motto, like all the brides and groom that choose me, is this; we are celebrating the love of two people and the support and love of them by their family and friends, marriage is not perfect, it is not all sunshine and roses, but together, they are greater than the sum of their individual parts. And together, with the support and friendship of those present, they will survive anything. It is the sharing of joy and an expression of love and gratitude. nothing can spoil that moment.
So, the soil going missing, did not phase us, there was a huge bag of organic confetti and our couple dug their trowels into it and planted their sapling with their love.
When their rings failed to arrive, instead of raising merry hell, compromising, procuring real alternatives, we made a feature of it, and two Haribo rings were produced out of their stunning wooden ring case.
And when the adverse whether hampered our planned to climb Mwnt for a four element blessing, we instead, opened more fizz, walked in the glorious sunshine the next day, and rearranged the blessing for another day. A second opportunity to share their vows and promises – maybe it will happen Bog-side eh Suzi?! …. and you can parachute in 😘
What Really Matters
Love is everything. Weddings are to celebrate that. They don’t need huge gestures, they need meaningful ones. They don’t need tradition they need authenticity. Ceremonies should reflect the couples personalities. Congregation should be the people that truly matter. Location should hold sentimental meaning.
When two people chose to declare their love and commit to each other, they should be reflecting on who they were, who they are, how they each impact each other and why the life ahead of them is better together. Its about loving themselves, loving each other and giving thanks for all they’ve achieved before declaring their dreams for their future and making promises of commitment.
That’s it. Yet that’s huge. It’s everything. It’s all that matters for a wedding. Everything else is fluff, and if you get caught up in the fluff, its easy to forget the purpose and enjoy the moment .
In part 2 I will share more details of the special rituals created for Suzi and Nick as we gather again for the four elements blessing of their rings, originally planned for Mwnt at Sunset on 8th March !
All About The Image
Here are just a few more of the professional pictures taken by Graham Smith (All About The Image), from their perfect day
