Alternative wedding ceremonies

It comes to that point in the year where you reflect on things and today I really wanted to chat about alternative wedding ceremonies. I have been overjoyed to be part of so many days in the last couple of years where couples have really looked inwardly about what they would like from the moment where they make promises to be each other’s favourite human, forever. There are so many rules and restrictions around marriage ‘in the eyes of the law’, what has to be said in the ceremony, where it has to take place and times it has to happen too. In England, you’re restricted to marrying under a licensed structure, exact wording and some couples find this limiting and that it doesn’t align to their values and how they feel about each other. More and more I am seeing a bloomin’ marvellous thing, couples are asking themselves, ‘does this feel true to us’ and if it doesn’t, they’re choosing to do the ‘legal bit’ quietly, with witnesses or just a handful of family and friends and saving personal promises for each other for their wedding day where they can shape how it will all happen. From a photography perspective and from someone who is a big softie, my heart totally swells at this approach. To see couples exchange promises to each other they’ve personally written, in a place where their love began or connects them and this moment with nature and beautiful scenery makes me burst with joy (and tears – I said I was a big softie!). Sometimes these moments are led just by the couple eloping and savouring the solitude, by a friend of family member, others have opted to work with some epic celebrants who get to know you personally and I have to high five these wonderful guys: True Blue Ceremonies, Knight Ceremonies and Kate and Kate Celebrants. I’ve seen these beautiful moments in ancient woodlands, in basalt caves and beaches in Iceland, under willows elegantly swaying in the breeze and on heathland accompanied by the gentle buzz and hum of nature in mid-summer. Each and every one of these moments has been intimate, inspiring, unique and so personal to each couple, I just wanted to share this as an option with you to consider if you’re finding that there is just this little inkling that just because there is the ‘legal’ process, it doesn’t mean you can’t sneak off and do this and create something that settles that little itch that this might just suit you more. Let’s get a hallelujah and jazz hands to the wonderful freedom and beautiful moments this could bring and enjoy these moments from couples who have done just that!