In Europe and for most of the western world, the Christmas and New Year period, right through to Valentine’s Day, marks a hugely important time on the calendar where proposals are at their most popular.
And you don’t need to be a wedding expert to know what follows the excitement of proposals and engagements. Yes, – the wedding planning!
We’re fast approaching the time of the year where wedding research tells us that the engagement season is on its way.
There are many couples whose planning starts tentatively before they’ve even got engaged, but for most, their engagement is the catalyst to start getting their wedding plans together.
It’s when they start doing their research, getting an idea of their needs, finalising their budgets and working towards making their big day happen.
I recently participated in a Wedding Show in Lincolnshire in the UK. A huge venue, packed to the rafters with wedding specialists. Photographers, cake makers, dress makers, spectacular venues, wedding cars, make-up and hair specialists, photo booths and even magicians, all set up and proudly presenting their wares.
I was only one of two Celebrants there that day.
I set up my banner and then set to on displaying some of the many elements a couple can choose to incorporate into their ceremony. Ribbons for a Hand-Fasting. Candles for a Unity Ceremony, Sand for the Unity Sand Ceremony, a decorated broom for the Jumping the Broom, and wine for the Wine Ceremony.
The doors opened and in came the excited brides to be, many accompanied by their mothers as well as rather daunted looking grooms to be.
I soon realised, on speaking to lots of the couples, that a Celebrant isn’t a very well-known profession.
I spoke to many couples that day whom had never heard of or knew what a Celebrant was.
Lots of these couples had indeed got engaged over the Christmas and New Year period and were only now getting round to choosing their suppliers.
It was a great feeling being able to inform couples of the role of a Celebrant and let them know what their options were when it came to choosing the kind of wedding ceremony they wanted.
Yes. Some were unsure of all the legal side of things, but, once I explained that the legalities and the registering of their marriage could be conducted at the local registry office, with minimum fuss and cost and just two witnesses, then the dream ceremony could be carried out by a Celebrant, at a date of their choice, all were on board and even said how much sense it made to do that.
I was thrilled to take several bookings that day for weddings taking place in 2020 and as far ahead as July 2021.
So, if you are reading this and thinking about proposing this coming festive season to your loved one, take time out to truly think about the kind of wedding ceremony you would both love.
Themed, simple, no guests, hundreds of guests, poems, music, stories, laughter and happy tears, anything is possible with a Celebrant led ceremony.
We’ll be ready and waiting to work alongside you both to create your perfect ceremony.
Happy proposing and good luck.