The Strangest and Most Fabulous Places to say I do!

When you close your eyes and think of where you might get married, what comes to mind? Is it a huge marquee decorated with twinkling fairy lights and luscious lilies?

Perhaps it’s an ornate cathedral or a beach in the Mediterranean where you can dig your toes into the sand and watch the sun set with you new husband?

We’ve taken it upon ourselves to find out the wackiest and weirdest wedding locations available to say ‘I do’… Churches, beaches, marquees or gorgeous gardens – these are certainly some of the more typical ‘wedding day’ dream locations, but increasingly couples are looking for a more unique and memorable location within which to say ‘I do’.

From the awe inspiring to the slightly weird. Here’s just a few you might want to consider for your wedding day: Perhaps you’re looking for something more special than a beach wedding – images courtesy of Beachweddings.com

Perhaps you’d prefer an underwater wedding – as you do! Image courtest of Metrotribe.org The ultimate in cool (literally!) get wed at London’s Iconic Icebar

1.) Absolut Icebar – London Set in the heart of London this sub zero venue will certainly give your guests an occasion to remember.

The aisle is constructed out of the purest ice harvested from a river in Sweden. This bar is far from being a novelty venue as they also offer a very high standard of catering courtesy of their award winning chefs. Find out more here: 

2.) A Cave Wookey Hole in Somerset, who recently appointed a new resident witch, offer couples the opportunity to exchange their vows deep underground in one of their spooky caves. There are a selection of caves to choose from, the largest can accommodate 120 guests, all of which are fully licensed for civil ceremonies. Click here for more information

3.) Zero-Gravity Wedding Two wealthy space fanatics made the headlines in June 2009 when they became the first ever couple to be married in zero-gravity conditions. The bride wore earrings shaped like planets, and the groom wore cuff links shaped like spacecraft, and the wedding party (see picture) attended in blue jump suits!

The wedding took place in a modified Boeing 727-200 aircraft operated by Zero Gravity Corp, a company which offers weightless flight experiences by flying thousands of metres about the gulf of Mexico (but not quite in space). The couple just about managed to kiss, and did not drop the wedding ring, although there was great confusion when the wedding ring of one of the guests floated into their paths.

It is not known how much the ceremony cost, but I am sure Zero Gravity Corp will quote you a (hefty!) price!

4.) Editor’s Office We’re not sure why, but the offer is there. Media enthusiasts (if there is such a thing) can choose to commit themselves to each other in the Editor of The Daily Mirror’s office in Canary Wharf, London.

Aaah, the romance! If you’re a busy career couple, this maybe the perfect venue as you can tie the knot during your lunch break; even better if you happen to work at The Daily Mirror. Always dreamt of being a real princess on your wedding day? Look no further than a wedding in Disneyland! If money is no object – how about a zero gravity wedding? Images courtest of hubimages.com Going underground – make it official in a Somerset cave setting…

5.) The Gherkin Boasting the best views over the city of London, The Gherkin is the capital’s most iconic modern building. The London landmark also offers a very high standard of hospitality with some the biggest companies choosing it as the venue for their lavish parties. The Gherkin can be seen for miles around so your guests certainly won’t have any difficulty finding your wedding venue. 

6.) DisneyWorld Wedding Before you roll your eyes and say, ”Why would someone want to get married among a menagerie of characters?” hear me out. Walt Disney World weddings are surprisingly diverse. They can be themed to the hilt—ride to the ceremony in Cinderella’s horse-drawn coach, have trumpeters herald your arrival, speak your vows under the spires of Cinderella Castle—or, they can be romantic and elegant without even a hint of Mickey and the gang. And with the Wedding Pavilion, four theme parks, and more than a dozen resort locations, you and your prince charming have lots of options of your spot to say I do. You can request a quote for your Disneyland Wedding here

7.) On The Outside Of A Plane A British couple intrigued the world in August 2008 after getting married, whilst strapped to the wing of a plane! The groom was strapped to the wing of one plane, the bride on the wing of another, whilst the vicar was strapped facing backwards on another. (Probably not for the faint-hearted!) and finally, one which hasn’t happened yet: 8.) Getting Married In Space Richard Branson wants it to happen, and so it probably will.

The slightly eccentric thrill-seeking British billionaire, owner of Necker Island and founder of the Virgin empire, is one of those at the forefront of trying to push forward commercial space flights. Having already married a couple on one of his Virgin Airways flights and with a couple already having been married in zero-gravity he has signalled his intention to find a willing couple to get married in space. So if you’re willing to wait… So what do you think?

Will you be sticking to a more traditional wedding ceremony, or do you think that the more bizarre and unique the better?

Baby Naming Ceremony at Bristol Zoo

I wonder if they will have a naming ceremony for Kukena!

Bristol Zoo baby gorilla named Kukena – ‘to love’By The Editor of Bristol 24/7Oct 6, 2011 Kukena is cradled by mum Solene at Bristol Zoo (Picture: Bob Pitchford)

The baby western lowland gorilla born at Bristol Zoo Gardens last week has been named Kukeña and will be available for adoption.The name, pronounced ‘Kookenga’, means ‘to love’ and comes from the language of the Lunda Tribe from North West Zambia.

The tribe originates from the Congo, where Western Lowland Gorillas are found in the wild.The name was picked live on air on BBC1’s The One Show this week, from names submitted by viewers. The name Kukeña was chosen by Nina Wadia who plays Zainab Masood in EastEnders.Kukeña was born just over a week ago, on Tuesday, September 27, by natural birth to Salome, and both mother and baby are doing well.

The youngster is the perfect gift for the Zoo, which this year celebrates its 175th birthday and is participating the European Zoo Association’s Ape Campaign, which aims to raise funds and awareness of the threats facing gorillas in the wild.Senior Curator of Animals, John Partridge, said: “Salome and Kukeña continue to do well – Kukeña is bright-eyed and alert and we have observed the baby suckling well on numerous occasions, which is a very good sign.“It is still too early to determine the sex of the baby as Salome keeps it very close and we are keen to give the gorillas space.

Therefore we wanted a unisex name that would suit either a baby boy or girl, and Kukeña has a lovely meaning.“Salome continues to demonstrate good mothering behaviour and it is lovely to see her cradling and cuddling her baby affectionately. Naturally the gorilla keepers will keep a very close eye on mother and baby in these crucial first few weeks to ensure that they, along with the rest of the gorilla group, are healthy, content and bonding well.

”This is the third baby Salome has had at Bristol Zoo. Her last baby, Komale, was born in December 2006 following a course of ground-breaking fertility treatment, pioneered by Bristol Zoo’s former head vet, Sharon Redrobe.

This time however, Salome conceived her baby naturally.The gorillas at Bristol Zoo are part of an international conservation breeding programme for the western lowland gorilla, which is a critically endangered species.All gorilla species are facing serious losses in the wild caused by a number of issues including forest destruction for logging, diseases such as ebola and the slaughter of primates for the illegal bushmeat trade.

Bristol Zoo Gardens has, for many years, supported Ape Action Africa, a charity working hard to prevent primate extinction in Cameroon, through caring for confiscated orphans of the bushmeat trade, and educating people about the bushmeat trade and habitat destruction.

A different ceremony – the world is waiting

A great blog from Isabella Weddings:

In the UK to get married under civil licence you have to exchange your vows within the boundaries of a licensed room, venue or space, this space must be of permanent structure so in other words you cannot marry legally in an unlicensed venue, outside or in the open air ….

Or can you.In many other countries like America it is the celebrant who is licensed not the venue, so as long as you have one of those he or she may marry you wherever and whenever you wish (I was married in California in a garden for this exact reason).

In the UK we don’t have this luxury, not that we would want it sometimes with our unpredictable weather and wet summers.However it is now a totally possible thing thanks to independent celebrants offering freedom of choice and a chance to take our nuptials outside (or in the forest, up a mountain, down by a lake …).

How does this work? There are 3 important factors you must consider before deciding to get married outside in the UK….

1) You MUST do the legal bit! Your ceremony with an independent celebrant will not be legal no matter how authentic. However this is simple, simply pop along to your local registry office (appointments etc are of course needed) and sign the legal paperwork, there is no need to dress up, exchange rings, say vows or anything that would make it feel like a real ceremony, you can wear jeans, take just your witnesses (these can even be the staff at the office!) and as long as you say one particular sentence and sign in the right place you are then legally married!

This lasts around 15 minutes and is very informal, you can do this before or after your ceremony and totally in secret so your family and friends don’t feel like the service has already happened – it hasn’t, it’s just signing of papers.

Alternatively if you find a lovely licensed venue that perhaps isn’t big enough or suitable for your wedding ceremony, you can have the legal part carried out within the licensed area inside and take your actual ceremony outside, making the most of the venue!

2) You should have somewhere indoors or under cover should the great British weather play unfair. In other words if you want to get married on the beach, have somewhere nearby indoors or have wet weather gear lined up for you and your guests (and your celebrant) just in case. A row of gorgeous umbrellas look fab in the photos!Remember also to always gain permission from the person/company/organisation that own the land you wish to marry on.

3) Find a good independent celebrant. These should come recommended by someone you know well (we happily recommend the following two) and meet with them to chat through your day. The freedom of choice is wonderful, they will talk you through your options (of which there are loads!) help to design a service that looks and feels just like the real thing. You will still be pronounced husband and wife and you can have readings, songs, traditions etc anything that you wish to include is usually no trouble.

They are so accommodating and experienced registrars so they know exactly how a ceremony can be performed to ensure you have the day of your dreams.http://www.orchidceremonies.co.ukAlso Tailor Made ceremonies are excellent at understanding a couples needs and helping them to achieve a truly wonderful ceremony for themselves and their guests.http://www.clearedgemedia.co.uk/tmcThese guys (and there are more and more now) will also be able to offer baby naming ceremonies, funeral services and renewal of vows plus much more.So if you are struggling to find a venue, a fan of the outdoors and secretly wish you could be a little different, why not have an independent celebrant and get married at a place of your choosing!

That stunning house, castle, gallery, mountain … That you wish were licensed can now be a reality for your dream wedding.At Isabella Weddings we have lots of experience of organising unique and unusual weddings using independent celebrants so why not meet us for a coffee soon to find your perfect location.

Baby Naming Ceremony at Ashton Court, Bristol

The beauty of a naming ceremony is the choice of location. Rowan and Simon Webley, from Brislington in Bristol chose to have their service in the beautiful grounds of Ashton Court.

They set up a tent for dressing, a small gazeboo for some food and drinks, blankets for seats and created a rose archway for the service focal point.

The sun shone during the service and little baby Elsie was named in front of all of her loved ones.

Thank you to Rowan and Simon for giving me the pleasure of officiating your service.