A great day for a countryside outdoor wedding

It was a sunny day in Goahurst, in Somerset when I spent the morning putting the finishing touches to Daisy and Tom's ceremony at Hunstvile Organice Farm.

The venue was stunning, full of flowers, rolling hills and lavendar. The ceremony was to take place on the top of a hill so we all jumped onboard  tractor to take us to the top.

There was a beautiful stone circle waiting for us and some hay bales for the guests. The sun shone brightly as Daisy walked down the aisle with her dad and it was a truly memorable ceremony.

Outside Wedding Ceremonies: to be or not to be?

Ok, so we all know what the UK weather is? Majorly unreliable. For the last 2 years, we have had some guaranteed warm weather and sunshine during the months of April – September. Very hard to pinpoint when. 

When I was getting married, I choose July. Peak summer season and thought ‘yes, definitely going to be sunny for my ceremony’. I choose to risk it and I booked Plas Glansevin, a beautiful venue in Wales with a stunning oak tree in the front gardens.

I wanted to have my service outside. For all brides who also had this idea, I bet you also spent your time at work on BBC weather, refreshing every day to check the weather forecast (2 months in advance!).

Let’s be serious. Outdoor wedding ceremonies are a dream. Next to nature, breathing fresh air and some gorgeous settings but they come with big considerations. Don’t be scared by it though, you just need to be prepared. 

Here are some top tips:

1    1.  Have a backup plan

You’ve found a lovely field in the middle of the Cotswolds but there is absolutely no shelter anywhere. This is a no, no. At the very least, rent a canopy for the front of the ceremony for you both, or a whole marquee for the ‘just in case’. Marquees and canopies can be decorated to fit your theme and add a touch of personality to an open space. 

2.  Buy some umbrellas

Let’s face it, it could be beautiful sunshine in the morning and then start raining during your service (yes, that happened to me!). Be prepared. Ask you guests to bring an umbrella in your colour theme or purchase enough white umbrellas for your guests. They can look great in pictures and if you are stuck for cash, could be a good favour!

      3. Make it accessible

You can score some great free outdoor venues. You might just need to get permission but you can cut venue costs by far. However, make sure your venue is easily accessible to high heel shoes and pushchairs. If the weather takes a turn for the worst in the week before, go visit and check for muddy patches. Consider laying some wooden slacks or some hay (yes, hay!) to give a better walk way.

      4. Have fun

Although you cannot guarantee the weather in this country, enjoy it. You are British and for your whole life you have had to get used to this unreliable, unfavourable, sometimes wonderful weather. If it is sunny, fabulous. If it rains, go with it. Wear your welly boots, put up your white umbrella and smile. It’s your big day!

Wedding Ceremonies at Clavershay Barn, Somerset

I have officiated many beautiful ceremonies at the gorgeous Clavershay Barn, North Pertheton in Taunton. 

One that stands out is Tom and Steph's last July. The ceremony was completely tailored to them and personalised from vows, readings and commitments. It was a sunny day full of romance!

Here is a great blog, put together by the couple with a review of their big day, including their ceremony.

http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/truly-our-own/

Here is a snippet from their rock my wedding entry:

A Very Moving Ceremony

Tom and I had a humanist ceremony outside as our venue wasn’t licensed for our big day. The ceremony was conducted by Jennifer Constant at Tailor Made Ceremonies and felt really special for the both of us as we had a lot of personal input. Jennifer had asked us to fill in a questionnaire about the two of us, how we met and why we loved each other and brought it all together in a very moving ceremony. I had two of my dearest friends Bryony and Nat do a reading which they very kindly wrote for us and was touching to the point of tears. Tom’s friend Darren also read a reading about Relativity from Albert Einstein which was beautiful.

Finding your dream location has got a lot easier!

If you have ever dreamt of having your ceremony in a marquee, by a lake, in a tipi, in a castle, or in just about any location, and you thought it wasn’t possible…well, think again – you now can!

You don’t have to be restricted to searching through a list of (sometimes very overused and standard) licensed venues; you now have the freedom to have your dream ceremony, in your ideal location. You just have to do a few simple things differently with these few steps:

1. Choose a Celebrant led service

Wedding Celebrants offer you the chance to have your wedding ceremony without restrictions on content or location. Each ceremony is individually crafted to you and can take place wherever you choose.

We, at Tailor Made Ceremonies, offer an initial consultation to discuss your requirements.  We will talk you through your options and help you design a service that can be as traditional or modern as you like. It’s your ceremony at the end of the day and it should reflect you as a couple. You will still be pronounced husband and wife, say your vows and exchange rings, and you can have limitless options such as readings, songs, religious content, traditions etc.

You can include anything in your service, as there are no restrictions at all on content.

2. Find your dream venue

Get excited. You now have the freedom of choice of location. The options are now endless! You can find a village hall, a lakeside, on a mountain, at the beach or even in a castle. Wherever your ideal location is, you can now have your wedding ceremony. Quite often, our couples choose somewhere that has significance for them.

Nothing standard or ‘overused’; It’s your unique commitment and the words and venue should reflect that.

3. Get the legal part done

This is the simple part. To legally marry in the UK, you have to register your intent at the registry office and 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 an actual ceremony. You can wear jeans, take just 2 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! No need to tell anyone about this section, it’s not ceremonial, just the signing of papers.

4. Make a plan

Remember if you are thinking of having your ceremony outside, you cannot always guarantee the weather in the UK, so be mindful of having a back up plan. Consider hiring a marquee or have a room to hold the ceremony in should it rain.

**Have your ideal wedding ceremony ‘Tailor Made’**

Nowadays the sky really is the limit on venue choice. You no longer have to be restricted to licensed venues and standard services. You can have a tailor made Wedding Ceremony, unique to you as a couple, in the location of your choice.

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.

Baby Naming for Naela – St Stephens, Bristol

Thank you to Chloe and Pete for giving me the pleasure of officiating the Naming Ceremony service for Naela May Cann.

Their service took place on Sunday, 25th September 2011, in St Stephens, Bristol.