There is simply almost nothing a Celebrant cannot do when it comes to creating your dream ceremony – imagine the perfect location, style, time of day, and the emotions you want to evoke on your special day. Rest assured, I’m here to wholeheartedly embrace your ideas!

With 15 years of experience as a Celebrant, I’ll offer insights to ensure your Wedding Ceremony is a genuine reflection of you both, and your ideas of what for you would be a dream Wedding Ceremony. Picture a ceremony filled with personality, storytelling, love, laughter, and tears of joy – a unique and thrilling celebration marking the beginning of your marriage.

WHAT TYPE OF CELEBRANT AM I?

As an Independent Celebrant, I specialize in tailoring ceremonies for modern couples who want to feel both involved in their ceremony style and also reassured they are being supported and cared for by an experienced pair of hands, which I know I offer you, having officiated over 600 wonderful ceremonies since 2011 when I completed my training. I am often asked if I’m a Humanist Celebrant – the answer is no.

While my ceremonies embody human emotions, choices, and dreams, I’m not confined by a Humanist non-religious philosophy. Your ceremony can be as diverse and personalized as you desire, blending the traditional with the modern.  I provide flexibility to include elements that resonate with your values, whether religious or non-religious, and I respect all faiths and lifestyles.

CHANGES TO THE LAW ON MARRIAGE 

The Law Review  on Marriage Reform is looking to modernise Marriage and allow Independent Celebrants like myself to legally register your marriage in the UK.  In the meantime, and while we wait, couples still choose me as someone who will work with them over months, even years, get to know them, understand their unique love story and create magical memories for them and their guests on their special day. They often sign their Marriage register at their local Court House or Town Hall in a simple service.

My blog on the difference between Registrars and Celebrants was written to help advise and inform couples about their options.  I absolutely support the legal protection of marriage whilst also absolutely supporting that giving couples a real choice so that their ceremony is both personal, and meaningful.

In England and Wales, you can complete the legal registration in a “2 plus 2”  Statutory service (two witnesses, and the couple) in your chosen Register Office, and repeat the 32 Contractual Words before the Registrar, after which you will receive your Marriage Licence. 

After this, of course you can celebrate in any way you wish – with your Celebrant  – I will craft a personal ceremony script that supports your journey and love story, and it will be “your voice, your story” that all your guests will hear.

Choosing me as your Independent Celebrant gives you complete  freedom to hold your ceremony anywhere, at any time.  In the past couples only had the Church or the State as their means to be married or by having the Registrar come to a licensed Venue, meaning a different type of restriction, and the associated higher costs.

Modern couples are definitely looking for something very different, and that is why celebrant-led ceremonies have risen hugely in popularity.  It is all about how they want to feel, the atmosphere, the emotional weight and depth, the storytelling and dreaming.  This is what makes for a meaningful moment.   It is what makes being an independent Celebrant a pure joy – standing with couples who want an authentic ceremony, not a template where the names are changed.

Thank you A and M for these kind words following the Ceremony on the beautiful island of Salina, Italy.

Yvonne is not just the most lovely, kind, and funny human being, she is also incredibly caring and passionate about her job. From the very first Skype call, we knew that she was the one! She was so wonderfully open to all of our ideas and suggestions, and she poured her heart into crafting a ceremony that was truly “us”.

MEANINGFUL CEREMONIES FOR WEDDINGS, VOW RENEWALS, AND ELOPEMENTS START HERE..

I often describe my ceremonies as “traditional, with a modern twist”, and invite my couples to really embrace their own true spirit and personalities!  There will of course be elements that are familiar to everyone,  the I Do, the Vows and Ring Exchange,  along with wonderful storytelling, and symbolic rituals which are designed and written specifically for you.

New rituals can be created by using your own ideas, customs, traditions, and heritage, and you may also wish to have your ceremony in  more than one language, which I can offer as a bilingual celebrant in English and German. My French is a little rusty,  but I love a challenge!!  I am currently learning basic Italian, and having spoken a few phrases in Russian and Mandarin, can definitely say that it does seem a lot easier 🙂

Popular rituals chosen to represent the joining of two people and their families, are the Unity Candle Ceremony,  the Celtic style Hand Tying, a romantic and emotional Ring Warming and for couples with children, a family Sand Ceremony. 

Dive into my Blog on Adding Symbolic Rituals to your Ceremony for further advice and inspiration.  There are so many ways I can create these for couples, and we can discuss ideas and suggestions over a coffee at our discovery call!

   Yvonne, thank you for putting together such a wonderful personalised wedding ceremony for us! . …. anyone looking for a warm, loving and caring celebrant to conduct their ceremony I can’t recommend Yvonne enough. Chantell and Simon

BILINGUAL CEREMONIES

I am able to offer ceremonies in both English and German, which is a lovely way of ensuring all of your guests are able to really enjoy this wonderful occasion with you. 

My bilingual ceremonies are proving to be more and more popular each year, which is absolutely delightful as I have lots of ideas and suggestions in how to bring language as well as heritage and culture into your ceremony!

There is no “set” structure for a Bilingual Wedding, and we can discuss a variety of options, and ideas.  Sometimes my couple will keep the bilingual part a surprise, and I love to look up and see the delight on the faces of guests who hear me speaking in “their” language as we move through the ceremony.

Bilingual ceremonies can include readings in both languages or different languages, the use of national or local traditions, music and even how your catering and decorations can create a wonderful fusion for you both!

I updated my blog recently,  on planning a Bilingual Wedding, which goes into more detail in terms of suggestions, ideas and inspiration!

Yvonne created the most beautiful wedding ceremony for me and my wife  She created a bilingual wedding ceremony. It was simply beautiful all our guests had the possibility to understand everything and told us both how wonderful it was. Katja and Hayley.

You may decide to Renew your Vows, or to Elope (or even do both!) – in which case, you have full flexibility in terms of the day, time, place, and content for these ceremonies.  Without the need to sign any documentation you have the option to hold a beautiful, emotional, sincere, private ceremony anywhere.

If you feel a huge wedding is too stressful,  or you want to experience the first days of your marriage privately and together, then an Elopement really is a wonderful solution, as it is both an exciting and adventurous experience, whether you are newlyweds or a couple entering a new chapter in your marriage.

I specialise in outdoor Elopements and Renewals, in dramatic natural locations in the German speaking parts of Europe : Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Why not elope to Europe and exchange your vows in beautiful locations, followed by a fabulous honeymoon? 

Taking time for yourselves and being true and authentic is so important, so if you want to reduce the “noise” then Elope and simply have a party with your friends and family when you return.  My Blog on choosing Switzerland, Austria or Bavaria for your Elopement offers solutations, advice and tips on how to plan an amazing adventure for the two of you!

For destination ceremonies in Europe, I am happy to share my contacts with you as I have a large network of wonderful suppliers, including photographers, MUA, florists and venues for your reception, dinner, or picnic!

She is a fantastic wedding celebrant and wrote the most heartfelt ceremonies for our couples – be it for an elopement with just the couple or for larger weddings with more guests. I can only recommend Yvonne to any couple who wants an intimate and highly personal ceremony for their wedding day!  Vanessza, Planner, Peach Perfect Weddings.

DESIGNING YOUR UNIQUE CEREMONY

I will help you to develop your ideas, create,  manage and co-ordinate all the aspects of your ceremony and be there to support you on the day itself, and will conduct your ceremony with warmth and sincerity plus a bit of personality,  in front of your guests.  

If you wish to include religious content or hymns, then please let me know, I am happy to include faith and ritual, – as an independent Celebrant I am under no restrictions at all, and just want to help you enjoy your day by taking all your dearest wishes on board.

RITUALS AND VOWS TAILORED TO YOU

Together we create a ceremony which can be traditional or modern and, we can include your guests too!  For example, we can invite guests to take part in a “Ring Warming ceremony” before you complete your vows and exchange your wedding rings.

Your vows can be traditional or created just by you, for you.  There is no need to follow any “standard” text and I am here to guide and advise you on writing your vows if you wish. Perhaps you’d like to exchange vows somewhere with a special meaning to you?

 

As an Indepedent Celebrant I am able to officiate your ceremony in licenced or unlicenced venues, or simply choose what you feel most reflects your personalities. Your Vows are of course the most precious part of the Ceremony and if you are stuck or unsure of how to make these, my experience and understanding of your particular love story means that I can help!  Just ask, and we can take all the nerves and stress away, together.

You could make your promises to each other on the beach,  on a boat , in a forest, at home in your garden or on a mountain top!  In some cases you may require permission, but the options that are available to you mean that you can let your imagination soar!

We can involve children or other family members, including your fur babies (or donkeys, llamas and owl ring bearers!)  making it a truly  personal and special occasion, for you and your guests.

Yvonne is a superb Celebrant who did a fantastic job with our wedding in June 2019 in London.  On the day she was great at delivering the words we had chosen together, and spoke very clearly and with warmth. She has a happy presence, and very professional, and put us all at ease. John and Julie

SO HOW DO WE BEGIN?

Working together using every technology, or when possible meeting face to face – we create the ceremony you’ve dreamed about! With unlimited drafts you’re always in full editorial control. We can have a few surprises though – perhaps you’d like to keep your personal vows as a surprise on the day? No problem – I just omit them from the draft script until your wedding day! Many couples ask me to create a “surprise script” and so for them, I will share an outline or ceremony flow explaining the various stages of the ceremony.

On the day itself I will arrive at least an hour beforehand,  to introduce myself to your key guests, family members, or those chosen to read something for you, to help, calm, and support you. I will also find and chat to your photographer and any other suppliers assisting on the day, and ensure a seamless flow.   

If showers come then we wait until they’re over or we go to Plan B.  My time is yours – the whole day is blocked out for you, and I will be there, with a huge smile on my face, to support you, and deliver your perfect Ceremony!

  A Celebrant-led Ceremony is the heart of your Wedding Day.  Without the Ceremony, it’s just a Party! Let’s start a conversation and see what I can offer you as your independent, bilingual Wedding Celebrant in the UK or in Europe.

Email yvonne@bilingualcelebrant.com, connect via WhatsApp complete the form below, or if you feel ready to do so, book a call on my Calendar app 

Warmest wishes

Yvonne