51 OUTDOOR WEDDINGS www.yolandakingdon.co.uk www.yolandakingdon.co.uk PERSONALISING YOUR DAY Whether you're thinking of a Mediterranean-inspired al fresco gathering or a forest canopy, selecting a celebrant to officiate your wedding ceremony offers you exclusivity and flexibility to make your outdoor celebrations perfect. There are many wonderful celebrants across the UK, each offering unique personalisation and individuality. Check out biographies, reviews and socials before booking; you’ll get a feel for their vibe and if you have a connection. Most celebrants will only be too happy to have an initial call, so they can tell you about their specialties and with outdoor weddings becoming more and more popular, they’ll be able to share the highlights of the ceremonies they have officiated in the great outdoors and help you make this trend a reality for your special day. Ask your celebrant to attend a meeting with you at your venue. Meet your venue coordinators and discuss, as a team, how it could work. Listen to their advice; they are the experts and will do everything to make sure you are happy. Let your photographer and videographer know the plans too so that they can figure out the equipment they need and any clothing or shoes they need to bring. Agree on a backup plan; what is the alternative option if the weather isn’t looking in your favour? Set a cutoff in your mind that will prevent you from overthinking on the special day. Let your celebrant in on these plans so that they can adapt service plans and scripts. Make sure you have appropriate weather protection; if guests are wearing make-up, it will be too late to then apply sunscreen, so consider offering parasols, cover-ups and sunglasses, or perhaps tell your guests the ceremony plans so that they can bring their own. The same goes for a rogue shower; make sure your guests can get safely into a dry space without rushing to avoid slips and trips. Tell your celebrant all of these plans so that they can help with housekeeping announcements if required. Preparation is key. Think it all through and imagine your arrival and the view you and your partner would like to see. Check out the infrastructure of your ceremony space; does it need a quick clean or sweep-up? Is the ground level for your flower arch and seating? Consider the time of your ceremony and try to work out where the sun will be to avoid too much squinting. Bring your celebrant into your circle of trust and share the burden. We all love visualising your plans and can help you think through any hurdles and work out a solution. Vicky Griffiths www.hwylceremonies.co.uk www.yolandakingdon.co.uk www.yolandakingdon.co.uk
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