I’d ask them to think about their vows and what they want to say. The classic way of making your ceremony bespoke is to personalise it with vows, your favourite music and if you like a good old theme, go for it. A lot of people concentrate on the location, attire food and so on, but the words you say to each other when you’re looking into each other’s eyes is the most important part. Can you tell us a bit about the rituals that couples can include in their ceremonies when they enlist the services of a celebrant? When I married my twin sister, they jumped over the broom. This was historically common, the established practice for wedding ceremonies for slaves, though it’s known in other parts of the world as the part of a ceremony to form a common law marriage and a household. I’ve done handfastings too. This is a ritual relating to the fastening of hands together. The tradition hails from Ireland and Scotland but has become popular with modern couples all over the world. There are others such as tree planting or passing the rings around to all the guests and I’m sure a lot more. What’s your greatest achievement in the 27 years you’ve been conducting wedding ceremonies? My greatest achievement is that I am still doing it and that I still love it! Bringing people together who genuinely love each other and are repeating their vows after me is amazing. How did you get involved as the registrar on Married at First Sight UK? The first television show I was involved with was called The Wedding House in 2010 for Channel 4. I married 46 couples over 25 days and most of the ceremonies were themed, ranging from fetish to Dirty Dancing. It was extraordinary and I wish it could come back. I auditioned for the role of registrar and presenter and couldn’t believe it when I got it. I was then approached by a production company to be part of Married at First Sight UK. I was registrar, presenter and wedding consultant on there from 2016-2020. Then in 2023 I was approached again to be part of Love is Blind UK. I feel so blessed that I have had the opportunities that I have had. How do you feel about conducting the wedding ceremonies of two complete strangers for the show? Did you have any reservations when the producers approached you? When I was first approached, I had a few concerns. I spoke to my family and my manager at work, and I decided that it would be fine. Arranged marriages do happen and I just needed to be reassured that no one would be forced and once that was confirmed I was excited to be a part of it. Which couple is your greatest success story on Married at First Sight or Love is Blind and why? On Married at First Sight, it has to be Michelle and Owen. I knew they were perfect for each other and four years on they look so happy and now have a baby. There was also another couple that I did not get to marry on the show sadly due to Covid, but they met and have gone on to get married away from the cameras and have a baby. I love it when things work out. On Love is Blind, I married Beniah and Nicole. They had the biggest journey on the show and a year on they are so happy so that makes me happy too! Did you have the opportunity to know the Love Is Blind couples before the big day, as you would your off-screen couples? And do you know whether the couple are going to get married or say ‘no’ before you meet them? I did meet the people involved prior to the ceremonies because I did their notices of marriage. That is the legal requirement that must be done prior to getting married. It was good to chat with them and they were all lovely. There seemed to be a lot of camaraderie between them, which was great to see. I didn’t know what was going to happen on the day of the weddings with any of the couples including the couple I married! What does a typical day filming Love Is Blind look like for you? I would have decided what I am going to wear about a month before. On the day of the ceremony, I get dressed, have a rehearsal without the couple. Check out the room so I know exactly where I’ll stand and where the couple will be. Then I get excited and a little nervous as it happens for real, but I’m good at controlling that after all my years. It really doesn’t seem to take long when filming because I’m so used to it now. What’s been the highlight of your on-screen career so far? Every time I appear it is a highlight. My family and friends being so proud of me and my grandchildren watching in awe wondering why Nana is inside the television! What’s next for you? I’m just going with the flow and seeing where it takes me. I have my own wedding to plan in Japan due to happen December 2025. Finding the love of my life, Milo is just surreal and amazing all at once. Regarding television, the dream would be to have my own show. You never know, so watch this space. You can find out more about Cynthia at www.cynthiagreen.co.uk @i.productions_hq @i.productions_hq @i.productions_hq INTERVIEW 49
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