Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - Page number 65 - September/October 2021 (Issue 33)

Our experts answer your questions HOT TOPIC YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY We want to write our wedding vows. Can you offer us any tips? Meet the expert: Sabine Smith, the owner of Perfect Day Ceremonies, is a Cornwall-based independent event celebrant covering weddings throughout both regions. Sabine says: For some couples, it seems quite daunting writing their vows and reading them in front of their guests, however for some, it’s a chance to declare their love and devotion in front of their loved ones. Getting married in a register office or church doesn’t give you the freedom to choose your vows. With a celebrant-led ceremony, you can leave out the traditional ones if you wish and create your own, which adds an intimate dynamic to your day. Here are my top tips on how to create vows that are personal to you both and that allow you to express your feelings for one another. REFLECT ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP The vows you write should reflect your relationship. Some couples create humorous ones by saying things like ‘I’ll still love you even if you take longer in the bathroom than I do’ but you might want to underline the seriousness of the commitment you’re making by using a passage from a meaningful song, book or poem. Make sure that you choose the tone that feels right for your relationship and is authentic. NAIL THE INTRO Sometimes this is easier said than done but the opening line should be a short introduction as to why you’ve chosen to write your promises. Traditional vows have their place but your wedding might not be built on these. OWN IT You know what the other person means to you and why you’re marrying them so you can share an anecdote but keep it short. What did you feel when you first met them and how do they make you feel now? What do you love most about them? How do you see your future and what do you promise to do, or be, in the life that you create together? BREATHE AND RELAX Creating and delivering your vows can be a daunting task but your celebrant will help you relax and they might even suggest reading them for you. I remember making a mistake while saying my vows during my wedding and it always makes me laugh now when I think of it! If this happens, everyone will be forgiving and will only remember the declaration of the promises you have made to one another. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF Your vows are the wishes, hopes and promises for your future together. Being yourself and being authentic when writing them will ensure that you create meaningful ones. When the ceremony is over, and you have time to reflect, you can keep them printed as a keepsake and maybe even frame them. 07977 561 450 | www.perfectdayceremonies.co.uk www.facebook.com/perfectdayceremonies.co.uk www.instagram.com/perfectdayceremonies Image courtesy of www.oliverturl.com ABRACADABRA! We’re looking for some fun entertainment ideas to wow our guests at our wedding, can you help? Meet the expert: Plymouth-based Lewis Belcher, pictured here on the left with our real wedding cover stars, is an award-winning magician covering weddings and events throughout Devon and Cornwall. Lewis says: Hiring a professional wedding magician with plenty of tricks up their sleeve is the perfect way to amuse your guests during your reception. There can be a lot of time spent sitting around on the day, with guests waiting for the photographer to finish taking the couple shots and for dinner to be served. Magic is something that everyone can appreciate, from small children to the older generation, and it translates into any language and culture. The shared experience of watching me, and participating in my tricks, can help break the ice with guests who don’t know each other and it’s guaranteed fun, adding the wow factor to any celebration. I specialise in close-up and table magic, performing tricks with cards, coins and rings, as well as illusions, predictions and mind reading. 01752 936 086 | http://lbmagic.uk www.facebook.com/lbmagicuk Scan to view video EXPERT ADVICE 65