Your Glos and Wilts Wedding - Dec/Jan 2019 (Issue 18)

THE CELEBRANT CONUNDRUM Meet the expert: Ana Kelly is a Wiltshire-based independent celebrant covering weddings throughout the South West. She will work with couples on any style of wedding or vow renewal ceremony and can incorporate symbolic elements including poetry. Ana Kelly Celebrant | 01793 932 587 | kellycelebrant.com anakellycelebrant We are considering booking a wedding celebrant. What questions should we ask them before booking and are there any key points that we need to be made aware of? Ana says: With so many celebrants to choose from, it can be a difficult decision about which one to book for your wedding. Many couples start off only thinking about the price, which can be a mistake. Celebrants aren’t all the same, so the key is finding the one that’s going to make your service a memorable one. They need to connect with your sense of humour, understand the vibe you want on your special day and listen to what you wish to achieve. I recommend that you talk to a few before making your final choice and don’t forget to read their reviews. Put together a list of questions to ask them. Check whether they are happy to include your beliefs into the ceremony. If a celebrant is a humanist one, they might feel uncomfortable with any religious or spiritual elements that you might want, some are more flexible than others. An independent celebrant will usually be more open to incorporating any of your beliefs. Ask what experience they have had at the type of wedding you want, and at your chosen venue, because every celebration has its own special considerations. For example, a rustic-inspired outdoor ceremony has logistical issues that an experienced celebrant will have tackled before. Hearing of these experiences and discussing challenges which may be encountered on your day is important. For example, what happens if it rains or if the sound quality of the outdoor PA system is compromised because of strong wind? It’s worth asking a celebrant for ideas on readings and music and also on symbolic elements, for example hand-fasting and unity candles. You’ll also need to ask how you’ll rehearse the service and whether you are able to help with briefing your guests both before and after it. A good celebrant should be happy to give directions about where the confetti can be thrown and where to gather after the ceremony. FOOD MATTERS Meet the expert: Bill Durston is the owner of Bar Quality Catering located in Gloucester serving weddings in Cheltenham, Stroud, Tewkesbury, the Forest of Dean and other areas. Bar Quality Catering provide an unbeatable service at a quality price and have a 100% customer satisfaction rate. 01452 790 771 | barqualitycatering.co.uk @BarQualityCatering What are the advantages of hiring an outside caterer? Bill says: The price is a big advantage. I have seen in-house menus that are almost three times the price of ours. An outside caterer will also offer a taster meal in your own home. They will serve a full sample of your chosen starter, main and dessert complete with crockery and cutlery, plus wine if required. You’ll find that some caterers, like us, don’t charge a corkage fee or to serve drinks. A good outside caterer will work with the venue management and provide all of the equipment needed to ensure that everything runs smoothly so that you can get the menu that you want at a competitive price. There are a few things to check and consider, though. Your chosen caterer must be fully aware of the importance of food service and hygiene. They must also ensure that the venue they will be working at has adequate insurance policies in place. It’s worth noting that couples might be asked to pay a charge to the venue for using their own caterer. We have contributed towards this on many occasions to help the customer facilitate our service and to give them the best deal. Finally, a good venue will have preferred outside caterers for when a couple is not prepared to pay the in-house food prices. EXPERT ADVICE 61