Here is a selection of Q&As from Your Sussex Wedding magazine whether it be about flowers, hair and makeup, fashion, wedding themes, health & beauty, cakes, stationery, legal advice. If you would like your question answered by our experts, please email it to editor@your-sussex.wedding
To view more expert advice on a different topic, please select one from the list below.
Let your love grow
Q. How do you inject your wedding day with the spirit of spring?
A. Mark Inscoe says: Spring is the perfect time of year for celebrating nature. It's a time of renewal, a time of new growth. Young, fresh greens and spring flowers enhance those outdoor ceremony settings. For thousands of years, the seasons, especially spring, have been integral in ritual ceremonies reflecting our respect for nature. A perfect addition to your day might be a symbolic tree or shrub planting. Depending on the location of your ceremony, this could be done afterwards in your garden or elsewhere (with necessary permissions). During the ceremony, the sapling could be in a pot while you and others spoon soil onto it with a ceremonial trowel. As you're doing this, significant words reflecting the symbolism of this action are spoken by your celebrant. Different trees have their own meaning. Apple is associated with knowledge, faith and fertility; birch represents truth and new beginnings; and elm is thought to strengthen relationships.
Remember, once you've done the legal bit in the registry office, you're free to choose from so many spectacular natural settings to stage your celebrant-led wedding or civil partnership celebration ceremony.
Mark Inscoe, Civil Celebrant Sussex
civilcelebrantsussex.com
Your wedding, your way
Q. What are you top 2023 trend predictions?
A. Mark Inscoe says: "With the restrictions of the last few years hopefully consigned to the past, couples will be wanting to celebrate their most special of days with all of their family and friends.
"I expect to see an increase in celebrant-led ceremonies as couples are becoming more aware of this option. By teaming with an independent celebrant, you can work together to create a unique and personalised ceremony meaning your wedding celebration puts you at the heart of the day.
"There will also be more of a shift towards ecoweddings as couples become much more aware of the impact of their day on the environment. This will lead to an increased demand for sustainable and biodegradable products, as well as clothing and accessories hire.
"Outdoor weddings will also remain popular as couples look to put a unique stamp on their day and keep it true to themselves. I'm going to be the celebrant for a renewal of vows this March and as part of the ceremony Kay and Mark have asked me to sing Elvis Presley's She Wears My Ring, a significant song played at their wedding 30 years ago. After all, there should be no such thing as a standard wedding ceremony.
My word for 2023 is: unique."
Mark Inscoe, Civil Celebrant Sussex
civilcelebrantsussex.com
United by love
Q. We've heard about rituals we can have during a celebrant-led ceremony, but how do we know which is right for us?
A. Tanya Jones says: Hand-fasting and unity candles are just two of the symbolic rituals that many couples are now choosing to include in their wedding ceremony, and each can be adapted to suit your own style.
Hand-fasting is a beautiful ancient ritual said to be where the phrase “tying the knot” comes from. Put simply, it's when a couple joins hands and ribbons or cords are used to tie a symbolic knot. You can use several different ribbons or plaited cord made up of different colours, or anything else you like. Couples often choose colours to match their palette. Using multiple lengths can also be a way to include family and friends.
A unity candle is a lovely symbolic joining together or two families. Two taper candles are lit individually, before both are used to light a larger central candle. This can be a great way to include both mothers in the ceremony and also works well for blended families.
If you're thinking of including a symbolic element in your ceremony, then simply talk to your celebrant. They'll be able to advise you on how they can incorporate it in a way that's completely right for you.
Tanya Jones, Perfect Promises UK
www.perfectpromisesuk.com
More than words
Q. What's the difference between a celebrant and a registrar?
A. Tanya Jones says: The fact that you can have your wedding at any time you choose, in any place you choose, including absolutely anything is a great place to begin. But I always come back to the main difference, which is the words. The ceremony itself is written just for you, so each one is completely personal. I believe the words you speak during your vows are among the most meaningful you'll ever say to each other, so they should be absolutely right for you.
What this all means is that you'll be able to relax and really enjoy your ceremony just as much as the rest of your day with only happy nerves, not nervous nerves. You'll feel confident in the knowledge that your celebrant, who's guiding you through the most important moment in your lives, will ensure you won't have any awkward words or phrases to stumble through. It'll be remembered for all the right reasons.
It's worth bearing in mind that a celebrant-led ceremony isn't legal, so you would still need to register your marriage at a Register Office, which can be taken care of shortly before your big day.
Tanya Jones, Perfect Promises
www.perfectpromisesuk.com
