I’m delighted to share with you today a guest post from the wonderful Katie at True Blue Ceremonies, I met Katie at the Scotney Castle Wedding fair last September where we both exhibited. I love what True Blue Ceremonies do & I am a great advocate of Katie’s work, like Joanne Truby Floral Design what she does  is personal and bespoke to each of her couples.  I shall now pass you over to Katie to tell you more….

Can you tell us about True Blue Ceremonies? 

I started True Blue Ceremonies after 8 years’ experience as a Registrar of Marriages working for the local council, where I conducted and registered many hundreds of marriages.  I saw a gap in the market for a Celebrant-led Wedding Ceremony that could be tailored to each bride and groom in order to make it personal for them.  I enjoyed my career and loved meeting all the couples I married, but as a Registrar felt frustrated by the restrictions that existed, and at only being able to offer them a standard script – as we all know, one size doesn’t necessarily fit all! Each script produced is written from scratch, with elements and ideas from the couple, as well as any symbolism they’d like to include – for instance, the inclusion of hand-fasting or the lighting of a unity candle.  The script develops over time and is not finalised until the couple are totally happy.

Creative Exposure Photography

Where can you perform your service?

The legal Marriage Registration part of the Wedding takes place separately, perhaps a day or two before the Wedding Day.  Katie’s couples liken this to registering a birth, or signing the legal deeds on a property!  Once the legalities are completed, a Wedding Celebration may be held anywhere, and at any time. I have worked at many beautiful Wedding venues across Kent and the South East, and my favourites tend to be the off-the-beaten track, little-known places.  Any venue (whether licensed or not) is suitable for a Celebrant-led Wedding, so this means lots more business opportunities have opened up in the industry.

Rik Pennington Photography

What would you say are the upcoming  weddings trends for 2014 and beyond? 

2014 sees a big upward trend in weddings that are held completely outdoors, either in private gardens, meadows or woodland.  Weddings in marquees, yurts and tepees are becoming huge these days and are the perfect solution for a relaxed, festival-type feel or a village fete/tea party atmosphere.  Katie is happy to fit in with whatever style of wedding her clients envisage – whether this is outdoors under an oak tree, or in the grand surroundings of a stately home – True Blue Ceremonies are unique, meaningful and above all, personal.

What do you like the most about your job?

I love getting to know my couples well before their Wedding Day (bookings are normally taken months in advance). Helping them celebrate their love with a really individual, bespoke ceremony. The excitement of the wedding planning stage and helping my couples make their day just perfect.  I know I’ve done a good job if the Groom cries during the ceremony!

Katie’s Photos Hastings

Do True Blue Ceremonies offer any other services beside from Weddings?

Yes I perform Renewals of Vows (often to celebrate special Anniversaries) and Baby Naming ceremonies too.

Thank you very much to Katie for guest posting for us today, to find out more about True Blue Ceremonies or to get in touch with Katie visit their website. You can also meet Katie in the Creative Brides Vintage Village at the Bluewater Wedding Fair between 7th-9th February.

Have you thought about having a personal celebrant for your wedding? Will you be writing your own vows? As always I would love to read your comments 🙂

Joanne xx