Hey it’s your special day and no one knows more about what you want than you. Lot’s of people will give you advice and that’s great, but let’s face it you’ve been dreaming about this for a long time and you’re just looking for the right celebrant to make it all happen.
This is where I come in.
My role is not to tell you what to do, but to make sure you feel absolutely comfortable enough to put your dream into words and know someone is listening and will make sure it turns out just the way you’ve always wanted.
It doesn’t matter what type of wedding ceremony you’re after. Whether it’s simple, fun, romantic or just a combination of all three, as a person who has specialised in live events for over 30 years I can guarantee whatever you have in mind I can make happen.
What else do you need to know about Lou?
How would you describe your wedding ceremony presentation style?
My background is in the performing arts industry so, as a drama teacher for over 30 years, I treat a wedding as a performance that needs to have all the ingredients of any special moment: humour, love, wit and a specific focus, which in the case of a wedding is the happy couple. I take the stress out of the day by handling any ceremony logistics from the moment I arrive until the moment I leave. I work the room chatting to the groom, groomsmen and invited guests. I meet the bride when she arrives and ensure she is calm, relaxed and ready to proceed. When I deliver the ceremony I do so in a paced, relaxed fashion that contains just the right amount of humour and emphasises heartfelt moments as they come up. A key part of my delivery is my natural ability to find witty moments during the ceremony as they come up to the delight of the couple and the crowd.
What’s your process with couples like?
I try to make this as easy for the couple as possible ensuring simple things like the information they need to give me to construct their ceremony is as easy to complete as possible while being informative. I like to meet the couple for a coffee and get to know them then take them through the process. I organise a rehearsal before the ceremony for two reasons
1. To take them through the logistics of the ceremony and
2. For them to see me in action thus putting their minds further at ease.
The key take away here is that I absolutely make the couple the most important people in the room and, as I like to remind them, on the day even though there are people all around us it really is only us three up there and they completely get and appreciate this.
Do specialise in a particular ceremony style or ritual?
My style is as said: relaxed, heartfelt, humorous and most of all professional in both the way I deliver the ceremony and how I handle proceedings from keeping the couple relaxed to problem solving to crowd control to the actual ceremony itself.
Do you offer to help couples write their wedding vows?
I always offer to help couples by advising them. I also have created a Pinterest board that deals only with wedding vows so they can read a variety and make they’re minds up on how they want to write them.
Do you usually attend a ceremony rehearsal the day before the wedding?
Absolutely as stated above. This is a critical aspect to ensuring the day runs smoothly
What equipment will you bring (or require the couple to provide) on the wedding day?
I bring a portable PA, microphone etc. I always offer to do the couples music should they so choose as I have Spotify premium and run it from my iPad. This is a particularly useful tool for couples and continues to take the stress out of their day for them
Can you provide ceremony script samples if a couple would like to see them?
I can if they ask me to as I have a variety of examples. Importantly, as I say to couples, the three most critical things in a ceremony are
1. Your view of each other and marriage.
2. The story of you and
3. A few paragraphs on your wedding party and why you have chosen them. Vows are optional as are readings
What packages do you offer and are there any additional fees?
I offer the same package to all couples and it is a complete service. The only time it changes is if it is a registry style wedding which attracts a reduced cost or there is significant travel and then I charge for petrol.
What else would you like couples to know about what you do?
The key takeaway for couples is that there are plenty of Celebrants out there and they should take the time to find who suits them best, Having said that though I do convey to them that my approach while relaxed is defined by my professionalism and I make it clear I have a wealth of experience, but all that really matters is what they want.
The reality is I am always able to deliver on their brief and I have no preconceived ideas as to how their day should go.
Simply put, whatever they want is to me a great idea and nothing is out of the question. And really that’s where the fun starts!
So let’s grab a coffee and chat because that’s the best way to get this party started.
