Jo Stott, an award-winning North East celebrant, shares her top tips
Statement Aisles
Take your first steps in style as a married couple by hopping on the statement aisle trend. Everything is on the table, or the floor, this year, from runway inspired designs to checkerboards, or fabulous florals. A statement aisle is a great choice to add a dash of your personalities to your space and bring parts of your relationship into the décor, if you love hiking as a couple, why not go for a nature themed aisle to make you feel right at home!
Celebrant-led weddings
Google searches for 'wedding celebrant' overtook 'wedding registrar' in December 2023 and celebrant led ceremonies are on the rise as couples look to share their love story in a personal and intimate way. A great celebrant will guide you through the process, help you to feel happy and confident on your big day and allow your guests to really feel part of the day while getting to know you as a couple. Celebrants can combine ancient love traditions with in-jokes and personal stories to create a ceremony that puts love right at the centre. If you would like a ceremony that is non-traditional but would still like to build in some elements of spirituality or religious belief, choosing a celebrant to lead your ceremony is great option.
Curating the atmosphere
It's 2023 and wedding ceremonies don't have to be formulaic, or dare we say it, a bit boring. We're going to see more couples working with their celebrant to make everyone feel included, happy and comfortable during the ceremony itself. Find a celebrant that will help you to get the vibes right when you say 'I do', this can be anything from making sure there are moments of laughter, making sure the seating and lighting is intimate or giving your guests the couple's favourite tipple to break the ice and toast your new lives together. Talk to your celebrant about how you want you and your guests to feel on the big day and they can bring it to life each step of the way.
Sustainable choices
We all try to make small changes to help the planet and your wedding day doesn't have to cost the earth (literally). In 2023 there are plenty of ways to make savvy sustainable choices that align with your values, while still looking and feeling amazing. Use recycled paper invites, up-cycling wedding furniture and decorations, consider a pre-loved or vintage gown and keep your menu local to show some love to the environment and each other.
Little details, big impact
Adding little unique moments throughout the day will put your love story right in the middle of proceeding. Embroider your partner's initials into your dress or shirt cuffs, choose a unique venue with links to your relationship, gift wedding favours that mean something to you as a couple or ask your officiant to tell stories that your guests might not know about you during your ceremony.
Create a new tradition
Every tradition has to start somewhere and by incorporating a unique detail that can be passed down through generations you can ensure that your love story will be told throughout the generations. Love Jo couples have been inspired by historic customs and added a modern twist to create something completely new, such as each taking a sip of a gin and tonic, the drink from their first date, rather than the traditional whisky (the drink of life) or built in an element of their story into something which can be passed down to their children and grand-children. A great example of this was a couple who created sand art from the two beaches where they grew up, this could then be added to be each generation to come.
For more information and to contact Love Jo Ceremonies visit lovejoceremonies.co.uk
