Fairy Tale Wedding For Australian Couple With Celebrant Ceremony In 1830 Castle
Venue & Wedding Coordination - Highcliffe Castle, Dorset
Celebrant - Amanda-Louise Knight
After Emily and Alun (yes that is how he spells his name!) spent time in Australia, they knew that was the country they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, so after emigrating and then the arrival of their beautiful little girl, they wanted to have a quintessential wedding here in Dorset England surrounded by their UK family and friends.
After falling in love with Highcliffe Castle, built in 1830s providing such a romantic setting for a wedding service and drinks reception, with its stunning grandeur inside with stained glass windows, grand piano, raw brickwork and formal gardens that lead down to the stunning beach - its such a timeless classical venue and yet it provides a blank canvas for couples to add in their personal touches; it was then time to find their perfect celebrant.
That was me(!) Amanda-Louise Knight, we chatted via zoom and they liked my traditional ceremony structure with modern touches (as I do not have any restrictions). They wanted a formal wedding service, yet I was able to write a service that was personal to them, include their love story, poems, content about marriage, had personal words when they exchanged rings and incorporated words about their daughter too. See how it all panned out and watch the video at the end....
Groomsmen
Romantic Words in a Romantic Setting
Before they signed my ceremony certificate, they read promises and vows to one another, here's a very brief idea what they said....
Wedding Readings
The bride's sisters read...
The Art of Marriage poem written by William A.Peterson
'The little things are the big things. Itis never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual,and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.'
And Alun's friend read a poem.....
Always Love Each Other
'If you can always be as close
And happy as today
Yet be secure enough to grow
And change along the way
If you can keep for you alone
Your love as man and wife,
Yet find the time to share your joy
With others in your life
If you can be as one
And walk through marriage hand in hand,
Yet still support the goals and dreams
That each of you have planned
If you can dare to always go
Your separate ways together
Then all the wonder of today
Will stay with you forever'
After they finished on the tradition of a kiss, the couple went out onto the gardens where all their guests were ready with bubbles to celebrate
then onto glass of bubbly before the wedding breakfast got in full flow.....
Love Notes
Words from Bride Emily:
"We had the most amazing wedding ceremony thank you Amanda-Louise, everyone had commented on how personal and romantic it was"
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Amanda-Louise is the creative director of her UK award winning business, Amanda-Louise Knight Weddings Proposals & Events. She provides advice to modern couples who want unforgettable weddings that set the tone about their celebrations and love.
Amanda-Louise is a current celebrant, and has been involved in the events industry for over 30 years. Her love for logistics, she is wedding and marriage proposal planner in the South West of England. A dog lover herself, she is owner of Somerset Wedding Day Dog Chaperone Service ensuring furry babies are included or cared for by her team.
She is mentor to other celebrants and venue consultant to her corporate business clients dedicating her time to helping them grow their own businesses.
And it all starts with making a date with Amanda-Louise!
Blog Disclaimer - the article is opinion based by the author only, the content is for information purposes only, and as such is not guaranteed. Whilst its intended to be accurate there may be some unintentional errors, mistakes or omissions and therefore may be subject of updating. In accordance with any advice articles should the reader wish to rely on this information, they do so at their own risk. Any prices quoted are accurate at time of writing content.
