This wedding ceremony story began over two years ago, when I met Lucy and her mum at a big wedding fair. At the time, Lucy was expecting a baby and planning a wedding. We bonded straight away over creating something absolutely personal to her and Kyle. And then, we discovered our mutual love of reading – perfect for creating a wedding ceremony around their really beautiful love story.
Fast forward to a year later, and we stood together in the outdoor ceremony space at Bowood, where we’d settled on a wedding ceremony that told their couple’s story with the romance and serenity it deserved, whilst ensuring that their four children were as included as they’d like to be. With ages ranging from older teen to just over 12 months, this was a really beautiful ceremony to put together.
Bowood House is a great venue for an outdoor wedding ceremony. Rangy and full of space, with lots of lawn for little legs to run about, I enjoyed watching Kyle’s boys playing whilst we waited for Lucy and her dad to walk down the aisle. We began with one of my favourite Dr Seuss quotes, because sometimes, it’s good to acknowledge that not every romance is straightforward, especially when you have the bravery to find love when you are already a parent and have so much space already taken within your hearts.
“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”
Lucy’s sister wrote and read a glorious poem to us, and we also included a section specifically for all the children about their mum and dad and the promises they’d like to make to them as part of their marriage. Then Lucy’s brother also read a poem he’d written – they are such a creatively gifted family!
I also loved the vows they’d written themselves, which were so funny but also completely realistic in their promises, such a sign of a strong pair. Their ring exchange was so intimate and special, it felt like there was only the three of us there.
what i loved about this wedding ceremony
- Lucy and Kyle’s choice to be seated throughout, until they said their vows, was really significant. It helped them relax, connect with each other, and it meant their daughter could be near them if she fancied it. Which she regularly did.
- The amount of preparation and love that family poured into the ceremony itself. Everybody played a part and it was a truly emotional wedding ceremony for everybody.
- After the ceremony, everybody gathered for drinks and conversation whilst the children played, and it was so relaxed and happy.
- Lucy had a beautiful veil and dress, but honestly, it was her whole aura that caught my breath. She was so happy and after knowing her through the year before, I know how much it meant to get to the wedding and celebrate with her family. Loved it.
what lucy & kyle loved about their celebrant wedding ceremony
I met Eleanor at a wedding fair and immediately knew she was who I wanted to officiate our ceremony. Eleanor is everything I could have wanted and more! She’s incredibly warm, kind, helpful, funny and just an all round LOVELY human! Eleanor makes sure you’re listened to, and that your ceremony is as you’d like it. From the first time we spoke, I knew that Eleanor truly cared and that came through during the entire planning process, words that she wrote, and the ceremony itself. Every guest commented on how wonderful Eleanor was: our wedding was beautiful and she was a big part of making it so.
Eleanor, I’m endlessly grateful to you, and I’m so glad we get to keep your beautiful, heartfelt and personal words forever.
All photos courtesy of Lucy and Kyle and taken by Latitude Photography
Makeup by Gillian at Gillian Rachel Elizabeth.
