Emma + Ash | August 2022
“We were nervous about standing in front of everyone, but with Sarah leading us it felt like we were just chatting and laughing among friends. We had so many comments about how much our guests enjoyed the ceremony - all down to Sarah.”
It was such a privilege to be asked to be the celebrant at my friends’ Emma and Ash’s wedding.
At other friends’ weddings I’ve always loved to play a part, be it bridesmaid, reciting a reading or just positioning myself near the waiters so I can win at Guest Who Undoubtedly Ate the Most Canapés.
But to be the celebrant?
I was beside myself with excitement and I threw myself into creating a ceremony script that reflected the brilliant, hilarious, match-made-in-heaven couple. Love birds who had married - legally - in lockdown, exactly a year before, but had had very few guests permitted to attend. To them this date in August was their ‘real’ wedding, with everyone they loved.
A stunning bouquet in blush, cream and purple
The bride's mother helps her fasten up her wedding dress
Emma and her bridesmaids were all in white
“Sarah was so personal and put us at ease straight away. She did such an amazing job at getting to know us as a couple and put so much effort into bringing the ceremony together.
We couldn’t recommend Sarah highly enough.”
Ash and Emma’s wedding was in London’s Pembroke Lodge, a stunning white-walled Grade II listed Georgian Mansion set in the leafy, sprawling acres of Richmond Park. And as I made my way across the parched-grass paths (geekily early, keen as a button) I spotted elderly tai chi groups and wild deer roaming. What a glorious way to begin.
I was 10% nervous and 90% excited…but 100% perspiring. It was a heatwave day in the UK - summer 2022 - and I’d rented a full length lined suit (pink, of course) to look and feel as ‘celebrant-y’ as possible on this - my first celebration. I don’t mind admitting that I found a fridge of drinks and sandwiches in Pembroke Lodge café and tried to cool myself a degree or three among the prawn mayos and cheese and pickles before the guests started to arrive.
I felt for the bride…the heat was intense. But as the ceremony began she floated down the aisle looking completely resplendent. The only glow to her face was pure love, I promise.
My first ceremony and I loved every joyful second
I loved how much fun we had reading their vows and commitments
The ceremony went beautifully, with plenty of laughter and a few tears, and it felt so incredibly special to be standing at the front, playing a part in such a momentous day. I revelled in involving the assembled guests as much as possible, making sure Emma and Ash felt calm and present, and ensuring everything else - the readings, the timings, the vow renewals, the music - ran as smoothly as possible.
The bride and groom danced back down the aisle to the Baywatch theme tune and we all followed, beaming.
Cut to the drinks reception on the sun-baked terrace and I could not wipe the smile off my face. Cut to the live music on the dance floor and I could not contain the adrenaline buzzing through my body.
All photography by the talented Ellie Louise
I thought: I’ve found my calling. I want to celebrate love every day. I want to meet new people and hear their stories and play a part in their celebrations; I want this to be my job.
Forty-eight hours later I’d signed up and begun a course with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy…and I haven’t looked back.
Emma and Ash: your day was superbly fun, exquisitely beautiful and I’ll be forever grateful that the favour you asked of me turned out to be a favour you did for me.