Here in the UK, we are fairly limited when it comes to what we can do on our wedding day and how we actually tie the knot. Legally that is. What I mean is, there are several laws in place that restrict where you can actually marry, and how, and at what time {a formal wedding ceremony that legally binds you together as man and wife for example, can only take place in a local authority approved venue}.
But what for those couples who want to do something much more personal, something that is truly meaningful to them both? The whole issue of being able to marry 'anytime and anywhere' has been highlighted recently by 'The Any Campaign' and with the meteoric rise of popularity in wedding blogs, and the insight into all the amazinzg outdoor weddings in America and beyond, more and more couples in the UK are being inspired, and wanting to do things differently. To have a wedding formatted in a way that really truly means something to them, not that just ticks all the legal requirement boxes.
Ever considered getting married in a sun-filled field? Want to tie the knot on the beach beside the seaside, or that special place in the countryside where you used to take strolls when you first started courting? What about that hand-fasting ceremony in the woods you have always fantasised about? There *IS* a solution, and it comes by the name of One Life Ceremonies.
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Mark Tierney
One Life Ceremonies was established in 2008 by the Mother/Daughter team of Maria and Laurra Nalty. Together, Maria and Laurra work to provide an extremely personal service for couples wishing to tie the knot with a very personal style ceremony. Here Laurra tells us more about how it all works and how they can help…
"One Life Ceremonies grew from a simple idea – ‘there has to be more to it than this…’ we felt we could offer another option beyond a church or Registrar wedding, one that allowed couples to have exactly the wedding ceremony that they want, without any restrictions over what it can include and where it can be held.
We create all different sorts of weddings from the very simple (akin to what a Registrar may deliver) through to incredibly personal celebrations and weddings that include religion or traditions from different cultures such as hand-fasting where the couple’s hands are bound with cords -literally ‘tying the knot.’…"
One Life Weddings are not ‘alternative’ they are just very personal yet ‘weddingy’ enough to satisfy even the most traditional of guests. All of the elements you’d expect are there; readings, wedding vows, exchange of rings, first kiss, but it is the content that makes them really individual. We offer absolute freedom over the words, vows and readings that are made and each ceremony is written individually. Many couples also choose to include words about their relationship and it’s the way that we capture their story and their feelings in words that make our ceremonies stand apart.
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Olivia Brabbs
The couples we work with can also include their own wedding vows, which is the perfect chance to express their undying love and tell their hubby/wife-to-be what they really mean to them. Saying their own vows means the words and commitments are more relevant and have more meaning because they are unique to them and their relationship…
Of course writing your own vows can be pretty nerve-wracking, putting pen to paper and expressing your emotions knowing that you then have to say them in front of your family and friends! For this reason we often help couples to write their wedding vows, most know what they want to say but aren’t sure how to word it, so the questions we ask during our meeting help to elicit the words, thoughts and feelings that contribute to their personal vows.
The best thing about a One Life Wedding Ceremony is that it can be held absolutely anywhere! So if you dream of having an outdoor wedding or a wedding in an unusual or unlicensed venue such as a marquee or Papakata tent now you can!
Because we are are not Registrars the legal marriage remains separate. Marriage itself is a formal procedure in which a set of standard statements must be made and a Register signed, these are the only rules and you can go along with your two witnesses a day or two before or on the day of your wedding itself to complete the legal documents, then you are free to have your wedding wherever you want! We have a guide to doing it here.
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Laura Kleinhenz
We have conducted weddings in marquees, tipis, parks and on farms, our indoor venues include stunning stately homes, hotels, museums and art galleries and next year we have a very special outdoor wedding in a cave! We also work with Danby Castle Events and The Fine and Funky Events Company creating Backyard Weddings, a fantastic concept that bring your whole wedding to your garden!
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Altered Images Photography
We are recommend by some of the UK’s top wedding planners, venues and events companies – building these relationships is of utmost importance to us and we are always keen to hear from new venues and wedding businesses who share our ethos. We love our work and it’s so exciting to be part of a couple’s big day, knowing that we have contributed in some way to creating their dream wedding!
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Altered Images Photography
We are based in Yorkshire and cover the North of England including Lancashire, Derbyshire, County Durham and Cumbria. We are also happy to travel further on request.
To find out more or to ask Maria or Laurra from One Life Ceremonies a question about planning your wedding ceremony you can visit the One Life Ceremonies website, email [email protected] or telephone (0113) 868 0072. You can also follow the One Life Ceremonies Blog.
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I'd LOVE to receive your feedback on this one. Some questions….
* Are you planning to marry in a registry office and then have an officiant perform a much more personal wedding ceremony after this?
* Any of you planning to have the ceremony outside?
* Have any of you already been married and had a tailored wedding ceremony?
I look forward to reading through your comments 🙂
Much love all,
Annabel xXx
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Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
