With so many amazing options out there for how to run your wedding day, we have teamed up with celebrant Jacqui Harding from Ceremony by Design to bring you ideas on creating a ceremony that’s just right for you.

Jacqui has hosted an array of ceremonies, both online and in person including weddings, handfasting, mother blessings and funerals, so keep scrolling to read her six reasons why you may like to consider booking a celebrant.

Hi, I’m Jacqui and I’m an independent celebrant. Whether you are considering Gloucester Blackfriars for your wedding, vow-renewal, delayed wedding reception or any other celebration, it is a unique and historic venue, with lots of flexibility for ceremony locations.

Blackfriars Priory is a registered venue, which means that a registrar can register your marriage here. At the moment, the registration service is, understandably, incredibly busy. Co-ordinating availability for both the venue and the registrar can be difficult. Which is where a celebrant can help.

What even is a celebrant? And why should you book one? here are 6 reasons why!

One

With a celebrant-led wedding, you are not tied to the day or time a registrar is available. If the only time you can get a registrar appointment is 10 am on a Tuesday – no problem! You can do your legal registration then and have your actual wedding celebration, led by your celebrant here at Blackfriars priory, on the date and time that suits you.

Two

A celebrant will write a wedding ceremony just for you. We don’t start with a pre-written standard script with clickable options – we start from scratch. Your celebrant will meet you both, get to know you, and will write a ceremony that is designed to match you as a couple. Do you want your ceremony to be a showstopper with humour, audience participation, and lots of mini-ceremonies (or rituals) that look amazing in photos? Or maybe you want heart-melting romance and tenderness? Maybe you’re uncomfortable with wearing your heart on your sleeve, but want a simple, personal ceremony that demonstrates your commitment without being soppy? A celebrant can help you to make your ceremony the heart of your wedding day.

Three

With a celebrant, you get peace of mind. A registrar coming to a venue has a schedule to keep. They have several weddings to do, and you can’t afford to run late. I, and most other celebrants, will only be doing your ceremony that day – so if you want to run early or late, it’s no problem. It can also be very reassuring to have someone you know and trust up in front of everyone else with you. I’ve got your back, and you can just relax!

four

Do you want to write your own vows? Good! I can give you tips, or can work with you individually to write authentic, touching, funny, sweet vows that are authentically you. I’ll also make sure that one person doesn’t write an entire page while the other writes three sentences!

five

Do you have different religious beliefs? As an independent, heart-led celebrant, I can blend elements from both of your beliefs into the ceremony, whether you follow organised religions, no religion, or your own spiritual path. Some celebrants are also faith based, or are trained in a belief system, such as the Humanist society.

six

Celebrants do not have prescribed wording and time limits to work to - so why not make the most of your ceremony? Put the same amount of care into the heart of your day as you do into choosing the venue, your photographer, what you’ll wear, your flowers, the table settings and all the other things that are important to you on your wedding day.