Your Celebrant wedding ceremony in Neath…
A Celebrant wedding ceremony (in Neath or beyond!) fills your special day with your personalities and a loving vibe and sets the tone for the day of celebrations in the presence of your nearest and dearest.
As an award-winning Independent Celebrant in Neath, South Wales and beyond, I take the greatest pride in crafting a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony which is all about your love story.
I work exclusively with one couple each day, and I’ll help to design your day, slotting in with your plans and liaising with your venue and other suppliers to make your day absolutely perfect!
There’s never any rush, and you can make your day work for you – starting the party at a time to suit you. Or if an important relative is stuck in traffic – it’s ok, there is time to wait!
If someone has ruined a smoky eye through an emotional outburst, it’s ok, go and get it fixed – there is no rush.
If you are having your ceremony outside and need to dodge a rain shower to avoid walking up the aisle in soggy conditions – it’s ok, let’s give your guests another drink – the ceremony can start when the time is right for you.
Every ceremony is personalised to tell your love story and we will spend lots of time together before the special day to ensure the ceremony harmonises with all the careful choices that you have made.
And because the arrangements have been made to allow plenty of time on your side, photographers and videographers love working with Hwyl Ceremonies. They know that creativity is embraced and encouraged. And we will collectively do anything (within reason!) to ensure that you get the celebration that you deserve.
Making sure that everything is running smoothly, I take pride in collaboration with your photographer and videographer during the ceremony that everything is aesthetically pleasing.
Individuality is encouraged and including children, family and friends as part of the ceremony is embraced. This can be within the ceremony itself, or as part of wedding ceremonial elements, such as:
• Celtic hand blessing
• Ceremonies of light
• Sand blending capsules
• Making a drink together in the ceremony
(Please read on for descriptions of each of these traditions)
With every Celebrant wedding ceremony in Neath, the same energy and passion is committed to every couple, every family. You are unique and your ceremony should reflect your individuality.
I’ll ask lots of questions about your love story, suggesting participation from your wedding crew and adding surprise little touches which will make your special day even more memorable.
You can even get a bit of help to write your own intentions to one another – to guarantee a laugh and happy tear!
Renewal and reaffirmation
Many couples choose to renew or reaffirm their marriage vows. These ceremonies are very special as they allow a couple of add to their bank of memories and if there are children, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren. Everyone can participate in the celebration with special duties.
Commitment and family unity ceremonies
Blended families may wish to host a ceremony to celebrate the joining of their shared family, expanding the occasion beyond a couple’s commitment to one another. And telling the world how proud they are of their tribe! These occasions are wonderful, colourful celebrations. A playful vibe is used alongside entertainment, toys and stories to signify the importance of the children and the expression of family love.
Celebration rituals
A Celtic handblessing is an ancient custom in which the hands of the couple are bound together to symbolise the binding of two lives. The blessing of the hands ceremony has its roots in ancient Celtic tradition and dates as far back as 7000 B.C.
Traditionally, cords or ribbons are used and are weaved around the couple’s hands. Ribbons or cords can be used which tone with the wedding colours, or perhaps you could use sentimental materials – a tie, scarf or ribbon which belonged to a dearly loved family member?
Vicky will lead the Celtic handblessing, explaining the background and either laying the material over the couple’s hands, or inviting family or friends to participate. It is lovely to have a representative from each family to provide a ribbon or cord to symbolise that the couple are welcomed into each family.
The cords and ribbons are weaved around the couple’s hands with wonderful words and blessings, bonding their love. After the wedding and handblessing ceremony, Vicky will take all the elements home and weave the materials into a rosette which can be positioned in a frame and displayed in the couple’s home as a permanent reminder of their day.
This is a beautiful symbolic moment which sees a couple each take a lit candle. Whilst Vicky from explains the meaning of light and love, the couple is invited to simultaneously light a third larger unity candle – you may want to light this candle on each wedding anniversary.
Lei ceremonies, drinking from a Quaich and bread breaking (or maybe cake eating!) ceremonies are increasing in popularity. Nothing is off limits. If it works for you, and your personal customs and heritage, then it works!
A unity sand capsule ceremony is a tradition in which a couple pours sand from separate vessels into a unified, central vase or capsule. This is a gorgeous tradition which is particularly meaningful as family members or children can be involved too.
During the ceremony, everyone has their own colour sand and at appropriate points, are invited to pour their sand into the capsule. This signifies that the sands of time cannot be separate, providing a blessing of eternal love for the new couple.
Many couples display their vessels of blended sand in their homes as a reminder of their union.
Your Celebrant wedding ceremony in Neath (or Swansea or Port Talbot or Morriston!) may incorporate toast making, cocktail mixing and even joining the couple for a shot at ceremonies! You can celebrate your union with your first toast as a united couple during the service. This a is very cool and modern way of beginning the celebrations.
We can make a mojito, or Baby Guinness, or bring the gin from a distillery that has a special meaning to you. Or for the brave… tequila or sambuca?! Spicy Margs are becoming increasingly popular 🙂 The choice is yours, theme it with your wedding and your personality.
Call, text or WhatsApp: 07919 867473
Email: hello@hwylceremonies.co.uk
Instagram: hwyl_ceremonies
