Question 1

What is your advice on planning an autumn wedding?

Accepted Answer

Autumn is such a magical time to get married, the colours from changing leaves create the most beautiful backdrop for photographs for one! Incorporating those autumnal vibes into your ceremony could include dressing your ceremony space with themed florals, but why not include a handfasting braid to match? A handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition, which sees the couple's hands bound to symbolise how their lives are now bound by the promises they have made to each other. Celebrants each have their own way of performing handfastings. For me, I love to bind the couple in braids that, when released, form an infinity knot – symbolic and a beautiful keepsake! I hand-weave all the braids so incorporating autumnal colours would be no problem. Another idea to include your guests would be to place an artificial leaf and pen on each chair, during the ceremony they'll write how they feel in that moment with you before throwing them like confetti as you walk back down the aisle at the end. The leaves are then collected up for you to create a keepsake from whether that be a family tree type canvas or to simply keep them in a special box – unique, colourful and fun! Plus, your aisle confetti photos would be amazing!

Question 2

What is your advice on planning an outdoor wedding?

Accepted Answer

The first thing is to find yourself a celebrant who can create a super special ceremony to match your personalities and wedding setting. Many are very accustomed to working outdoors so will likely have some great tips and ideas to make your celebration perfect! A good idea to avoid stress on your big day is to have a plan B! The weather can be unpredictable, so think about where you could hold your ceremony if it rains, or maybe have big umbrellas on hand for your guests if you feel like braving it – we've all seen that mushy movie scene where the loved-up couple smooch in the rain, right? Most couples who choose outdoor weddings do so because they love being surrounded by nature, so when planning your ceremony consider using sustainable items such as rose petals in place of confetti and decorating with natural products like pampas grass. Super-cute favours include wildflower seeds so your guests can plant them at home and be reminded of your special day as their flowers grow – the bees will thank you too!

Question 3

Tell us how to plan a wedding sustainably.

Accepted Answer

A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a wedding where the bride and groom had put every effort into making their big day as sustainable as possible. All of the food was locally-sourced and the chefs prepared and cooked the whole menu onsite, so the fuel cost of transporting any produce was kept to a minimum, while the carbon footprint was reduced. The same principle was applied to the hire of any equipment, such as table cloths and chair covers. The plates and cutlery were all reusable, and no plastic was used at all. The centrepieces featured plant arrangements that the guests could take home and plant in their own gardens. The candles were made from soy wax, and again, loved ones were encouraged to take them home and reuse the jars. The favours were handmade soaps, created using natural ingredients and wrapped in reusable muslin bags. The reception was held in a local village hall, which was completely transformed into the most beautiful venue using fabrics and hundreds of fairylights, however I know that these elements have since been passed on and used at another four weddings and one birthday party! All of the guests were booked into local hotels and ferried to and from the venue in minibuses to reduce the number of vehicles required. So, everything was sourced within a radius of a few miles of the venue and all elements were either reusable or recycled keeping waste to an absolute minimum. This can all be achieved with reasonable ease, all that's required is a slightly different way of thinking.

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