A beautiful autumn wedding

Chloe and Paul’s wedding took place on a beautiful day at the beginning of October. I became involved when I was contacted by Patricia Harrison from Gift of a Wedding to tell me that Chloe had been told that her illness had progressed, Chloe’s Dad suggested that they get married which is when Gift of a Wedding stepped in to help. Gift of a wedding are a charity who gift wedding services to people who have a terminal or life-shortening illness. They do this by bringing together wedding professionals who are willing donate their services for free.

Chloe and Paul wanted an outdoor wedding and as many couples do they decided to do the legal bit in a quick signing at the Registry Office and have a celebrant for a personalised, more meaningful ceremony.

When Patricia asked me I was more than happy to offer my services for free because I support Gift of a Wedding and what they stand for but also because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to have the wedding ceremony of their dreams, a ceremony that is personal and meaningful, whatever their circumstances.

“It was an honour and a pleasure to plan Chloe and Paul’s wedding. We’re delighted that we were able to fulfill their wedding dream and create some wonderful memories for their family and friends”

Patricia Harrison – Gift of a Wedding

Creating their ceremony

When I met with Chloe and Paul and their dogs Henry & Buddy for the first time in their lovely home, Chloe told me that she had always wanted a vintage/rustic wedding, we talked through their thoughts and wishes for their special day, I explained about symbolic ceremonies and the couple decided that they would like to have a candle lit at the beginning of their ceremony to honour and symbolise the presence of Chloe’s Mum Jan who had passed away in 2006.

Paul liked the sound of the handfasting ceremony. In the hand-fasting ritual, the couple’s hands are bound, to symbolise their lives being joined together. It is an old Celtic tradition and is where the saying tying the knot came from. The handfasting cord itself was symbolic I made it for them and sourced the Buchanan Tartan in homage to Paul’s Scottish heritage, and also wove in the pastel colours that Chloe wanted in her ceremony, pink for unconditional love and nurturing, and green for balance and harmony, I also wove through it a golden thread to symbolise the quality of their love for everyone who was sharing their day with them.

A wonderful wedding under nature’s canopy

So the day dawned and I set out on the drive to Wales, it couldn’t have been more perfect, blue skies and such a beautiful setting, Broncoed Uchaf in the Flintshire countryside is stunning and the perfect setting for Chloe and Paul’s wedding ceremony, all of the suppliers worked so hard to make every detail of their day perfect for them.

You could almost feel the crackle of excitement as the guests waited under a beautiful copper Beech Tree, Paul was very handsome (and a little nervous) standing shoulder to shoulder with his best man Chris as they waited for Chloe to arrive, and she made a stunning bride walking down the aisle of autumn leaves to the music ‘One Day like this’ with her Dad, following her gorgeous bridesmaids and Buddy and Henry too! Paul was so proud to be standing there with Chloe by his side.

the candle was lit, it’s warm glow a reminder of her Mother’s love, her dad gave her away and Chloe’s brother Richard opened the ceremony by reading a poem for them,

These I Can Promise

by Mark Twain

I cannot promise you a life of sunshine; 
I cannot promise you riches, wealth or gold; 
I cannot promise you an easy pathway 
That leads away from change or growing old. 

But I can promise all my heart’s devotion; 
A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow. 
A love that’s true and ever growing; 
A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow.

The couple and their guests were touched and amused to hear their personal story after which, completely lost in each other they spoke their vows to one another and exchanged rings, time for another poem and then finally with their eyes locked, and hands linked, I bound their hands in a beautiful binding of love and total commitment.

Congratulations!

The guests cheered their congratulations as they walked back down the aisle as Mr & Mrs Tibbott, surrounded by the love of their family and friends, a truly lovely couple who will always hold a special place in my heart

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in)

by e.e. cummings

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)

I am never without it

(anywhere I go you go my dear; and whatever is done by only me  is your doing, my darling)
I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)

I want no world (for beautiful, you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing, is you…

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky

of a tree called life;

which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

Check out this video of their big day – by Barry Davies at creative Videos

Kind Words

Thank you so much again for everything, it was so beautiful and lots of people have said to me how much they enjoyed the actual ceremony, Chloe and Paul

The rest of the team who gave their time, skills, services & creativity

to make Chloe & Paul’s perfect wedding day are…

Gift of a Wedding

Lottie Elizabeth Photography

Claire Basiuk Photography

Broncoed Uchaf

Creative Video’s

The Jolly Good Vintage Company,

Cambridge Event Bars,

All Undercover Marquee Ltd,

Fodder in the Field,

Di Shackson Flowers,

Cheshire Cat Cake Company,

The Flower Room Monton,

Ultimate Hair ltd,

Lovelies Delights,

Lottie Elizabeth Photography,

Wirral Tool Hire Mold.

The Owain Glyndwr Inn

Music was by a group of musicians brought together by Amy Chalmers

About the Author

Liz Thompson is a Civil Celebrant based in Manchester in the UK and working across the North West of England, Liz creates unique and personal ceremonies and services for life events such as Weddings, Civil Partnerships, Baby naming, Vow Renewal and many more

You only get one chance to have your ceremony and as ours is not yet a regulated profession anyone can call themselves a Celebrant. Any professionally trained Celebrant will be more than happy for you to check that they are qualified to do the job.  I trained with The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants, see my About Liz page for more information.