How Wedding Ceremonies Work

And how to decide what belongs in yours.

This guide will walk you through the different bits and pieces that make up a wedding ceremony, so you can start imagining what yours could look like.

What you'll need:

  • 15–20 minutes together (phones down if you can!)

  • A cuppa, a glass of wine, or whatever helps you relax

  • A wee bit of curiosity... and maybe a biscuit if you're feeling fancy


My approach to ceremony planning

I don't believe the best ceremonies are written in a single meeting or from a list of questions fired at you over email.

The best ceremonies grow from conversations, little memories, unexpected stories and the things that make the two of you... well, you.

That's why we'll start with a few discovery questionnaires like this one. They're simply designed to get you talking, help you explore what matters most, and give me a window into your relationship before we ever sit down together.

By the time we reach our Big Planning Meeting, you'll already have done a lot of the thinking without even realising it. Instead of staring at each other wondering where to begin, we'll be chatting about the ideas you've already uncovered.

The Big Planning Meeting is where everything starts to come together. We'll spend around 90 minutes chatting through your love story, the moments that have shaped you, the people you want to include, and the atmosphere you want to create on the day. We'll talk about the ceremony itself too; how it flows, any readings or symbolic elements you're considering, your vows, music, and all the lovely little details that make it feel personal.

It's relaxed, unhurried and usually full of laughs (often with the odd "I'd completely forgotten about that!" story thrown in).

My job isn't to fit you into a ceremony template. It's to get to know you well enough to create something that feels genuine, joyful and unmistakably yours.

Think of these questionnaires as the first chapter of that story. Every answer, conversation and memory helps me create a ceremony that couldn't belong to anyone else.