Meg Senior Ceremonies

A N D R E W + A N D R E I A
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What a stunner of a wedding this was at Thorpe Garden AND it's been featured by the beautiful Coco Weddings Blog. Swipe for pics from the super talented Darren

If you are planning a glorious sustainable wedding with heaps of atmosphere and intentionally non-traditional nods, you NEED this inspiration in your life. Check out the blog feature!

cocoweddingvenues.co.uk/the-blog/inspiration/andrew-and-andreia/

Huuuuge thanks to .bianchi for sharing their wedding 💚

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say:

“When planning our wedding, it was important to us to create a personal day. We tried to avoid being influenced by ideas of how things should be done or what others wanted. We wanted the day to have our mark, with elements we genuinely cared about.”
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Last June, Andrew and Andreia celebrated their multicultural wedding at the enchanting Thorpe Garden in Staffordshire, complete with a humanist garden ceremony, sustainable details and a choreographed first dance!
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Head to the Blog via the link in bio to view their beautiful, bespoke day in full 💚
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Venue
Humanist Celebrant
Photographer
Flowers
Wedding Ring Workshop / Rings
Hair + Makeup
Andreia’s Dress
Andreia’s Shoes
Andrew’s Suit + Shoes
Traditional Brazilian “Bem Casados” Flavia Muckova,
Tea Towel Wedding Invitation
Dance Teacher Oya and Ed, at
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For you and your beloved, what's the most important part of your wedding?⁠
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Here's a quote from Karan Leeming (who I married in May 🥰) which got me thinking about my favourite people to work with...

"Our day was perfect and was made 1,000 times better by Meg. To us, our ceremony and commitment to each other was the most important part of our wedding and she absolutely nailed our wedding script."⁠
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I love all my couples, and one thing they tend to have in common is that their ceremony is the part of wedding they're looking forward to the most. This was the case for me and Mr Senior when we got married to.

The ceremony is the whole reason for the party, right?

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If you're planning a wedding then get in touch to check your date darlings. Especially if you feel the same as Mrs + Mr Leeming about your ceremony 🤍⁠
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Here's the link to message me: megsenior.com/contact

How do you get legally married when you have a humanist ceremony?

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At the moment couples who have a humanist wedding ceremony in England or Wales have to take an extra step to become legally married unfortunately. The reason for this is complex and annoying but the jist is that marriage law is out of date and currently discriminates against couples who aren’t religious.

We non-religious folk shouldn’t have to put up with this stupid situation. However, putting the frustrating politics to one side, it’s actually quite simple to become legally married when you have a humanist wedding ceremony. Here’s the lowdown on how to do it:

STEP ONE: Have your humanist wedding ceremony with all your loved ones gathered around you. Exchange rings (if you like), wear glamourous clothes, say your vows and revel in the loveliness of your completely personalised REAL wedding.

STEP TWO Either before or after your humanist wedding, arrange a “two and two” civil marriage ceremony at your local register office. This is a simple, short ceremony (it’s more of a glorified meeting) with you, your beloved, and two witnesses. A registrar will say the official words to recognise your partnership as a married relationship

FYI You might need to choose from a limited timetable of slots, depending on how flexible your local council is.

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Check out the link for help when you're convincing your beloved to marry you, in a humanist ceremony 😉

megsenior.com/post/3-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-humanist-wedding-ceremony

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Image was part of a shoot created by this wonderful team:

Coordinator, concept & design -
Venue -
Celebrant -
Stylist -
Florist - .olivier.blooms
Photographer -
Makeup artist -
Hair stylist -
Cake -
Model couple - .modelcouple
Stationery -
Confetti - .confetti

Bridal boutique -
Dress & veil - via
Her shoes -
Hairband & earrings - via
His suit -
His shoes -

Questions I get asked about planning an elopement...

🍂 Does an elopement wedding have to kept secret?

🍂 What happens during an elopement ceremony?

🍂 Where should we have our elopement ceremony? Where should we elope?

🍂 Can I invite guests to my elopement wedding?

🍂 How do I tell people we eloped?

For adventurous lovers there's a whole load of elopement FAQs on my blog

I’m obsessed with elopement weddings so get in touch if you're thinking of escaping somewhere special to celebrate your relationship!

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Photo credit

You've been lurking here for a while haven't you? And you're still not 100% sure who I am or why you followed in the first place?⁠
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I'm ever so sorry, let me help...⁠
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We probably met at a wedding show, or you came to a ceremony which I hosted, ring a bell?? I'm Meg Senior, humanist celebrant, Northerner and all round over-excitable people person.⁠
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My whole "thing" is creating life affirming ceremonies for couples and new parents, celebrating individuality and authenticity above all else. ⁠
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Since becoming a celebrant I've made it my mission to help people express themselves fully, and deeply connect with their loved ones during milestone moments.⁠
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Basically all this is because I believe that humans have the right to be their true, messy, unique selves. And I champion the idea that it's OK to live a life others don't understand.⁠
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Here's a wee action shot of me in all my celebrant glory at Katherine + Matthew's wedding. Swipe to see how ridiculously happy my face is on wedding days.⁠
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Photo credit: ⁠
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When your friends or family question your reasons for doing anything a little bit different for your wedding (eg a humanist ceremony) - All you have to do is trust the process.

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“Before the wedding our family and friends didn’t know the difference between a Humanist ceremony and the “traditional” Registrar ceremony. They questioned why we didn't just do it the “normal” way.

Afterwards every single guest said how beautiful the ceremony was – It was filled with love and emotion and 100% unique to us. His grandparents even said it was the best wedding they had EVER been to.”

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megsenior.com/humanist-wedding-celebrant

Why do people elope?

The answer is simple really: Elopement weddings are one of the most adventurous ways to declare that you are wildly in love with your chosen human.

They’re perfect for couples who care more about experiencing life and living it bravely, than about acquiring physical stuff like wedding gifts and having tonnes of interactions on social media from guests' wedding snaps.

As a wedding celebrant, I flipping love all types of weddings. But there’s something about the spontaneity and intimacy of elopement weddings that is radically authentic… And that makes them my favourite.

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For FAQs about planning an elopement wedding, visit megsenior.com/post/faqs-about-elopement-weddings

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Are you interested in having a celebrant-led ceremony?

Check out our latest blog post featuring the fabulous 🤍

The link can be found in our bio 🤍

Can I let you in on a secret? Whilst I love each and every couple I marry, I do sometimes very very occasionally feel a bit disappointed because people choose a reading that is so popular I (and often lots of their guests) have heard it lots of times before.

So I’ve curated a list of out-of-the-ordinary, some might say offbeat, readings for humanist wedding ceremonies. Take a peek and see if you like any for your wedding!

The main thing my 7 readings have in common is that they’re NOT the run of the mill choices. You won’t see any lovely dinosaurs or excerpts from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin on this list.

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https://www.megsenior.com/post/reading-inspiration-for-humanist-wedding-ceremonies

*Humanist celebrant suggestions for wedding ceremony readings*

Have you been asked to read at a humanist wedding ceremony and don’t know what to pick? Maybe you are getting married yourself and need inspiration for readings that will work in a humanist ceremony.

The good news is that with a humanist wedding ceremony there are no rules about what you can or can’t include. Your ceremony will be completely bespoke to you, and your celebrant will help you find readings that suit you and your outlook on life.

Basically if you’ve seen some words you like, they will almost certainly work because your ceremony is about YOU and YOU get to choose!

If you need some inspiration then check out my blog because I've collected together 7 readings which would work well at a humanist ceremony.

megsenior.com/post/reading-inspiration-for-humanist-wedding-ceremonies



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In case you're wondering what I'm up to, literally at any point over the last month and the next two, the answer is... writing a ceremony script.

There are some other practical wedding season bits and pieces going on (and actual ceremonies of course), but until all my 2023 ceremonies are written all that's on my mind is writing-writing-writing.

There's no sense in putting myself under crazy pressure to be perfect, but unfortunately my brain doesn't care about sense. I want to do justice to the personal story of every single couple and family I work with, and sometimes that's daunting.

That's why when I receive emails like this one, I'm super relieved and overjoyed and all the positive emotions all at once...

"We LOVE the script thank you so much for pulling this together for us!! We are very grateful :)"

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Just one sentence of feedback makes my day! If we've worked together or you've been a guest at a ceremony I conducted, would you mind leaving me the very kind gift of a google review? Google Meg Senior Ceremonies and the option to leave a review will pop up. Thank you lovelies.



https://g.page/r/CVA-6iVHZLc9EB0/review

An elopement in the Peak District Lewis and Imanina knew they wanted to get married, what they didn't know was how stressful it would get. Their solution? A beautiful outdoor elopement in Derbyshire.

If you’re planning a wedding and have found yourself getting stuck on the ceremony section because of one of the reasons below, you might have worked out that the answer is to have an alternative wedding ceremony.

IF...
- You’re not religious so it doesn’t feel right to have a religious service

- The idea of a bog-standard registrar ceremony doesn’t fit in with how glorious the rest of your wedding day will be

- You’ve personally sat through boring wedding ceremonies and don’t want yours to be like that

THEN...
You don't want a civil ceremony with a registrar, and you don't want a religious service, but you DO want something more meaningful and altogether more FUN.

But where to start in planning such a thing? Well megsenior.com of course! Check out megsenior.com/post/3-non-religious-wedding-ceremony-ideas for help

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Nergal hasn't made it to social media for a while, and yesterday was Bring Your Dog To Work Day so here he is in all his cuteness.

If you aren't a dog person, then I do apologise (and I politely encourage you to keep looking for a celebrant, because I AM a dog person).

Let me take this opportunity to publicly say you are ALWAYS welcome to send me photos of your pets. If you're enquiring about a wedding, DM a little snap of you as a family. If we're wedding friends, ping across a wee pic of your furry colleagues every now and again.

If you adore animals then I think we should be friends, so do get in touch 🐶

My ultimate guide to involving your dog in your wedding is online NOW 😊 megsenior.com/post/how-to-involve-your-dog-in-your-wedding-the-ultimate-guide-for-celebrant-weddings

**3 non-religious wedding ceremony ideas**

💜 Elope, just the two of you
💜 Ask your friend to marry you (yes like Joey did in friends 🙄 but it might actually be cool)
💜 Have a celebrant wedding

Deep dive into non-religious wedding ceremony alternatives at megsenior.com/post/3-non-religious-wedding-ceremony-ideas

[To explain the pic - I am handing Andrew some whisky to share with his beloved Bethan during their wedding ceremony.]

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Venue:
Couple: The Fowlers

**How to get the most out of your celebrant wedding.**

My number one top tip for making the most of your celebrant wedding…

BE YOURSELVES

Ah yes that old chestnut. But seriously it's important to be your wonderful selves. Part of my job is giving you different options and ideas for your ceremony, but I don’t have any expectations about what you choose (nor any judgement on what you don’t). Authenticity and individuality are so important so let's celebrate those, instead of prioritising what you feel like you should do, or what you think others want you to do.

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I've written a little "how to" guide for making the most of your celebrant wedding planning experience, so wiggle over to megsenior.com to read more.

megsenior.com/post/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-celebrant-wedding

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A celebrant wedding is likely to cost more than a civil ceremony. Is it worth it?⁠
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Working with a celebrant is, undoubtedly, an investment. It's also a total joy, the experience of a lifetime, and the best way to celebrate your love (IMHO!)⁠
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You're not just two names celebrating a piece of paper, but *two living, breathing people celebrating your lives together.* And of course you want a ceremony which honours that.⁠
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So a celebrant wedding is totally worth it!⁠
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Check out megsenior.com for how to get the most out of your experience.⁠
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Photo credit lumierephotographic⁠
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Questions parents ask me about godparents at non-religious naming alternatives to Christenings:

🫥 What should we call godparents at a naming ceremony?

🫥 What do godparents do in a naming ceremony?

🫥 Do we have to have godparents for a naming ceremony?

🫥 Who should we ask to be non-religious godparents?

Find the answers at megsenior.com

megsenior.com/post/godparent-alternatives-for-naming-ceremonies

Have I missed anything? What do you want to know about planning a naming ceremony for your little human?

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Q: Can we have godparents at a naming ceremony?

A: YES. As a humanist celebrant I conduct naming ceremonies for all types of families, and I can confirm that parents are totally welcome to appoint other grown-ups to have a unique role in their children’s lives.

That may have been the simple answer you were looking for, in which case HURRAH (and do get in touch if you need a humanist celebrant 😉). On the other hand you could check out my latest blog post which answers more common questions which parents have about naming ceremonies.

megsenior.com/post/godparent-alternatives-for-naming-ceremonies

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Happy first wedding anniversary to these two legends!

I'm so lucky to learn something about love, life and relationships from each couple I get to marry.

Nick and Naomi - You taught me that appreciating one another in everyday life is just as important as making big romantic gestures. MORE important in fact.



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I hate being controversial but...

YOU CAN ONLY HAVE A FULLY PERSONALISED CEREMONY WITH A CELEBRANT.

If you’re not planning on a celebrant ceremony for your alternative wedding then you’ll need to ask your cultural or religious leader what’s possible in terms of personalisation.

Or if you’re keeping it strictly legal then ask your registrar, but be aware that there are very limited personalisation options with a civil ceremony. I guess if you’re feeling devious, you could try to sneak some special details in without the registrar noticing??

But if you want a truly bespoke ceremony which is more about you as a couple, than about the institution of marriage, then I've got to be honest - You need a celebrant. In fact, maybe you need me?! Drop me an enquiry to check availability for your wedding date.

megsenior.com/contact

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Photo credits
Venue:
Photographer:
Stationery:
Florist & styling:
Cake:
Models:
Dress:
Hair:
MUA:
Celebrant:
Furniture & Props:
Embroidered jackets:
Veil:
Bridesmaids: & Olivia
Grooms outfit: Jacket T-shirt & sweatpants:

Q: What is the best thing about a celebrant wedding?

A: There are so many ways to personalise your ceremony!

To help you choose what to include to make your ceremony hella fun and memorable, I've written a blog post for you (you're welcome!)

megsenior.com/post/ten-ways-to-personalise-your-alternative-wedding

Every idea on this list can be tailored to better fit you as a couple. You can absolutely set your imagination free and create a brand new tradition if that tickles your fancy. Think of it as a starting point for you and your beloved to chat about what sounds fun and meaningful for you.

Have a read and let me know what you think! Add your ideas in the comments too 🖤

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Photo credits:
Concept + Celebrant
Photographer
Videographer
Planner + Styling
Venue
Florals
Stationer
Bridal outfits
Models
Hair .mbridal
Mua .dm
Cake .bit.of.heaven
Veil bows
Shoes
Jewellery / models’ own
Ribbon
Confetti .confetti

You’re planning a non-traditional wedding and you want your ceremony to be memorable? Well of course you do!

Here's ten ways to personalise your alternative wedding. My gift to you!

https://www.megsenior.com/post/ten-ways-to-personalise-your-alternative-wedding

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Photography – Tiptoe With Eve ⁠
Venue - Cannon Hall ⁠
Concept – Charlotte Mason / Barnsley Museums ⁠
Wedding gowns – The White Yard ⁠
Suit – Tweed and Groom ⁠
Florals – The Little Flower Hut ⁠
Celebrant – Meg Senior ⁠
Real couple – Helen + David and ⁠
Stylist – Emily K Weddings ⁠
Hair – Hair by Jorja ⁠
Makeup – Rebecca Asquith ⁠
Ribbon – Laik Style ⁠
Lighting and candles – Event Light and Sound

Here is a snap from sisters Norah and Esther's naming ceremony, which was held at the beautifully quirky Over The Rainbow café in Rotherham.

This super cool café is a magical environment for children, with its fluffy clouds hanging from the ceiling and sparkly emerald-city inspired loo.

It's such a memorable setting and that's why it's made it onto my round up of the best naming ceremony venues in South Yorkshire. Check out the full list here

https://www.megsenior.com/post/the-best-naming-ceremony-venues-in-south-yorkshire

*Wedding inspiration*

Wiggle over to Boho Weddings and soak in the inspiration from this sumptuous photo shoot. Not only do the photos show off Cannon Hall which is a gem of a venue, they are also full of florals, decor, gowns and suits to lust after.

I'm so pleased to see this shoot featured by because the team who put it together worked so hard to bring it to life (including travelling through snow and floods to reach the venue in the winter!)

www.boho-weddings.com/239369/sumptuous-boho-elegance-with-a-hint-of-hipster/

Photography – Tiptoe With Eve
Venue - Cannon Hall
Concept – Charlotte Mason / Barnsley Museums
Wedding gowns – The White Yard
Suit – Tweed and Groom
Florals – The Little Flower Hut
Celebrant – Meg Senior
Real couple – Helen + David and
Stylist – Emily K Weddings
Hair – Hair by Jorja
Makeup – Rebecca Asquith
Ribbon – Laik Style
Lighting and candles – Event Light and Sound