The celebrant wedding planning process with Maddie and Dan

Planning a wedding ceremony with a celebrant can be one of the most rewarding experiences as you prepare for your wedding day. Maddie and Dan’s beautiful ceremony at Branches Park, in April 2025, is a perfect example. Read on to find out more about the journey we went on together, the celebrant wedding planning process, from our first chat to their unforgettable wedding ceremony drenched in glorious spring sunshine.

The First Connection: Meeting at the Newmarket Wedding Show

I first met Maddie at the Newmarket Wedding Show. There, we had a brilliant chat about what a celebrant-led ceremony could bring to their big day. Many couples now want that personalisation and freedom of content that they can have with a celebrant. Maddie loved the idea of being able to have a lot of input and full control over their ceremony. This is so different from having a ceremony that sounds just like everyone else’s!  It matters hugely to a lot of couples that their wedding ceremony is a personal reflection of them both. They really want a ceremony built around them and their love story, representing their values, hopes and aspirations too!

Shortly afterwards, I arranged a no-obligation Zoom meeting with Maddie and Dan. This gave us all a chance to talk through their ideas so far. They could both feel confident that I was the right celebrant for them. Happily, they decided to go ahead and booked me to guide them through their big day!

Exploring the Venue: Branches Park Near Newmarket

Branches Park is a stunning new wedding venue in rural Suffolk. It’s situated close to the towns of Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds. It’s beautifully presented throughout, designed for couples who want a truly exceptional wedding day experience. I made several visits in the run-up to Maddie and Dan’s wedding to familiarise myself with the space, plan how the ceremony would flow, and meet the venue’s planners so that everything would come together seamlessly on the day.

Taking a Breath Before the Planning Kicks In

With their date secured and the deposit paid, Maddie and Dan could relax a little. I always encourage couples not to rush the ceremony planning too far ahead. In those early months they still have so many new experiences to share, which can shape how they want their love story to be told.

Six Months to Go: The Celebrant Wedding Planning Process Begins

Around six months before the wedding, I reached out to Maddie and Dan to get the creative ball rolling. I sent them my questionnaire, which is such an important tool! I use it to gather all the details they’d like me to know about their relationship. We discuss the plans they have in place already, and who they want to include in their wedding party. This helps me create the first draft of a ceremony that truly reflects them both, their values and ideals.

We also discussed symbolic elements they might want to include, along with readings, music choices, and any special roles for friends and family. This is where the magic begins as I weave together all of their ideas into a ceremony script that sets the perfect vibe for their wedding day.  Maddie and Dan, after reflecting on the style of ceremony they really wanted to have, chose to have a surprise ring-bearer on the day. This was such a fun element which brought all of their guests together in that moment. 

A certificate signing too, with their mums standing beside them, was another special element added to personalise their ceremony fully.

The Creative Process: Drafts and Discussions

After sending over their first draft, we scheduled another meeting to fine-tune every detail. There are always lots of ideas and options to explore, and this is such a lovely part of the celebrant-led ceremony process. It builds something unique and authentic that fits with the couple perfectly: a ceremony that’s truly ‘them’!

Maddie and Dan were delighted with their ceremony and I made any updates they wanted me to. Following this, the next payment stage was completed, with the final balance due a month before the wedding itself. Meanwhile, I got to work rehearsing, refining, and making sure every vow, reading, and symbolic element was ready for the big day!

Final Checks and Preparations

The week before the wedding, I checked in with Maddie and Dan to confirm timings and run through any last-minute changes with them. On the day itself, I arrived early at Branches Park to make sure everything was in place. I liaised with the planners and photographers to make sure the ceremony flowed beautifully. In this way, Maddie and Dan made sure to get all those special shots they wanted!

The Big Day at Branches Park

April weather can be unpredictable, but Maddie and Dan were blessed with warm sunshine that made their wedding day truly glow. Their guests were full of joy at the occasion. Several of them came to talk with me afterwards saying how much they had enjoyed the ceremony! It was such a privilege to share in their happiness.

I always love to add special extras for my couples, like a boxed keepsake script, a certificate, personalised vow booklets matching their colour scheme. I even tailor what I wear to complement their palette. A little gift too, to help them feel looked after beyond the day itself, adds that personal celebrant touch.

Maddie and Dan were so pleased with their personalised and meaningful ceremony. It means the world to me to know they were so happy!

“Susan is an amazing Celebrant. We had many comments on the day, saying how our ceremony was the best that many people have been to and that Susan’s delivery was warm. We have absolutely loved having her as part of our wedding planning journey and would recommend to any newly engaged couples to think about having a celebrant! Especially Susan!”

A heartfelt thank you to Maddie and Dan for choosing me as their celebrant. Their love, warmth, and positivity were infectious! I want to wish them both all of my love and best wishes for their very bright future together!

Ready to Begin Planning Your Own Celebrant-Led Wedding Ceremony?

If you’d love to have a wedding ceremony as personal, heartfelt, and unique as Maddie and Dan’s, I’d be delighted to chat with you about how we can make it happen. Please get in touch to arrange a no-obligation meeting. Let’s begin the celebrant wedding planning process, creating the ceremony of your dreams together.

Contact me today to get started!  You’ll find my calendar link here and my contact page here!          

Credits:

Venue:  Branches Park Wedding Venue, part of Unique Norfolk Venues
Photography:  Heather Jackson Photography
Branches Park Photos – Celebrant’s own
Florist:  Violet & Flo
Newmarket Wedding Show