Guest blog with Gill from Unfurl Photography as we share our love of outdoor intimate ceremonies.

Photo credit: Unfurl Photography

When we think about our perfect wedding I wonder what springs to mind. Is it classic and traditional or something more unique and original? Do you picture yourselves inside a grand venue with beautiful art or outdoors with the sun on your face and bird song in the background? Whatever you choose, always be true to yourself. What I love about being a celebrant is empowering couples to create a wedding ceremony that is more them, truly free from the belief you must do it this way and this way only. The most incredible ceremonies happen when you are authentic to yourself.

Late last Summer I was honoured to take a different kind of booking. A rather special secret ceremony to be delivered within three weeks. A remarkable ceremony which celebrated a couple as unique individuals in togetherness. One of the many reasons this ceremony was so remarkable was there was no one other than us there to witness the wedding, just us three. No guests. No wedding party. No venue or after-party. Just the happy couple and me there to lead the wedding ceremony and share in the glory of what was unfolding.

I've never seen anything more magical and magnificent. M&L choose to hold their ceremony in a woods close to where they live. Being outdoors and surrounded in the sights and sounds of nature gave the couple a grounding and spiritual connection to the elements. On one of their many walks in a treasured place, they had found the perfect location for a ceremony a sweet spot near a stream right beside two trees growing from one root, the very symbol of unity.

With the canopy of trees protecting us the ceremony opened with the couple's favourite song Roberta Flack's The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. As the song played M&L relaxed and the nerves dispelled.

I believe the universe sends us exactly what we're ready for when you're in a place where everything feels right the only thing you need is each other. At its essence the ceremony celebrated vulnerability. For love to exist we each allow the vulnerability of giving love to another and be open to receiving another's love in return. Therefore we become powerful creators of our love. Every moment of every day, we make the choice to dedicate ourselves to one another.

M&L choose to recognise their different faiths and beliefs by each having space and time within the ceremony to do so. There shared values of integrity and honesty framed their passionate belief in twin flames. A deep spiritual soul mate union. To bring to life what that means to the couple we created symbolic moments captured in a handfasting. The very act of tying the knot to symbolise an everlasting union. With colourful cords chosen to represent the four elements promises were made as each cord was laid across their hands binding their union to each other for eternity.

The beauty of a handfasting ritual is it's personal meaning to the couple. From choosing the cords you use to the knots that will bind you. With some thought you can create a truly breathtaking moment that you'll remember forever. I found the perfect poem by Sir Edwin Arnold spoken before the couple pledged their personal vows on an oathing stone.

Somewhere by Sir Edwin Arnold

Somewhere there waiteth in this world of ours

For one lone soul another lonely soul,

Each chasing each through all the weary hours,

And meeting strangely at one sudden goal,

Then blend they - like green leaves with golden flowers,

Into one beautiful and perfect whole;

And life's long night is ended, and the way

Lies open onward to eternal day.

As the last vow was spoken we paused to allow for the couple to soak it all in. To listen to the sounds around them and enjoy being in this space of love. The new energy was entering their lives, changes are happening, things are getting better, everything is aligning. Sitting in silence and acknowledging this is a powerful thing.

One of my favourite moments in any ceremony is the exchange of rings. I think it might be because my husband and I didn't do this in our ceremony I can now live out my ring exchange dreams through others.

The ultimate purpose of gifting a ring is to serve as a lasting reminder of the vows spoken. It reminds us that precious metal came from the ground as a rough ore and was heated and purified, shaped and polished. Something beautiful was made from raw elements. Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, made by imperfect beings.

So please remember you don't always need a plan or to fulfil any expectations other than your own on your wedding day. You just need to breathe, trust what's in your heart and let go, as something beautifully rare can happen.

Pure joy!

About Gill from Unfurl Photography

I am Gillian Haves: Photographer in Newcastle, Northumberland, and beyond. I work with people who embrace life and all the little adventures it can bring. Being an imaginative photographer, I can guide your goals for creating images that hold the memories, not just of what you see, but of what you feel. My aim is to bring authenticity and enjoyment to a shoot so you can have extraordinary storytelling photography that unlocks and unfurls the story and beauty of the moments, big and small, you wish to capture.

Contact Gill here www.unfurlphotography.co.uk