Eric Gill Wedding Toastmaster & Civil Celebrant

Civil Celebrant - Weddings - Baby Namings

Eric Gill - Civil Celebrant

Wedding Ceremonies and baby blessings are just a few of the wonderful ceremonies created by a Wedding Celebrant -spoken with warmth and feeling - delivered from the heart and all with a special meaning to couples and parents wishing to have a unique celebration.

Eric Gill - The Wedding Celebrant is an Independent Celebrant offering wedding ceremonies, civil partnerships, renewal of vows, baby naming and funeral services (see www.wiltshirefuneralcelebrant.co.uk) to clients throughout the UK and abroad.

Eric, who lives in Wiltshire has added Civil Celebrant and Funeral Officiant to his portfolio after training with the Association of Independent Celebrants

He delivers a beautifully tailored wedding service which is designed to reflect the individual needs. Your individually designed ceremony can have as much religious content as you want.

Eric's 17 years in the wedding industry ranks him as one of the top toastmasters in the UK today and his wealth of experience, and the training as a celebrant enables him to deliver a ceremony to last in the memory forever.

Whether planning a formal, white wedding, affirmation or something less conventional it is important that the marrying couple really enjoy it.

Their wedding should be exactly where, when and how they want it to be.

A traditional church wedding, with ritual and religious words does not fit with everyone's outlook on life or hopes for the future.

The laws governing Register Office weddings strictly control what can be said or done. These ceremonies are designed around a standard framework. It is not currently possible to be legally married out of doors and there are limitations on time, place and content of ceremonies.

A Celebrant wedding/affirmation can take place anywhere and be designed to suit the individuals. It may be as dignified and serious as a church wedding, but with the religious element replaced by words and music that have real meaning for the couple.

They can be as romantic and creative in designing their ceremony as they wish. Celebrant ceremonies have been held in gardens, marquees, on boats, in castles, on beaches.

Many couples choose to stand facing their guests, for a more open and inclusive feeling. Couples with children can make them a part of the ceremony. No two ceremonies are the same - they can be as traditional or as unusual as suits the people marrying.

The ceremony can take any form you choose at any venue and in any style.

There are a wide range of readings, poems, songs, music and elements from many cultures that can be incorporated

Anyone can speak and many of our couples choose for close family members, fathers, sons and close friends to actively participate in the ceremony.

The vows can be whatever you wish to say and Eric can advise and guide on all aspects of the ceremony the choice is yours:

Rings

For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows.

These simple gold bands are not of great value in them selves but are made precious by our wearing of them.

Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together.

Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows,

Love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight.

Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal

Just as it is made of indestructible substance my commitment to you will never fail

With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante
and partner for life.

It is important to point out that by English Law you must have already been legally married before your 'Special' wedding ceremony takes place. After which this ceremony can take place anywhere you wish - your garden - in a Marquee or in any other grand building - your choice.

Planning Your Big Day

Eric is a friendly, experienced Celebrant who can help prepare the words to be spoken, offer advice on readings and music, and explain the many small details that help make such a big occasion a success.

He usually meets or talks with the couple several times before the wedding/affirmation, firstly to discuss ideas and answer questions, then to thoroughly plan and rehearse every aspect of the ceremony so they feel relaxed and confident of all going well.

Below he sets out how the ceremony usually unfolds:

OPENING WORDS OF THE OFFICIANT

THE GIVING IN MARRIAGE

AN OPENING PRAYER OR READING

DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE

WEDDING VOWS

SECOND READING OR SONG

EXCHANGE OF RINGS OR GIFTS

LIGHTING OF UNITY CANDLE OR OTHER UNITY CEREMONY (optional)

CLOSING

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

INTRODUCTION OF NEWLYWEDS

The Ceremony can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Thinking of hiring a toastmaster for your big day too?

Why not save money? As Eric is already at your wedding, why not engage him for his toastmaster services as well. He can meet and greet your family and guests in his red tail coat and then change for your wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony he again dons his red coat and continues as Master of Ceremonies for all the announcements and other duties of the day.

Typically, Eric's Toastmaster's fee for a Saturday is £350.00 but if you combine both these services I.E. Wedding Celebrant and Wedding Toastmaster the fees total £700.00.

Eric's package price for both services is £500.00 saving £200.00 on the overall budget.

Worth thinking about?

Baby Naming Ceremony

A naming ceremony is a lovely way of celebrating the birth of a new baby.

Many couples feel that it is appropriate to have a special occasion to celebrate the birth of a baby that can be shared with their family and friends. They can also be used to celebrate adoptive children and step children becoming part of a new family.

The event is a dignified and formal way to:

- Welcome the child into the family unit
- Announce the names that have been chosen for the child (and possibly the reasons behind the choice of names)
- Make promises and commitments to nurture and support the child through to its adult life
- Choose other adults and family members who are prepared to promise a special supportive relationship to the child

Any parent can arrange a naming ceremony, whether they are married or not and irrespective of spiritual, religious or cultural backgrounds.

The Ceremony

Eric will guide you, but he will include specially written ceremonies containing choices to make your naming ceremony unique - something that you and your family will remember.

You will be able to choose promises to make to the child, promises to make to your partner. Supporting adults and other members of the family will also be able to make promises to the child.

Poems & Readings

You can also choose from a selection of poems and readings to personalize your ceremony and can choose to present your child with a special gift to mark the occasion.

A souvenir certificate of the ceremony will be signed and presented during the ceremony.

It should be noted however that neither the naming ceremony nor any documents issued as part of the proceedings has any legal status.

The Venue

You can hold your ceremony at any suitable venue. The venue does not have to be licensed in any way, nor does it have to be local to you. Perhaps you have a hotel in mind, or maybe a favourite restaurant or a village hall.

Of course, you might prefer to hold the ceremony at home, or at a friend or relative's house Ceremonies can be held outside but there will need to be an inside room available in case of bad weather.

Basic Rules for Outside Ceremonies

It is lovely to hold the Ceremony outside, especially on a beautiful sunny day, but if you want the ceremony to be held in the Garden, there must also be a suitable room inside - a contingency plan - to hold the ceremony comfortably, if bad weather prevails and prevents this happening.

Insurance

No-one wants accidents to happen, but sometimes they do, so please ensure that your domestic insurance policy covers third party liability for any visitors to your home.

Health and Safety Issues

Sorry to preach this but in this day and age we have to be so careful.

All entrances and exits to and from the ceremony area should be clear and safe to use.

All constructions in gardens, such as marquees and gazebos should be well erected, safe and secure.

Any outside electrical equipment, e.g. lights or sound equipment must be safe and there should be no trailing wires or cables. Duck tape and purpose-made cable covers should be used and cables kept well away from walkway areas.

Renewing Your Wedding Vows

Rev. Susanna Stefanachi Macomb's wonderful quote:

"A renewal of wedding vows ceremony can be a meaningful, touching, revivifying ceremony for you and your children, family and friends. As a married couple, it is a time to pause and reflect on where you have been and where you are going. It is also a wonderful example to set for your children and grandchildren. Can you imagine a more beautiful scene than children watching their parents joining hands and hearts as they affirm the magnitude and strength of their enduring love? What greater life/love lesson? I often say at these ceremonies: 'True love does not wither or die. It merely ripens.'"

To recapture your wedding day or celebrate a special anniversary by renewing your vows can be romantic, magical, exciting and fun to do. You can renew your vows wherever and whenever you want and there is no limit on how many times you do so.

Being married for only one or seventy-five years, renewing your vows is a gesture of love and commitment to your partner.

The 'Record of Ceremony' document that you will be given afterwards is special but unfortunately can not be used as proof of identification and the ceremony itself is not legally binding. Your original wedding certificate will not be altered to show the renewal of vows ceremony took place.

You may have been married abroad and want to celebrate with family and friends who were unable to be with you during your wedding day.

It may even be that you have been through a period where your relationship had suffered and you both now want to make a fresh start by renewing your vows to each other, or you could have eloped and had no chance of sharing your happy day with your loved ones.

It could be that you never had that dream wedding you always wanted for a number of reasons or you may just be a person who loved your wedding day so much that you want to relive it again and again.

Renewing your vows is becoming more popular. Although the various churches do offer vow renewal ceremonies, couples often take this opportunity to have a more flexible ceremony and include many personal aspects of their life together.

If you're considering writing your own vows for a renewal ceremony, there are three aspects you might like to include. The first is your life together since you first made your vows to each other. What were the highlights? Buying your first home, traveling round the world, the birth of your children?

How did your partner make those experiences even more important for you? How do you specifically remember your partner at these times? What were the low points and how did you overcome them together? What did you learn about your spouse during this time?

Then look at your original vows. Do you think they have reflected your married life fairly since you made them? Which of them have you both truly kept? Which of them are you still working at?

Finally, consider your future together. What are your hopes and dreams? How does this differ from the future you envisaged when you first made your vows? What are you going to do differently from now on and what are you going to keep the same?

These are just some of the reflections, memories and aspirations that Eric will talk you through when planning your ceremony.

He will build the picture of your life together so far and speak of your dreams for the future - before you reaffirm your wedding vows.

A truly remarkable day ahead...so, what actually happens?

Marriage and civil partnerships - renewal ceremonies

Renewal ceremonies give married couples and civil partners the opportunity to renew their vows and celebrate their life together.

Every ceremony is unique and couples are encouraged to invite their friends and family to take part.

Renewal ceremonies are unique and personal events during which couples who are already legally married or who have formed a civil partnership are able to celebrate renewing their vows.

Often these ceremonies are associated with a special anniversary such as the first, 10th, 25th or 40th.

However, the ceremony is just as appropriate for couples at any stage of marriage or civil partnership, and is sometimes particularly relevant to those who have been through periods which has put a strain on their relationship - but who wish to celebrate their renewed commitment to one another.

Who are they for?

Any legally married couple or civil partners of any age can arrange a renewal of vows ceremony no matter how long they have been married or been together as civil partners.

You do not need to live in the area where you would like the ceremony to take place.

What does the ceremony contain?

The ceremony can be personalized to meet your requirements but will usually include:
- introduction and welcome
- acknowledgement of any children of the marriage or civil partnership
- reading
- renewal of vows
- rededication of rings
- giving of new rings or gifts
- words from previous guests such as the best man or bridesmaid
- further reading
- signing of certificate
- witnesses
- closing words

I will conduct your ceremony and will be more than happy to offer advice on anything you are unsure about.

By selecting the elements you would like your ceremony to contain you will be creating a unique and memorable event for both you and your guests.

Take time to ensure the options you choose have meaning for you both.

You may also want the special people in your lives, such as your children, relatives, friends and guests who attended your wedding or civil partnership to take part in the ceremony.

You will also need to ask two people to witness the signing of the certificate.

Please note that you will need to present your certificate before a ceremony can be booked.

Is there a certificate?

A souvenir certificate is signed during the ceremony by the couple and two witnesses.

How long will the ceremony last?

Renewal ceremonies usually last about 25 minutes but can take up to 35 minutes if more readings or other elements are included.

I have been married or in a civil partnership before, can I still have a ceremony?

Yes, as long as you are now legally married or in a civil partnership.

Where can the ceremony be held?

Almost anywhere, as long as health & safety rules apply.