Words of wonder

The words spoken at wedding ceremonies should put people in touch with their feelings and offer hope, joy and inspiration. It’s a tall order. But that’s

where a tip-top Celebrant comes in…

From pagan incantations to the self-penned wedding vows of modern marriages, words have always been central to ceremonies. Because whether it is a religious text read at a Church of England wedding, or a Steampunk poem recited at a Celebrant-led ceremony in a field, what we SAY at these milestone moments is important. Reflecting hopes, underlining promises, celebrating love or proclaiming faith – we choose the words spoken at wedding ceremonies with care.

Or we certainly should do. Because as author and teacher Yehuda Berg said: ‘Words are

singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. Words have energy and power

with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.’

An accomplished Celebrant is good with words; the choosing of them, the crafting of them and delivering them. But, more than that, Celebrants are (usually) instinctive with words.

They know how to match poetry to people, not just to an occasion. With an encyclopaedic

knowledge of quotations, prose and verse, they also know just how to put into succinct and heartfelt words the most rambling thoughts and anecdotes of their couples.

In short, when you look for a Celebrant, don’t forget to explore their skill with the quill (and yes; musical theatre lovers, that IS a lyric a borrowed from Hamilton!).

One of the most rewarding accolades I can ever hope for is appreciation for the script I

create. Knowing that I have understood the people involved and put together a ceremony

that fits them perfectly means so much.

More, in fact, than words can ever say.

Top Tips for Ceremony Words

• Song lyrics instead of traditional poetry can work brilliantly at all types of

ceremonies. If you and your Celebrant are struggling to find the right rhyme, try

turning to your perfect playlist.

• Quality over quantity. A short and sweet but beautifully apt paragraph or verse will

‘say’ more than an epic ode that has been chosen simply because it is popular or

appropriate to the occasion.

• Heartfelt trumps literary prowess. Words need to mean something to those at the

centre of the ceremony. For some people Shakespeare equals bored, not bard. Don’t

try to impress anyone – choose words that really resonate.

• If you want to write something for your Celebrant to read out, take advantage of

their expertise and ask them to proof it for you. The same goes for wedding vows.

• Ceremonies tell stories. Make sure that your Celebrant applies the ‘beginning,

middle and end’ rule.

• Remember this advice from Lawyer and former Associate Justice of the Supreme

Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg about words creating pictures: ‘My

professor of European literature changed the way I read and the way I write. Words

could paint pictures, I learned from him. Choosing the right word, and the right word

order, he illustrated, could make an enormous difference in conveying an image or an

idea.’

If you can’t put into words what it is you’re trying to say, quote someone who can.

I’ve used three separate quotes in this blog to make various points, all of them

saying what I wanted to express – only better!

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