Wedding Top Tips - Wedding Celebrant | Rituals Today

Elena&George-(c)Spyros Paloukis_Rosalie Celebrant_E&G.jpg — **Rituals Today -**
**Wedding Top Tips**

Here is the 11th installment of my blog series “Wedding Top Tips” and it’s all about wedding celebrants this time as I'm interviewing London based celebrant Rosalie Kuyvenhoven from Rituals Today

Tell us a bit more about your company and how it came about?

Hi there! I'm an award-winning celebrant based in London and I work nationally and internationally. In 2016, I founded Rituals Today after having careers in the academia and the corporate world. As an independent celebrant I create warm, truthful and sensitive ceremonies with a cosmopolitan touch for people of all beliefs and none.

I have always been fascinated by how people mark and celebrate important moments in their lives. I was trained as a minister, but wanted to offer my services to a wider public as nowadays, people are inspired by so many things. True love goes beyond the boundaries of traditions, identities and cultural backgrounds and it's always a privilege to learn what is important for people and to incorporate this in a personalised script.

When I work with a couple on their wedding ceremony I take them on a journey, identifying what makes their relationship meaningful, what makes their love unique, and what it means for them to get married. This typically results in a warm, moving and heartfelt event, with room for both laughter and tears. I work closely with wedding planners, photographers, venue managers and other suppliers on the day to ensure a smooth and relaxed ceremony.

I craft every ceremony from scratch and every love story is unique. It's a true privilege to capture the magic and to give this back on the day.

What has been the best or most memorable wedding you've worked on so far?

All the wedding ceremonies I have done so far have been memorable so it's really hard to choose...! I have special memories of destination weddings in Greece, Morocco, the Netherlands and France and I have done wedding ceremonies at the most amazing locations such as a boat, an art gallery, a carousel and a castle.

If I have to chose one... I have particularly fond memories of a wedding ceremony in art-deco style that took place at Eltham Palace. The guests were sitting in a circle which gave the ceremony an intimate feel. We read the little Prince, did a Chinese tea ceremony, and the couple had written the most amazing vows for each other. Everyone cold feel the love and the magic that was going around in the room! It was amazing.

What are your 2 top tips for brides and grooms to be?

1) Think what is really important for you on your wedding day and don’t do things because you think you should do them. This is YOUR day. Stay true to yourself. Decide what is important for you, and think what role the ceremony plays on the day. Not all couples realise what a profound experience a truthful wedding ceremony can be. This is your opportunity to share why you have chosen to be with this person, and what they mean to you. This is your opportunity to frame your vows in a way that truly reflects your story, and why you have chosen to build a future together. This is something you and your guests will remember forever.

2) A wedding day can put a lot of pressure on couples. On the day, it can be difficult to relax as you would like things to be perfect, and want everyone to have a great time. Acknowledge that it is completely normal to be anxious about the day, but try not to be too overwhelmed by it. Talk about it beforehand so you can plan for things you worry about. Surround yourself with people who will make sure things will run smoothly. Smile when something goes wrong (because it will!), and enjoy your day, whatever happens.

Contact - Rosalie Kuyvenhoven

Email - rosalie@ritualstoday.co.uk

Phone - 07543 063286

Website - www.ritualstoday.co.uk

Instagram - www.instagram.com/weddingrituals_today

(All photos provided by Rosalie Kuyvenhoven)