A nature loving celebrant + my gift to you
A Lake District elopement. Image: Clare Gelderd Wedding Photography
One of the special things about Humanist wedding ceremonies is the freedom they give us when choosing a location. Many, if not most of my couples, choose to have their wedding ceremony outdoors, whether in a garden, field or woodland setting. Sure, this guarantees them AMAZING photos, but I think it’s more than that.
The benefits of being in nature are massive. Nature isn’t just a pretty backdrop, it’s a soothing, healing balm for a stressful day. It’s a cheering, uplifting space where we can be at peace. At its most simple, nature is home. So why wouldn’t you want to incorporate nature in your wedding, whether it's a big family affair or an intimate elopement?
I love conducting adventure weddings and rugged elopements where I need to bring my hiking boots and a waterproof, just in case! I’m equally thrilled when I’m invited to a campsite wedding or a garden wedding. Nature is my home.
Paddling on Ullswater in the Lake District
In my free time I love getting out in the countryside, walking with my little dog, Blue, or paddle boarding with my spouse, Iain. (I’d be keen to do a paddle board wedding - just ask!) Obviously I try to limit my impact on the environment, especially by being a vegetarian and small things like forgoing milk in my tea. We have transformed our little garden from a grey chunk of gravel to a haven for nature. Our attempts to grow veg are so-so (unless you like living off strawberries alone), but we are very good at leaving little corners unkempt so bees and other insects can thrive!
Overlooking Buttermere in the Lake District
Imagine conducting a lakeside ceremony here!
I am conscious that weddings have a bit of a rep for being environmentally unfriendly. There’s several things you can do to counter this. Lots of it is easy and cheap: flower petal confetti, collecting old jamjars or decorating tin cans for table decorations and vases, foregoing wedding favours. Choosing locally grown flowers, seasonal flowers and growing your own flowers avoids the need to fly in flowers from abroad. In normal times, the coming together of people, often from all over the world, has an unavoidable impact in terms of carbon emissions. I do believe that people coming together in celebration is really, really important, so this year I have decided that for every couple I conduct a wedding or vow renewal ceremony for, I will make a donation to the National Trust’s tree planting project. That’s one sapling for every wedding.
I love to imagine a little corner of a wood planted in honour of my couples.
Trees planted with love. That’s a wedding favour that lasts and has a positive impact!
This celebrant is happiest when surrounded by trees!
