Country Wedding Fayre in Selbourne

A huge thanks to everyone who braved the good old British weather yesterday to join us at Gilbert White + Oates Collections in Selbourne for their annual Wedding Fayre. The weather gods may have been against us but it certainly didn’t dampen our spirits!

I had fun meeting and greeting many couples and families looking for wedding inspiration. Each had their own story to share and it would be a honour to be able to weave those stories into wedding ceremonies in the future. The event organisers had asked me to conduct two ‘mock’ weddings where we were able to show off some great dresses and suits, share some poetry and listen to the incredible voice of singer Tobiah – as well as share a little about what is involved in a celebrant-led wedding. I loved collaborating with others as well as learning to ‘go with the flow’ and deal with the unpredictable – which can sometimes happen at real weddings! We had planned on doing a handfasting ceremony underneath the 280 year old oak tree in the garden but it was far to cold in the end. So within minutes we moved the ceremony indoors to the parlour room in the main house….together with a model of a rather petite Gilbert White…he made a great best man! And I think we were all grateful to be somewhere warm for a few minutes! 

I also enjoyed networking and connecting with the many wedding suppliers who were there. Each had been carefully selected for their exceptional passion for and excellence in their craft. And, each was selected in order to compliment the unique setting. From vintage wedding and bridesmaids dresses to straw bail hire, from florists to incredible cake makers and from make up artists to a fabulous vintage VW camper van – there was so much to explore. Personally, I really enjoyed getting to know the other suppliers, sharing tips and learning about how to create some buzz at these sorts of events. 

Some wedding events these days can feel overly ‘corporate.’ But this one was small, relaxed and intimate enough to create the right conditions for great conversations. I hope to be back next year! A big thanks to Amanda, Hannah and the team at BWOC for organising a great day! And special thanks to my long suffering husband – Matt – for helping me set up and clean up!

Interested in learning more about what is involved in a celebrant-led wedding? Well give me a call! I’d love to have a chat about your hopes and dreams for your day…your way!