weddings
Jo Hastings Photography
your big day. your way.
Helping you have the perfect day with beautiful celebrant-led weddings throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands.
delivering the spectacular!
Cashito Photos
There’s nothing quite like a wedding is there?!
The joy, the LOVE, the amazing vibe that seems to run through the venue like electricity! That’s what we want to make sure happens on your day, and not only that, but that your wedding is EXACTLY what you want it to be.
It’s your big day! So, let’s shoot for the moon with it. It should be totally up to you how your ceremony works. You get so much amazing choice over your reception: the food, the cake, the music, the venue and tone. Why shouldn’t your ceremony be the same? No restrictions, no set “way”.
Just by you, for you, and about YOU.
Together, let’s create that special start to your wedding with a ceremony full of romance, love, heartfelt words and deeply meaningful rituals and readings, and you get the peace of mind that not only are you in great hands, but that every part of the ceremony puts you and your love centre-stage.
I guarantee - with what we’ll create together…it’ll be everyone’s favourite part of the day. The part they never forget.
The best part of being your Celebrant is knowing already what I can bring to the table as an experienced Writer and Actor to boot. It’s my job to not only hear your story when we meet and hear about your gorgeous memories, but to craft a ceremony script, using skills I’ve gained in Film and Theatre, where every word holds meaning, depth, and love at its core - and not superfluously, but with every ounce of authenticity.
Together, we’ll meet a few times either online or over a coffee/drink somewhere and get to know each other, go wild with ideas for your ceremony, and start the process of crafting your bespoke wedding ceremony.
It’ll be an amazing time to enjoy the excitement and really collaborate on making sure the tone of your personality shines through everywhere - from telling your guests your love story to the meaningful rituals we can add (or create!) to solidify and symbolise your love and bond.
Equally, they never tell us do they that weddings can be BLOODY NERVE-RACKING?! NO WORRIES! We’ll have our own WhatsApp chat, and I’m always a text, call, or email away to help support you through any of the adrenaline that can build up. It’ll be an incredible day that begins with the best ceremony you could dare to dream of.
Let’s make it happen -
creating your dream ceremony
Victoria Jane Photography
the world is your oyster
There’s only one rule with a celebrant-led wedding ceremony. You just need to have been legally married by a registrar - most people do this before the ceremony, but in some cases it can be done during. I always advise to get it our of the way so then we can focus on the ceremony as a whole exciting day.
There is an advantage to this though - what it means is that your ceremony isn’t bound by ANY RULES AT ALL. You can host your wedding ceremony anywhere you like, it doesn’t have to be a licensed venue, it doesn’t need a registrar, it doesn’t need any boring jargon added to it. You’ve covered that! I can even provide a beautiful ceremonial certificate for you to sign instead, if you choose to. Hell…your visiting the website of a guy who delivered the wedding ceremony of a couple in ARCTIC NORWAY!
In short, you can make your wedding your own. That’s my job, and its the best job. We strip out all the boring bits and just make your ceremony as traditional/unique/non-conforming/adventurous/crazy romantic time as you like - we set the bar on what will be the wedding day to never forget!
Jo Hastings Photography
handfasting
What is it?
Ever heard of tying the knot? Well, that saying comes from Handfasting - the ancient Celtic rite of marriage. There’s “traditional” weddings…but, not many folks associate that with ancient tradition. How it works is that the couple stand opposite each other and clasp forearms, the Celebrant (or elder or druid, or chosen person) drapes and loosely ties a braided cord around their entwined arms and blesses the happy couple. Finally, the ends of the cord are held by the couple and unlocking their arms, they pull the cord and a beautiful knot is formed tight. Then we hold it aloft for the whole wedding to see, holler, cheer. and smile!
Handfasting is a beautiful tradition that’s uniquely indigenous to the British Isles and parts of Ireland. Many couples choose to make it a part of their wedding, be it for Pagan spiritual reasons, or simply for the romantic feeling of it all. It’s a great physical symbol of your new bond and the gorgeous love story that brought you here and will continue to journey on. Many couples choose to combine the Handfasting with their ring exchange and that’s easily feasible.
Anyone can choose a Handfasting! Just let me know if you’re interested when we meet and I can discuss the options through with you about how it could work!
Do you know how to do it?
YES!
Not only that, but I know how to tie a few different knot styles, from the traditional knot to an “infinity” knot, which is a beautiful looking knot, especially on display!
AND I know how to braid a handfasting cord myself - so, while you can go for a easy-to-find option for your handfasting cord with set colours. You could opt instead to choose your own colours and I can make the cord for you - this is a beautiful touch to your wedding ceremony as you then have a cord, chosen by you and crafted with expertise by the person delivering your ceremony. I offer a bespoke additional package to your wedding for this too!
What’s the bespoke package?
I offer two stunning and affordable packages to add on to your wedding ceremony that give you very own personal and unique Handfasting - this really does tap into the ancient tradition, as each cord was uniquely made for every couple - similar to a Scottish Clan tartan!
Handfasting Package 1 - £65
- You choose your colours and how many threads you’d like woven into your full cord.
- Once you’ve chosen your threads and colours, you can order them! (I can help with finding good deals and outlets!) and then once you have them, we can have a nice meeting as usual for your ceremony and give them to me.
- You get the peace of mind knowing its being braided by someone with expertise, that you trust and know. You’ll also get photo updates on our WhatsApp chat of your cord being made!
- After it’s used in your ceremony, you get to keep the knotted cord as a beautiful commemorative gift, knowing that no one else in the world, has a handfasting cord like it!
Handfasting Package 2 - £100 - my most popular package!
- You get all of the above, PLUS, after your ceremony is complete I will frame the cord and you will get your unique Handfasting cord in a beautiful frame, specifically designed with you in mind and your wedding theme. It makes for a gorgeous addition to any home as a constant reminder of your perfect day!
beautiful, bespoke wedding ceremonies
from £850
The Bespoke Package:
This includes:
A planning pack, including some fun activities to do as a couple and separately that help me craft a beautiful love story about you both.
At least 2-3 meetings, either online or in-person over a coffee or drink to discuss your plans, and generally just have fun!
A private WhatsApp group for you to ask any questions, and for any updates and check-ins too!
Regular contact leading to the big day
Liaison with all your key wedding suppliers - photographer/planner/venue etc.
Help and support about any readings or music that might fit the vibe and tone of your ceremony
Any rituals to add a unique touch to the ceremony!
A personalised, bespoke written script with any revisions and changes you would like.
Support to help you write your vows if needed.
Printed vow booklets and a digital souvenir copy of the wedding script for you too.
An online rehearsal
Early arrival at the venue and delivery of the ceremony.
Travel fees are additional, these will only ever be 45p per driven mile, or the cost of a standard return train journey etc. as applicable. - Travel within Birmingham City is not charged within 5 miles.
In-person rehearsals will cost between £50-£100 depending upon location, plus travel costs. There’s always an option to source an alternative venue too, if the venue isn’t feasible.