Humanist Wedding Ceremony
Humanist Wedding Ceremony at The Rabbit Hotel with Claire Taylor Celebrant
When choosing what when and where to get married, the growing trend is to have a humanist wedding ceremony.
A humanist wedding is a non-religious wedding ceremony that is free from many of the traditional rules around weddings. Humanist weddings can take place in any venue or location, any day of the week, without too many rules which allows the couples have the freedom to be as creative as they want. Claire Taylor of Taylor Your Wedding is a Northern Ireland based celebrant whose wedding ceremonies feature all sorts of customs and traditions including handfasting and drinking from a quaich. She spends hours with the couple prior to the wedding to really get to know their story. Her ceremony is a fully personalised and meaningful “Taylor Made” scripts especially for each couple focusing on the couples love and values. It is a beautiful celebration to witness and be part of …even if you are only the photographer.
Charlotte and Nathan about to say their vows to each other.
It was a pleasure to capture the elegant and chilled out wedding of Charlotte and Nathan at The Rabbit Hotel in Templepatrick. As the guests entered the ceremony area of the hotel, the groomsmen gave them a little potion bottle of clear liquid and asked them to put it under their seat until instructed. The room was full of friends and family. Claire told the story of their meeting, their time together so far and brought in a lot of stories and humour which kept the all the guests laughing. She then read out this poem below which I really loved. I love to write poetry myself and can only dream of coming up with words as beautiful as these below.
The Giraffe and the Monkey by Daniel Thompson
Wherever we go
Whatever we do
Whenever there’s me
I hope that there’s you.
Now Money is Funny, it can make people odd.
You forget to be happy, and you live for your job
And fashion, is a passion, beset with a flaw
You can dress to excess, but you’ll always need more
And a muscle toned body, may sound like a dream
But no body is better, than chocolate ice cream
What I’m trying to say, is that happiness grows
Not through your wages, or body or clothes
But in laughter and love, and in sharing your life.
In the arms of another as husband and wife.
So when you find someone who’s weird just like you
Who laughs when you’re stupid and who makes you laugh too.
When you sit on the sofa, not hiding your flaws.
As imperfectly perfect, as the hand that holds yours.
When the fortune of kings, or purse of a beggar.
Won’t change how it feels, just being together.
When a cuddle and cuppa is all that you need….
Well then…
you’ve found something quite special indeed.
Wherever we go
Whatever we do
Whenever there’s me
I hope that there’s you.
At the end of the ceremony, everyone was asked to lift out their little potion bottle and have a shot for the bride and groom. No-one had expected that and the room cheered the happy couple and that was the start of the celebrations for the day.
The rain stopped for 5 minutes to allow us to get outside for a handful of shots
When I arrived into the bedroom where the hair and make up was being styled, I fell in love with the look she was going for - although none of the bridal party had a clue what I was talking about when I said she looked like one of the girls from the Robert Palmer “Addicted to Love” music video from the 80’s. I assured them that it was a good look. The team that created Charlottes’ style was Hair Stylist Nicole & Danielle Millar and Maria Moore Pro Make Up Artist.
Make up and hair perfect - it was time to put on the dress
Charolette is very naturally elegant and graceful and the dress was perfect from Jade Alexandra Bridal. They finished off the look with pearl shoes and bag
The floral bouquet was simple and elegant to match the style of the wedding with white roses and long stems. Millison & Berry created the bouquets and they were perfect for photography. Lots of times, we see the long stem look on front facing floral design and it is difficult to get it looking right in the photographs. This bouquet showed lots of big open flowers from all angles making it really easy to hold and looked great in the photographs in all poses.
The bridal shoes were purchased from Charlotte Mills & a matching pearl bag was purchased from Six Stories. All Charlotte’s accessories complimented her look perfectly.
The brides Father Charles and his wife Simone created Tullynewbank Stables. At times Charles has had over 40 horses to care for. His normal attire around the stables would not be a tuxedo and dickie bow - so when he walked into the room to Charlotte, everyone was in tears - firstly at his adoration for Charlotte and also at how dapper and proud he looked.
The beautiful McCambridge family
We can’t forget the handsome groom Nathan. When he arrived up at The Loft Wedding Venue at The Rabbit Hotel, we popped outside to get a few photographs. It was one of those days where there was thunder, lightening, storms and wind but we got a little break from the weather at this point and for 5 minutes later in the day to grab a handful of outdoor images.
I just love photos like this where you can see genuine pure emotion - so many happy faces for the bride and groom on their special day.
Our bridal team look absolutely stunning - a gorgeous group of people.
The bridesmaids wore a stunning gold satin dresses from TH&TH from Jade Alexandra. The groomsmen wore classic and regal tuxedo’s from McCalls of Lisburn. The groom wore a black velvet blazer jacket to match his suit purchased from Tux and Tails.
How beautiful is this wedding room The Loft in The Rabbit Hotel. Upon entering, you're immediately met with a beautiful, dramatic bar for your exclusive use and multiple large statement marble dining tables decorated with greenery, candles and candelabras. You then dine under the high vaulted ceilings decorated with twinkling feature chandeliers that are entwined with celebratory planting.
Judith Auten Wedding Cake Design created this beautiful two tiered wedding cake. If you look closely you can see the great detail in the cake. She finished with a beautiful bow.
Sparklers make for gorgeous photos and a gorgeous moment in a wedding. Love this shot.
Huge congratulations to Charlotte & Nathan for a perfect wedding. Wishing you a life time of love & happiness.
SUPPLIERS
Ceremony: The Rabbit Hotel | Celebrant: Claire Taylor | Photography: 4Ever Photos | Video: Purplebox Production | Hair: Nicole & Danielle Miller | Make Up: Maria Moore
Bridal Studio: Jade Alexandra Bridal | Florist: Millson & Berry Evening Entertainment: The Just Adam Band Service & Drinks Reception Entertainer: Rachel Toman |
Mother of Brides Hat: Grainne Millar Millinery @ The Hat House | Bridesmaid dresses: TH&TH from Jade Alexandra | Alterations: Made and Measured |
Brides Shoes: Charlotte Mills | Brides bag: Six Stories | Men’s Suits: McCalls of Lisburn | Grooms jacket: Tux and Tails Dungannon |
| Cake: Judith Auten wedding cake design | Favours: I Do Wedding&Event Detailing | Stationary: Freckles & Fern