Alternative Pagan Wedding Ceremony

Alternative Wedding Photographer

I cannot BELIEVE I am only just getting round to blogging this amazing wedding. This is really such a treat and wonderful inspiration for couples who want to do things a bit differently, designing their wedding around their own beliefs and ideas instead of just following tradition. I know Chelle through her being my yoga teacher and I was over the moon when she and her other half Rich asked me to be their wedding photographer.

The getting ready in the morning had the loveliest atmosphere, Chelle and all her best girls got ready at her parent’s house where Chelle grew up close to the venue and there was so much chatter & excitement. Chelle chose this beautiful beaded Monsoon dress and steered clear of the traditional white colour white which was the perfect choice for her. On her feet she wore these awesome irregular choice wedding shoes! All her bridesmaids were dressed in a chakra colour which I just adore because it’s so personal to her and her friends.

Pagan Handfasting Wedding Ceremony

The ceremony was held at Buckatree Hall Hotel (they had planned for our outdoor ceremony but sadly the threat of rain meant they were indoors) and was one of the most personal ones I have had the pleasure of capturing. Rich played Chelle in (accompanied by one of her bridesmaids) with his best man which was beautiful, and as each bridesmaid walked down they performed a small gesture of ‘clearing’ the space for the ceremony. Presiding over the ceremony was John (every other celebrant is going to look boring compared to him now - he wore ROBES) who wove in pieces of writing between other ceremonial rituals like jumping the broom and exchanging rings. They read out some beautiful vows to each other and John also conducted a hand fasting which is a wonderful ancient tradition. As they left the room the broom they had jumped over was used to pave the way for their new life together.

After their reception they had some truly lovely speeches where Chelle spoke (always think it’s great when the speeches aren’t an all male stand-up!) where she said some wonderful things about her bridesmaids in particular talking through about why she choose each colour for them and what they meant to her. Rich’s groomsmen performed a live song all about Rich which was hilarious - again thinking outside of the box for what you can do for a speech.

They choose The Pina Colada song for their first dance (the lyrics on Richard’s dating profile when they met!) which encouraged some jiv-ing moves and then lastly just before I left I snapped Chelle’s jazzy costume change into her sequin dress. Love a bride in sequins!