Every wedding ceremony I have been to, I have cried and a I’m not a terribly emotional person. But there is something so powerful, so raw about standing up with your soul mate. Talking openly of love and commitment surrounded by friends and family it is what a wedding is all about. So I am delighted to welcome Sandra a spiritualist to our creatives at work series with tips on making the ceremony personal and fun for your big day.

Who is your bride?

My brides are those brides who are 3 to 6 months away from their wedding date. This is the time that they can start to think about their ceremony and the finer detail of their wedding day. It is when all the big items such as the venue, the cake and the dress are selected, booked and secured, that they can start to think about the personalizing their actual wedding day.

It is at this time frame they can now start to think about what elements they wish to include in their ceremony that reflect them as a couple, what family members and friends will be involved in the ceremony and what they will say for their vows to each other.

And it is at this time they have so many questions that start with “What if… and How do I…”

My bride is that bride who wants to see their ceremony central to the celebrations of the day and want to bring ‘themselves’ to the ceremony to share with their guests a little bit about their love story.

My bride is the bride who says ‘I want the ceremony to be meaningful, personal and something we enjoy”

When do feel most inspired?

When I am listening to their story of how they met their partner and what attracted them to one another. I love “Love Stories” and I am inspired to find a way to weave that story throughout the whole ceremony.

How do you feel meeting a new bride to be?

I love the energy of meeting a new bride to be. It holds so much possibility and new ideas. I am energized by the whole process. I know there will be sweet moments, funny moments, tender moments and above all loving moments and I feel so privileged that I am a part of making those moments come together in a coordinated but relaxed way for them on their special day.

What are the best questions a bride could ask you?

There are two best questions they could ask me and a statement they could make to me

1. Can we make it really short to get that part (the ceremony) over and done with so I can get on and enjoy the rest of the day?

To which I answer “yes you can do that if you want but…how about we make your ceremony your “You Tube” wedding moment. You know those clips you have seen of other people’s weddings that made you say “awwwwwwwww” How about we work on the ceremony so your videographer/photographer has the content to give you your “You Tube” wedding moment?

2. What if I forget my vows, or what if I cry during the ceremony and what if I just am an emotional mess  and panic on the day

To which I reply “then you come to my Tick Tock Its Wedding O’Clock workshop” which is a face to face workshop (or get the online programme which will be ready soon) that takes all the worry out of those questions that start with ‘what if’ and “How do I”.  This will not only answer all your “what if” panic questions but it will also demonstrate the ‘How to ..” questions and give you answers to other questions you do not yet know to ask. Most importantly it all happens in a fun, relaxed and enjoyable environment.

3 The statement “I know my wedding day can’t be perfect, nothing is perfect” and I say to that “Actually you can and I as The Wedding Lady can help you make that happen.

I pay attention to detail without losing sight of bigger picture of your big day.

How did you find your calling? Get started in your industry?

I have always been called to work with people in a meaningful way that makes a difference in their lives. Being a member of the Spiritualist Union of Ireland opened the opportunity to become an officiant when they were granted the license to perform legally binding marriages under Spiritual Ceremonies back in 2010.  I came on board as a Solemnizer in August 2011.

Initially I thought the role just played to my strengths.  I have a background in event management, delivering training and project development and those skills came in handy for many elements of being a Solemnizer and consultant. Being confident to speak in public in front of large crowds also was a bonus too.

But then I found I connected with people in a very meaningful way in the role I played on their big day. I could make that part of their day (their ceremony) really special, meaningful and memorable for all of the right reasons.

Thank you Sandra for sharing your insights on the big day and the all important ceremony. The connection we feel with brides and being part of such an important day is why we work in one of the most rewarding industry’s.

Check out more about The Wedding Lady

FaceBook – The Wedding Lady @theweddingladyie

(the Tick Tock It’s Wedding O’Clock group is in The Wedding Lady profile)

Twitter – The Wedding Lady@SandraLosty

Website - TheWeddingLady.ie