This London-based couple’s first ever meeting, was in a bar, in Soho. There they got chatting and immediately clicked over Cosmopolitan cocktails!
Since then they’ve shared many adventures, including much travel and visits together to South Africa, from where Erika originates, and where members of her family still live.
I first heard from Caroline and Erika back in January 2019. They were beginning to plan their wedding day and their first message to me mentioned their wish for an intimate, outdoor humanist ceremony. Their wedding was to take place in the garden of Caroline’s family home, in the beautiful West Sussex village of Nutbourne.
The Planning and Preparation
After an initial phone consultation, I arranged to meet with the girls at Caroline’s parents’ home. Part of our ceremony planning discussions involved a walk around the garden and decisions were made about where and how to seat their guests.
They decided that the front garden of the house would be the ideal spot, with it’s gorgeous rose-filled borders and the beautiful stonework of the listed cottage, being a perfect backdrop. The central garden path, leading from a pretty gate up to the front door, would make the perfect aisle for Caroline and Erika’s big entrance.
With much excited discussion had, I left our meeting buzzing with ideas. Their main requests for their outdoor intimate ceremony were that it should involve and engage their nearest and dearest, that it should be fun and relaxed – and that it should be a truly memorable and moving experience for all in attendance.
I was really inspired by this bubbly, warm, energetic couple, and I had their ceremony written and a first draft sent for their approval (and any changes they wanted made) by early summer.
By the end of July we were all good to go, with the ceremony wording agreed, and the final preparations underway.
We arranged to get together for a relaxed run-through the day before the wedding. This is something I encourage all my couples to do with me, if they possibly can. This really helped to relax Caroline and Erika ahead of their big moment.
We spent a lovely hour or so together in the garden, walking and talking the ceremony through; practising their vows and ring exchange, setting out chairs and laying out the ceremony area in front of the house
The Ceremony
When the big day finally arrived – Saturday 7th September 2019 – the weather was bright, warm and dry! Hoorah! And the ceremony went ahead outside, as planned and hoped for.
With our brides looking absolutely radiant, both in white gowns, carrying the most gorgeous contemporary and complementary bouquets – they made their individual entrances whilst we listened to the beautiful song, ‘Tightrope’ by Sara Bareilles. That was a hugely emotional moment – Caroline accompanied by her dad and Erika by her sister.
Everything started wonderfully, the ceremony was in mid-flow – and then . . . a slight interruption . . . with the arrival of a post van at the house, and an unexpected delivery, which Caroline’s mum had to ask the post person to leave by the back door! A very funny moment which had everyone laughing!
There was so much lovely variation in the ceremony, keeping everyone guessing, entertained and involved throughout, including:
- the reading of a perfect poem by a close friend, to set the scene;
- the telling of Caroline and Erika’s heart-warming love story;
- a pebble gathering of rose quartz stones – cleansed in the stream that runs through the garden of Caroline’s family home – using a heart-shaped bowl to collect them in from Erika’s beloved South Africa – assisted by their nephew Harry (who was also their pageboy);
- their vow exchange with a handfasting – bound with ribbons laid by their best man and best woman;
- a tender ring exchange
- a witnessed signing, so fittingly accompanied by the Tracy Chapman song, ‘The Promise’;
- a final reading – Neil Gaiman’s ‘All I Know About Love’ – shared by another close friend;
- and all topped off with a glorious aisle walk and exit; the girls showered with confetti, whilst ‘The Circle Of Life’ from ‘The Lion King’ played at top volume!
The further celebrations and party!
And if all of that wasn’t sufficiently celebratory, there was more excitement to come, straight after the ceremony.
We all walked from the house, to an amazing vineyard, just up the lane. There the extra guests were expectantly gathered, to greet and toast the happy couple; with glasses of Nutbourne’s finest sparkling wine in hand.
The girls made their wonderfully-wed entrance, up the slope and through the vines, accompanied by cheers and whooping from all those waiting to greet and congratulate them. It was a joyous and very special moment, as they climbed the steps, were presented with glasses of bubbles and sipped their very first drink as married partners.
The celebrations continued, with live music, eating, drinking, dancing and making merry – late into the night.
I have treasured memories of this magical day. It was a total pleasure kick-starting Erika and Caroline’s celebrations, with a bespoke ceremony that truly reflected them and celebrated their lasting love and partnership.
