A Picture-Perfect Autumn Celebrant Wedding for Lauren and Callum

I first met Lauren and Callum nearly two years ago at a local wedding fair. They were curious, bright-eyed, and completely unaware of what a Celebrant Wedding was. (Can you imagine?) We hit it off right away – they were the kind of couple you just know are meant to be together. Fast forward to last autumn, and there we were, gathered on the banks of the River Thames at The Voco Thames Hotel, surrounded by family, friends, and an atmosphere bursting with love and joy.

This is the story of Lauren and Callum’s unforgettable wedding day – a celebration of love, laughter, and a touch of cheeky humour!

A Love Story Written in the Stars (or at Least at Work!)

Like many modern couples, Lauren and Callum’s journey began at work. Lauren first noticed Callum because of his warm, approachable nature – the kind of guy you could take home to meet your mum and nan without a second thought. Callum, on the other hand, was immediately captivated by Lauren’s beautiful curly brown locks and infectious smile.

Their first date didn’t exactly go as planned, though. Callum’s trains were delayed (classic, right?), and poor Lauren had to wait patiently. But, as they say, good things come to those who wait, and for Lauren, it was definitely worth it. From that night on, they were inseparable – laughing, adventuring, and taking on life’s challenges together.

They quickly realised that their love wasn’t just a feeling; it was a force that kept pulling them closer. From moving in together (thanks to an accidental car incident!) to surviving lockdown under the same roof, their bond only grew stronger. By 2020, they made it official and bought a house together. And the rest, as they say, is hi

The Proposal – A Goldfinch, Canada, and a Lot of Nerve!

Callum is full of surprises. Who would have guessed that he’s a bit of a bird twitcher? Yep, during lockdown, he became obsessed with watching the birds outside his window, even jokingly promising to propose to Lauren when a goldfinch landed on his bird table. Well, wouldn’t you know it – one day, two goldfinches showed up. Taking it as a sign (or a little nudge from fate), Callum knew it was time.

Fast forward to their holiday in Canada, and Callum was ready. He had the ring tucked safely in his pocket (even on a boat trip at Niagara Falls – bold move, Callum!). Finding the perfect spot, he popped the question, and a very shocked (but ecstatic) Lauren said yes! They celebrated in style with a romantic dinner at the top of the revolving CN Tower in Toronto, soaking in the views and, of course, a few free glasses of prosecco.

The Wedding Ceremony: An Outdoor Celebration by the River Thames

After what felt like a lifetime, the big day finally arrived. Under the golden hues of autumn leaves and with the serene River Thames as the backdrop, Lauren and Callum’s wedding ceremony was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by their loved ones, they stood hand in hand, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives together.

Personal Touches and Memorable Moments

Lauren and Callum’s ceremony was packed with heartfelt and humorous moments that truly reflected their personalities. Here are a few highlights:

• Molly’s Poem: Their friend Molly absolutely nailed it with a beautifully crafted and heartfelt poem. There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd (including mine!).
• Callum’s Dad’s Speech: Not one to be outdone, Callum’s dad delivered a hilarious take on marriage, inspired by none other than The Daily Star. I mean, who knew tabloid wisdom could be so funny and accurate?
• Surprise Ring Bearers: In a cheeky twist, the wedding rings were planted under the seats of two grandparents. One of them was absolutely convinced they didn’t have the ring until we had to practically pry them up! Laughter echoed along the riverbank as the mystery was finally solved.
• Quaich Ceremony: A beautiful nod to Callum’s Scottish heritage, they shared a quaich – a traditional Scottish loving cup – using whisky from a distillery near Callum’s ancestral home. It was a touching moment, symbolising the blending of their lives.
• Signing the Certificate: Just before the big kiss, they signed their wedding certificate, witnessed by their mums. It was a lovely, intimate gesture that perfectly encapsulated the importance of family to Lauren and Callum.

Love, Laughter, and A Fond Farewell

Lauren and Callum’s wedding day was everything they dreamed of and more. From the heartfelt vows to the cheeky surprises, it was a day filled with laughter, love, and a fair few tears (happy ones, of course).

Having spent so much time getting to know this incredible couple, saying goodbye at the end of the day was bittersweet. But I have no doubt our paths will cross again someday – maybe at another wedding, or perhaps when they renew their vows down the line!

Congratulations, Lauren and Callum! May your journey be filled with adventures, laughter, and maybe even a few more goldfinches along the way.

Feedback

She made our ceremony so special and unique, with so many of our guests commenting on how different and fun it was. Most say it was the highlight of the day, and that’s all thanks to Miranda.

We never wanted a traditional ‘stuffy’ ceremony but wasn’t sure how we could legally get away with making it more fun. We met Miranda at a wedding fayre and she was the answer, and we’re forever thankful that we met her. She made our ceremony so special and unique, with so many of our guests commenting on how different and fun it was. Most say it was the highlight of the day, and that’s all thanks to Miranda.

Miranda really took the time to get us know us, not only as a couple, but as individuals. She asked about our family heritage, hobbies and love story. From this, she was able to give lots of ideas of how we could make the ceremony personal to us. We had a friend write a poem and my Dad write some top tips for marriage. Miranda helped them both, proof reading and offering great suggestions. She also helped us write our own personal vows as we had no idea where to start. We were able to drink whisky from my family town in Scotland, something she suggested, and went down a treat as a cheers at the end of the ceremony.

Not only did Miranda help and support us throughout, she put us at such ease, managing the whole ceremony and the lead up. We never had to chase her for anything or worry about things being done. My wife didn’t feel nervous on the day and I honestly think it was because of Miranda – we just knew it was going to brilliant with her running our ceremony. No nerves, just excitement, which is how all brides should feel on their wedding day.

Suppliers

Venue Voco Oxford Thames Hotel

Photographer Sam and Steve Photography

Musician Heather Hoyle

Venue Stylist Gilt Edge Events

MUA @mascaralogan