A Magical Celebrant Ceremony at The Cherry Barn: Scarlett & Sam’s Love Story

What an absolutely stunning day to get married in the orchards at The Cherry Barn near Rye! I’ve had the honour of being a celebrant for quite a few weddings now, but Scarlett and Sam’s celebrant ceremony was properly special. Everything just fell into place perfectly for these two, and the whole day felt like pure magic.

Sally and the team at Luna and the Lane absolutely smashed it creating this ceremony space – it felt ethereal and otherworldly. The orchard itself was the most gorgeous natural backdrop you could ask for and nature had something even more spectacular up its sleeve. As the ceremony began there were masses of dragonflies flying above our heads. Now, they say dragonflies are a sign of departed loved ones, which felt like such a fitting way to honour those who couldn’t be there. You could see the emotion rippling through everyone gathered. These are the moments that remind me exactly why I love being a celebrant – it honestly felt like nature itself was blessing this union.

The Heart of Every Great Celebrant Ceremony: The Love Story

The atmosphere was absolutely electric as Scarlett walked down the aisle on the arm of her proud dad, Sam. There’s something really special about that moment when you see each other for the first time. Sam’s expression was priceless – pure joy mixed with just a touch of nervous excitement.

Their love story is genuinely one for the ages, and sharing it during their celebrant ceremony had everyone grinning from ear to ear. Two separate pub crawls in Tooting, a borrowed dog acting as an unwitting wingman, and Sam’s hilariously direct approach – “Oi, can I get your number?!” It’s not exactly Shakespeare, but it worked! Scarlett’s initial rejection only made Sam more determined, and when he bumped into her again later that evening, his cheeky response to her sassiness sealed the deal.

What I absolutely love about including personal stories in a celebrant ceremony is how it brings everyone closer to the couple. You could hear the chuckles and see the knowing nods from mates who clearly recognised these two in the tale I was telling.

The Personal Touch

This celebrant ceremony was packed with personal elements that truly reflected Scarlett and Sam’s personalities. We kicked off with a beautiful moment where Sam’s dad proudly gave his daughter away – though I couldn’t resist a gentle tease about it being “the only thing Scarlett trusted you to do today!” The laughter that followed set the perfect tone for the entire ceremony.

One of my favourite surprises was the hidden ring bearer twist. Instead of a traditional ring bearer, we’d secretly taped Scarlett’s ring under one of the guests’ seats. Watching everyone frantically feeling under their chairs on the count of three brought such joy and spontaneity to the ceremony. Kane, Scarlett’s brother, was our lucky winner, and seeing him stand proudly next to his sister during the ring exchange was incredibly touching.

The Magic of Personal Vows

Whilst Scarlett and Sam chose traditional vows for their celebrant ceremony, the real magic happened when I shared what they’d written about each other in their couple’s questionnaire. Sam’s words about Scarlett’s kindness and resilience, and Scarlett’s description of Sam as “a sexy geek who has no idea how sexy he is,” had everyone in absolute stitches. These authentic moments of vulnerability and humour are what make a celebrant ceremony so much more personal than a traditional ceremony.

The ring exchange was beautifully symbolic, with Pete (the best man) and Kane working together to present the rings. I love how this celebrant ceremony involved family members in meaningful ways, creating those special connections that make the day memorable for everyone.

Celebrating with a Celtic Twist

No celebrant ceremony for this couple would be complete without acknowledging their love of a good drink! The Quaich ceremony was the perfect addition – a Celtic tradition involving a two-handled pewter cup. Whilst traditionally filled with whisky, Scarlett and Sam opted for their beloved rosé wine (which had already been mentioned several times during the ceremony, much to everyone’s amusement).

This ritual beautifully symbolised their unity and trust, with the two handles representing the support and equality they bring to their partnership. Watching them share that first toast as a married couple, hands intertwined, was absolutely magical.

Sam’s dad Patrick added another beautiful Celtic touch by sharing a traditional blessing: “May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back…” These ancient words carried such weight and meaning in the orchard setting, connecting this modern celebrant ceremony to generations of love.

The Joy of a Celebrant Ceremony

What struck me most about this celebrant ceremony was the constant stream of laughter, smiles, and chuckles throughout. There’s something so special about a ceremony where everyone feels completely relaxed and involved. The real family feel, with everyone there to support Scarlett and Sam as they made their vows to one another, created an atmosphere of pure joy.

From the moment Scarlett’s dad walked her down the aisle to the final kiss that sealed their marriage, this celebrant ceremony felt like a true celebration of love. The couple’s personalities shone through every single element – their shared love of sci-fi and comedy, their adventures from cosy Cotswolds getaways to romantic Parisian trips, and their simple dream of a house full of children and maybe five dogs!

A Perfect End 

After I had the absolute pleasure of presenting the happy couple to their cheering family and friends, we gathered for the customary confetti aisle. There’s nothing quite like that moment when a couple walks through a shower of confetti, beaming with happiness as their loved ones celebrate around them.

But the magic didn’t end there. Guests were led back through the orchards to the barn with Lucy leading the way on saxophone, ready to get the party vibe started. As a celebrant, I always love seeing how the ceremony energy flows into the reception, and this celebration continued well into the night.

Scarlett and Sam’s day perfectly illustrates why more couples are choosing a celebrant ceremony for their wedding. Unlike traditional religious or registry office ceremonies, a celebrant ceremony can be completely tailored to reflect who you are as a couple. From the location (those stunning orchards!) to the personal stories, family involvement, and unique rituals like the surprise ring bearer and Quaich ceremony, every element can be crafted to tell your love story.

As their celebrant, I had the privilege of getting to know Scarlett and Sam deeply through our planning sessions. Understanding their pub-crawl meet-cute, their shared passions, and their dreams for the future allowed me to create a ceremony that was authentically them. The result was a celebrant ceremony filled with genuine emotion, hearty laughter, and unforgettable moments.

The dragonflies dancing overhead, the pure joy on every face – this celebrant ceremony at The Cherry Barn was everything a wedding should be: personal, meaningful, and absolutely magical. Here’s to Scarlett and Sam, and to many more couples brave enough to choose a celebrant ceremony that truly reflects their unique love story!

Kind Words

“Miranda adds the magic to your day. Miranda, made our day and was a breath of fresh her throughout the entire planning process. She listened, and heard us! Her way of capturing the moments that matter to you and the vision you have is unmatched. The ceremony was the highlight of our whole wedding due to how personal and meaningful it was. We laughed, we cried, we loved! Everyone has commented on the fat it was the best ceremony they’ve attended and that was all down to her. We cannot thank her enough. 10/10.”

The Dream Team

Photo @Photosbycharli Video @Films_by_charli

Second Shooters@mochafilmsandphoto @gracephamphotography

Venue @thecherrybarn

Bride @madewithlovebridal

Groom@tomfoxtailoring

Wedding Planner/Coordinator @lunaandthelane

Celebrant @mirandathecelebrant

Hair @hannahgrayhair

Bridal MUA @bryonycampbellmua

Bridesmaids MUA @laurengarfittmakeup

Bridesmaids Hair @hannahgrayhair

Catering @blackbird_catering

DJ @darrylgreen

Pizza Truck @leonati_catering

Grazing Board@thegrazingsistersco