"I Do, But Make It Personal" — Ask the Expert: Inside the World of Wedding Celebrants with Judi from Inspired Ceremonies.
- Fannie Fleur
- Jun 29
- 7 min read
A heart-to-heart with Judi of Inspired Ceremonies
It's a genuine pleasure to be sitting down with Judi, the warm, wonderfully grounded creative force behind Inspired Ceremonies. If you've ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of a celebrant-led wedding — or why more and more couples are ditching the script in favour of something entirely their own — you're in exactly the right place. Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let's get straight into it: all things weddings, ceremonies, and the lovely human behind the brand.
First things first – tell us a little about yourself. What's your story, and what drew you to become a wedding celebrant?
(J) "Hi, its so lovely to be here with you. For as long as I can remember I was a total dreamer — a proper girly girl who loved her dolls. My mum was actually finishing off knitting a wedding dress for my Sindy doll when Charles and Diana got married back in 1981, so I suppose the romance was baked in early.
I loved fashion and fully intended to follow that career path, but life had other ideas. After a 28-year corporate career, I became a celebrant, and Inspired Ceremonies was born in 2017. The name came from the woman who inspired me — my mum, Brenda. She was a strong, determined lady with a heart of gold. Losing her on New Year's Eve 2014 was one of the worst times of my life, and I knew afterwards that I needed to do something I loved, something that made a difference.
I started out officiating funeral services, and weddings felt like a natural progression from there. I'm still a romantic and a dreamer at heart, and being able to be part of a couple's magical day, and to tell their story exactly as they want it told, is so special to me."
Let's start with the basics for readers who might not be familiar – what exactly is a wedding celebrant, and what makes you different from a registrar? How does the ceremony differ?
(J) "As a celebrant, I create and lead a ceremony that's completely personal to you — telling your love story in the way you want it to be heard. I take the time to really get to know you both, what matters to you, and the atmosphere you'd like to create, and then I write a ceremony that reflects all of that.
The legal paperwork is done separately at the Register Office, but the ceremony itself can take place anywhere, at any time, with complete creative freedom. It becomes a moment that reflects who you are, rather than a legal formality.
A registrar's role is to carry out the legal marriage, and that comes with a set structure they have to follow. Many registrars now include lovely personal touches, like a short reading or personal vows, which is wonderful to see — but the legal script itself is still fixed, and couples don't usually get to meet their registrar beforehand or sit down and share their story with them."
We hear couples are increasingly choosing celebrant-led ceremonies. What do you think is driving this trend?
(J) "Couples are looking for their day to feel real, relaxed, and reflective of who they actually are. They want freedom over location, tone, timing, and content. They want a ceremony that feels like the start of the celebration — not the admin before the party."
What type of couples are you most drawn to working with, and why?
(J) "I'm drawn to couples who value themselves and the nearest and dearest who'll be there with them. Couples who want their ceremony to feel honest, warm, and personal. They don't have to be loud or quirky — though I'm always open to anything different! All I ask is that they're open to creating something meaningful together. I love working with couples who know what they like but also trust me to guide them."
Walk us through your process. When a couple first contacts you, what happens next?
(J) "We have a relaxed chat, usually by video call — no pressure, just a chance to get to know each other. If you book with me, I arrange to visit you in person or online, whichever suits everyone best, and that's where the story really unfolds. I write your ceremony, share drafts, refine it together with you, and stay in touch throughout. By the time the day arrives, my aim is that you feel like I'm one of your friends walking in."
How much creative freedom do couples really have? Are there any absolute no-gos, or is anything fair game?
(J) "Mostly, they have complete freedom. If it feels right for you, and it's safe, respectful, and legal — we can do it. Some couples keep things simple and elegant; others bring in humour, rituals, or cultural elements, or maybe something completely wacky and out there. There are no set rules as such, just choices. Sometimes we have to work within a venue's particular rules, or be mindful of certain phrasing, but honestly — always ask me. I can usually find a way around it."
What's the most unusual or memorable ceremony you've conducted? Any stories that still make you smile?
"There are so many moments that stay with me. I've got one coming up where the couple's two gorgeous dogs will be there — and that's going to be so special, because they're such an important part of the family. Honestly though, the best memories are usually the small, unplanned moments that just naturally happen — a baby making a noise, a child running free. It'll be interesting to see how the dogs behave!"
Do you find couples are moving away from traditional vows and readings? What current trends are you seeing?
"Absolutely — traditional vows feel outdated these days. Couples want to be equal, with vows that sound like their actual voices. Personal, shared promises, hopes for the future, modern readings — that's becoming the norm."
What are some unique elements that can be incorporated into a wedding ceremony to reflect a couple's personality?
Sharing your love story — how you met, your hopes and dreams for the future
Personal vows or shared promises
Involving family or friends in meaningful ways
If the venue allows — your pets! Dogs, cats, a giant tortoise, even a giraffe can be part of the day
Music that sets the tone, rather than simply fills a gap
Symbolic rituals that genuinely mean something to you
Something fun, quirky, or outrageously bonkers — share it with me, and chances are I'll love it
A few unity rituals worth stealing:
Hand-tying — ribbons or cords in colours that represent your theme or something meaningful to you
Sand ceremony — using colours that reflect your story, heritage, or something personal
Cocktail or mocktail blending — fun, and very "you"
Tree or seed planting — perfect for nature lovers; often just a small tree in a pot
Ring warming — guests hold the rings and offer silent good wishes as they're passed around
Shared candle lighting — first involving family, friends, or children, then a second moment where each of you lights a separate candle and together light one larger candle as a symbol of joining
What's the biggest misconception people have about celebrant-led ceremonies?
(J) "That they're somehow 'fake' or 'not real' because they're not the legal part. The legal paperwork takes minutes — the ceremony is the heart of the day, the part people actually remember. Celebrant ceremonies are often the most personal and emotionally beautiful part of the wedding."
We have to ask – what happens when things go wrong? Any ceremony disasters you've had to navigate?
(J) "Fortunately it's rare, but microphones fail, rings get forgotten, the weather changes its mind — that's just part of live events. My role is to stay calm, adapt, and keep everyone relaxed. Most 'disasters' end up being the moments everyone laughs about later."
Let's talk about the legal side of things. Can you explain how that works for couples choosing a celebrant-led ceremony?
(J) "It's simple. Couples complete the legal paperwork at their local Register Office — usually the basic '2+2' appointment, either before or after the wedding day. Then they have their personalised ceremony wherever and however they choose."
How far in advance should couples book you, and what's the investment they should expect — what do they get within their package?
(J) "Most couples book 12–18 months ahead, especially for peak dates. My fee reflects the time, care, and creativity that goes into each ceremony. Couples get:
A planning meeting, so we can really get to know each other
A fully personalised ceremony
Unlimited edits
Support with vows, readings, and structure
A rehearsal, if needed
My presence on the day, early and fully prepared
A keepsake copy of their ceremony, plus a certificate
It's a full, guided experience from start to finish. I also offer a more streamlined option for couples who'd like something simpler, while still having a ceremony that feels personal."
For couples sitting on the fence about whether to book a celebrant, what would you say to them?
(J) "If you want your ceremony to stand out — not just blend into the day, but actually define it — as your celebrant, I give you that freedom. It's the moment that takes people by surprise, the one that becomes a story, a memory, a talking point long after the last guest has gone home. The one people are still talking about years later."
On the day, tell couples what to expect — how do you roll?
"I arrive super early to check everything's as it should be, and to liaise with the venue, photographer, and anyone else involved, so everyone knows what they're doing. I keep you and your guests calm, happy, and ready. When the ceremony begins, I hold the room with warmth and love, guiding everyone through a moment that feels beautiful, natural, and memorable."
Finally, after all these ceremonies, does the magic ever wear off, or do you still get emotional?
(J) "The magic never wears off. Every ceremony is special, because every couple brings something different — a new energy, a new excitement. I'm invested from the very first conversation right through to the final words. That feeling never fades, and it's exactly why I love what I do."
A huge thank you to Judi of Inspired Ceremonies for such an open and heartfelt chat. If this has you dreaming of a ceremony that's entirely, unapologetically you — perhaps it's time to start that conversation of your own.
Judi is a valued member of Fannie Fleur wedding membership community, if you would like to arrange a call, you can get in touch with us to make the connection. Email; hello@fanniefleur.wedding or on our wedding planner platform https://fanniefleurweddingplanner.app/featured-suppliers
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