When our friends asked me to be their celebrant, I was honoured to be a part of their big day.  They are madly in love, have a purity and honesty to their relationship and an abundance of shared experiences, so I couldn't wait to write their very own ceremony words!

Their great friends (Steve and Stephen) gifted them the use of their home and garden for their celebrations, and after many months of garden preparations, and sheer hard work, it looked sensational.  After months of planning a ceremony, with a script full to bursting with personal details and lots of lovely moments woven into it, we were ready to celebrate the marriage of these two incredible ladies.

 

 

Both are selfless, giving, and work hard outside of their day jobs to help others, they are a pillar of strength to the LGBTQIA+ community and provide guidance and support through their youth work too.  They thoroughly deserved this special day, a day to celebrate who they are and to do it in a way that reflected their lifestyles and it was magical.

 

 

When I arrived the house and gardens looked gorgeous, and there was a bit of a buzz about the space, with family and friends helping to put finishing touches to things, and all very excited!  I checked the space, made sure everyone could see the couple, and hear what we were saying, and then set out their certificate for the signing and started to take lots of images before everyone arrived. 

It was the most perfect setting for their relaxed garden party celebrations, and as guests began to arrive, the excitement began to build.

 

 

After completing all of my checks, confirming cues, and checking in with the two ladies separately, we were ready to ask everyone to be seated and get things underway.  With messages delivered, and cues received, everyone stood to welcome our first bride Jana, who thoroughly enjoyed her musical accompaniment (Nirvana's "Come as you are") and reached the front feeling quite overwhelmed.

The enormity of the situation hit and she was a mixture of excitement, nerves, and anticipation as her lovely Molly was about to join her.  We let the music fade and I announced our second bride, and out came Molly (to Leona Lewis' "I got you") which had the most wonderful crescendo just as she descended the steps into the garden, and everyone cheered as she sang the words "I got you . . ." to her beau waiting at the front.  Such an emotionally charged, fun, and loving start to the ceremony!

 

 

It was lovely not to be rushed, and to have the time to settle both ladies, they had a hug and got into position facing their guests which instantly created a lovely connection, and I could see everyone's smiles (and teary eyes) as we began.

I like to set the scene very early on with my ceremonies and to ensure everyone felt relaxed and a part of things, we included their guests in some lovely pledges to the couple and shared just what marriage means to them both.  As a little surprise, I chose not to just write a summary of their relationship but to tell their love story in the form of a poem and it seemed to be a huge hit! 

 

" . . . .Dating then ensued there was more tennis and having fun,
Raising money for new courts, playing for hours in the sun.
They had holidays and adventures like you wouldn’t believe,
Then in 2015 they met the fabulous Steve and Steve! . . ."

 

 

It was lovely to see everyone enjoying their story, taking in the details, and connecting with what was happening.  The people in their lives mean a great deal and so I printed off all of their comments and framed this, but instead of sharing this in the ceremony, I also reached out to all of their guests and obtained their thoughts about Jana and Molly and the response was wonderful!  I had so many comments, and some lengthy but fabulous stories, that I could only share a few details but it was great to show them a hint of what everyone thought of them, and how valued they truly are.

 

 

"During that year Jana asked Molly to move in, 
it involved a teacup, a pen, and something written within!
These two met family, visited Slovakia, and strengthened their ties,
Continuing to just date until Molly planned a surprise. . . ."
 

We also had a fabulous reading by their good friend Charlie, who read brilliantly, with sincerity, and great intonation, and everyone listened to every word.

By the time we reached their vows, we had already felt the impact of this personal ceremony, and after confirming promises to one another, it was time for them to share their own words.  Tissues at the ready, we began with Jana who wrote some beautiful heartfelt words and read them with real emotion.  Then it was Molly's turn, and as a surprise (there were so many surprises!) she read her special words in Jana's mother tongue (Slovakian), in a highly impressive accent and with great flow and Jana was so taken aback.  It was the most lovely moment.

 

 

To seal their promises, they then exchanged rings, rings that were Jana's parent's wedding bands.  Sadly passed, they now remain a part of their lives in this special way and are engraved to mark this special wedding day.

With a much anticipated first kiss, these two were so buoyed by what had just happened, and as we took them around to the signing table with Molly's Maid of Honour (the lovely Nicola) and Jana's sister (the fabulous Tatiana) I think they were relieved to have a moment to let it all sink in.

 

 

Then it was back to the ceremony space for a plate smashing (a lovely Slovakian tradition) whereby the plate is smashed, and the couple must use a dustpan and brush to clean the pieces, working together while someone adds to the mess and makes it difficult to clear away, it symbolises the strength in their teamwork and how they overcome challenges together.

 

 

As this came to a close, and we concluded the ceremony with some final words, everyone was lined up with their confetti ready, and quite literally bursting at the seams to show these two some love! As the words "Jana and Molly Klemova-White" rang out across the garden, the guests showered these two amazing people with confetti and cheers of joy. 

 

 

Such a sweet and befitting conclusion to their ceremony, and a great start to the rest of their celebrations.  Everyone was ready to hug these two, to share thoughts, comments, and feelings with them, and to help them celebrate!

Outside of my celebrant role, I assisted with some announcements and helped to guide people when it was time to witness the next marvellous apsect of their wedding day.  It started with drinks and then a short trip to the local tennis courts for photos and drone footage of the couple playing tennis (a very sweet nod to how they met) and the procession there was quite the sight, everyone in their red white, and blue finery, and carrying rainbow umbrellas it was just beautiful.

 

"So here we arrive now in 2023, 
celebrating the love of Jana and Molly
Thanks go to you all for playing your part, 
as friends to this couple, you have a firm place in their heart.

I’m sure you’ll agree their pairing is perfect and they fit like a glove,
But don’t forget where it all started - with tennis and a score of love-love."

 

 

Following this, were the most incredible speeches, a beautiful first dance, and their cake-cutting before the evening celebrations commenced.

I am genuinely bowled over by the level of detail that these two packed into their day, the little touches to make everyone feel welcome, and a part of the celebrations.  It was just perfect.

 

 

Congrats to Mrs and Mrs Klemova-White, and may your future be filled with adventures, love, laughter, and fun.

You two rock!

Jenny

x

 

 

(images in this blog are by Jenny Knight - official images to follow).

(Excerpts from the poem that I wrote about their story, for the ceremony.)