It all began in 2017 when Alison became a registered celebrant. Her background in the corporate sector, leading large groups and functions, made this an easy transition. Her main motivation behind becoming a celebrant wasn’t to start a business but simply to marry her loved ones, family and friends.
From this close-knit circle, Alison began to get referrals and job requests from mutual friends and connections. Naturally, her work began to grow and so did her customer base. In 2021, Alison decided to commit to newly engaged couples and make herself available as a celebrant beyond her network. She understood the way COVID-19 impacted couples and weddings and wanted to help create happily ever afters, at a reasonable price that catered for the different environment.
Alison began her search for quality customers and joined three different lead generation service platforms. She hoped to find regular, genuine leads, but after some time, received an underwhelming amount of leads, which never generated profitable work.
Being new to the celebrant scene made it difficult, especially during the pandemic. Alison offers remote and face-to-face meetings, to offer her customers the best possible service. However, she still needed to get her new business out in the market to build her brand.
Experience on Oneflare
Alison found Oneflare to be a user-friendly and effective lead generation tool. The capabilities of the platform make it very easy for her to engage with customers. She has set up communication templates that help her respond quickly and easily to leads when she is out of the office. This feature ensures that she connects with potential customers via email and SMS to make the most out of each opportunity.
For Alison, the support from Oneflare has been great, and the genuine customer guarantee gives her peace of mind. She knows that if a customer has not interacted with their job request and has not responded to her quote, she will be refunded any credits spent on them.
“Oneflare has provided more leads and weddings than I can manage. There are times I don’t quote as I am already booked.”
Results on Oneflare
Alison Pringle CMC now has
A stellar 5-star rating
Steady, high-quality leads
A thriving new business
Alison’s advice for any business looking to sign up with Oneflare is: “Do it, it will work if you take the direction they give you”
The written word has a way of evoking intense feelings and setting the right mood. Many people consider a ceremony incomplete without a wedding reading. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to choose the right text to read. Many couples spend hours scouring different websites and reading different books to find the perfect passage.
This list contains a few recommendations for wedding readings. You can browse the options listed here and decide if any of them fit your requirements. You can then read the entire chapter or poem the passage originates from to get a sense of the context and pick the part of the passage that suits you best.
Modern wedding readings usually don’t have any religious connotations and the quotes are taken from contemporary novels and other such sources. These quotes can be just as meaningful and important as those taken from religious texts. Here are some options for you to consider:
1. The Notebook
The Notebook is one of the most romantic novels in contemporary literature. There are several lines and scenes in this book that would work well for a wedding reading. The book was written by Nicolas Sparks and was turned into a movie recently.
The movie has become Valentine’s Day ritual for many couples. The most popular quote is, “I’m nothing special; just a common man…”. This quote is simple yet meaningful and highlights the importance of loving your partner with all your heart and soul.
2. The Bridge Across Forever
What could be more uplifting and suitable for a modern wedding reading than a novel based on a true love story? The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach was published in 1984 and was on the New York Times Best Seller List for a long time. It’s considered a timeless classic and is a great read even if you don’t want to quote it at your wedding ceremony.
The most popular quote from this book is, “A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks.” The paragraph that follows this line is very popular in modern readings and will set a wonderful mood.
3. The Alchemist
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho isn’t a romance novel but don’t let classifications stop you from finding passages to read at your wedding. This book was published in 1988 and is a story of a young boy’s quest to find treasure. It’s the author’s most well-known book and has been translated from the original Portuguese into 69 languages.
One of the most romantic and relevant passages in this book follows this quote, “When he looked into her eyes, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke — the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love.” Quotes from this book would be an excellent addition to your wedding.
4. The Princess Bride
This fantasy romance novel is fun to read, and quotes from this book are an excellent addition to any wedding. The Princess Bride was first published in 1973 by William Goldman and combines comedy with romance, fantasy, and adventure. Quotes from this novel can add a lighthearted feel to your wedding.
One of the best quotes to read from this book is, “Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches…” This passage is bound to make everyone smile or laugh but it also showcases the depth of love and what people are willing to do for their loved ones.
5. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
This is another novel that was adapted and turned into a movie. It’s a historical romance novel set during a time of war, which lends some seriousness and gravity to the story.
The relationship between Antonio Corelli and Pelagia is interesting and intense with lines such as, “Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision.” The entire passage explores the deeper and more practical aspect of love. Love is not always about romance, flowers, and adventure. It’s also about growth and learning to become a single unit.
6. Wild Awake
Wild Awake is a story about a teenager’s journey during a summer without her parents. It’s a contemporary young adult novel that teaches several lessons and contains many quotes you can read at your wedding.
One of the most popular passages to read from this novel is, “People are like cities: we all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time, all we let each other see is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square…” This and the lines that follow are perfect for wedding readings as they contain wisdom and explain how people relate to one another.
Wedding readings from classical literature
Classical literature is full of quotes and passages that will work well with all types of modern weddings. In fact, you’ll find some of the most romantic and meaningful quotes on weddings, relationships, and romance in classic literature. Here are some of the most popular novels to read and source quotes from:
Classical literature can be a great source of wedding readings inspiration / Source: Tie the Knot Celebrant
1. Les Misérables
Victor Hugo’s eloquent work is a popular source of quotes and inspiration for brides and grooms. Les Misérables is a potent book with powerful stories. The book takes a deeper look at the nature of love and relationships and should be on everyone’s reading list.
This quote is just one of the many you could pick from, “The future belongs to hearts even more than it does to minds. Love is the only thing that can occupy and fill eternity. In the infinite, the inexhaustible is requisite.” You can find something unique that suits your relationship in this book.
2. Adam Bede
This was the first novel published under the pseudonym George Eliot in 1859. The story is set in the late 1790s and is told from George’s perspective.
While the story itself is a grim reading, there are some memorable quotes you can include in your wedding such as, “What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life…” This line and the passage that follows is a perfect match for a wedding filled with joy.
3. Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre is a classic romance novel that almost everyone has read at some point in their life. The Bronte sisters were known for their gritty and realistic tales, which were a marked contrast to the relatively light-hearted works of Jane Austen.
Jane Eyre has several inspiring quotes such as this example, “I have for the first time found what I can truly love — I have found you. You are my sympathy — my better self — my good angel — I am bound to you with a strong attachment.”
4. Letters to a Young Poet
This book contains a series of ten letters written by the Bohemian-Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke to a 19-year old officer cadet Franz Xaver Kappus. The poems are wonderful reads, offering much wisdom.
Quotes like, “For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation,” are perfectly suited for weddings.
5. A Farewell to Arms
This novel was written by Ernest Hemingway in 1929 and is set during the First World War. It tells the story of Frederic Henry, a Lieutenant in the Italian army’s ambulance corps and his love affair with Catherine Barkley. There are several themes to explore in this novel and many quotes that can give you a unique look at wartime romance.
But one quote captures the magic of the wedding day and marriage perfectly, “That night, there was a feeling that we had come home, feeling no longer alone, waking in the night to find the other one there, and not gone away; all other things were unreal.”
6. Mark Twain’s Letters
Mark Twain is one of the most well-known and recognised authors in classical literature. His books are filled to the brim with quotes and comments that can apply to any social situation and circumstance. However, what he wrote in his letters is equally interesting.
This quote from a compilation of his letters is perfect for any wedding reading, “This will be the mightiest day in the history of our lives, the holiest, & the most generous toward us both — for it makes of two fractional lives a whole.”
Funny readings for weddings
Some people don’t want a serious and solemn atmosphere at their wedding. They want the event to be full of joy, laughter, and humour. What better way to achieve this result than to add some funny quotes and readings to the event?
Einstein was a genius but he didn’t have much to say about love. What he did say can add a very light-hearted touch to a wedding.
“Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity.” Who hasn’t experienced this in their life? This reading will make everyone at your wedding smile.
2. Dr. Seuss
The Dr. Seuss series is well-known for imparting pearls of wisdom in a playful manner. When you read these tales as an adult, you notice subtleties and lessons that weren’t clear to you as a child.
Readings from these stories are always a charming addition to any wedding. For example, you can read, “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” and the entire page that follows injects playful meaning to the ceremony. This quote describes a new journey with new challenges, which is exactly what a marriage is.
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Wedding poems
If you want a traditional wedding and wish to incorporate a softer and more romantic element to it, you can read a poem. Unlike quotes, poems are inherently romantic and have a beautiful rhythm. There are many romantic poems you can choose; but the ones mentioned below are the most popular.
1. Sonnet 116
William Shakespeare was a masterful playwright and his words still have the ability to move people. Shakespeare’s sonnets are in a league of their own and convey deep meaning about love and relationships.
Sonnet 116 is popular because it’s true. It’s the best possible description of what love and marriage should be, “Let me not to the marriage of true minds, admit impediments. Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds or bends with the remover to remove: o no; it is an ever-fixed mark…” Whether you have a traditional wedding or a modern one, Sonnet 116 will never be out of place.
2. Hope is a thing with feathers
Emily Dickenson captures the hope and happiness that a marriage can bring with this poem.
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all…” This poem captures brides and grooms feel on their wedding day.
Wrap up
The right reading will set the mood for your wedding. Readings can move people to tears of happiness or bring some light-hearted relief. Let these examples inspire you to find a reading that suits your wedding.
Wedding speeches give family members and friends the opportunity to share their thoughts on the couple. Speakers often narrate interesting and humorous stories about the couple’s relationship and lighten the environment at the wedding. These speeches are an important aspect of the wedding format and most guests look forward to it.
When you plan your wedding, you need to plan the order of wedding speeches as well. You need to give the speakers enough time to say what they want to. You also need to plan the order carefully to ensure no one feels slighted and your guests are entertained rather than bored. We have some tips and suggestions to help you come up with the right plan.
You can choose to follow the traditional order of speeches for your wedding, or customise it to suit you / Source: Marry Us Gary
Traditional wedding speech order
This traditional wedding order is safe, predictable, and easy to implement. You don’t need to think about where the speeches and toasts will fit in because everyone speaks at the right time and for a good reason. Traditional wedding speech order includes:
The Master of Ceremonies – The MC conducts and directs all the entertainment during the wedding reception so they’re usually the first to speak. They welcome everyone to the reception and introduce themselves to the guests. They then introduce the bridal party before introducing the new bride and groom with enthusiasm and happiness. Based on the order of your wedding, the MC will introduce the father of the bride and prompt him to speak.
The father of the bride – The father of the bride takes up the host’s position and speaks just before dinner is set to start and when everyone has settled into their seats. He will introduce the groom, his family, welcome the guests and talk about his daughter and her partner, before offering a toast. After this speech is over, the food is served and guests can indulge in conversation.
The groom – The groom is next in line and his speech comes after everyone has finished eating dinner. The groom’s speech is usually a response to the father’s speech. He can thank the father, the hosts and the guests. Then say a few words about his new bride and toast to the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Best man – At this point, the best man responds to the toast from the groom on behalf of the bridal party. He then toasts to the bride’s parents.
Bride’s father – The bride’s father will speak again in response to the best man and then toast to the groom’s parents and family. You can include anyone you feel is important to the groom in this toast.
Response from the groom’s parents – The groom’s father will respond to the bride’s father’s toast with a few words of his own and a small speech about his son and new daughter in law.
After this, the MC can read messages and letters sent by people who couldn’t be present at the wedding but wanted their voices to be heard. You can even create a presentation and show these messages instead of reading them.
Non-traditional wedding speech order
You don’t have to stick with tradition if you don’t want to. For example, if the bride’s father can’t speak or the bridesmaid wants to speak, you can alter the format of the event accordingly. Here’s what you can do:
Choose the MC – You don’t need to hire an MC but it’s a good idea to have someone organise the events of the reception and keep things on track. You can choose a friend or family member to act as an MC for the event. Just ensure they have a welcoming personality and can comfortably communicate with the crowd.
Choose the host speaker – The host speaker doesn’t always have to be the bride’s father. It can be the bride’s mother, the groom’s father or anyone the bride considers an important part of her family. The host speaker can thank the guests, the families of the bride and groom, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and share some interesting stories about the couple.
The bride and groom – At this point, both the bride and the groom can speak about each other, about their relationship, their families and their friends. They can toast to each other and show appreciation for each other through their speech. They can also toast their parents and those who supported them throughout their relationship.
Response – The people who were thanked during the speech can respond after the bride and groom have finished speaking. This can also be the closing speech where the MC thanks everyone for coming to the wedding and supporting the couple.
Contact local wedding planners
Things to keep in mind
There are a number of things you should keep in mind before you plan the speaking order and make the needed arrangements.
Verify that people actually want to speak – Some people are uncomfortable speaking to large crowds and will only speak at your wedding if they’re forced to. Try to avoid this by asking people if they’re willing to speak at your wedding before you make your plans.
Hire a professional MC – We mentioned before that you don’t need to hire a professional MC to conduct the event but there are some distinct advantages to taking that step. A professional MC understands how to keep audiences engaged with humour and wit. They’ll also help you arrange the order and prepare the speeches if needed.
Keep room for some flexibility – These speeches can sometimes become spontaneous conversations, so it’s a good idea to ensure the order is flexible and allows people to interact. This is especially true for casual weddings where everyone knows one another.
Set a time – Allot some time for every speech and let the speakers know. This will help them prepare the speech and ensure it doesn’t exceed the time limit.
Consider your entire wedding format carefully and determine where you want to fit the toasts and wedding speeches in. You can also ask a professional wedding planner or people with experience with weddings to help you plan the format.
