Ceremony Journal – Insights, Symbols and Words from the Heart

The perfect length is about 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes when spoken aloud (approximately 150-250 words). However, if you feel nervous, consider keeping them shorter. On the other hand, if inspiration flows freely, feel free to write a longer text! Just make sure your vows aren’t too disproportionate in length compared to your partner’s.

Of course! That’s exactly what my vow-writing workshops are designed for.

It’s not mandatory, and in fact, it’s quite rare. The most important thing is to say them with sincerity, whether you read them or not.

You can choose a loved one, such as a family member or a friend, or hire a professional officiant like me. My role is to design a smooth, emotional, and fully personalized ceremony that perfectly matches your expectations.

Creating and officiating a secular ceremony requires listening skills, empathy, and a great capacity to adapt to the couple’s expectations. It also takes humor and creativity to craft a unique and captivating text, as well as natural ease to present it fluently and engagingly on the big day. Finally, strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential to coordinate every step and ensure a seamless ceremony.

Yes, a secular ceremony is entirely customizable and can include religious or spiritual traditions that hold special meaning for you. The goal is to create a moment that truly reflects you by blending symbolic, cultural, or personal elements while respecting your values and beliefs. For example, you could incorporate a blessing ritual, spiritual readings, or specific family traditions. Together, we’ll find the best way to include them harmoniously in the ceremony.

I start with an initial conversation to get to know you, understand your expectations, and discuss your vision for the ceremony. Then, I ask questions orally and provide written questionnaires for you to complete as a couple and individually. This helps me understand your personalities, wishes, and story. Together, we develop the style, content, and rituals of the ceremony. I guide you every step of the way, from writing the text to coordinating the big day, to create a celebration that truly reflects you.

Ideally, contact me 9 to 12 months before your wedding to ensure my availability on your chosen date. This timeline also allows us to prepare your ceremony with peace of mind. However, if your wedding is approaching quickly, I’m happy to adapt and accommodate your needs. It happened once that I prepared a ceremony in just four weeks – off-season and with a very responsive and proactive couple!

Yes, a rehearsal is possible if you wish. It can reassure everyone and ensure a smooth ceremony. However, in most cases, it is not necessary for everything to go perfectly.

No worries! I’m here to guide you every step of the way. I’ll provide inspiring ideas, concrete examples, and a structured framework tailored to your preferences. Together, we’ll build a ceremony that truly reflects you, even if you don’t know where to begin.

Absolutely. I help you prepare your speech and anticipate every key moment so that you can approach your wedding with confidence. I also ensure the ceremony’s content remains a surprise to heighten the authenticity and emotional impact of the big day.

On average, a secular ceremony lasts around 45 minutes, but the duration depends on the content you choose to include. A bilingual ceremony usually lasts at least an hour, while a ceremony without speeches or rituals can be shorter, between 20 and 30 minutes. I once had the pleasure of celebrating a nearly two-hour ceremony in two languages, filled with touching contributions – a moment so cherished that the guests almost wished it would never end.

I travel throughout France and internationally, depending on your needs. For journeys over 250 km in France, I charge a travel fee of €150. We’ll discuss practical details together to plan your ceremony as smoothly as possible.

I’ll do my best to adapt to your new plans. If I’m unavailable, I’ll help you find a suitable solution.

Of course! Writing your own vows is a deeply personal moment, and I can help you find the perfect words if needed. If you’re nervous about reading them aloud, I can suggest suitable alternatives.

Yes, your loved ones can play a central role in the ceremony, whether through readings, speeches, or symbolic interventions. I’ll connect with them, collaborate on their contributions, and guide them to ensure their involvement fits seamlessly into the ceremony. I also structure the ceremony around their contributions, following the thread of your story, to create a unique and fluid experience without unnecessary repetitions.

Absolutely! The ceremony should reflect your personality. Together, we’ll define the tone that suits you best.

I can design a bilingual or multilingual ceremony to include all your guests. Whether through translations, alternating between languages, or bilingual summaries and comments, I offer various solutions for a dynamic and engaging ceremony. I’m fluent in English and German, and I can officiate in Italian and Spanish. For other languages, I’ll find ways to incorporate them into a bilingual ceremony. The key is that we can communicate in English, French, or German to prepare your ceremony.

Yes, I can suggest rituals that align with your values and symbolize what you wish to convey, as well as texts that reflect your story and cultures.

My fees depend on the location of your ceremony, the number of languages involved, and the level of customization desired. You can find the details of my packages under the "Services" tab. For a personalized quote, feel free to contact me—I’d be delighted to discuss your project.

My services include preparatory meetings, the personalized writing of your ceremony, coordination with your loved ones, a customized ceremony booklet, and officiating on the wedding day for the "Tailored" and "Comprehensive" packages. For the "Officiant Coaching" package, I guide your chosen officiant through every step to help them prepare for this unique moment. Detailed information is available on the "Services" page.

Yes, I offer a writing service if you’d like a loved one to officiate. This is part of my "Officiant Coaching" package, which includes guidance to help your chosen officiant craft a ceremony that reflects you.

Yes, I can help you write your vows, speeches, or any other text to make your day truly special. This is also an important part of my work as a public writer. To learn more, visit my website: www.discours-et-textes.fr/discours.