Katie’s unforgettable processional at Appleby Castle


You’ve booked your wedding venue, and now you want to make your day extra special by choosing a wedding celebrant? Great! You can do the ‘legal bit’ at the registrar’s office on the day of your choosing. The vast majority of my couples don’t do the legal requirements on the same day as their celebrant-led ceremony.

 

Ben and Lisa had the loveliest ceremony at Eden Barn, Cumbria



What you may not know is that there are only 41 words, plus your names, that form the legal minimum for getting married. You don’t have to do a service or ceremony with the registrar. A lot of registrars will try and tell you otherwise, but it’s simply not true. You can have what is known as a ‘notification only’ with two witnesses present. This means you can save your music, rings, readings and vows for the ceremony that you’ll share with your friends and family.

Mr and Mrs Brown’s anointing ritual before their handtying.



Here’s what you need to know about choosing a wedding celebrant. Firstly, it’s important that you choose someone you resonate with because you will, hopefully, be developing a relationship. This is one of the primary differences between a registrar and a celebrant.

Beth creasing over due to my clever use of humour in their wedding ceremony.



Not all celebrants are the same. You might make a choice based on price or the celebrant’s location to your venue or their background or if you have shared interests. You might choose them on their looks or voice or something else. Perhaps your choice is based on the celebrant’s familiarity with your venue. Maybe you’d like to book them because you’ve seen them at work or had a glowing recommendation from a wedding planner or friend.

 

Pam and Doug’s beautiful Handfasting Ceremony on the Summer Solstice: Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides



Be wary of choosing someone based on their price. I can’t stress this enough. A lower-priced celebrant who is undercutting other celebrants may appear popular because they’re getting more work, but of this you should be sure: they will also be undercutting in other ways. That is, they simply won’t have the time to write you a bespoke ceremony. They’ll be ‘cutting and pasting’. Nor will they have the time to get to know you as well as they should. How can they if they’re churning out several weddings a week/more than one a day?

 

Sandra and Graham’s gorgeous outdoor ceremony by the River Nith.

Of course, there are also brand-new celebrants who charge the same fee as someone like myself (who has 28 plus years of real-life wedding experience). How do you tell the difference? Therein lies the problem. Now, while some newly certified celebrants might prove to be excellent, it’s important to remember that this is an unregulated industry. What this means is that every week, hundreds of new celebrants are being churned out of celebrant-training schools with certificates simply for ‘turning up’. This is no indicator of whether someone has the skills and qualities to do the job adequately never mind with excellence. (As a celebrant trainer, all my students are certified based on aptitude.)

 

Emma and Dom’s beautiful ceremony at Askham Hall, near Penrith.



I’m now in my 28th year of being a wedding celebrant. I’ve experienced every scenario you can imagine. One of my celebrant superpowers is being calm. This calmness shows in your wedding ceremony and extends to you as a couple. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of humour or fun or whatever atmosphere you want created.

Laura’s processional for her celebrant-led ceremony with me at Hidden River, Cumbria

My job is to provide solidity, an anchor if you like, so that your ceremony is grounded. This is, after all, the template for your married life. It’s best not to confuse the words ‘safe hands’ with boring. My ceremonies are anything but! Each one reflects my couple so it might be traditional, alternative, unusual, humorous, edgy, romantic, philosophical, and so on. What they all have in common is that they are 100% bespoke (original) to the couple in question. There is no ceremony in the world that will come close regardless of what traditional elements it might include.

Fraser and Emily’s stunning wedding ceremony (on a stormy day) was held at Eden Barn, Cumbria.



In 2020, I graduated from University of Cumbria with a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. You can bet I’m going to LOVE writing your love story.

A beautiful elopement here in Cumbria for Nicky and Karen.



You can find me officiating from Callanish on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides down to Cornwall, and internationally, but mostly you’ll find me officiating weddings here in beautiful Cumbria. I’ve officiated in castles, flower meadows, on beaches, in woodlands, barns, homes, gardens, hotels, stone circles, stables, canal boats and more.

When Katrina and Josh said they were having a Lords of the Rings-inspired wedding, I said “I’ll bring Gandalf!”

 

Hannah and Jaret travelled from Canada for their woodland wedding at Low Hall The Lakes.


If you’re getting married in Cumbria, and want a beautiful wedding ceremony you’ll always remember, do get in touch.


Paul and Katie’s ceremony was held in the bailey at Appleby Castle.

Ashleigh and Tom’s gorgeous ceremony at Cote How, in the Lake District, Cumbria

Of course I can include your dogs in your ceremony!


In my twenty eight years as a wedding celebrant, I’ve never officiated more than one wedding a day (and nor will I in the future). And there’s a good reason or this: my intention is always quality over quantity. My promise to each wedding couple is that they’ll have my undivided attention. This focus means that I’m not under any time pressure and nor are they (and nor will I get their names wrong!). A registrar, for example, who often officiates several services a day, offers no leeway for a change of plans.

 

For Claire’s gorgeous wedding at Grubbin’s Point, Cumbria, they stood on this heart of moss surrounded by heart-shaped stones that her and Tony collected on beach walks.



For example, I had a ceremony recently where one of the essential suppliers had a flat tyre on the way to the venue. Had it been a registrar-led service, the bride would have had to have her ceremony even though she didn’t have what she needed for the day.

Oftentimes I have couples who’d love an outdoor ceremony. The weather being what it is in Britain, we’re often rained off! However, due to my flexibility and promise, we can wait a shower out if it means you’ll get your ceremony outdoors.

We just missed the rain for Paul and Katie’s gorgeous outdoor ceremony at Appleby Castle.



From my perspective, I’m yours till the ceremony is complete. I am patient, flexible and adaptable.

When a couple books me for their ceremony, I block off the whole day (and the day before for a rehearsal). A lot of my couples, somewhere in the lead up to the ceremony, change the start time. This is 100% fine with me. Imagine, though, if I had another ceremony booked? It certainly wouldn’t be fine!

 

Katie’s gorgeous processional for her wedding to Paul at Appleby Castle.


Many times I’ve been called by distressed couples because their celebrant has let them down at short notice. Also, it’s not unusual for celebrants to ‘double book’ and then, as they draw closer to the day, decide which couple they most prefer to work with. This is not part of my celebrant practice.

 

Darryl and Greg’s Ceremony was at Three Hills Barn, Cumbria



When I say to my couples that they’re in safe hands, this is true. I come with 28 years of experience, and have never missed a ceremony. I’m organised, reliable and dedicated to giving you the BEST DAY EVER.

 

Laura and Gina’s BEST DAY EVER. I loved being their celebrant.



Veronika Robinson is an Aussie celebrant and celebrant trainer living in Cumbria who officiates across all rites of passage. From elopements and micro-weddings to huge ceremonies, her style is relaxed, authentic and friendly. With a Masters Degree in Creative Writing, she brings this to her storytelling. As an independent Heart-led Celebrant, she officiates ceremonies according to each client’s beliefs and is happy to create weddings which are religious, spiritual, agnostic or humanist in the setting of your choice, day or night, any day or season of the year.

Well hello! My name is Veronika Robinson, and I’m a wedding celebrant in Cumbria. I’m actually an Aussie, but have lived here since 1999. I began my celebrancy career back in 1995 in New Zealand, and have officiated across all rites of passage, internationally. I’m also a celebrant trainer and publisher of The Celebrant magazine. You can probably guess: I am passionate about celebrancy.

The Happy Celebrant: Veronika Robinson



There are so many aspects to being a wedding celebrant that I truly love and one of them is that every single wedding is so different. Unlike a registrar service where you have a choice between three set scripts, every ceremony I write is bespoke from beginning to end. When you book me as your wedding celebrant, of this you can be certain: I am as invested in your wedding ceremony as you are. It is important to me that it is 100% perfect for you.

Karen and Nicky’s elopement ceremony in Cumbria. Photo by Kathryn White.



My style is relaxed, warm, friendly, gentle and with a touch of humour (or more) if desired. I offer multi-cultural, spiritual, religious, humanist and agnostic ceremonies, and tailor the style depending on your wishes. Some couples prefer a traditional and formal feel while others want something laid back or alternative. I’ve worked in a variety of places over the years from castles to flower meadows, beaches to vineyards, stone circles to stables, riversides to waterfalls, barns to living rooms, gardens to woodlands, canal boats to lofts.

 

Some of the venues you can find me officiating at include: Askham Hall, Low Hall The Lakes, New House Farm, Eden Barn, Hidden River, Crown Hotel Wetheral, Roundthorn, Appleby Castle, Augill Castle, Three Hills Barn, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Long Meg Stone Circle, Callanish Stones, Cragwood Country House Hotel, Limetree Farm Stone Circle, New Dungeon Ghyll, Swaledale Yurts, Blencowe Hall, Glassonby Old Hall, Kirkbride Hall.

Ringing the Tibetan Prayer Bell at Pam and Doug’s spiritual wedding ceremony on the Summer Solstice at Callanish Stones. Image by Sandie Photos.



If you’d like a handfasting ceremony or a handtying ritual, sacred-oil anointing, Irish sundial ritual, matrimonial handwashing, jumping the broom, caudle, quaich, minna or any other symbolic element in your ceremony, I will work with you to co-create a beautiful wedding ceremony here in Cumbria (or beyond).

Matrimonial handwashing ritual. Image by Kathryn White.

 

Hannah and Jaret’s woodland wedding at Low Hall The Lakes

 

Nicola and Lee’s gorgeous wedding at Askham Hall

 

Darryl and Greg’s gorgeous Scottish-themed wedding was at Three Hills Barn.

Katie’s grand processional at Appleby Castle

 

Ryan and Andrea had their wedding ceremony, and Tom’s naming ceremony, in their own barn.

Laura and Gina’s gorgeous wedding ceremony was at the fabulous Hidden River barn.


“Thank you again for making the day so perfect. We couldn’t have wished for a more perfect ceremony and everyone has been raving to us about how much they enjoyed it and how truly unique it was! With love, Katrina and Josh”



When I realised that Katrina and Josh were massive (MASSIVE) LOTR fans, I simply said “Well, I’ll have to bring Gandalf!” The look on Josh’s face was priceless. And bring Gandalf, I did. (My husband Paul, who accompanies me to ceremonies to do the amplification, spent much of his career as an actor (TV, stage and radio) and jumped at the chance to be Gandalf for the day!)



Their beautiful ceremony was inspired by LOTR and I integrated quotes (including some narrative from Gandalf). Due to the weather, their ceremony with guests was held indoors but afterwards Josh and Katrina and I (oh, and Gandalf) headed out to the woods for a private ceremony.



Images by Luke Hassall

Veronika Robinson is a Heart-led Celebrant in Cumbria. She has had the immense pleasure of creating beautiful weddings since 1995, and still has a skip in her step each time she heads off to officiate a ceremony. Although her practice is based in Cumbria, she officiates from Cornwall to Callanish, and everywhere in between, including internationally. Veronika is an inclusive celebrant and practises discrimination-free celebrancy. Her officiating style is relaxed, authentic, friendly, warm, gentle, caring, and with natural humour.

 

Weddings at Low Hall The Lakes

 Welcome to our glorious little haven tucked away in the North West of the Lake District.

Set in secluded and luscious grounds with a woodland, babbling brook and awesome views over the Lorton Fells, find our boutique B&B, events barn and the most beautiful Lake District Wedding Venue. Whether in need of some serenity, a base for adventure, a unique space for a knees up or a secluded spot for your Lake District elopement or mega wedding, a feast of enchanting character awaits. 

Perfection is:
♡ The look and feel of true love
♡ Autumn’s majestic colours
♡ Secluded Lake District wedding venue
♡ Magic of a Full Moon.



I fell in love with Hannah and Jaret the moment we connected. They’re one of the most beautiful couples I’ve ever had the pleasure to know, and it was beyond an honour to be the celebrant for the woodland wedding ceremony at Low Hall The Lakes.

Every inch of their wedding day was pure gorgeousness. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

 



Jaret’s wedding ring had added symbolism for it contains sand from Nova Scotia (where he’s from), English Oak (as a reminder of Hannah’s English roots) and rock from Yellowknife (where their love story began, and where they’re building a life together). Beautiful!

Photographer
@sallytphotography

Flowers
@rockandwreath

Celebrant
@veronika.robinson

 

 

Veronika Robinson is a Heart-led Celebrant in Cumbria. She has had the immense pleasure of creating beautiful weddings since 1995, and still has a skip in her step each time she heads off to officiate a ceremony. Although her practice is based in Cumbria, she officiates from Cornwall to Callanish, and everywhere in between, including internationally. Veronika is an inclusive celebrant and practises discrimination-free celebrancy. Her officiating style is relaxed, authentic, friendly, warm, gentle, caring, and with natural humour.

Handfasting Ceremony at the Callanish Stones, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides

Take one absolutely beautiful bride and groom from Australia. Add a four-year journey getting to know them (aka postponements due to you know what)… Set the ceremony at the World-famous Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Throw in 30km per hour winds to keep us on our toes. Be surrounded by valued friends and family (and interested tourists). All on the Summer Solstice…

What do you get? Magic and miracles. Love. Pure, gorgeous, life-affirming love.

Pam and Doug and I shared so many spiritual interests in common, and it felt like the stars truly aligned for us to come together as a wedding couple and a wedding celebrant. They had no idea when they booked me from Australia that I was also Australian (or how far I lived from their chosen wedding venue). But hey, I’m a celebrant, will travel!

I shall remember their gorgeous handfasting ceremony at the Callanish Stone Circle on the Summer Solstice for the rest of my life. Thank you Pam and Doug for sharing your photos with me, and for being such beautiful souls. You have truly touched my heart and my life in ways you can never begin to imagine. Thank you for being so inspiring.

Photography by Sandie Photos.

 






Veronika Robinson is a Heart-led Celebrant in Cumbria. She has had the immense pleasure of creating beautiful weddings since 1995, and still has a skip in her step each time she heads off to officiate a ceremony. Although her practice is based in Cumbria, she officiates from Cornwall to Callanish, and everywhere in between, including internationally. Veronika is an inclusive celebrant and practises discrimination-free celebrancy. Her officiating style is relaxed, authentic, friendly, warm, gentle, caring, and with natural humour. And if you like, she’s happy to wear Tamara, her beautiful velvet purple ceremonial cloak.


Getting to know Nicky and Karen was a true joy for me. I meet so many couples in my work as a Wedding Celebrant, a job I’ve thoroughly enjoyed for 28 years now, and it never ceases to amaze me the pure magic involved in how people meet and when that spark takes hold. Their elopement ceremony was held here in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, one of the most beautiful counties in the UK.



It was while on holiday that they met, in the magical Ionian sea, on the Greek Island of Zante, a place of beauty known for sea turtles, white beaches and entertainment. Beneath sunny skies, and to the soundtrack of waves lapping upon the shoreline, the seeds of friendship were planted. The Hand of Fate knew what it was doing when it brought them together on that gorgeous Greek Island. The Greeks have philosophised about love for a long time, and have many different words for it.


One of the fabulous things I loved about creating their elopement ceremony  was their incredible openness to ideas. As a result, we were able to incorporate spiritual, religious and cultural elements that were meaningful and personal to them into their beautiful ceremony.

The plan was to have their ceremony in a gorgeous garden at one of their favourite places: their happy place. Well, in true British Summer style, it was tipping down. Were we going to let that stop us?

A massive thank you to fab photographer Kathryn White for navigating the rain!

Veronika Robinson is a Heart-led Celebrant in Cumbria. She has had the immense pleasure of creating beautiful weddings since 1995, and still has a skip in her step each time she heads off to officiate a ceremony. Although her practice is based in Cumbria, she officiates from Cornwall to Callanish, and everywhere in between, including internationally. Veronika is an inclusive celebrant and practises discrimination-free celebrancy. Her officiating style is relaxed, authentic, friendly, warm, gentle, caring, and with natural humour.


Fraser and Emily’s wedding ceremony at the delightful Eden Barn was truly a day to remember. That morning, as I was preparing to leave home, the thunder rumbled and lightning flashes lit up the dark sky. We’d just managed to pack the car with my amplifier and microphone, despite the torrential rain, when the electricity went out in the village. Thankfully I was dressed and ready to go.



The journey to Eden Barn soon changed direction as I navigated flooded roads and road closures. Despite the diversions (and a racing heart), I managed to get there in plenty of time. I always leave early for ceremonies ‘just in case’.

Eden Barn, as ever, looked absolutely beautiful. Once inside, there was no sense of the dramatic weather outside. It was warm and cosy from the fairy lights. I love officiating here: the staff are fabulous, and the ambience is truly gorgeous.


Their ceremony was beautiful, and as with all the ceremonies I write, it was unique to them and their love story.

 


“In the time it takes to make a cup of tea, your whole life can change. That’s certainly what happened the day Fraser was meeting up with his mate, Will, Fraser’s best man here today. Making the most of a minute or two of free time while Will prepared a brew, Fraser decided to have a swipe on the dating app Bumble. Now, not all dating apps are the same! Bumble has two distinct features: one is that it’s a feminist app, so that means the woman always makes the first move.”

 

 


Congratulations Emily and Fraser. Thank you for being such a wonderful couple, and for sharing your gorgeous photos with me. The love between you both was such a pleasure to experience.

Photography by Gail Secker.


Veronika Robinson is a Heart-led Celebrant in Cumbria. She has had the immense pleasure of creating beautiful weddings since 1995, and still has a skip in her step each time she heads off to officiate a ceremony. Although her practice is based in Cumbria, she officiates from Cornwall to Callanish, and everywhere in between, including internationally. Veronika is an inclusive celebrant and practises discrimination-free celebrancy. Her officiating style is relaxed, authentic, friendly, warm, gentle, caring, and with natural humour.

 

About Eden Barn

Overlooking picturesque scenery, and set in 100 acres, it is an exclusive and intimate licensed Wedding Barn in Cumbria’s enchanting Upper Eden Valley. A 200 year old Westmorland stone barn it has a rustic elegance that can be tailored to your theme, for a unique wedding. This beautiful building is packed with rustic charm from the giant chandeliers to the exposed stone walls, limestone flagged floor and vaulted ceiling. Outside there are expansive views, a hand-thatched gazebo and lovely landscaped grounds.