All about your
Precious Celebrant -
Nicola Evans

WEDDING CEREMONY - DEBORAH & JOHN BIRD, 18 AUGUST 2025

 

Background Music – Classical

Good afternoon

Welcome to the Coed Y Mwster Hotel and thank you for attending the wedding of Deborah and John 😊 on this beautiful day with these wonderful grounds. I would like to start with some housekeeping, could you please turn all your phones and devices off or onto silent.  Thank you

The bride and groom kindly ask that you refrain from posting any photos on social media until they’ve had the chance to share their own. Please allow the official photographer to capture the special moments first—there will be a designated time during the ceremony for you to take your own pictures.  Thank you

Please be upstanding for those who are able to for the Bridal Party.

Enter Classic Music – Here comes the Bride

Please be seated.

Welcome one and all.

My name is Nicola Evans, and it is a true privilege to be here today, leading this beautiful ceremony and sharing in the joy of Deborah and John’s wonderful celebration. Deborah, you look absolutely radiant—and John, you complement her perfectly. Along with the Maid of Honour, bridesmaids, flower girls, best men and boys… wow, you all look simply fabulous. What a stunning gathering.

Today, we gather to honour the love they share and the journey they are beginning together and to unite two families together.

Parental Blessing

I invite Deborah’s Uncle Percy and John’s father, Kenneth, to please stand.

A marriage is more than just the unity of two souls, it is the joining of two families.  Deborah and John want to offer their gratitude to you, for the love and care you have shown them throughout their lives.  You have inspired them, guided them and supported them, and they would not be the people they are today without you.

 

I first ask Percy, to bestow your blessing on this union.  Do you take this man into your family and into your hearts, and do you commit yourself to loving and  supporting Deborah and John in their life together?

I do

I first ask Kenneth, to bestow your blessing on this union.  Do you take this woman into your family and into your hearts, and do you commit yourself to loving and  supporting Deborah and John in their life together?

I do

Please be seated.

Today, we pause to honour those who are deeply missed—Deborah’s beloved mother, Geraldine, her father, Frank, and John’s mother, Olletta. Though they cannot be here in person, their love is woven into the fabric of this day.

We feel them in the quiet moments, in the warmth of shared smiles, and in the joy that surrounds us. Their presence lingers—in the stories we carry, the values they passed on, and the love they gave so freely.

As Deborah and John step into this new chapter together, they do so with full hearts, carrying the spirit of Geraldine, Frank, and Olletta close. Today is a celebration, and they are part of it—in memory, in love, and always.

John and Deborah kindly invited me into their home to discuss this ceremony and I was very interested on how they met and will now will share with you.

Love Story

John and Deborah broke the rules—and not in a rebellious, rock’n’roll kind of way. No, they met in the office of Cuthbert and Glutterbucks, Investment Brokers. Not exactly the setting of a steamy rom-com, but fate works with what it’s given.

John, already a senior partner, had heard a new staff member was joining. What he didn’t expect was that she’d be the woman of his dreams—and that she’d be standing in front of him one day, probably wondering why he was loitering near the printer again.

The moment John saw Deborah—with her flowing blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes—he was smitten. Utterly, hopelessly smitten. Meanwhile, Deborah first noticed John by his aftershave. He smelled amazing. Like someone who knew the difference between a good cologne and a budget air freshener. She didn’t see him at first—too busy chatting in the corridor—but that scent lingered like a plot twist.

Later, the same fragrance wafted past again. This time, she looked up. Their eyes met. Cue the dramatic music. And just like that, the office romance began. HR may not have approved, but the universe clearly did.

They tried to keep their romance under wraps. Really, they did. Thought they were being terribly discreet—like undercover agents in a rom-com. No PDA, no lingering glances over the photocopier. Just two colleagues, totally normal, casually chatting after work drinks… and then mysteriously vanishing in opposite directions, only to rendezvous further down the road like it was a spy mission.

Weekends were for secret meetups. Weeknights too. They kept up the charade for ages, convinced they were flying under the radar. But let’s be honest—everyone in the office had clocked it. The only ones who didn’t know they were a couple… were John and Deborah.

Eventually, they decided it was time to come clean. They made their grand announcement, expecting gasps and confetti. What they got was a chorus of “Finally!” and a few knowing nods. No one was shocked. If anything, the real surprise was how long they’d managed to keep up the act.

They weren’t sure whether to feel relieved or slightly embarrassed. But hey—at least they’d given the office something to gossip about that wasn’t printer jam related.

Next came the big milestone: meeting the families. Deborah’s clan welcomed John with open arms—and open kettle. Uncle Percy was so thrilled, he forgot to take the teabag out of John’s cup. A bold move. Nothing says “you’re one of us now” like a brew strong enough to strip paint.

Deborah, on the other hand, was a little nervous about meeting John’s dad. Rumour had it he was a tough nut—strict, stoic, and not easily impressed. But Deborah, armed with her radiant smile, flowing hair, and those blue eyes, had him melting faster than butter on a crumpet. Within minutes, he was offering her the good biscuits. You know, the ones reserved for guests who pass the test.

In the end, both families took to their new additions like ducks to water. There were no fireworks, no dramatic speeches—just warm welcomes, slightly over-steeped tea, and a mutual sense that this was something rather special.

I asked both about the proposal and well - John pulled off a proposal worthy of a rom-com finale. He chose their favourite restaurant, reserved the best table in the house, and even arranged for a violinist to set the mood—because nothing says “I adore you” like string music and candlelight. And then, of course, came the pièce de résistance: a dazzling Tiffany ring that could probably be seen from space.

With all the grace of a man on a mission (and one slightly nervous knee), John dropped down and popped the question. Just as Deborah was processing the moment, the waiter arrived with a bouquet so spectacular it could’ve won awards. The entire restaurant erupted in applause—cutlery paused mid-air, champagne flutes clinked, and one diner may have shed a tear into their crème brûlée.

Now, Deborah is rarely lost for words. But in that moment, she was completely speechless. And if you know Deborah, you’ll know that’s no small feat.

I asked Deborah and John to share with me separately what they love most about each other.  

Deborah, John told me that he loves the way you care for him—gently, instinctively, and always with such warmth. When he’s feeling low, all it takes is one look at you, and suddenly the world feels lighter. Your radiance, your kindness, and the way you make him feel seen and supported are truly one of a kind. He said he feels deeply honoured—and incredibly lucky—that you’ve chosen to be his wife and walk beside him for the rest of your lives.

John, Deborah shared that you have a remarkable gift—no matter what kind of day she’s having, you always manage to make her laugh. You care for her deeply, and even on the days when she doesn’t feel quite herself, you still find ways to lift her up with your kind words and gentle presence.

She told me that you turn her bad days into good ones, simply by being you. It’s the little things you do—the thoughtful gestures, the quiet support, the way you notice what matters—that mean the world to her. You never cease to amaze her.

Deborah is truly grateful to have you in her life, and she feels so lucky to be walking this journey with you by her side.

Ritual

Celebrant:

Now, before we get to the “I do’s,” we have a little tradition to honour—one that’s older than spreadsheets, smartphones, and even your nan’s best Victoria sponge.

It’s called handfasting, and it’s where we quite literally “tie the knot.” Yes, today we’re going to bind these two together—not with duct tape or superglue, but with something far more elegant: ribbon of love and laughter.

Deborah and John
Please face each other and join your hands—left to left, right to right, or however feels most romantic and least awkward.

As I wrap this ribbon around your hands, imagine it as a magical thread—woven from all your shared adventures, inside jokes, late-night snacks, and the occasional “who left the wet towel on the bed” moment.

This knot is not a trap—it’s a promise.
A promise to be each other’s favourite person,
to laugh at the same silly memes,
to hold hands through the storms and the sunshine.

Do you promise to keep choosing each other,
even when one of you steals the duvet or forgets the milk?

Deborah and John

We do.

Do you promise to be each other’s home,
no matter where life takes you—whether it’s a castle, a campervan, or a flat with questionable plumbing?

Deborah and John

We do.

Closing words

Let this knot be a symbol of your love—strong, flexible, and occasionally tangled, but always worth unravelling together.

You may now release your hands—but not your hearts. And definitely not each other’s Netflix passwords.

Deborah and John are now going to exchange their vows

Personal Promises/Vows

Deborah’s Vows to John

"John, from the moment our paths crossed, you’ve felt like home.
I vow to love you with the same quiet strength you’ve always shown me—
to stand beside you in joy, in challenge, and in all the ordinary moments that make a life.
I promise to listen with patience, speak with kindness, and laugh with you often.
I will honour your dreams as if they were my own,
and hold your heart with the care it deserves.
Today, I choose you—without hesitation, without condition,
with all that I am and all that I hope to become."

 

John’s Vows to Deborah

"Deborah, you are my calm in the storm, my spark in the quiet.
I vow to love you not just in the grand gestures, but in the small, everyday ways—
in cups of tea, in shared glances, in the way we hold each other’s stories.
I promise to be your partner, your confidant, your greatest cheerleader.
I will cherish your laughter, honour your truth, and protect the love we’ve built.
With every sunrise, I’ll choose you again—
and with every sunset, I’ll be grateful I did."

Exchange of rings

Ring Exchange Script for Deborah and John

"These rings are more than metal and stone.
They are circles—without beginning or end—
symbols of a love that is infinite, enduring, and whole."

To Deborah: "John, with this ring, I give you my heart.
I promise to walk beside you, to lift you when you stumble,
and to celebrate every joy we find together.
May this ring remind you, always, that you are deeply loved."

To John: "Deborah, with this ring, I give you my soul’s companion.
I vow to honour your truth, to cherish your laughter,
and to hold your hand through every season of life.
May this ring be a constant whisper of my devotion."

Ceremony Kiss Moment

"You have spoken your vows, exchanged your rings, and promised your hearts.
Now, let love speak without words.

Deborah and John—may your first kiss as a married couple be a seal upon your hearts,
a whisper of forever, and a celebration of all that is to come.
You may now kiss."

Signing the certificate

Now comes the moment where the certificate is signed alongside chosen witnesses who are here not just  for the cake, but to confirm that love has indeed been declared, sealed, and celebrated. Also possibly qualifies you for joint Netflix accounts and shared laundry baskets."

Announcement – End of Ceremony

The vows have been said, the rings exchanged, paper work signed and all sealed with a kiss,.  "May your days be filled with laughter, your nights with peace,
and your shared calendar with just enough mystery to keep things interesting.
Now, let’s send these two off into married life with all the love, joy, and applause they deserve!"

Please be upstanding as this gives me enormous pleasure to present you the very happy couple: Deborah and John

(Pause for cheers, maybe a dramatic gesture)