We loved chatting with Marie Claire! After our first blog on choosing a celebrant sparked so much interest, part two dives into booking her with Willow & Wild and hearing her take on being part of each couple’s story.
Let’s start at the beginning of the process..
At the start of the wedding planning journey, it’s so easy to get swept up in the excitement of guest lists, venues, and all the logistics, but what about the ceremony itself? How early do you recommend couples reach out to enquire about having you as their celebrant?
As with booking anything wedding-related, the sooner the better to avoid disappointment! I open my books 18 months in advance and spaces can fill up quickly. More and more couples are choosing a celebrant to make their ceremony truly special - if you’ve decided I’m the right fit don’t hesitate to get your date secured!
There are lots of ways to get in touch - my website, willowandwildweddings.co.uk, has plenty of information on the booking process along with an enquiry form. You can also email me directly at willowandwildweddings@gmail.com, find me on Instagram @willowandwildweddings and send me a DM, or finally, you can find me on the wedding directory, hitched.com where you can send me an enquiry.
We’re really vibing with your social media, it’s so full of warmth, authenticity, and joy! How do you use your platforms to connect with couples and attract the ones who really vibe with your style?
Honestly, social media is the part of the job I find the hardest! I’m sure most business owners can relate - it’s a bit of a minefield and can feel like a full-time job in itself.
I’m not aiming for perfection with my content, but I do try to keep things relaxed and authentic. A beautifully polished feed looks amazing, but it doesn’t really reflect who I am. What I hope people get from my page is a warm, approachable feel with plenty of humour thrown in there. Having said all that, my priority will always be spending quality time getting to know the couples who have booked me, so sometimes social media takes a back seat - at the end of the day, it’s all about connection.
What's the most common misunderstanding couples have about a celebrant-led ceremony and how do you hope to change the landscape going forward?
Well, many couples don’t even know what a celebrant is! Often people don’t realise it’s an option until it’s too late and that’s such a shame. While celebrant-led ceremonies aren’t legal ceremonies (yet!), they completely transform the atmosphere of the day. They’re fun, heartfelt, personal, and reflective of who you are as a couple. Going forward, I’d love to help people understand what a celebrant does and encourage them to explore it as an option.
Walk us through your ‘Love Story Deep Dive’, how do you uncover those funny stories, special moments, and core values that make each ceremony so personal?
I start by sending them a detailed questionnaire designed to give me insight into their relationship and how they want their ceremony to feel. I always encourage them to make a date night out of it! It’s so easy for people to forget that planning a wedding is supposed to be fun - people understandably get bogged down in the stress of it all. After they’ve filled out the questionnaire, we have a Zoom chat or in-person meet-up to go through everything they’ve written in detail.
No one has to share anything they’re not comfortable with, but the questions often open up space for reflection, laughter, and storytelling. The early days of getting to know each couple are so special - it’s such an honour to be entrusted with stories of how they met, things they’ve overcome together, their private jokes and funniest moments together. Building that connection is key - it helps couples feel safe enough to open up and it ensures I’ve got all the information I need to write a ceremony that really reflects them.
" I always encourage them to make a date night out of it! It’s so easy for people to forget that planning a wedding is supposed to be fun"
How collaborative is the scriptwriting process? Do you hand over a full, final script for approval, or is it a back-and-forth edit.
The whole process is really collaborative. I write a first draft after we’ve gone through the questionnaire together and then I share it with them in Google Docs. They can read through it together and make suggestions or highlight any changes they want to make - from there it’s a back and forth process until we’ve fine tuned it into exactly what they want. I ask all my couples to be 100% honest with me throughout the writing process - I need as much input from them as possible to ensure it’s exactly what they envisaged.
You’ve got so much wisdom from all your ceremonies so we had to ask for a golden tip. What’s the one thing every couple should know about making the vibe of their day feel just right?
My number one tip - is to be really honest with yourselves about what you want your day to feel like. There’s so much external noise - be it from social media, friends, family, or just endless options. I recommend sitting down together and writing down how you want to feel on your day and how you want your guests to feel too. Whether it’s a wild party, a day filled with laughter, something quiet and wholesome or anything in between - focus on your version of joy and make that your guiding light.
What would your dream wedding day look like, including location and suppliers etc, we are here for the details?
There are so many incredible venues and suppliers out there but I’d really love to work with my amazing friends Amy & Nick from Sunday Love Photo & Film - they’re unbelievably talented and some of my closest friends. In fact, it was their wedding that set me on this path in the first place…working with them would be an absolute dream. I’d also love to team up with my lovely mum, Clare a.k.a. Fynnesse Weddings & Events. She’s an incredible planner and working alongside her is so special.
We’re really spoiled for venues in the South West, especially in Cornwall and there are so many on my list to explore but I’d absolutely love to do more destination weddings in the future. So if you’re planning a wedding abroad and looking for a celebrant to bring along, I’m absolutely game!
When couples are looking for a celebrant, they’re really looking for someone who feels personal and approachable. So, MC, what are a few things about you? Little quirks, passions, or fun facts that make you… well, you!
My number one goal is that I want couples to feel like they’re talking to a friend. I like to share little snippets of my life on social media so people can see the real me and get a genuine sense of my personality and lifestyle - usually heavily featuring our collie dog, Pippin, so it helps if you like dogs! I try to keep things relatable by being open about the fact that my journey to becoming a wedding celebrant wasn’t a straight line. I’ve spent years trying different jobs - from being a scuba diving instructor on the Great Barrier Reef, to working as a superyacht deckhand, a waitress, a barista (to name a few!). Along the way, I’ve explored so many countries and met people from all walks of life. I hope those life experiences show people that my space is a safe one - open to everyone, welcoming and completely free of judgement.
Ultimately, I hope to connect with curious, open-hearted people who also love to explore - whatever that looks like for them.
