Autumn lends itself as such a stunning backdrop for a cosy and elegant wedding. With the help of a wedding celebrant, you can add in so many personal touches that embrace the beauty of this season. Here in the North East, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to stunning locations to host your wedding day. Imagine being in the heart of Northumberland enveloped by the darker evenings and gorgeous low sunshine, maybe on a rooftop bar in Newcastle as you bask in the contrast of golden bursts of light and the decadence as evening sets. With a celebrant led ceremony, we can create something truly magical.

Here are my top tips on making the most of the light and shade of this season and defining your rules for your wedding day.

Image below Billie and Drew Photography Eye of the Tyne Photography

Who says you can't see each other before the ceremony? You have to be unapologetically you on your wedding day, so focus on your connection as a couple. If you're feeling a little nervous about the day or crave some time to savour for you two and plan for an afternoon ceremony that will give you some precious time together for a lazy morning. Make the most of the extra light at the start of the day and lose a little time with each other to enjoy a breakfast hamper packed with all your favourites fresh coffee and pastries followed by a crisp walk through your local park as you talk about how you always belong by each other's side. Typically, I will only work with one couple a day, so you have so much flexibility when it comes to when and where you will hold your celebrant led wedding ceremony, so you're always in charge of designing the timeline for your day.

Image below Keiron and Joanne photography The Wild Love Club

Groom serenading bride — You and me
Always and forever

The Wannadies

Create a warm welcome for your guests with a pre-ceremony drinks reception. You wouldn't welcome anyone to your home without offering them a drink so if you want to feel like the perfect host, a signature cocktail or beer as your guests arrive is one way to say thank you for coming and sets the right tone of, we're so pleased you made it. If you're worried about the excitement taking over and it becoming a little too boozy, you could always limit your guests to a drink each. Bring some of that celebratory cheers into your ceremony, too, with a unity drink for the happy couple. Perhaps like in Sadie and Will's ceremony I created at Lodge Farm in North Yorkshire, you could open a bottle of mead and drink to the pact of your union and recreate that drink every anniversary or special occasion. You could involve your guests too. In Craig and Amie's ceremony at Doxford Barns, Northumberland, each guest was served a shot of Jägermeister a drink for those who rewrite the rules just after we signed their wedding vinyl the shots were downed in a wave of collective cheers.

Chase the things that ignite you. Bringing light into your ceremony symbolises a new start—what better way to signify a bright path ahead than introducing a unity ritual. One of my favourite ways to do this is by lighting a candle. It's a simple and chic way to define your values in your marriage. On our wedding day, we lit a candle to connect us to the promises we had made. The candle is relit every anniversary and has a place in our home to remind us of that very moment of hope. Family and friends can help with this ritual too. When I created a ceremony for Rachael and Gavin at Ellingham Hall, Northumberland, their shared family values brought them close. During their ceremony, their moms helped create the ritual by first lighting a family candle to represent their first source of belonging. As each Mom lit their candles, they made a silent wish for Rachael and Gavin's future. Once lit, the couple took a light from their family candles to light their unity candle as I read the words.

Now you can't always predict what this life will bring, but these lights will guide you. Just like you'd instinctively reach for each other's hands in the darkness, remember you're the light on the path ahead. Your marriage will be your compass.

As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness. Warmth and safety in the cold. May its energy fill your spirits with strength and joy now and always

From now on, your lights will shine together, for each other and your families. May this light represent that your path ahead is bright and clear. Take this candle home, light it whenever you need it to remind you of the promises made and the love you feel today. In relighting, may it inspire you and renew your commitment to each other.

Compared to its sister season, Summer with Autumn, you kind of know how it's going to behave. Rather than the unpredictability of blistering heat or your outdoor ceremony being a washout, you can relax and plan a unique celebrant led wedding with these heart-warming personal touches.