At 11am on Saturday 11th June, Kirstein and Matt Parmenter became the first couple to exchange vows, rings and promises on Weymouth Beach in a bespoke Celebrant-led wedding ceremony. The event, led by Independent Celebrant Laura Bell founder of Fox and Star Ceremonies, was a momentous occasion for the town and carefully organised with the support of Weymouth Town Council.
The Bride walked down the aisle with Gracie, from West Hill Donkey’s in traditional seaside fashion. The couple were keen to drawn on inspiration from the Victorian heritage of the historic seafront and chose white and blue tones to reflect and classic deckchairs for their guests to be seated.
Celebrants in England and Wales are currently a non-legal option for wedding ceremonies, however this could soon change. Being a Celebrant-led ceremony, the couple had the ultimate flexibility for their nuptials.
Kirstein and Matt Parmenter said of the experience: “There was no other choice for us when it came to getting married. Weymouth Beach is the most beautiful place on earth. It was the first place we had a holiday together and we have been coming here at every opportunity since then to escape from the stresses of life. We hope to make it our permanent home one day.”
Included in their ceremony was a handtying with a braided ribbon chord which featured knitting wool from Kirstein’s late mum who passed in January and star charms to symbolise their children. This was a beautiful way to include and have them present.
The couple also chose to include a sand ceremony and mixed vessels into one creating a beautiful keepsake to take home to Kent.
Guests of the couple included award winning travel, food, culture and lifestyle content creators Eulanda and Oma of “Hey! Dip Your Toes In” who shared a reading at the ceremony.
Laura Bell said: “As a Weymouth girl, born and bred, I am immensely honoured and proud to have written and performed a gorgeous wedding ceremony for Kirstein and Matt.
10 months ago they contacted me and said they’d love to get married on Weymouth Beach and I said: “leave it with me, let’s see what I can do.” We met several times throughout the year and it has a been an incredible project to work on.
Celebrants offer something completely different from the “insert name here” ceremonies that are currently legalised. We cater for all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds with no judgement and believe love is love. Weymouth is a magical place and I hope this is the start of something amazing for wedding ceremonies in our town.
The happy couple then went on to ride on The Helter Skelter and victorian carousel in Alexandria Gardens with a classic 99 ice-cream to share before heading back to their b&b, The Ocean Guesthouse on the harbour for their wedding breakfast.
It was really important to the couple to use as many local suppliers as possible in the town with the flowers coming from Jay at Floral Couture in white and blue colours.
Celebrant ceremonies, also known as “wedding blessings” are becoming more popular with the legal part easily done at the registry office before or after. This gives the couple so many more options for locations, only needing the landowner’s permission.
The Celebrant industry is made up by Independents and Humanists with both offering bespoke and personalised services, as a certified and insured industry-led professionals. The Give Couples Choice movement is campaigning for changes for Celebrants.
To find out more about Fox and Star Ceremonies and to enquire about future wedding ceremony availability on Weymouth Beach, contact Laura Bell: hello@foxandstarceremonies.com or visit www.foxandstarceremonies.com.
All Photos by: Kirsty Hastie Photography
Fantastic, Congratulations to the happy couple and everyone that helped it happen.wish I had seen it .
Lovely , congratulations