Sneha and Manu
On Wednesday the 22nd of September The Anthony Hotel in Utrecht was the stage for another full English ceremony. Sneha and Manu, both from India were the main-characters in a serene and intimate setting of a weddingceremony in the chapel of the Hotel, which is located in a former monumental monastery and parish hall. The list of guests could have been the double of what it was now, but due to covid-measures and regulations some close family, like the parents and grandparents of the groom, and friends from India were not able to come over. In due time the couple will travel to their families over there, to confirm their marriage in the original Indian style and tradition. But luckily all absent guests were able to follow the ceremony by a live stream.
From a large list of wedding-officiants, they had choosen me as the official registar for their civil marriage. In corona-time we had a first meeting by Zoom-session to see if the right click was there to lead them in holy matrimony.
After the confirmation of their choice, we went together on the path towards a splendid ceremony, with - as ever - the laughter and the tear, that makes my ceremonies to be remembered for a very long time. The evening at Sneha's appartment in Utrecht, also accompagnied by delicious home made vegan snacks and food, was memorable in itself and a good base to help me to get informed about their previous life and their demands for the weddingceremony.
The stories of their lifes, completed by the memories of the bride's sister and the groom's brother and those of the two witnesses, were very much worth to being told. It was the mixture of those different stories that made the whole to be the memorable one. The presentation of it in this beautiful weddingchapel brought many members of the family, but also a great part of their friends, into tears. Tears of sentiment and tears of happiness. But also surprising by adding the element of the handfasting at the high point of the ceremony, where the bride and groom clearly answered YES (and also with a firm "JA") on my question.
It was a pleasure and a great honour to do and... to be their guest.
And.... like always, I also asked them to give me their review on the ceremony. Their answer was clear and I am pleased to let all my visitors to know what their experience was with my services on their wedding:
Pim as our ceremony official was the perfect decision we took as a couple. He was available to answer all our questions or doubts no matter the time. He made the whole ceremony so personal and loving and caring. Our guests loved him as well. We had an international crowd at the wedding and he interacted and welcomed everyone with grace.
We highly recommend Pim as wedding official or for the ceremony.
Thank you again for everything and wishing you the best.
Sneha and Manu