My husband and I chose to have a celebrant-led ceremony in 2012 to create the most personal and meaningful wedding possible; the beauty of our humanist ceremony left a lasting impression on me, prompting me to train with Humanists UK to lead weddings in 2018. I’m now fortunate to be among the UK’s most sought-after wedding celebrants, conducting heartfelt ceremonies at renowned and elegant venues both in the UK and abroad. It’s my profound honour to curate love and commitment with a keen eye, a nimble mind, and an open heart. If you would like to collaborate with me to create the wedding ceremony you deserve, please get in touch; I look forward to hearing your love story!”
Nat Raybould, Celebrant
Nat Raybould is a wedding celebrant based in London, specialising in bespoke wedding ceremonies for intentional couples in the UK and around the world. A former opera singer, Nat received her education at Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she performed opera and concerts at the highest level for over twenty years. Nat’s joyous approach to each ceremony is evident from the images seen here and we are delighted to speak with her about everything that does into creating a beautiful, upbeat occasion…
C&B: “Nat, thank you so much for being with us here today at City & Beach Lifestyle! Your background story is very inspiring – how do you go about collaborating with couples to create a personalised and meaningful ceremony that reflects their unique love story… what’s the process?”
NR: “My collaborative approach is characterised by a ‘high-touch’ model, whereby I meet with my couples multiple times in person and request written submissions – often more than just the basics – allowing me to gain a profound understanding of them both as individuals and as a couple. This process is generous and immensely enjoyable for both my couples and myself. Each ceremony I create is unique in appearance, sound, and emotion, whether through the incorporation of impactful gestures or the careful refinement of language and flow to enhance existing traditions. My utmost priority is to ensure that my couples are thoroughly delighted with their ceremony, and it is a true joy to serve as their representative and conduit…”
I always deliver a first draft ceremony script to my couples four weeks before their wedding day. This way, my couples know that not only will they adore every word of their ceremony, but they also begin to get excited by that prospect, and are easily able to prepare their mindset to truly live in the moment. As I always tell my couples: you just have to focus on being in love, and remembering that feeling. I will handle the rest!”
Nat Raybould, Celebrant
C&B: “The process is even more in-depth than we believed; much more so than most standard church services! As we approach Valentine’s Day 2025, in what ways do you incorporate this particularly romantic theme into the ceremonies for couples who choose this date for their nuptials?”
NR: “I must admit that I have never led a ceremony on February 14th! Perhaps I’ll have the opportunity next year; I certainly hope so! I would relish the chance to embrace the element of surprise that St. Valentine inspires. One suggestion I would make is to incorporate anonymous gifting for guests as part of the ceremony, thereby spreading the love. Additionally, I would recommend including classic Cupid imagery on the Order of Ceremony – perhaps subtly integrated within a monogram or even engraved inside the wedding rings. You’ve certainly sparked my thoughts on this matter!”
C&B: “Besides the potential of a Valentine’s theme, can you provide insights into how you assist couples in incorporating personal vows or symbolic rituals into their ceremonies?”
NR: “Some couples approach me with a clear vision of the rituals they wish to include in their ceremony, while others express a desire for meaningful elements but are uncertain about the specifics; I find both approaches equally inspiring. Rather than immediately offering ideas or solutions, I take the time to observe and listen to my couples. I pay attention to how they look at one another, their shared laughter, and their interactions. This attentive approach allows me to take cues from them, after which I provide thoughtful insights and questions for their consideration. When ceremony creation is approached in this intentional manner, it tends to develop organically, resulting in a truly joyful experience. The same principle applies to personal vows: some couples eagerly embrace the opportunity to write their own, while others may feel apprehensive about the task, even if they genuinely wish to undertake it. I offer tailored guidance and support to each couple, which, once again, is rooted in close listening and careful attention to both the spoken and unspoken needs of my clients…”
I firmly believe that my flexible creative process is a wonderful way of keeping my couples grounded during wedding planning, because they are asked to explain why they’re making their commitment in the first place. When they deeply explore their emotions and motivations, they find it much easier to be in the moment on the day itself…”
Nat Raybould, Celebrant
C&B: “We think that your approach is the right one – the more in depth and the more involved couples are in making their vows, the more seriously they tend to take them. As you officiate at weddings overseas, and at destination weddings from the UK, how do you ensure that each wedding ceremony maintains a balance between tradition and personalisation, particularly for diverse cultural backgrounds?”
NR: “A bespoke ceremony will always accommodate cultural heritage and can incorporate ritual gestures that are either well-known and cherished or newly created specifically for the couple. As my wedding ceremonies prioritise the couple, their comfort and delight, as well as that of their guests, take precedence. They are free to embrace tradition as closely or as loosely as feels genuinely authentic to them.”
C&B: “It all sounds a lot more intimate and relaxed than most wedding ceremonies and that must be appealing to your clients! Could you share your experiences officiating at international destination wedding venues, and how do these locations enhance the ceremony further?”
NR “I love how destination weddings bring guests and couples together; spending multiple days in a beautiful location creates even more unforgettable memories! My experience has shown that the atmosphere at destination weddings is wonderfully intense, with all the guests feeling 100% invested in the happy couple’s love story…”
C&B: “Yes, when everyone has had to invest and travel overseas, they tend to put maximum effort into all aspects of the occasion! Do you ever encounter challenges when conducting these ceremonies overseas, and how do you then address them to ensure a seamless experience?”
NR: “The weather can certainly present a challenge; I make it a priority to apply ample sunscreen – no one wants a lobster as a celebrant! Additionally, I dress in light, natural fabrics and ensure that I remain well-hydrated. Traveling by planes, trains, and other means can also be a delicate endeavour, as one must consider potential postponements or cancellations. Therefore, I always allocate at least one full travel day on either side of my ceremony. While destination venues may resemble a holiday setting, I always recognise that this is my actual profession, and I maintain my focus at all times…”
C&B: “Yes, weather can be the biggest challenge – either it rains without notice or the sun is blazing down on everyone! What advice would you give to couples considering a destination wedding, particularly regarding the planning and execution of the ceremony?”
NR: “Engage an experienced planner who is knowledgeable about the complexities of destination weddings, particularly in the chosen country or region. Lean into the local customs of the destination country as well as incorporating personal ones – a cultural mix is always a joy. And always include live music!”
C&B: “We agree on the live music element – it always creates the perfect ambience and makes a special occasion more enjoyable for all! Could you tell us about a particularly memorable ceremony you’ve officiated, and what aspects made it stand out to you?”
NR: “Every wedding ceremony I’ve conducted has been equally memorable. I possess a keen memory, often referred to as a ‘lockbox of a mind’, which allows me to retain the amazing, emotional, and heartfelt moments from each occasion. While I certainly embrace the inclusion of grand gestures that are traditionally considered more memorable – when appropriate – I believe it’s the smaller details that truly resonate. These details reflect the values and passions of my couples and speak volumes about what they stand for. It is these intimate moments that will remain in the heart for decades to come…”
C&B: “Finally, Nat, as you conduct many ceremonies throughout the year, how do you stay inspired and continue to bring fresh, romantic elements to each occasion, ensuring it continues to resonate with both the couple and their guests?”
NR: “As well as the close, detailed work I’ve already mentioned, I also read a lot of poetry, and I attend as much theatre and art openings as possible; talented artistry of all varieties inspires me!”
CREDITS:
LOGO DESIGN – ANDREW HUDSON • BENJAMIN WHEELER • FAYE WILDE • ANDREW BAYDA • CESAR PORTES • D&A STUDIO • EMMA WILDER PHOTOGRAPHY • JOANNA BONGARD
CONTACT: http://www.natraybouldweds.com
