I strive to understand the ‘colour of the crowd’s soul,’ as I like to call it: who the guests are, how far they have traveled to attend the wedding, and whether they know each other. These insights all help me comprehend the dynamics of those in attendance…”
Naïm Terrache, The Parisian Celebrant
Naïm Terrache is an English-speaking Wedding Celebrant and MC based in Paris. He crafts and delivers a hyper-personalised wedding ceremony for each of his couples and also creates the magical entertainment and flow for their wedding evening, ensuring the best entertainment for the wedding cocktails, dinner, and the rest of the night…
C&B: “Naïm, you have an excellent reputation among celebrities and the wedding sector in general. Could you share your journey to becoming a wedding celebrant and MC, as well as what initially inspired you to pursue this profession?”
NT: “I come from a background in hospitality and Food & Beverage; I used to work in wedding venues on the management side of planning. In 2013, I was on business in Mallorca, Spain, which is a beautiful island and a major destination for weddings. There, I was introduced to the world of destination weddings and began working alongside vendors such as wedding planners and coordinators. I also met Paul Betts, an experienced wedding celebrant, who one day entrusted me with replacing him at a wedding ceremony. The rest is history!”
C&B: “So you have a very thorough knowledge of the wedding sector from all sides! What unique elements do you believe you bring to a wedding ceremony that reflect the personality and relationship of the couple?”
NT: “Many of my brides say that I bring a sense of calm to their entire experience. From my perspective, I’d say that I place the bride and groom at the centre of the entire experience from start to finish. I’m the person delivering their wedding ceremony, but they are the protagonists. I always recommend and advise on what works and what doesn’t, but they ultimately have the final word…”
C&B: “Every celebrant has their own way of doing things. How do you personally customize the wedding ceremonies you officiate to ensure they resonate with the couple’s vision and values?”
NT: “My process is smooth and simple: when the date is booked, the couple receives an extended questionnaire. They provide me with their entire world: how they met, what has happened since, etc. The questionnaire is a pillar. No responses are mandatory; however, I do want to ensure they feel they are giving me an exact idea of what they want for the day…”
C&B: “What logistical considerations do you have to take into account when working as an MC, especially for weddings that involve diverse cultural backgrounds or locations?”
NT: “For the MC service, I send a separate questionnaire to the planner or venue coordinator. I need to gather important details, including technical specifications, sound systems, and the timeline for the evening. After obtaining this information, I begin to work on my interventions. To do this effectively, I strive to understand the ‘colour of the crowd’s soul,’ as I like to call it: who the guests are, how far they have traveled to attend the wedding, and whether they know each other. These insights all help me comprehend the dynamics of those in attendance…”
I place the bride and groom at the centre of the entire experience from start to finish. I’m the person delivering their wedding ceremony, but they are the protagonists…”
Naïm Terrache, The Parisian Celebrant
C&B: “Yes, that’s vitally important in order to set the right tone. Could you share an example of a particularly memorable wedding ceremony or event you’ve officiated or hosted, and what made it special?”
NT: “I have many memorable experiences to share. One that stands out is the vow renewal for a couple celebrating 30 years of marriage at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, surrounded by their five children. Additionally, I officiated a major wedding for a Thai celebrity last year in the south of France, and the couple was one of the most refined I have ever worked with. I also remember a small elopement in Positano, Italy, where a young couple, freshly graduated from school, held a ceremony that perfectly reflected their wishes: simple, meaningful, and intimate, with no guests other than themselves…”
I put all my trust in the hands of the couple. I need them to tell me in advance about their audience, as they are their own friends and family members. Knowing these details helps me to create the structure and tone of my interventions…”
Naïm Terrache, The Parisian Celebrant
NT: “Another notable memory is from a wedding day in Paris when the groom forgot the rings. We had to take a cab to his hotel room because he needed to remain at the venue to prepare. I anticipated the security measures of the hotel, so I took a selfie with the groom to show to the hotel staff, which allowed me to gain access to retrieve the rings!”
C&B: “It sounds like you had to be very flexible, quick-thinking and cool under pressure! What advice would you give to couples when selecting a wedding celebrant and MC, such as yourself, to ensure they find the right fit for their special day?”
NT: “This is a very easy question to answer: simply have a video call or an in-person meeting! Wedding celebrants and MCs are usually an instant match or not. You need to feel a sense of anticipation and visualise this person talking and mingling among your audience. There is always a special and immediate chemistry with my couples – something purely human, intuitive, and sacred…”
We are privileged to have access to many of the outstanding Châteaux across France. You really have to appreciate the ambiance in person – each visit is a voyage through history…”
Naïm Terrache, The Parisian Celebrant
C&B: “Unexpected situations and challenges often arise during wedding ceremonies and/or the reception. How do you handle them?”
NT: “We’re working in the events world… events involve humans, and humans make mistakes. Anything can go wrong during an event – and it’s okay. The difference is in the vendors’ reaction. My mindset is that we’re all here for the bride and groom, and we work together to make the day work. Many of my brides apologise when the evening runs late. My answer is always the same: why would you be sorry on your wedding day? We’re all in this for you!”
C&B: “That’s a very generous and refreshing attitude. On the subject of venues, France is a country with particularly beautiful, impressive, and romantic historical wedding locations; which are your personal favourites?”
NT: “I was recently at Airelles in Saint Tropez, booked by a couple and an amazing planner. I’ve been in the industry for more than a decade; however, I was still impressed by the beauty of the location and the warm welcome of the staff. Here in Paris, you can often find me at the Shangri-La, The Crillon, The Peninsula, and all these beautiful palace hotels that I keep so close to my heart. We are privileged to have access to many of the outstanding Châteaux across France. You really have to appreciate the ambiance in person – each visit is a voyage through history…”
CONTACT: http://www.pariscelebrant.com
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