The Wedding Best Friend You Never Knew You Needed!
Why connection is everything with your wedding celebrant (and why it makes total sense to have them as your wedding host too!)
Pink Wedding Venues is thrilled to introduce Amanda Wheal who is an award winning destination celebrant based in Essex, creating unforgettable wedding ceremonies for all love stories.
She's very kindly shared why she loves what she does and includes a recent example of how a wonderful couple she worked with (Dilly & Kim), became great friends along the way too!
(Photo Credit: Becky Harley Photography)
The Wedding Best Friend You Never Knew You Needed: Why Connection Is Everything with Your Wedding Celebrant (and Why It Makes Total Sense to Have Them as Your Wedding Host Too!)
Every couple deserves a wedding that feels authentically them. Whether that’s a beautifully traditional ceremony followed by a relaxed, laughter-filled party, or something completely unique — your wedding should feel like you.
And at the heart of every great celebration is connection.
For many couples, that connection starts with their wedding celebrant — the best friend they never knew they had. Aside from the ceremony I’m often the couples go to for supplier recommendations, problematic issues and everything in between!
(Photo Credit: India Mae Alby)
It All Starts with Connection
When you meet your wedding celebrant, you’re not just booking a service — you’re starting a relationship. You’re inviting someone into one of the most meaningful, emotional, and joyful moments of your life.
As an inclusive wedding celebrant, I spend time getting to know you: your story, your humour, your hopes, and the little details that make your relationship so perfectly yours.
Some couples love a formal, traditional feel; others want something relaxed and modern. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach — and that’s what makes it beautiful. My role is to reflect who you are, not to fit you into a template or stereotype.
Real Connection Makes Magic
I once had the joy of working with two wonderful women who invited me to a dinner with their closest friends after their small legal ceremony a year before their big celebration. We laughed, swapped stories, and by the time their wedding day arrived, it felt like celebrating two dear friends.
(Photo Credit: India Mae Alby)
That experience reminded me how powerful genuine connection can be. When your wedding celebrant truly knows you — and even your friends — the ceremony becomes more than words on a page. It becomes a reflection of your life, your love, and your journey together.
At the time, I wasn’t offering wedding host or wedding MC services, but looking back, it would have been perfect. When that friendship already exists, carrying it through the day just makes sense — from the ceremony to the party.
From “I Do” to “Let’s Dance!”
Once your wedding celebrant has spent time getting to know you, your guests, and your vibe, they already have everything they need to be an amazing wedding MC or wedding host.
They know your story, your sense of humour, and how to make your guests feel relaxed and included. They can move seamlessly from the heartfelt wedding ceremony to the lively celebration, keeping the day flowing beautifully.
Having the same person as your celebrant and host isn’t just practical — it’s personal. It means the same warmth, humour, and heart carry through every moment of your inclusive wedding.
The Best Friend Energy
There’s something really special about the bond that builds between a couple and their wedding celebrant. By the time your wedding day arrives, we’ve usually shared plenty of laughs, maybe a few happy tears, and more than one “this is going to be incredible!” message.
I often say to my couples, “By the time your wedding arrives, I’ll be one of your biggest fans.” And it’s true.
That energy — part friendship, part cheerleader, part storyteller — is exactly what helps your day feel effortless and joy-filled.
Every Couple, Every Story
Whether you’re two brides, two grooms, or just two wonderful humans who’ve found each other, your wedding deserves to feel like you.
(Photo Credit: India Mae Alby)
For some, that means elegant and traditional; for others, it’s relaxed and full of laughter. What matters most is that your wedding ceremony feels inclusive, personal, and real — never stereotyped or forced.
As an LGBTQ-friendly wedding celebrant, I don’t make assumptions about what your day “should” look like. I listen, support, and help you celebrate your version of love — whatever that may be.
My belief is simple: love is love. I welcome every couple with open arms and celebrate every story equally. You’ll be respected, supported, and celebrated exactly as you are.
Let’s Make It Magic
If you’re dreaming of an inclusive wedding that feels heartfelt, fun, and completely authentic, let’s chat.
🗓️ Please click here to book a chat
Whether I’m standing beside you as your wedding celebrant, keeping the energy alive as your wedding host, or both, I’ll be that best friend you never knew you needed — the one who makes sure your story shines from the ceremony right through to the last dance.
Because love deserves to be celebrated with warmth, joy, and a little bit of quirk...
On behalf of the team here at Pink Wedding Venues, we'd love to say a huge thank-you to Amanda for sharing an insight in to her world of creating magical weddings for wonderful couples and also wish Dilly and Kim a lifetime of happiness together 💖
Find out more about Amanda here:
Email Amanda's Beautiful Ceremonies
Instagram @amandasceremonies
Facebook Amanda’s Beautiful Ceremonies
(Photo Credit: Becky Harley Photography)
Amanda is a multi-award-winning wedding celebrant and inclusive wedding host, known for creating heartfelt, joyful wedding ceremonies filled with personality and meaning. A wedding expert magazine and newspaper writer she combines a gift for storytelling with genuine warmth and humour.
Amanda proudly celebrates love in all its forms — working with couples across the LGBTQ+ community and beyond to craft unforgettable, authentic inclusive wedding experiences worldwide.
