About six months ago, a very dear friend of mine asked me to be something I could never have imagined myself becoming… a celebrant to host their handfasting blessing.

At first, my eyes filled with emotion. I looked at her in complete disbelief and asked if she was sure. This wasn’t just being a Maid of Honour. This was BIG.

I admitted I hadn’t the first idea where to begin, but I also knew that if this was something they truly wanted me to do, I would be incredibly humbled and honoured to help them celebrate one of the most important days of their lives.

And so the journey began.

Over the following months, I sat down to write an opening about how my friendship with the bride had begun. My fingers danced across the keyboard, inspiration flowed freely, and before I realised it, words were appearing that actually sounded… quite good!

Well, at least after countless edits.

I questioned everything, crossed out paragraphs, rewrote sentences, and doubted every word. Eventually, my welcome speech was finished. Those words, written in the quiet of my own home, were about to be spoken aloud in front of a room full of strangers.

Yikes.

I’d never done anything like this before.

The butterflies in my stomach were having a party of their own, but beneath the nerves was a little spark of excitement.

I read the speech aloud to myself over and over, wondering if it was even worthy. I wanted to do my friends proud. Eventually, after far too much umming and ahhing, I took a deep breath and pressed Send.

Then I waited.

My heart was racing. My hands were clammy.

Within minutes I saw the little Messenger typing bubble appear.

She loved it.

I honestly couldn’t believe it.

Was that really my first draft? Surely it couldn’t have gone that smoothly?

As the months passed, we chatted about every part of the ceremony. Then came the next request…

Would I perform the handfasting blessing too?

I smiled and confidently said, “Of course.”

Inside my head, however, was another conversation entirely…

How on earth am I supposed to do that?

I’d never even seen a handfasting ceremony before. I wasn’t convinced I could tie shoelaces properly at the best of times!

Thankfully, my friend sent me YouTube videos to study. I watched ceremony after ceremony, learning the symbolism, listening carefully to the wording, and gradually writing my own version that reflected their story. Every section was shared with them, refined together, and slowly everything began to fall into place.

Then came the rehearsals.

I practised my words constantly, reading them aloud to myself and anyone who would listen. With every rehearsal, the days disappeared a little faster as the countdown to the wedding gathered pace.

Then there was the music.

My friends had chosen an instrumental piano version of Everyday I Love You by Boyzone for the bridal entrance.

I pressed play.

Within thirty seconds, I was a blubbering mess.

Those beautiful piano notes completely undid me. Then came the delicate little flourishes and the key change… and that was me finished.

With less than a month to go, I knew I needed to get a grip.

So I came up with a plan.

Every day I listened to the music. Again. And again. Then I’d read my welcome speech immediately afterwards until hearing those opening notes no longer made me cry.

Eventually, they filled me with something much stronger.

Pride.

The night before the wedding arrived, and the butterflies I’d finally managed to tame suddenly returned with reinforcements.

The following morning, the five of us gathered for one final rehearsal. We practised the welcome, their love story, the handfasting ceremony, the blessing and the closing words.

There were a couple of gins…

Quite a few giggles…

And somewhere between the laughter and the practice, my nerves quietly transformed into excitement.

For the very first time, I realised something.

I was ready.

About thirty minutes before the ceremony, I found a quiet corner away from the organised chaos of everyone rushing around.

I closed my eyes.

I visualised a white light surrounding me, connected with Spirit, and felt a wonderful sense of calm settle over me despite the bustle all around. I simply asked for support, for my fears to melt away, and for everyone involved to remain calm and present.

Then…

The music began.

The bridal procession entered, every step perfectly timed to the beautiful piano melody. As those familiar notes filled the room, the music that had once reduced me to tears now filled my heart with nothing but joy.

I smiled as each member of the wedding party walked past me.

The bride reached her groom.

They took each other’s hands.

The music faded.

And it was my turn.

The welcome speech was met with warm applause.

Their story brought smiles, gentle laughter, and plenty of “awws” from the guests. The handfasting blessing unfolded beautifully, and before I knew it, the ceremony had come to its close.

The newlyweds walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, surrounded by love, applause and happy tears.

As I watched them begin their next chapter, something quietly settled in my heart.

I had thought I was there simply to bless their journey.

Little did I know…

They had unknowingly helped me begin my own.