Photo (above): Ceremony speaker: The Ceremony Whisperer - Photographer: Studio Decorte Photography
Article in collaboration with The Ceremony Whisperer
Different from each other?
Every couple has their own story and plots their own journey. So is a liberal wedding ceremony so much different from others? ‘Definitely,’ explains The Ceremony Whisperer. "Liberal wedding ceremonies are a standout flower in the bouquet of ceremonies you see blooming all around you. It is a celebration of love that has grown on a free way of thinking, as well as on a desire to dare to think together and make the world a better place."
To understand exactly what it means, let's go back in time. ‘In Flanders, the liberal humanist philosophy of life arose with the intention of breaking away from Catholic practices,’ Freddy continues. ‘A liberal wedding ceremony is therefore not religious or denominational in nature. It is a secular and humanistic event that revolves around the sense of meaning developed by the couple themselves."
"Every liberal ceremony expresses the will of the couple to show themselves as such to the community. Not bound by religious dogma. But driven by truth and beauty that they themselves want to create and defend."
In search of meaning together
Freddy: ‘When a liberal couple decides to go through life together, they opt for a special relationship celebration. Initially,this is a symbolic ceremony that complements the official status of a civil marriage. For them, this is a fully romantic day when they want to express their own imagination and desires. A day without formalities. After all, for them, a marriage is more than a legal event. It is an important snapshot from a lifelong search for meaning and purpose. Two pillars that bind the partners and keep them motivated."
‘In the ceremony, old limitations are put aside and a new, enlightened vision of love and commitment is created,’ Freddy adds. "On that day, in a very personal celebration, the couple shows everyone how much they love each other. Also, for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who want to fully express these desires, a liberal wedding ceremony is the perfect forum to show this to everyone in full beauty."
A rite of passage
A liberal marriage ceremony is a rite of passage where you ‘leave an old state behind and are absorbed into another, higher state’. Two people become each other's partners for life! To express this commitment as a liberal couple, you can think of many original forms.
"Of course, the symbol of the humanist torch that lets the light shine in the darkness pops up first in this context. A ceremony around a perfect cubic stone or a tree of life carrying the four elements also fascinates many couples," says Freddy. "Stop time and space for a moment, let the crazy everyday world come to rest and dive as deeply as possible into that magical world of mutual feelings. You get to what is truly essential and what can remain an inspiration for a lifetime."
‘In addition, you will undoubtedly find some universal structuresin the ceremony that help express love. They leave behindthe ‘old man’ they both were to take on new roles in front of the whole community. From a liberal mind, they help shape the ‘new man’, in themselves and in others. For example, the LGBTQIA+ community also discovers and uses new symbols (such as flags and colours)."
It comes down to you!
Finally, the liberal wedding ceremony is an excellent opportunity to emphasise the equality between the two partners and encourage them to support each other in mutual growth.
‘This kind of ceremony is a reminder that true fulfilment is found in sharing life with another,’ Freddy states. ‘Asa ceremony speaker, I therefore often conclude with the following words:
‘It comes down to yourself to give meaning to your life.’
‘It comes down to yourself to dare to let each other grow’."
About The Ceremony Whisperer
- The Ceremony Whisperer enjoys drawing out extraordinary ceremonies within a non-religious context. With two positive-thinking people, he finds it particularly stimulating to help set up creative avenues that put people at the centre, encouraging them to bring a depth to everything that surrounds them.
As a ceremony speaker, he weaves together personal stories into both time-honoured and innovative ritual gestures and actions. Everything, in other words, to express love in an authentic way. Quirky-free, but also always strongly poetic-musical. Evoking the enchantment of a cosmos worthy of enduring exploration and appreciation by two original people.
Read more on this topic via these links:
- The difference between a wedding planner, master of ceremonies and ceremony speaker
- The 5 qualities of your ceremony speaker
