Your Wedding Officiant: The Art of Telling Your Story

Public Writer & Wedding Celebrant: a Words & Love Story

Love stories have always touched me deeply. As a young girl, I turned dozens of them into poems, but today I prefer to express myself in prose. For over a decade, I’ve enjoyed elevating these beautiful stories when loving words enter my world as a public writer and a wedding officiant.

My path to this profession was far from straightforward. Yet it is precisely the sum of all these experiences that now allows me to bring out the beauty in love stories and give meaningful depth to life’s most important moments.

A Passion for Words in the Service of Your Secular Ceremony

I love listening to couples as they recount their meeting, the spark that ignited their love, the journey they’ve shared, their mutual dreams, and the strength of their bond. What they tell me, I transform into words that reflect their essence, crafting with them a text that truly represents their story.

This ease with writing is what opened the door to my work as a wedding officiant. Creating a personalised wedding ceremony requires many talents, and among them, a gift for writing – to enchant the audience and narrate the story of the couple who entrust me with their most precious moment on their wedding day: the creation of their ceremony.

I love finding the perfect words to express the emotions conveyed, the memories evoked, and the feelings shared. I am your ally, turning a mountain of ideas into a seamless and memorable event – and I promise not to shed more tears than your guests!

Céline Larigaldie, wedding officiant, at the wedding fair in medieval costume

My Journey to Becoming a Celebrant

When I received an unexpected call from a man who introduced himself as a wedding planner – a concept I didn’t even know existed in France at the time – seeking a bilingual master of ceremony for a French-German wedding, I initially laughed. “That’s flattering, but I don’t do that,” I told him.

Yet the story of that French-German couple and their confidence in me won me over. This first wedding was an incredible adventure, and on the day of the ceremony, I knew I had found my place.

If you’d like to know all the details – including how I improvised my way into this career with grace – I invite you to read my full story here.

At the end of the ceremony, guests approached me with congratulations, asking for the name of my profession. Together, we tried to find the right word: Celebrant? Ceremony Master? I had no idea! But one thing was clear: if this profession truly existed, I had found my dream job.

A job where I get to write, speak foreign languages, address an audience – a bit like I used to do in theater – meet happy people who tell me about their love, listen to them to grasp the essence of their relationship, and tell their story…

At 44 years old, after being a teacher, writer, translator, and trainer, I had finally discovered my calling.

Ten years in Berlin have left a lasting impression on my life. I’ve been living in France again for twenty years, but my connection to German culture and language remains strong. It was in Germany that I also learned English, and since then, I’ve taken several trips that have deepened my love for the language and the cultures associated with it: Canada and the USA, England, Ireland, and Scotland. New Zealand and Australia remain a sweet dream for now.

A Ceremony Full of Sincerity and Authenticity

If I were to describe the qualities that open doors for me in this wonderful profession as a wedding officiant, I would say empathy, listening, flexibility, kindness, and creativity. I enjoy speaking in public and do so with ease – an essential skill when standing before a wedding assembly!

Over the years, I’ve also realized that my voice is a remarkable asset. People often describe it as soft and soothing. I play with its modulation to add energy to my ceremonies, but what I love most is transporting the audience into my universe of calm and serenity during an hour-long celebration of love.

I deeply believe that love comes in infinite forms and always deserves to be celebrated with authenticity. My role is to accompany all couples, without distinction, and offer them a ceremony that fully reflects their values and their story. Whether you are an LGBTQ+ couple, from different cultures, or united by a shared passion, I ensure that your ceremony honors your uniqueness and includes everyone present.

Multilingual and International Ceremonies

I have always been a words lover, and discovering new languages has only amplified this joy. Today, I am fluent in French, English, and German, and I take great pleasure in alternating languages when creating a bilingual or trilingual wedding ceremony.

I also speak a little Italian and Spanish, enough to celebrate a French-Italian or French-Spanish wedding. For Portuguese, Ukrainian, Arabic, or Chinese, I work with a translator or native speaker to harmoniously integrate these languages into a multicultural ceremony.

Celebrating love also means ensuring that every guest feels included and moved, regardless of their language or origin. My language skills allow me to make every ceremony fluid and accessible, alternating languages gracefully to create a warm atmosphere and offer a rare and memorable moment. Whether it’s for an international wedding, a destination wedding, or a celebration where multiple cultures meet, I strive to ensure that every word resonates in the hearts of those present.

My goal? To create a celebration where everyone feels at home, in a moment where love transcends borders and languages.

Cérémonie en plein air dans un parc bordé de vignes

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A Personalized Approach at Every Step

To create a ceremony tailored to each couple, I have developed a bespoke process, designed with care and sensitivity. Sometimes we start with a blank slate, while other times there is already a clear vision of what will happen on the big day. I build on your ideas and preferences, suggest alternatives that align with your sensibilities, and help guide you toward final decisions.

Occasionally, one partner may have different ideas or feel hesitant compared to the other. In these cases, we work together in a constructive dialogue to find a shared vision that reflects the needs and desires of both partners.

Throughout the preparation, I take the time to get to know your story and understand your personalities. This happens through in-depth conversations (via video call if needed) and your responses to my carefully crafted questionnaires. These are designed to help you reflect on your relationship, your love, and your vision of commitment.

I assist you in choosing rituals that symbolize what you want to convey and provide advice on the structure of the ceremony – always respecting your wishes and without judgment. I also support the friends or family members you wish to involve, ensuring their contributions are smoothly and harmoniously integrated into the overall ceremony.

When the big day arrives, I coordinate all the service providers and participants to offer you a ceremony as perfect as your dreams!

From My Region to the Rest of the World: Celebrating Love Everywhere

In the heart of Lot-et-Garonne, between Bordeaux and Toulouse, I find my inspiration. This region, with its rolling hills, enchanting castles, and unique way of life, is the ideal setting for weddings filled with poetry and authenticity.

But my love for travel and meeting new people goes beyond the borders of this beautiful region. I travel throughout France – from Provence to Brittany, including Paris and the Basque Country – and even to a secluded woodland somewhere in Europe … as long as my GPS has Wi-Fi! Wherever you dream of tying the knot, I am here to bring your intimate or grand ceremony to life in French, English, German, or a combination of languages.

Every love story is unique, and my role is to celebrate and highlight it in all its beauty – whether at a Gascon castle or on a magical beach. Your ceremony will reflect your wishes, your dreams, and the place where your hearts come together.

Whether it’s an international wedding, a destination wedding, a celebration that unites different traditions or a non-religious ceremony, I ensure every word resonates with your guests. And you? Which languages would you like to hear on your special day?

Designing Your Ceremony Together

An intimate ceremony under the starry sky of Lot-et-Garonne, a bilingual wedding in a romantic Parisian garden, or a grand celebration in a German castle: I adapt to your dreams, whatever they may be! Let’s work together to create a memorable moment that will remain in your hearts and those of your guests forever.