Magali Wedding Celebrant since 2009

Magali, celebrant since 2009

My name is Magali. I am French born in Normandy and I live near Poitiers in the Poitou Charente region or Nouvelle Aquitaine region as it is now called. I have lived in the UK for over 10 years where I held several marketing management positions. In 2006 I moved back to France and decided to work as a freelance translator.

You may be wondering how, as a professional translator, I became a wedding celebrant and ended up creating Unique Ceremonies in 2009.

I am convinced that things happen for a reason. I enjoyed working as a translator, however, as a naturally sociable and open person, I suffered from the lack of communication. A freelance translator tends to work alone in front of her computer and I found this loneliness rather frustrating. I had been thinking about taking up another activity which would allow me to meet other people whilst using my languages skills and learning about other cultures.

I have always enjoyed writing, carefully choosing words to express an idea, a thought, an emotion. My writing skills came in extremely handy when I decided to offer a personalized ceremony writing & celebration service as it involved writing about the couple’s story.

I celebrated my very first wedding ceremony in 2009 for a lovely French/American couple who wished to mark their union in a beautiful château set in a lovely village near Poitiers with their loved ones as witnesses. I realized I was in my element and decided to pursue this exciting venture. I created Unique Ceremonies the following year.

I take great pleasure in celebrating the wedding ceremony however what I enjoyed the most is the preparation phase during which I get to know the bride and groom, their loved ones and develop with them all a trusting relationship which encourages them to confide in me. Then it is my role to write about them with carefully chosen words.

Over 10 years on, I have had the pleasure to celebrate over 150 ceremonies, in English, French or in both languages. I enjoy every ceremony as if it was my very first one. I feel so proud and privileged when couples tell me how much they enjoyed this special moment and have the same feeling of a job well done when I see the smile of their face.