Looking for solemniser? Read this ✨ Part II
Hello 🍋
I recently posted the reason why we changed our solemniser. Let me repeat myself again — no BTBs should ever go through such experience because there are already so much to handle!
We decided to eventually appoint a male JP as our solemniser. I mean, disclaimer: not to be sexist but guys are usually the ones with no drama right? They also go straight to the point which I’d prefer for this case (after what I’ve encountered earlier)!
So on the evening of 8 Apr, I contacted my JP and he replied within 30 minutes! The next day, he guided me through WhatsApp on how to seek his consent by booking him through Our Marriage Journey. Yes, he even sent me the link and complete steps to do so! ✨
Prior to this, when we were communicating with the female JP, nothing was mentioned by her. We were so clueless and didn’t know what to do back then! This is the first difference we noticed between the both of them.
Less than a week later, we asked our male JP if we could have a face to face discussion to talk about the flow rather than discussing thru texts. Things would go in all directions if communicated thru texts. He was prompt in his response and told us he’s available on one of the dates that I’ve provided.
During the meet-up, we realised that he has a different personality compared to when I was texting him. I guess because of his age, he’s a no-nonsense guy through text. But when it comes to face-to-face discussion, he was so casual and joked quite a bit to make us feel less tensed. He even prepared papers and showed us what exactly he’d be doing/saying during solemnisation and what we had to say as well.
The session didn’t take too long. He just simply let us know
✅ When entering the ballroom to the solemnisation table, who (bride/groom) should be standing on left & right
✅ Who sit at left/right
✅ where do the witnesses sit
✅ when leaving the stage, who (bride/groom) to stand on the left/right
✅ What do the bride/groom say/repeat after the JP
✅ & most importantly, what to bring (witnesses’ ICs, rings, marriage cert)
Of course, some may say it’s a no-brainer. But as a planner, I’d rather go through all these details to prevent mishaps on the actual day!
Safe to say, everything went smooth that evening! The whole solemnisation took only about 20minutes if I’m not wrong! Will I recommend him? Totally! His name is Mr. Francis Ng ✨
From my own experience, choosing the right solemniser can make all the difference in reducing stress on your wedding day. One useful tip is to opt for someone who is easily reachable and communicative, especially through modern platforms like WhatsApp or other messaging apps. This allows for real-time guidance and quick clarifications, which are invaluable when planning your solemnisation. It's also important to request a face-to-face meeting with the solemniser. In my case, this helped immensely because we could go through the ceremony flow step-by-step, clarify the roles of the bride, groom, and witnesses, and prepare for any specific wordings or actions to avoid confusion. This meeting shortened the actual ceremony and helped us feel confident throughout the entire process. Another thing I learned is that solemnisers with a straightforward, no-drama approach tend to keep things running efficiently. While personalities vary, a solemniser who can balance professionalism with a bit of light-heartedness helps create a comfortable atmosphere for the couple. Be sure to ask what documents and items you need to bring on the day – having witnesses' identification cards, rings, and the marriage certificate ready avoids last-minute hiccups. In summary, thorough preparation and clear communication with your solemniser, particularly a male JP who prioritizes clarity and responsiveness, can help your solemnisation ceremony go smoothly and leave you with a positive, stress-free experience.
