And in other news....

Kate and I went to meet with the lovely Susan Osman today. That's right - her off the tele! Susan and Kate know each other from Susan's time as presenter at BBC Radio Bristol/Points West when Kate, as Union Rep, was fighting her corner in various negotiations. These days Susan, as well as still presenting occasionally on BBC News 24, is an ordained interfaith minister and will be performing the spiritual (as opposed to legal) part of the wedding ceremony.

It was a really great meeting actually. I'm naturally sceptical but Susan was very down to earth, open to our input and ideas, and basically saw eye-to-eye with us on most things. We'd already written the vows and decided on songs/readings that we wanted in the ceremony; Susan helped us put it all into shape and, perhaps, more importantly help me realise that this part of getting married is all about us, for want of a better phrasing, showing off. We don't need to do it - we'll be legally married by the time we get to the spiritual ceremony at Manor Hall - but we want to, because we want to do something memorable and emotional to demonstrate our commitment to each other. We only get to do this once after all.

So Kate and I have to now come up with something that is symbolic for us to incorporate into the ceremony. Well we don't have to, but we want to. Susan suggested lighting a candle but I'm not so sure. Apologies to those who have done so in their ceremonies, but it seems a little bland to me. We need to come up with something that has meaning for us. We're both into Radio, so perhaps we could exchange radio mics, or podcast the ceremony so people could listen again? Suggestions welcome!