TIPS FOR AN AFFORDABLE HUMANIST WEDDING

Weddings can be a large expense. And, in this difficult economic climate, it’s even more important to plan carefully to create a wedding that doesn’t break the bank.

Humanist marriages are legally recognised in Northern Ireland, which means that you can have a personal, non-religious wedding. Your celebrant will work with you to create a ceremony unique to you, and will have ideas about how you can personalise your ceremony and save some money at the same time.

Here are four tips to plan an affordable humanist wedding

1. Venue hire

The venue hire is often the largest cost but, with a humanist wedding, you can have the ceremony wherever you like!

A beautiful woodland is a wonderful place for a ceremony, allowing you and your partner to affirm your love immersed in nature – and avoid the costs of an expensive venue.

2. BYOB (Bring your own bouquet)

Ask your guests to bring flowers from their gardens or local florists to pop into bottles or vases at the venue. This saves on budget and allows your guests to be involved with the decor.

3. Put your playlist-making skills to good use

If you regularly create great playlists, save on the costs of a DJ by creating your perfect wedding playlist.

You can even create a collaborative playlist where guests can add their favourite tunes!

4. Elope

Elopement can be a great option if you’re on a very tight budget. For some couples, it’s also the chance to shake off difficult conversations about guest lists and family. You can personalise your humanist elopement however you want – you just need to find the right celebrant for you.

Humanist Ceremonies are inclusive to all.

Find out more about humanist marriages, and meet our network of Humanist Ceremonies Northern Ireland celebrants, at humanists.uk/ ni-ceremonies.

HAIR Danny Malone

What a whirlwind of a year it has been! The Revlon Professional Visionaries program has finally come to an end, and let me tell you, it has been an absolute dream come true. I had the incredible opportunity to be mentored by the renowned and globally acclaimed stylist, Mark Leeson. Learning from him was like stepping into a whole new world of hairdressing, filled with the latest technologies and cuttingedge techniques.

Witnessing Mark’s mastery firsthand was nothing short of aweinspiring.

But this journey was about so much more than just acquiring skills. It was about building lifelong friendships, personal growth, and proudly representing myself and my beloved MACC Hair. From the excitement of jetting off to Spain and immersing myself in the electrifying atmosphere of Salon International to now being honored as a finalist for the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards in the Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year category, being a part of the Visionaries has propelled me closer to my dreams. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my mentors, Mark and Richard, for their unwavering support and belief in me.

I simply cannot express my gratitude enough to Revlon Professional, especially Matt and his remarkable team, for making all of this possible and welcoming me with open arms into the Revlon family. And a special shout-out goes to the extraordinary Karen Thomas, without whom the Visionaries journey would not have been the same.

Words fail to capture the profound impact that Mark, Richard, and the entire Visionaries team have had on my life. Their support and guidance have meant the world to me, and I cannot wait to raise a glass and celebrate our incredible journey together at the British Hairdressing Awards.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to my salon, MACC Hair Belfast, for allowing me to seize this life-changing opportunity and grow into a stronger stylist.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Julie Bellinger and Gorgeous PT for their unwavering support throughout the Visionaries project. Your encouragement and belief in our journey have meant the world to us. We are truly grateful for your contribution and dedication. Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary experience.

As for what lies ahead with the Visionaries, well, my friends, you’ll just have to wait and see. The anticipation is part of the magic, after all.

Here’s to an extraordinary journey filled with passion, growth, and unforgettable moments.

Ashley Long, Dodge MacKay, Danny Malone, Emy Roccabella, and Jessie Stride, you are all shining stars, and I have no doubt that your futures will be nothing short of spectacular.