I am Siretta Onofri, based in Rome and I have been celebrating weddings and other symbolic rites since 2020.
I celebrate in Italian and English. With delegation from the Mayor I also celebrate civil rites and same-sex unions. Whatever the ceremony, during an initial cognitive interview I try to understand what is expected by me. I listen to the needs of a married couple, or the relatives and friends of a departed, or the parents of a newly arrived child, ready to make suggestions in case of doubts. Harmony is essential between the clients and their Celebrant.
Some have very clear ideas about the readings and music they will want to be included in the ceremony.
For weddings, they also already have a preferred symbolic rite in mind.
Others, however, come to me with no idea how to structure a ceremony. Then I explain how it all comes, and provide suggestions on how it can be written together.
I stimulate participation from others in order not to be the only one to speak and to make the celebration flow more fluidly. And to keep it within the 30-40 minute time limit.
In weddings I ask the couple to let me have, each in secret from the other, the text with the vows they would like to exchange on the day of the celebration, but I am available to anyone to give guidance and suggestions regarding what they will write.
Emotion during any ceremony is very high and it is important that the Celebrant fully governs it.