The magic of multilingual ceremonies - farewells that touch hearts

There are moments in life that are so big that words alone are not enough to do them justice. This is exactly why ceremonies exist - be it in joy or in sorrow. As celebrant and freelance speaker, it is my vocation and passion to give such moments special meaning and keep them alive forever in the hearts of those involved.

Last week I had the privilege of organizing a very special farewell ceremony in Germany. It was the celebration of a man whose life was so unique and rich in facets that it would have been impossible to say goodbye to him in a conventional way.

He had a deep love of Denmark and an extraordinary passion for collecting samovars. His children therefore decided to give him a farewell that reflected these passions in a beautiful way. His ashes were buried in his favorite samovar - a symbol of his personality, his interests and the warmth he brought to the lives of those around him.

I was allowed to give the eulogy in Danish. Although many of the guests didn't understand Danish, that was irrelevant. It was the atmosphere that mattered. The words, even if they were incomprehensible to some, carried the soul of the moment. And as we sang his favorite songs together, the room filled with a sad and joyful energy that reminded us all of him: a father, friend and companion who had always made for special moments.

This ceremony was not only a farewell, but also a celebration of his life. It touched me deeply to see how his family and friends remembered him with a smile through their tears.

As a multilingual speaker, it is always an honor for me when the bereaved place their trust in me to create a farewell ceremony that is different - more personal, more unique. Grief has many faces, and I firmly believe that we should not only mourn the loss, but above all celebrate the life that was lived.

A multilingual ceremony offers the opportunity to unite cultural roots, personal stories and emotional connections in a way that transcends linguistic boundaries. It brings people together - no matter what language they speak - and creates a shared memory that touches everyone's heart.

I am infinitely grateful for the people who accompany me on this journey and allow me to be part of their stories. Because it is these stories that make life so special.

With love and gratitude,
Your Katja Nielsen

Step by step to your dream wedding ceremony

Are you planning your wedding ceremony and would like to celebrate your marriage in several languages? If you have found me, you are probably looking for a wedding officiant who can officiate and celbrate your union in English, French, German, Danish, Dutch and/or Italian.

Here you can find out how I design your truly magical wedding ceremony according to your wishes and values, step by step from the first meeting to your big day:

1. You get in touch and we have a non-binding introductory meeting online or over a coffee.

2 I save your date and you have two weeks to consider whether the chemistry is right between us and if you can imagine entrusting me with your wedding ceremony

3. You decide (hopefully;) that you can imagine entrusting me with your ceremony and we make an appointment to meet in person and plan your wedding ceremony in detail.

4 I meet you at your home and you tell me your unique love story. Together we will then plan every step of your wedding ceremony, from youor entrance to your kiss.

I will come with lots of ideas and suggestions for rituals, music etc. and you decide what you want to implement.

5 I will craft your personal speech, organize the material for the rituals you have chosen, talk to your witnesses, friends and family, coordinate the musicians and the entire course of your ceremony ... and not to forget, I will practice your speech in front of the mirror ;)
If you wish, we can also do a general rehearsal

6. On your big day, I will celebrate your union with the wedding ceremony you have been dreaming of and I will spice it up with my style as a wedding officiant and celebrant: joyful, bright and festive

So if you are planning your secular wedding ceremony in Brussels, Berlin, Potsdam, Düsseldorf, Copenhagen, Luxembourg, Paris or Provence, get in touch with me and let's talk about your wedding plans and ideas for your wedding ceremony.

As always with best wishes from Brussels
Katja Nielsen
"More than words"

Multilingual ceremonies Celebration of love and diversity

As a speaker, wedding offivciant and celebrant, I have the privilege of being part of many special moments in the lives of the people I accompany. One of these wonderful experiences is multilingual wedding ceremonies. In a globalized world where people from different backgrounds and cultures come together, it is no longer a rarity for couples to opt for a multilingual wedding. These ceremonies are not only a celebration of love between two people, but also an expression of the bond between different cultures and languages. Here are some reasons why couples opt for a multilingual wedding:

1. Family ties: Often the bride and groom have different cultural backgrounds. A multilingual ceremony makes it possible to include both families and honor their languages.

2. Respect for heritage: If a couple comes from different countries, a multilingual ceremony is a way to honor their roots and celebrate their identity.

3. Symbolic meaning: The use of several languages can be symbolic. For example, a couple who met in a country where they both spoke a common foreign language could incorporate that language into their ceremony.

4. Include guests: Multilingual weddings often include guests from different countries. By using different languages, everyone feels welcome and included.

The challenges

Of course, there are also challenges with multilingual ceremonies:

1. Translation: The correct translation of the ceremony is crucial. The speaker, officiant or celebrant should therefore be able to speak all the languages involved fluently in order to avoid misunderstandings.

2. Smooth flow: Careful planning is required to ensure that the ceremony runs smoothly. The speaker and officiant must find the right balance between the languages and under no circumstances should the speech sound like an airport announcement, but all languages should be brought into a flowing speech.

3. Cultural sensitivity: Every language has its own cultural nuances. The speaker and celebrant should be aware of these differences and treat them with respect.

My experience

As a wedding officiant and celebrant, I have accompanied many multilingual ceremonies. It is a joy to see how love flows between cultures and languages. The challenges are worth it, because at the end of the day, it's about celebrating love - in all its facets.

With this in mind, I wish all couples who opt for a multilingual ceremony a wonderful and unforgettable wedding!

Your Katja Nielsen

Celebrate love

It all starts with love and the idea of wanting to celebrate this love in a beautiful and unique ceremony. First of all, we think of the love between two people. You have found each other and want to reaffirm your love in front of all your friends and family. You want to say YES to each other and your future life together? You are not religious and it is important to you to celebrate this moment with a joyful and festive ceremony?
Then a secular wedding ceremony is a wonderful option to celebrate your love in a way that suits you as a couple. How does such a wedding ceremony work, what is the procedure, what music, what rituals are possible? Can we also sing a song together with everyone or involve our guests actively in our secular wedding ceremony in some other way? Of course we can. There's no such word as "impossible" in secular ceremonies!
Everything is possible and should be 100% as you feel comfortable with it.