Ceremonies with swearing
Sometimes clients want to share their story in their own words for the ceremony. This means they may wish to include playful swear words; what do I do?
A celebrant-led wedding is all about personality and authenticity, so if the couple’s story naturally includes tongue-in-cheek swearing, I’d approach it with a mix of respect, humour, and practicality.
Steps to Handle It:
1. Check Their Intentions
I’d ask them:
“Are you happy for these words to be read out exactly as they are, or would you like a softer version?”
“How do you think your guests will feel about it—especially older relatives or kids?”
Sometimes, couples include swearing in their draft without thinking about the full ceremony setting. A quick check ensures they’re comfortable with it!
2. Audience Consideration
If their guest list includes grandparents, young children, or more conservative guests, I’d suggest tweaking certain words while keeping the humour and personality intact.
We could use implied swearing (e.g., “He’s always been a bit of a… well, let’s just say, ‘cheeky so-and-so’!”).
If they really want to keep the words, I’d make sure they own it with confidence—because if they love it, their guests will likely go with the flow!
3. Offer Alternative Wording
If they’re open to it, I can offer playful substitutions that still keep the spirit of their story. For example:
“Let’s be honest, he was a bit of a [insert cheeky pause] nightmare when they first met…”
“She knew he was the one when he made her laugh so hard she nearly spat out her drink—okay, fine, it was wine!”
4. Go with Their Vibe
Ultimately, if swearing is part of their charm and humour, and they’re 100% happy with it, I’d roll with it! My job is to reflect who they are, and if that means a cheeky swear or two, then so be it!
