Lorenzo Marra

Lorenzo Marra is a secular wedding celebrant who is also a professional singer, entertainer and DJ. On his site, mon-mariage-laïque.ch, he writes and leads non-religious wedding ceremonies at the place the couple chooses, and offers live music for the ceremony and the aperitif, either with his own voice or with one of several singer-and-guitar duos. His pitch is energy: a ceremony that is solemn and fun at once, with no dead time.

How he came to it

His "Célébrant" page tells the story with some humor. After studying philosophy, history and religious studies, he worked, and still works, as an entertainer and DJ, a «major de table» (master of ceremonies at banquets) and a singer. He says he used to think a cool wedding was one in Las Vegas. «Alors je ne m'habille pas en Elvis» (so I don't dress up as Elvis), he writes, but he does see a wedding as a party, and designs his ceremonies that way, around what the couple want to put into it and who they are. He describes himself as a wedding professional for many years.

The tone of his ceremonies

The ceremony, he says, can be «solennel et fun à la fois» (solemn and fun at the same time). He tries to make his speech passionate, and contrasts himself with celebrants who spend the ceremony reading from a screen or a sheet of paper: he brings what he says to life by looking at the couple and the guests. «C'est de l'entertainment», he writes. Everything said in the ceremony will concern the couple; guests can be involved; and he sees himself as «un trait d'union», a link between the couple and their guests. «Il n'y aura pas de temps-mort» (there will be no dead time).

What sets him apart, in his own words: «Je suis le seul célébrant et chanteur professionnel. Ma voix sera l'un de vos vecteurs d'émotions et d'énergie.» (I am the only celebrant who is also a professional singer. My voice will be one of the carriers of your emotions and energy.)

The general page on secular weddings describes the celebrant's role as master of ceremonies at a wedding held in a place of the couple's choosing, for couples who do not wish to marry in a church or temple, guiding them through the ritual without reference to a particular religion and uniting them «selon vos désirs et croyances» (according to your wishes and beliefs).

Formulas and music

The "Formules" page lists three options:

• Célébrant seul: the celebrant alone.
• Célébrant avec musique live à la carte: with live music chosen à la carte.
• Célébrant avec musique live, Cérémonie & Apéritif: with live music for both the ceremony and the aperitif.

The "Duos" page offers four acts for the ceremony and/or the aperitif:

• Lorenzo Marra & Guitariste, with a repertoire that can be made to measure, billed as one of the finest male voices in Switzerland.
• Mélanie & Guitariste, a warm voice and a varied repertoire from jazz to pop.
• Submaryne & Guitariste, who sings her own love songs as well as reworked folk.
• On it, an acoustic duo covering the biggest songs of the last 60 years (rock, funk, blues, chanson, ballads, disco, folk) arranged for two acoustic guitars and two voices.

Each duo has video links on the page, which is the easiest way for a couple abroad to judge the voices before booking.

For a couple planning the day, the choice comes down to how much of the music to hand over. With the celebrant alone, the couple arrange any music themselves. With the second formula, live music is chosen à la carte for the moments the couple want it. With the third, one act covers both the ceremony and the aperitif that follows, so there is no change of performers between the two.

Preparation

The preparation page sets out the steps. A first meeting to get to know each other, «pour nous apprivoiser (comme le Petit Prince)», after which, if the feeling is mutual, you work together. A questionnaire with basic questions. A second meeting on music and other important details. He contacts your witnesses or other guests to guide them in what they will do. Throughout, you can write or call him with questions, and often a further meeting at your home settles the last points. For couples who come from all over the world, he writes, meetings happen on Skype.

His fee includes sound equipment for indoor or outdoor ceremonies, so there is no need to rent a system.

Places

He says he is up for almost anything, and has arrived by motorcycle, bicycle, horse, horse-drawn carriage and boat; some couples have surprised him by arriving by helicopter, tandem or paraglider. Couples can pick a place that suits them or use his list of partner venues, which he says he has tested himself and which allow a fine-weather and a rain plan, fine views and faultless service, as well as a vin d'honneur (aperitif) after the symbolic ceremony. The list names Hôtel du Léman, Casino Barrière in Montreux, Grand Hôtel des Rasses and Domaine de Choully. The site also has a "Décorations" section.

Contact

Contact is by mobile, +41 (0)78 616 48 43, or email, info@mon-mariage-laique.ch.

What the site does not settle

The site publishes no prices for any of the formulas or duos. It does not state a service area or a travel fee, and does not say how far he will travel. It is written in French and does not say whether he leads ceremonies in English, German or another language, which is the key question for an international couple even though he mentions preparing weddings for couples from around the world. It does not say how long a ceremony lasts.

Who he suits

Lorenzo Marra suits French-speaking couples who want a lively, entertaining ceremony with live singing woven in, and couples who like having the celebrant, the sound system and the music from one source. His partner venues give a shortlist for couples who have not found a place, and remote preparation makes planning from abroad workable.

He suits less well a couple who want a quiet, reflective ceremony, or who need English confirmed before getting in touch. Ask about language, price and travel in the first message.