Why Choose A Celebrant?

Maybe a church wedding is just not for you.

Maybe you've discovered the most perfect place for your wedding but it's not licensed for marriages to legally take place there - the local registrar doesn't conduct ceremonies by that river, in that woodland clearing, on that beach, in that beautiful old mill.  Maybe you want to take longer than the statutory timings of a registrar-led wedding or maybe the local registry office or registrar is too formal and won't include all the personal touches and rituals you have in mind. Maybe you want to write your own vows and don't want to have them 'approved' by the registrar.

WE MAY JUST HAVE THE ANSWER TO YOUR PREDICAMENT!

At the moment a celebrant cannot legally 'marry' you.  So just like you have to sign legal papers to register a birth or a death, the legal papers to be married in the UK can be signed on one day enabling you on another day to have your dream wedding with ALL the elements your hearts desire. I will meet with you in your home or wherever you'd like and take the time to really get to know you and ensure your ceremony is completely personal and bespoke.

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Funerals

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A celebrant brings the personal touch to funerals for those without a specific faith, taking time and dedication to listen to, and ensure, your loved one's story is told exactly as you want it told with relevant and significant poems, music and readings so that everyone recognises the life passed.  Religious and/or spiritual elements can also be included if you wish.  A eulogy (tribute) is written in consultation with the family ensuring the final draft is met with approval and represents your loved one accurately, the way you want them remembered and celebrated.  It can be read by me or a member of the family.

There is also the practicality of not being able to speak at a funeral because of being overwhelmed with emotion.  This is where a celebrant is so valuable, stepping in for those who planned to speak but find they cannot, and liaising with the Funeral Director throughout the planning and delivery stages so the structure and content of your loved one's funeral is just as you want it.

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Baby naming

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At a baby naming you may want an officiant to add the ceremonial element to an otherwise quite informal party-like celebration.  A celebrant will guide and orchestrate the ceremony with contributions from you the parents, guide parents, grandparents and whoever else you want involved in the formalities. This gives the day structure and makes it meaningful and memorable. Then you will be free to mingle with your guests and look after your child, knowing that the heart of the occasion - the ceremony - is taken care of.

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The history of celebrancy

Celebrancy is a profession founded in Australia in 1973 by the then Australian attorney-general, Lionel Murphy. The aim of the celebrancy program was to authorise persons to officiate at secular ceremonies of substance, meaning and dignity mainly for non-church people or for those who had been married before.

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