Welcome to my blog
This blog is a compilation of thoughts, musings and experiences of my life as a Civil Celebrant, mixed in with my reactions to relevant current events and news stories. There’s always lots to talk about!
Why a Handfasting?
Although a lot of people have heard of “handfasting”, most don’t know what it is. So they don’t consider including it in their ceremony. It’s a lovely ritual, and they may be missing out. Origin Yes, it’s pagan, but if the thought of “pagan” conjures up visions of...
VOW RENEWAL – FAQs
What? A Vow renewal? Surely not?! Although demand has levelled off a bit since COVID, things are becoming a bit more ‘normal’. I have noticed increased interest in Vow Renewals, but the same questions tend to come up. I hope my answers can be useful. Does a Vow...
Discord – even on your big day?
We’re human. We don’t always get along. Even on important occasions. Preventing disagreements is preferable to resolving them. Obviously, that isn’t always possible, but it’s a great start to show openness and willingness to compromise. As a wedding celebrant, I...
Common Errors
Even the best-laid plans can go astray. Wedding plans tend to be 'well-laid', but, even in this field, nothing can be guaranteed. I propose to give a couple of examples of things that went astray in ceremonies I was involved in. I believe there may be some lessons...
What Can You Celebrate?
A lot of folk don’t need much of an excuse for a celebration. Well, that was the scenario up until a couple of years ago. Now people tend to be more cautious. They are often hesitant to plan ceremonies. What if social distancing spoils things? What if lockdown kicks...
Planning a successful Wedding
Wedding planning is a very delicate balancing act. First and foremost, bride and groom must see eye-to-eye. Secondly, if other people are involved, their feelings and opinions may not correspond to the couple’s. Thirdly, social distancing and all that goes with it are...
What Readings Shall We Have at our Wedding?
One of my many tasks as Civil Celebrant is suggesting readings for wedding couples. (Some celebrants often write their own, but I prefer to look to authors who are more qualified than I am.) I thought it might be fun to choose a couple of examples of readings I havve...
Making a Civil Celebrant Work for You
When you buy a car, you usually know what features you will be getting. The same with most products. So when you’re booking a service like that of a civil celebrant, why should things be any different? Misconceptions However, not that many people really know what a...
When a Wedding Costs Less Than You Think!
It would be stating the absolutely obvious to claim that weddings are expensive! No arguments there, surely! What is less obvious is spotting where you can save some money. For example, areas where you may not need to spend so much could include your venue, the...