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Almost by definition, weddings don’t come cheap! Indeed, for a wedding guest alone (in the UK), average spend is currently several hundred pounds. Don’t ask what it may cost to arrange a wedding! One reason for the high expense rate is that you are likely to need a...

I graduated more years ago than I care to remember. In fact, I’ve reached the age when it’s difficult to remember anything! Joking apart, I studied French and Russian (with Czech) at the University of Leeds in the 1970s. I knew I had an aptitude for languages, and...

Of course a mixed-faith ceremony frequently is beautiful, inspiring and enjoyable. However, such a result doesn’t just happen; it has to be worked at. That means, not only seeking harmony among your family but also putting together the right service. Finding a happy...

Quite a lot of people seem to have heard of the term “handfasting”, but considerably fewer know what it is. Enlightenment is on its way! History Handfasting originated in pagan times, and it gained force in medieval days. It was a way for peasants – mostly – to afford...

People don’t always get it. It’s true that you can do without a civil celebrant for your life-cycle event - depending on what you are looking for. You can have a  full-religious ceremony in church (or an equivalent). Or, if you’re looking for a simple wedding ceremony...

In my experience (10 years as a celebrant), I have been involved in a few weddings from hell. True, the vast majority of these events have been delightful, happy, beautiful occasions. But a few stick in the memory for entirely different reasons! Sometimes,...

Whatever the occasion you are marking, the event can be appreciably improved depending on the texts you use. People often assume that they need to follow a standard liturgy for ceremony readings. Obviously, this is the case, if you’re having a church ceremony....