by Michael | Oct 22, 2013 | Blog
In the celebrant world, there is a certain amount of competition, but I think we’re a close-knit bunch. I was certainly delighted, earlier this month, as my friend and colleague Judy Mansfield gained a huge boost for her business when she was profiled by the “Guardian Professional”.
Judy trained with me last year and we have met at subsequent training courses, as well as at quarterly FOIC meetings. She is a lovely and supportive person, and I am so pleased that she has had this success.
Judy’s article has also done a lot to put celebrancy on the map, so I am delighted to highlight it as my blog of the week. Here it is in full. Enjoy!
Marketing and PR excellence: Cherish Ceremonies
“It’s vital that my clients connect with me – after all, I’m involved in huge events in their lives”
- Guardian Professional, Wednesday 9 October 2013 17.01 BST
Judy Mansfield connects to potential clients via YouTube videos. Photograph: PR
Name: Cherish Ceremonies
City: Southam
Website: www.cherish-ceremonies.co.uk
I launched Cherish Ceremonies in January to design and deliver heartfelt ceremonies for all life occasions, including weddings, vow renewals, baby namings and funerals.
The question I get asked most is, “What is a celebrant?” I decided to harness the power of YouTube and made some short videos to introduce myself and what I do.
It’s vital that my clients connect with me – after all, I’m involved in huge events in their lives. The best advice I’ve had is not to be afraid to let the passion for my business shine through, and it seems to be working.
Social media opens doors that would remain closed trying to connect through more traditional ways. But it is vital not to spam.
Building relationships is key, and as well as my blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube have been fabulous at enabling me to do this. It takes time, it takes energy, it takes commitment, but it is doable. The uppermost thought on my mind when I interact online is, “How can I be of help to you?”
Sharing what I’ve learned through online Q&A sessions has been amazing too. ‘Givers gain’ and ‘paying it forward’ works. It’s like sowing the seeds – the harvest in the form of sales will come (and is already happening).
Judy Mansfield is the celebrant at Cherish Ceremonies
Judy has clearly worked very hard and she is an inspiring lady. I am looking forward to seeing her again later this week near Northampton, and congratulating her in person on her achievements.
I shall be following her example – in fact, I film my first video next week, so YouTube, watch out!
Michael Gordon can help prepare and conduct a tailor-made life-cycle ceremony in or around London or, indeed, in Europe.
by Michael | Feb 13, 2013 | Blog
Just over a week ago, the Guardian published an article which raised my hackles!
Is this fair?
Apparently, although it only costs £120 anywhere in the country to obtain a marriage licence, some English councils are charging huge sums for a three-year civil partnership licence.
As much as £8,000 a time is being demanded in some cases, and in all (or most) a lot more than £120.
Naturally, religious institutions are being priced out of offering such ceremonies.
Why?
Whether it is a question of discrimination or, more probably, just the chance to make ‘a quick buck’, this seems pretty pernicious to me.
Normally, hotels and other commercial venues pay much more for short-term marriage licences than places of worship. Now civil partnership licences will cost places of worship the same as commercial venues.
So what?
Consequently, many churches and synagogues are pulling out of civil partnership ceremonies altogether. As one rabbi, Aaron Goldstein, said, “it feels a bit like being penalised for something that should be a right in society.”
Whether or not you approve of civil partnerships, they are legal since 2010– and should certainly not be viewed as a revenue-growing opportunity.
I am a celebrant based in London.
by Michael | Feb 5, 2013 | Blog
Of course your wedding day should be harmonious!
What about the run-up to it, though?
For a start, you may not have a lot of money at your disposal. Secondly (and not unconnected, usually) you may have parents who are paying for most of, if not all, the event. Thirdly, you and your partner may come from different backgrounds and cultures.
Putting all these issues together and still producing the ceremony you actually want can be quite a challenge!
So here are a few areas to think about.
Beliefs
If your beliefs do not tally with those of the people (probably parents) who are financing your wedding, try and be diplomatic! It may be possible to reach a compromise which keeps all parties happy. The same may, naturally, apply to you as a couple.
The service could include the Lord’s Prayer (to satisfy a practising Christian) and, say, the Apache Wedding Blessing prayer or a love poem (for the non-Christian). Combinations like these can be surprisingly effective.
So, as a couple, discuss what you really want – prayer, meditation, music, rituals, or none of these. Talk it over with your celebrant to customise a wonderful ceremony.
Plan
You will need to decide on who else will participate, and in what way. Will you write vows? Will there be ritual? There are many of these questions to consider, but a good celebrant will go through these with you early on, and set your mind at rest.
Don’t Leave It Too Late
You are unlikely to end up with the same ceremony plans that you started with. A lot of things look different over time. Your celebrant will offer you various drafts and you are free to tweak or even rewrite them. Just don’t hurry it.
If you’re working with a wedding planner, allow them time to get all the arrangements in place.
Summary
- Work together as a pair (good practice for your married life!) and decide what you really want for your wedding. Remember it is YOUR day, although it can pay to compromise a little.
- Do work with your celebrant to come up with the ceremony you really want.
- Start the process early.
- Look forward to a most wonderful day!!
by Michael | Jan 31, 2013 | Blog
I never had any ambition to become a celebrant. (In fact, a year ago I didn’t even know what one was!)
I only heard about it by chance.
If I’m absolutely honest, it all came about because I was interested in 400 prostitutes!
Now don’t get me wrong, please. I am an active man, but not in the way you may be thinking!
I innocently went to hear a talk by somebody who had considerable experience with prostitutes. He had made a fortune many years back by selling answering machines to a niche market nobody had tapped before: prostitutes!
After the presentation, I had a chat with him, and it turned out that he was a celebrant.
He told me that he helped people who wanted a ceremony that was bespoke – not formulaic. He worked with them to construct a ceremony that would mean the most to them (and, hopefully, their guests). It could be religious, semi-religious, non-religious – anything. It could be held anywhere – perhaps a licensed religious building, a hotel, a beach or a mountain top.
The ceremony ranged from wedding, civil partnership, vows renewal, baby-naming or handfasting.
[I’d never heard of handfasting, by the way, but I intend to write a blog about it , so watch this space!]
Anyway, as I listened to David, I got drawn in. This was something different, this was exciting, this was something I could do well (I have considerable experience as a public presenter) and something that would enable me to make a difference to others.
When could I start?!
Well, I trained late in 2012, and was sufficiently enthused that I then decided to train to become a funeral celebrant. I shall be unleashed on the world next month!
Who’d have thought that 400 prostitutes would have made such a difference in my life!
I am a celebrant based in London.
by Michael | Dec 18, 2012 | Blog
Survival guide: when your child is participating in a ceremony
Major public ceremonies can be very stressful for parents and children. Obviously, I can only generalise (as each event, let alone each child, is different), but here are a few words of advice that may be of benefit for an occasion when your child is actually participating.
- Try and keep the changes of routine to a minimum. The occasion may involve a fair bit of travel and even hotels, but do what you can to keep mealtimes and sleep close to what she is used to.
- Bring favourite toys to provide comfort and, to avoid boredom, books etc. for the ceremony, according to age.
- Feed her healthy foods (and definitely not sugar or fizzy drinks shortly before the ceremony). Make sure sensible drinks (preferably not carbonated or very sweet) are on hand.
- Your cherub may well be nervous about his role in front of a lot of strangers. A rehearsal is often beneficial. If you can arrange it in the room or hall itself, then so much the better. If he can practise with props that he may need for the ceremony, better still. Take him through everything slowly, clearly and, most of all, patiently.
- Be relaxed – if you are uptight, you will definitely communicate this to your child, and his performance will suffer. Smile a lot and encourage her!
- If only one of your children is participating, make sure you show appreciation to the other(s) and make them feel valued.
- If your child refuses point-blank to participate, it may be best to go with the flow, accept it and warn the adults concerned. Don’t encourage a scene by forcing him to participate after all or by having a go at your child for letting everyone down.
Most guests will be tolerant of any slip-ups committed by your child, and most will be full of congratulations afterwards, even if not all will have gone strictly to plan! So relax!
If you enjoy the occasion, then your child almost certainly will too. Give plenty of praise where possible, and have a lovely time.
Remember: things are rarely as bad as you think they’re going to be!
