​It's becoming very popular to send "save the day" cards to alert guests about your planned wedding celebration.

Once you have all your plans finalised you then need to send a more formal invitation.  The invitation should state your venue, date and time and information about the reception.

There is also the question of who will be hosting the celebration.  Some couples follow a traditional route and the bride's parents host the wedding, especially if the bride's parents have made a major financial contribution.


Alternatively you may prefer to send the invitations from you as a couple.

When composing the wording for your invitations you can use the word "Marriage" if the Registrar will be present or you have completed the legal declarations prior to your day.  

For couples planning a wedding in 2022 it isn't too late to organise your day.

Finding a venue can be an obstacle but if you are happy to complete the legal declarations at a time other than on the day you can still find excellent venues available.

Alternatively,  you may wish to hold your wedding in a place which is special to you such as your own garden, a piece of woodland or field. 

If either of these options appeal to you  then I would advise you to complete the legal requirements by booking a simple “two plus two” ceremony at your local registry office and then having a Celebrant-led ceremony at the venue of your choice.  

If you are unable to get a slot at the Registry Office then why not consider having a Commitment ceremony and completing the legal declarations at a later date.

If you would like to discuss the difference between a Commitment ceremony and a Wedding ceremony please feel free to get in touch for a no obligation chat.

Wherever you plan to hold your celebration make sure that if the weather is inclement you have some cover - just in case.

Happy planning.

As part of every ceremony I create I tell my couple's story. However,  on this occasion I am going to tell you something of my back ground.

Seven years ago, I neared retirement I was keen to explore opportunities for setting up a small business and undertake some personal learning. After some initial research I was attracted to the role of an Independent Celebrant. I discovered that it was possible to take a formal qualification and although there is no requirement to hold this qualification I felt that by doing so I would be able to offer a better quality of service to my future clients.

My vision for my business was to offer a personal service to couples and families who wished to celebrate the key milestones in their lives.  I wanted to build a business based upon providing a quality, professional service.  My aim was to make each of the ceremonies I created and conducted individual, memorable and reflective of the situation and people involved.

Just over six years later I have conducted small intimate ceremonies in people’s homes and gardens, stood in fields, orchards and village halls, been surrounded by the opulence of country houses,  and in tranquillity of woodland clearings. 

The magic never fades nor the feeling of being very fortunate to be part of these special ceremonies. 

If I can help you plan your special celebration then feel free to get in touch.  I love to hear people's love stories and see consider how I can weave these into a memorable ceremony.


 

Are you wondering what a Naming ceremony is and whether it is right for you ?

Sample basic Naming Ceremony order of service.

Opening words by Celebrant
First reading
Naming
Parent's promises
Supporting adults' promises
Second reading
Signing a certificate
Closing words
 
This  simple ceremony can be added to by including other adults who may wish to make promises such as Grandparents, additional readings, musical items giving gifts and  actions with special meanings.

Each ceremony I conduct has a unique script which has been written to reflect your hopes and wishes for your child's future and I love personalising them to meet my clients brief.

Please make contact if you would like to discuss your ideas further.
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The most common types of Celebrant led ceremonies are Weddings, Namings, Commitment and Renewal of vows.
 
Weddings

A wedding ceremony is conducted after a couple legally marry.  Registering your marriage should be done at a Registry Office in the presence of two witnesses. 

There are a number of reasons why you might choose to marry and then have a wedding ceremony including the freedom to celebrate where, when and how you wish. 

Every ceremony I conduct is tailor-made to each couples requirements.   The wedding ceremony can be held in a location of your choice, at a time to suit you and there are no limits to the number of people who can be present.

Your choice of music, poetry and readings can be woven into the ceremony.

Significant actions such as exchanging rings, lighting candles, a sand ceremony, releasing doves, exchanging love letters  or creating unique items to cherish are just a few of the things that can be included.

If you choose an Independent Celebrant then you can also include some religious elements, if you choose.
 

Naming Ceremonies and Welcoming ceremonies

A naming ceremony is suitable for children of all ages.  It is an ideal way of bringing family and friends together to formally welcome the newest member or members to the family.  It is also an appropriate way to welcome an adopted child or children from a previous partnership.

During a Naming ceremony parents make promises to their child or children and share their hopes and dreams for their futures.  Other adults too can pledge their support some as Supporting Adults who will play a significant part in the child or children’s lives or Grandparents.

A naming ceremony is a wonderful family occasion and can include elements such as tree planting, lighting a candle, a circle of support or gifts.

A Welcoming ceremony is very similar to a Naming ceremony and such ceremonies are often used to welcome an older child whose has been adopted. The aim of the ceremony is to acknowledge the new relationship and for the child  or children to be welcomed into their new family and community.

Commitment Ceremony

A Commitment ceremony is very similar to a Wedding ceremony in its structure and can be offered where a couple wish to acknowledge their love and commitment to each other without undertaking any legal contract.

A Commitment ceremony can also be conducted before a legal marriage has been undertaken and may be used in situations where one partner may be still technically married.
 
 
Renewal of vows

Ceremonies can take place where, when and how you wish.

Where a legal marriage has taken place a couple might choose to have a Renewal of vows ceremony to celebrate a significant wedding anniversary.

A Renewal of vows can also be incorporated into a family occasion to celebrate a Marriage which may have taken place abroad, normally more than twelve months previously.
 
 If you would like to talk about any of these ceremonies then please make contact - I always love talking about people's plans.

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Many couples choose to live together rather than marry and there are many reasons why you might prefer to do this but did you know that by doing this you may forfeit your legal status as a couple ?

So, if you do not wish to marry then a Civil Partnership may be the answer.

Couples who enter into a Civil Partnership are regarded in the same way as a married couple in the eyes of the law. The position of civil partners in relation to financial arrangements mirrors that of spouses. 

The laws governing wills, administration of estates and family provisions applies to civil partners in the same way as to spouses. 

Although we rarely like to consider what will happen when a life partner dies it is worth discussing the financial position.  When a person dies without a valid will their property must be shared out according to certain rules.  These rules are called intestacy.

Only married couples or civil partners and some other close relatives can inherit under the rules of intestacy.

Cohabiting partners who are neither married nor in a civil partnership cannot inherit under these rules.

​Food for thought.

For couples planning a summer wedding in 2022 or beyond the next few months are an ideal time to start putting your plans together, particularly if you want an outdoor wedding.

Outdoor weddings are becoming increasingly popular with many licenced premises now offering this option.

Equally you may wish to hold your wedding in a place which is special to you such as your own garden, a piece of woodland or field.  My advice would be to complete the legal requirements first by booking a simple ceremony at your local registry office and then having a Celebrant-led ceremony at the venue of your choice.  

Many couples are now holding Wedding festivals where guests have the option to camp overnight and there is a growing number of venues who offer this.  

If you choose a venue in Staffordshire you can combine the Legal ceremony with a Celebrant -led ceremony.  For further details check my website or visit Staffordshire Council website.

Wherever you plan to hold your celebration make sure that if the weather is inclement you have some cover - just in case.

Happy planning.

​We can often tell by a name the era someone was born in.  Some names come into fashion and then loose popularity whilst others seem timeless.

Today, when seeking inspiration, parents often look at current celebrities or characters from popular programmes, where once they may have considered family names, those of film stars or prominent public figures. 

Choosing a name can be quite daunting and when deciding my own children's names we made a short list but put off the final decision for a few days after their birth to see which name seemed to fit them best.

A name once given will always be associated with that person and all their unique characteristics.

For children born during the pandemic there were limited opportunities to introduce them to family and friends. Now might be an excellent time to organise a big (or small) family gathering to introduce your child to their wider family and friends who will support and love them.  A great ways to do this is with a naming ceremony.

Why not contact me for more information ?