Don't worry, you're not the only one who doesn't already know!

Officially we are described as 'a person who leads a ceremony such as a marriage or a funeral' (Cambridge Dictionary)

Well, yes, that is very true. But there is so much more to it than that. For one, we offer plenty more types of service. Whenever there is an occasion that needs marking, a celebrant can do that.

Lots of people have faith and these special occasions are often marked within their own favoured religious environments. However, many folks don't consider themselves as religious at all but still feel it is important to commemorate life's big events. Children can be welcomed into the world and have their name given to them in a more secular way, family and friends can make promises to that child all whilst remaining true to the family's beliefs.

That isn't to say that there is no spirituality involved in a celebrant led ceremony. The content is entirely based on the family's wishes.

Currently celebrant led weddings are not legally binding in England so you also need to register your marriage with a registrar but that can be done quickly and inexpensively, leaving you time to celebrate your special day in the style you desire.

I completed my training as an independent funeral celebrant in August 2020. I trained with Terri Shanks, the founder of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants. She is a fountain of knowledge and the time spent training with her is proving invaluable.

In July 2021 I completed my wedding and family celebrancy training with Michelle Taylor, an award-winning wedding celebrant. Now I can offer all the ceremonies from birth through to death.

I am a Member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants. The Fellowship is held in high regard in the industry and rightly so. I am very pleased that I chose to train with them.

I feel I will never stop learning in this role and that is a great feeling.

With a Celebrant, there are literally no rules on location or time. Choose your favourite place, a stunning view or a location with sentimental memories attached to it. And then a time that suits you. Are you up with the lark? How about dawn on the beach? Or are you more of a night owl? How does midnight in a moon-washed field sound? Or you might be a total romantic and fancy a sunset ceremony on the cliffs. With a celebrant, anything is possible.

Whatever you fancy. You can keep it traditional if you fancy or go as far as your imagination will let you. I’m very flexible and always happy to incorporate something new into a ceremony.

Some elements you might like to include (some are traditional, some are symbolic, some are just plain fun)

A ring exchange

Exchanging vows or promises (you can write these if you like or I can or we can do it together)

Music

Readings

Poetry

- maybe a hand fasting? That’s when cords or ribbons are used to tie the couple together at the wrist... the origin of the phrase ‘tying the knot’

- or ring warming? Where your wedding rings are passed around your guests to be ‘warmed’ by their love and good thoughts.

- perhaps a unity candle ceremony? Where you both light a candle together from the light of your two individual candles, signifying the light and warmth you both bring into your marriage.

- what about a sand ceremony? This is particularly lovely if you have children. Each person has a different coloured sand that is placed in a glass vessel, showing that the individuals still exist but that they are now part of a union which cannot easily be separated.

Maybe a game of Mr and Mrs?

A celebratory Time Warp?!

Again, it’s totally up to you and what you would like to include. But as a general rule it’ll probably be about 30-45 minutes long.

I am based in Penzance in the Wild West of Cornwall, so I am generally found within the county. However, I love to explore further afield so I’m happy to travel past The Tamar! There will obviously be associated costs with this though.