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Beth Whaley – Celebrant
reviews (32) - leave a review
Available for
Countries Covered
I travel Nationally & Internationally
Specialisms
Hand Fasting, Hearing Impaired Ceremonies, LGBTQ+ Ceremonies, Adoption Ceremonies
Affiliations
Association of Independent Celebrants (AOIC) Member, The Funeral Celebrancy Council (FCC) Member, The Good Funeral Guild (GFG) Member
Languages
English, BSL
Hi, I'm Beth
Hello! My name is Beth and I am an experienced, qualified, fully insured and award-winning independent celebrant based in Oxfordshire. With 8 years’ experience working as a celebrant across the country and abroad, I am familiar with writing and conducting bespoke ceremonies for families and couples alike.
Whatever ceremony you are looking for I will make sure that it is created around you, reflecting your unique story with words that have meaning for you and a style that is all yours. Whether you want formal or relaxed, traditional or a bit ‘out there’, I can create your dream ceremony and help you to create memories which will last a lifetime.
Feel free to message me for an initial no obligation chat. I am available for all types of ceremonies and services – weddings, funerals, memorials, namings, renewal of vows, pet blessings, pet funerals and gender recognition ceremonies.
What's my ceremony style?
Oh wow.. Where to begin? Being an independent celebrant means that there is no restriction on what you can or can’t have. You want to arrive at your wedding on a skateboard and cartwheel down the aisle? You got it! You want me to conduct the funeral service on a boat? That’s your call. Nothing is impossible when you work with me and I am fully ‘on board’ with whatever you want to do (see what I did there?).
I tend to adopt the laid-back approach so when I meet you I will always ensure you feel comfortable in my presence (being Australian confirms that the laid-back outlook on life is genetically programmed into my DNA – it’s true!). I’d love to hear your story, and with my experience in creative writing and public speaking, I am excited about giving you the freedom to join together to mark a life event in a way that is beautiful and unique.
Prices From
£240 (funerals), £300 (namings), £550 (wedding/renewals)
Why choose Beth?
Being a celebrant is the most rewarding job I have EVER had and I am committed to making sure your day goes exactly the way you want. With my guidance and support your ceremony/service will not only be beautiful, but it will also be memorable and unique. Unlike traditional services, each ceremony I write is exclusive to you.
If you are getting married (CONGRATS!), I will be on hand to guide you every step of the way and ensure that your day is the best, most magical, chilled, unique and fun, yet remaining perfectly choreographed and exactly the way you want it. There are NO rules when it comes to having me as your wedding celebrant.
If you are planning a funeral, I am here for you to give your loved one the best possible final farewell and to guide you every step of the way (please read the funeral section of this page for more information).
What do I offer?
Weddings
Being a wedding celebrant is a wonderful privilege and when you choose me, I commit 100% to sharing a journey and the creation of a beautifully bespoke celebration of love. I have a great passion for my work, an outgoing personality, reliability, experience and professionalism. Your personalised ceremony is delivered in a heartfelt, sincere manner and is filled with love, laughter, and sentiment.
Also, unlike other celebrants, I only book one wedding per day so rest assured that your special day is my priority!
I offer 2 amazing packages so you can decide on what you’d like your big day to be all about:
£550.00 The Elegant Wedding Ceremony package
♥ An Initial consultation with me via phone/zoom.
♥ A Ceremony Questionnaire and Options Sheet for you to fill out.
♥ Any content – religious, non-religious, particular belief.
♥ Select use of a selection of specially chosen vows and promises.
♥ A professional, unique and personalised simple ceremony script created especially for your wedding ceremony based on your preferences and a pocket rocket version of your beautiful love story.
♥ A further phone/zoom call to finalise the ceremony details.
♥ Full coordination and liaison with suppliers & venue staff on the day.
♥ A bespoke Wedding Certificate to commemorate your special day.
♥ A printed souvenir of your ceremony script.
FOR MY OTHER PACKAGE & MORE INFO, PLS SEE MY WEBSITE: www.bethwhaleycelebrant.uk
Prices From
£550.00 - £695.00 (depending on your package)
Why choose Beth for your wedding?
A celebrant has no restrictions in terms of the content, format or style of a wedding, and can therefore be completely personalised. My ceremonies contain many of the elements that you and your guests would expect to see at a wedding – exchange of vows and rings etc – , but also lots of beautiful details about the couple and often guest involvement too, which I encourage! This means the ceremony is warm and relaxed, and ensures we create lovely lasting memories for everyone attending.
You should choose me as your celebrant because I am fully committed to YOU, your guests, and your whole DAY (and the time leading up to it!). I am here to offer you guidance, support, encouragement, and lots of laughs along the way. Send me a message and see what I can offer you! 2022 is filling up fast, and 2023 is looking fabulous – let’s be a part of this together!
Naming Ceremonies
During a naming ceremony, you will celebrate the beautiful union between family and life.
For a Child:
Baby/Children naming ceremonies are a beautiful alternative to a religious christening, during which parents celebrate the birth of their child while bestowing a name of personal meaning to their baby. Your ceremony will be totally personalised to you and your child, announcing to the world that you are officially naming and welcoming them into your family.
For a Renaming:
A transgender renaming celebration is truly memorable and personal ceremony where those important in your life gather to celebrate your new, more fitting name. But it’s more than this, it’s a celebration of you. Of stepping into your true self, feeling free, confident, relaxed, and happy.
The beauty of a naming ceremony is that you can design it however you like – there are no legal requirements and restrictions, so it can be fully tailored to your wants and needs.
However, this is what you might expect from a typical naming ceremony:
Introductions and welcomes
A reading or poem
Storytelling about the child/person, such as their arrival into the world, their personality and any quirks or interests
A message about the role and responsibilities of parenting (if applicable)
The parent’s/family promises to the child/person
Another reading or poem
Importance of wider family and any specific people in attendance
Appointment of guide parents & promises (if applicable)
The significance and meaning behind the name
The naming itself
Concluding words
(all my packages include a bespoke certificate and keepsake, and a copy of the ceremony script to treasure)
My package is set from £250.00 *mileage extra 45p per mile from OX12.
Prices From
from £300.00
Why choose Beth for your naming ceremony?
One of the many benefits of choosing me as your celebrant is the freedom to create the perfect, relaxing, joy-filled celebration ceremony. This includes choosing the venue that best suits your needs. It can be the kitchen, back garden, local park, a restaurant function room, by the beach. Basically anywhere of your choosing.
Renewal of Vows
A renewal of vows is a perfect way to celebrate your love and commitment. It gives you the chance to reflect on the journey of your married life, and to express your hopes for the future.
You might choose to renew your original wedding vows, or write new ones! If you like you can include a story or some readings. You can decide if you’d like to re-exchange your rings with original promises, or new ones and if you’ve added little ones to your family then why not include them too!
Unlike your first wedding ceremony, there is no legal aspect. Therefore, your renewal of vows can be anything you want and can take place anywhere you want!
I will spend plenty of time getting to know you and your story and from there I will create an amazing and bespoke ceremony.
I offer my couples the same package that you will find under the ‘weddings’ section of my website. Please take a look!
Prices From
£450.00
Why choose Beth for your renewal of vows?
The service I provide to my couples includes an initial consultation, ceremony questionnaires and tips to help you write your own promises. I’ll send you my ‘bible’ of readings and poems, explore adding your own twists and I’ll coordinate the smooth running of the ceremony with your suppliers.
You’ll have an amazing, original and one-of-a kind ceremony led with professionalism, compassion and a bit of laughter. You’ll be left with the best memories and a beautiful keepsake presentation copy of your ceremony.
You might already know what you want to include in the ceremony, or you might need some guidance. I’ll help you mix contemporary with traditional, create new ideas, whilst balancing the right energy and flow.
Funerals
I have been conducting funeral services across the south of England since October 2020 and since then I have helped families within our community say a proper farewell to their loved one. I have a background in working with thousands of families during their time of grief and I have a Diploma in Bereavement Counselling and Public Speaking. As a funeral celebrant, I will work with families and individuals from all walks of life, of all religions and none.
A funeral service facilitated by me is a celebration of life and we speak of the person who has died in high regard, whilst reflecting on their time spent on Earth. It is an opportunity for us to give thanks to your special person and acknowledge the legacy they have left behind. The ultimate aim for me when it comes to a funeral or memorial service is that the congregation leave feel uplifted, feeling that their loved one was described perfectly.
Unlike traditional services that tend to be a ‘cut and paste job’, each ceremony I write is written from scratch and reflects the person who has died, who they were in life, and the impact they have made on those around them. We will sit together and you will share stories and pictures, and really help me get to know you, your family and your loved one – Who were they? What made them light up? What did they value most in life? What legacy do they leave behind for us? Based on this (and everything else you tell me), I will create a beautifully written service with content that is meaningful.
My services include: face to face contact and ongoing support, preparation of the service wording, delivery on the day, and personalised script and keepsake to treasure. I also offer poetry/readings/song choices and close liaison with your chosen FD/arranger to ensure smooth facilitation.
Prices From
£240 / Under 16s: £0.00 (10% of my fee will always be donated to the RNLI Lifeboats)
Why choose Beth for your funeral?
If you’re asking yourself – Wow…yes! We would like a Celebration of Life for our loved one, not a doom and gloom service where we feel like we need to bow down and cry! How can we book you? Well, all you need to do is send me a message, or ask your chosen Funeral Director or arranger to get in touch with me directly and we’ll work together.
I offer funeral and memorial services anywhere – the crematorium or burial ground is where I usually deliver a service, however I also conduct services in woodland, gardens, hotels, community halls and even a beach – you name it. I’ve got your back, and I’m here for you.
Reviews for Beth Whaley – Celebrant
Total Reviews: 32
Average Rating: 5
reviews (32)
Simply the best ❤️
Beth was amazing… better than we could ever have hoped for. We’re so glad we chose her as the celebrant for our wedding.
From the first email she sent us, she was friendly, enthusiastic and approachable. Her communication was excellent – she was quick to reply to queries and requests. We had a meeting about 3wks before the wedding when we could have happily chatted for hours. Beth distilled the information we sent her into a lovely, personal ceremony. This was so good that when she sent it to us for checking we only made one tiny change. There was a secret part to the ceremony… I don’t normally like surprises, but I trusted Beth on this one, and she didn’t let us down. She wasn’t flustered when I wanted to tweak my vows 2 days before the ceremony!
On the day she was perfect, making sure everyone knew where they needed to be. She delivered the celebration flawlessly. It was fun and joyous, while still managing to be sincere and professional. We had so many compliments from friends and family about the ceremony.
Thank you Beth ❤️
I never thought I’d look forward to a funeral.
I never thought I’d look forward to a funeral, nor did I think I would say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Beth made a sad day so very bright, and a celebration. We as a family are grateful to have met Beth. She is just incredible.
Thank you Beth
The service Beth gave was beautiful she spoke about our mum as if she had known her, we had only met a few days before but Beth’s words were so comforting for all the family. Everyone who attended commented how special the service was. Thank you so very much Beth .
