Colourful Outdoor Wedding At Dairyhouse Farm Barn In Somerset

Colourful Outdoor Wedding at Dairyhouse Farm Somerset

This beautiful outdoor wedding set at Dairyhouse Farm Barn Weddings is full of vibrant colours and striking sunsets. Full of ethical details it has a lot to offer when it comes to planning your Celebrant led festival feel wedding day. We have the suppliers behind it to tell us all about the day itself. Including a Q&A with our very own Claire Haynes of Claire The Celebrant and all the inspiration details from Emma of Beautiful Light Photography. The Inspiration “Allowing couples in England & Wales to be able to have outdoor wedding ceremonies was a glimmer of positive change amidst unprecedented times in the wedding industry, opening the door to allow alternative, personal, spontaneous & budget-friendly outdoor wedding celebrations…

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Proposing on Valentine’s Day? Read this!

Love it or loathe it, there’s no escaping the fact that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whilst the exact origins of this day of celebration are hard to pinpoint, it’s likely that it stems from a rather dark and bloody incident that took place in ancient Rome around the 3rd Century AD. Other sources suggest its roots lay elsewhere. The story of this day’s patron saint is shrouded in mystery, but what is almost certainly true is that St. Valentine’s Day contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. Money, money, money… Whenever, and however, it came about, its popularity is phenomenal. ABC News reported an expected spend, in 2017, of 8.2 billion. That’s a lot of…

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Celebrants reveal their favourite Naming Ceremony moments-Take 2!

We have been asking our amazing Celebrants to tell us all about their experiences with Naming Ceremonies. They have been revealing their best moments and thoughts on why you should consider having a Naming Ceremony yourself…. This time, New Zealand based Timaru Celebrant Sarah McCambridge. Tell us a bit about your favourite Naming Ceremony and why it was your top choice. I never have a favourite ceremony as people touch you in different ways every time. That’s what makes every single ceremony unique and special. Older children are a bit more of a challenge and you need to find fun ways so that they too have a great day. One ceremony that sticks out the most was twin girls. One had…

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Keeping love local: A countryside wedding styled shoot

If you’re looking for an English Country Garden themed wedding and venue, then this is the blog for you! When the moodboard hit my inbox I was in love with the concept and design that The Celebrant Directory member Juliette Williams put together with some amazing local suppliers, in East Devon. Here, Juliette shares “behind the scenes” at this incredible styled shoot paired with the photographs of the results. Paired with sunshine and beautiful blooms, the images are stunning. If you’re looking for a relaxed celebrant-led wedding in Devon, read on! The venue “When a new wedding venue contacts you to see if you would like to be a recommended supplier, as a Celebrant it is a dream come true.…

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The 5 Best Naming Ceremony Blogs

A naming ceremony is an alternative to a christening, baptism or other religious ceremonies to welcome your baby into the world. Have you recently welcomed a new baby into the world? Have you got an older child who feels they missed out on a ceremony or would even like to change their name? Have you adopted a child or do you have stepchildren and want a ceremony to welcome them into your family? The Celebrant Directory has compiled the top five naming ceremony blogs, written by some of the most experienced Celebrants around to give you all the advice you will ever need! The Celebrant Directory Guide to Naming Ceremonies Where else would we start but in The Celebrant Directory’s…

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Celebrants reveal their favourite Naming Ceremony moments

We asked some top Celebrant’s to tell us all about their thoughts on Naming ceremonies. They just LOVE them and have revealed some of their favourite (and exciting!) moments from ceremonies they’ve had the pleasure of officiating… First up, Yorkshire based Celebrant Deborah Page from True to You Celebrancy. Tell us a bit about your favourite Naming ceremony and why it was your top choice. My favourite ceremony has to be the one held for a couple who were quite nervous about having a naming ceremony. Neither parent identified with a religion. We had a few meetings so that they had the opportunity to ask questions. I spent a lot of time talking them through what a celebrant could do, getting the right balance of gravitas to respect the…

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The Celebrant and their Role in your Celebration

Times and attitudes to our celebrations are going through mass change around the world.   Throughout this change the Celebrant was founded in Australia thanks to Lionel Murphy, in July 1973 when he appointed the first civil marriage Celebrant. The Celebrancy business has grown in strength since helping people decide on their wishes with their vows be they religious or non-religious, their script, music they want to add, readings, and symbolism. They can also decide their style, Celebrant, venue, day and time. So many options we never had in the past! People now have many more choices from the days when folk were married in a church or the local registry office. The wedding industry has gained vastly from this, especially…

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5 Reasons to renew your vows

Renewing your vows is a beautiful way to show how much love you and your partner have for one another. Each relationship is unique in their own magical and wonderful ways and therefore when you make that decision to express your love to each other again, those renewals will hold different meanings to each couple. Here are just 5 reasons why couples choose to renew their vows… 1. Landmark Anniversary The marking of an anniversary! You’ve made it to 5 years? 10? 20? Making a marriage work comes with compromises, love, madness, individual challenges and a whole lot more. You’ve stayed together for all that time and wish to celebrate with your friends and family the journey you’ve gone through…

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Unique Wedding venue ideas to suit you!

Weddings are one of the most special and memorable days of your life, so there is no need to stick to the standard venues – let your imagination run wild! Find yourself a venue that really means something to you as a couple, and a Celebrant can hold your perfect ceremony wherever you dream of! Here are our top 10 ideas to give you some inspiration: Farm Farms have some fantastic building which can decorated in your own way, and have plenty of space to have areas for the different parts of your ceremony including the reception. Some farms already cater for events and will have some options for you, or you can go really rustic and ask a working…

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What is unique about celebrant-led weddings?

What is unique about Celebrant-Led Weddings Sophie Li Celebrant

When it comes to tying the knot, celebrant-led weddings stand out as a truly personalised and meaningful way to celebrate love. These ceremonies go beyond tradition to reflect the essence of the couple, offering an experience that is heartfelt, creative, and entirely unique. Here’s why celebrant-led weddings are becoming the choice for couples seeking a one-of-a-kind ceremony. What Makes Celebrant-Led Weddings Unique? The Focus Is on You A celebrant-led wedding revolves entirely around the couple. It’s not about following a set formula or ticking boxes—it’s about celebrating your love and union in a way that resonates with you. Independent Celebrants are skilled storytellers and ceremony creators who take the time to get to know you. Through meetings and conversations, they…

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Registrar or Celebrant? You have a choice!

“Does a Registrar have to officiate our ceremony at a UK licensed venue?” One UK Celebrant answers the questions asked by many couples when deciding on their wedding officiant, including “Does a Registrar have to officiate our ceremony at a UK licensed venue?” Great question to start with, and one I am regularly asked and the answer is No!  …  You have a choice!   If you are engaged and are now embarking on finding your perfect wedding venue congratulations!  It is wonderful that you are exploring the possibilities available to you.  Not only do you choose your venue, flowers and music but you also have a say in who conducts the heart of your day, your ceremony.  Bear in…

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What Do We Call the Godparents at a Naming Ceremony?

Welcoming a child into the world is a momentous occasion, and many families opt for a naming ceremony to mark the start of their journey. Unlike traditional christenings or baptisms, a non-religious naming ceremony allows for greater flexibility and personalisation, including how we name and involve those who will play a significant role in the child’s life. So, what do we call the godparents at a naming ceremony? The Role of Godparents in Naming Ceremonies The concept of godparents originates from religious traditions, where they provide spiritual guidance and witness the child’s baptism. In a secular naming ceremony, the role shifts to focus on mentorship, support, and being a positive influence in the child’s life. At its core, the naming…

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Choosing a Wedding Celebrant: A Guide to Finding the One!

Choosing a wedding celebrant

Picture your perfect wedding day: you’re walking down the aisle, heart racing with anticipation. Your partner turns to see you, and time seems to stand still. At this magical moment, there’s another crucial person present – your celebrant. They’re not just officiating your ceremony; they’re helping tell your unique love story. Why Your Choice of Celebrant Matters Your celebrant is far more than just an officiant – they’re a trusted collaborator in crafting one of life’s most meaningful moments. In the months before your wedding, you’ll share your story, values, and hopes for the future, working together to create a ceremony that’s authentically you. They’ll help choose meaningful rituals, select resonant readings, and find ways to involve your loved ones.…

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What does a Funeral Celebrant do?

So what exactly does a Funeral Celebrant do? One Independent Celebrant gives a brief overview of what a Funeral Celebrant does and why they are such a valuable asset for families when facing what is undoubtedly the most difficult challenge anyone has to undertake; arrange a funeral. How do Families and Funeral Celebrants Connect? A lot of Celebrants will be introduced to families by the Funeral Director.  What is not so well known however, is families do not have to take the person recommended to them by the Funeral Director, they can choose whoever they feel will be most sympathetic to their wishes.  At the end of the day; when a couple are planning their wedding, they will decide who…

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How do Celebrants write Wedding ceremonies?

Couples always tell me they want their guests to feel joyful, captivated, to feel the love, experience the passion in their relationship, and generally have a heartfelt experience from their wedding. Ceremonies that are personal to a couple’s story are written to capture the couple in a way where the whole idea of wedding ceremonies seems to have been invented solely with them in mind. Every Celebrant has a different approach and style of writing. Crafting a bespoke ceremony is largely influenced by the Celebrants personality, capacity for creative and eloquent story telling, and an ability to write from the heart. That is precisely what sets Celebrant-Led Ceremonies apart from what we have known as the traditional flow and content…

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Celebrants reveal their favourite Naming Ceremony moments-Take 4!

This is the last in our series with Celebrants telling us all about Naming Ceremonies – but definitely not least! Hilary Channing is a Wedding and Family Celebrant who particularly specialises in outdoor ceremonies. She loves conducting Naming Ceremonies and here she tells us a bit about why. Tell us a bit about your favorite Naming Ceremony and why it was your top choice. My favorite Naming Ceremony was for a little boy called Benjamin.  I chose this one because when I met Becky, his mum, we clicked immediately and over a cup of tea and a biscuit we chatted easily about what was important for them as a family and the values they held for bringing him up.  She…

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Real Ceremony Inspiration: Malie’s Humanist Naming Ceremony

Real Naming Ceremony Humanist Naming Ceremony for Malie Celebrant: Natasha Gray, The Humanist Ceremony Venue: In the garden at home in Guernsey A celebrant led humanist naming ceremony can be held almost anywhere at anytime. They are a unique and personalised, meaningful and memorable non-religious way of celebrating a rite of passage. Rituals, traditions, and celebrations of these rites of passage in our lives have been around since the days when there was no religion. Humanists believe that it is possible to live a good life without religion and therefore we also believe in celebrating life events in a meaningful and loving way. Although I’m mainly a Wedding Celebrant, I also do Naming Ceremonies and nothing gives me greater pleasure than…

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Top 10 Naming Ceremony Reading Ideas

With a dizzying array of Naming Ceremony reading suggestions on the internet, this task can become overwhelming. Before you trawl through websites, think about what you are trying to achieve? A Celebrant-Led Naming Ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the birth of your child, acknowledge people that will play an important role in their life, and bestow good wishes upon them for their future. Oh, and eat a lot of cake. That is essential. Choose readings that best represent you as a family… Don’t be tempted into selecting readings you think you should choose (or that you think Great-Granny would like to hear). The readings should reflect your values, your ethos and your beliefs – whatever they may be. If…

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Why You Should Celebrate The Birth of Your Baby

I’m sure you’ll agree there are so many reasons why you should celebrate the birth of your baby! Celebrating the birth varies in lots of wonderful ways around the world from Baby showers, Christenings, Naming Ceremonies, Circumcision, Ear piercings to Family shrines and many, many more. There are lots of ways you can do it and the traditions differ from culture to culture which is what makes it so exciting! It’s completely up to you how you decide to celebrate the birth of your baby. You’ve just brought new life into the world which is awesome and having a day where you family and friends can celebrate the birth of your baby is fantastic. However you decide to celebrate, it…

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A music and love filled naming ceremony

baby naming ceremony in a garden under blossoming trees, with champagne bottles, bubbles, and music notes in the air.

We spoke to London Naming Celebrant Holly Smith and asked her for her top tips for planning a naming ceremony and to share her favourite naming ceremony memory. She shared the beautiful story of Baby Jago, whose love-filled naming ceremony took place in a beautiful family garden underneath blossoming trees. A Song of Love: Family Blesses Baby Jago My favourite part of the naming ceremony was watching Jago as he was passed from one loving family member to another, the whole family joined in singing “Love is in the Air,” showering him with kisses and cuddles. This touching moment embodied the joy and love surrounding him, creating an atmosphere of warmth and unity, and Jago absolutely loved the attention! A…

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How To Become a Celebrant

Written in Partnership with The Academy of Modern Celebrancy – The industry-leading provider of Celebrant Training. You can read their full guide on becoming a Celebrant here. Jennifer Claire, Founder of The Celebrant Directory and the newly launched Academy of Modern Celebrancy shares her tips on how to become a Celebrant. In order to become a Celebrant, you will need to train as one. Firstly you will need to find a training provider that fits in with your style of learning (online or residential). You need to decide if you want to train as a Funeral Celebrant or Wedding Celebrant or both. Training to become a celebrant is one of the most exciting decisions you can make. You get to…

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Celebrate the Celebrant! An interview with Maxine Ward

Maxine Ward Celebrant

The Celebrant Directory has grown to be a hub for those seeking their ideal celebrant, ceremony inspiration, and uniquely personalised celebrations. With a thriving community for over 500 celebrants from across the globe, we want to celebrate that and share with you, the wonderful work our celebrants do! That is why we couldn’t be more delighted introduce Maxine, who has built the highly regarded Maxine Ward Celebrant; the Wiltshire-based Celebrancy business that provides bespoke ceremonies in London, the Cotswolds, the West Country and overseas. We had the pleasure of interviewing Maxine, who’s passion for her work is as infectious as her smile! Here, we share that interview, with you… What type of ceremonies do you offer? I offer all types…

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Lyla’s Naming Ceremony: Inspiration For Your Own Special Day

All you need is love and a gazebo… What a Perfect Place for a Naming Ceremony: an Octopus’s Garden, in the shade.  Ok, so not really an octopus’s garden, but we did play the famous Beatles song at the end of the ceremony – because it is (currently) Lyla’s favourite song. Over the past couple of years, there appears to be a trend towards downsizing weddings to smaller numbers of guests – but upsizing on personalisation and guest participation.  This year, I have also seen a similar movement in the naming ceremony. And I absolutely love it!  I love it because people are choosing what they want and, as their Celebrant, I am able to incorporate their ideas and design…

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