Firstly CONGRATULATIONS on getting married!

Your special day, your ceremony your way and perfect in every way, allow me to help achieve your dreams and expectations.

Every moment of your wedding day is precious from the dress, flowers and speeches, but the essence of the day is the ceremony itself.

There is a ceremony option that offers everything you desire and creating a stress-free ceremony is my speciality because I love what I do and do what I love.

Having been a Celebrant for many years and conducting hundreds of ceremonies from modern, traditional, non-religious and full Celtic Handfasting, the most popular is a combination of traditional vows and ring exchange with a modified handfasting making it unique and personal to you and fun and a spectacle for your guests, filled with joy, love, meaningful and romantic.

Tailored to your beliefs, style and requirements, you choose to write your own vows if you wish, readings, poems and guest participation, time of day, spring, winter, autumn, or summer, it really is what you want.

And best of all anywhere you want from your back garden, beach, lake side, New Forest, historic site, so together we achieve your perfect day and location to share with your family and friends. Whether you want to be married barefoot in a romantic ceremony or jeans and T-shirt on a beach, in formal clothes in a traditional ceremony we can create that meaningful occasion.

Because every couple is unique we would meet and talk to plan just what your needs and dreams are, it is your day so you will always have the last say on all aspects of your wedding or commitment or vow renewal ceremony.

Allow me the privilege of being your Celebrant

In some ways, handfasting is much like a typical marriage.

Handfasting, following the Celtic tradition, is a betrothal or wedding ritual. The couple’s clasped hands are draped with a cord or ribbon. The couple with me gather with friends and family; they exchange vows and usually rings; often there are bridesmaids and friends assisting in the ceremony.

The ceremony is usually held outdoors, but can be anywhere.

This will include the couple joining hands and jumping a broomstick, taking the first step from their current life into a future life together – this symbolizes the effort required to make a committed relationship work.

The ceremony is romantic and spiritual, celebrating the love between two people and preparing them for their future together.

But this day is also a celebration of family and friends coming together to wish a couple well, flowers, music and food, fun for all.

With this in mind, I offer three choices of handfasting:

1. A YEAR & A DAY handfasting – a betrothal of a year and a day. The cords may be loosely tied, symbolising that the handfasting is a commitment (engagement). but one that is not an onerous one.

2. FULL CELTIC handfasting. This is an earth-centered ceremony clearly focused on nature.

One year and a day after being handfasted, the couple may return to the celebrant and repeat their vows with cords or ribbons tightly knotted to make the commitment binding. This symbolizes the intent to have a permanent relationship. This ritual is the source of the expression to tie the knot. You do not need to have done the year and a day ceremony to do this ceremony.

3. THE KNOT ceremony – a partial handfasting. Sometimes a couple prefer a wedding ceremony and include a handfasting as part of their ceremony – immediately after saying their vows. This is becoming more popular and is actually handfasting ceremony that I perform most often for couples.

Handfasting are traditionally conducted in a circle, which is a symbol of eternity – a sign that life, love and happiness has no beginning and no end. all who enter the circle must keep sacred the ceremonial space.

However, a handfasting can be held in any shaped space and can be adapted to accommodate your venue

If you want help to book STONEHENGE or any other ancient stone venue, I will need a full year’s notice as my fellowship enjoy priority bookings but can only make bookings each April for the following year.

This ceremony is for any married couple who wish to celebrate renewing their marriage vows in a unique personal ceremony with family and friends.

It may be an opportunity to commemorate a special anniversary such as 10th, 25th, 40th or 50th but the ceremony is just as appropriate at any stage of your marriage.

This ceremony contains the re-dedication of rings and vows.

Civil partnerships contain all the elements of both the wedding ceremonies or vow renewal depending on your individual requirements and needs. The ceremonies are the same and tailored to incorporate your style and requirements.

This ceremony is tailored to your individual requirements and can include members of your family and friends

We would meet to plan the content of the ceremony so it is unique and memorable to you.

What kind of funeral do you want?

Not everyone wants the same type of funeral. Your choice may be influenced by religious and cultural traditions, or by personal preference or by the express wishes of the person who has died. People are finding that a civil funeral ceremony is more appropriate for them, free to choose the content they want.

What is a civil funeral ceremony?

A civil funeral is a ceremony that reflects the wishes of the family and is focused on celebrating and reflecting the life of the person. It is dignified and a personal memoir, created in consultation with the family as a tribute to the deceased.

Where can a civil funeral be held?

A civil funeral can be held almost anywhere you wish. the ceremony is appropriate for either a cremation or a burial at any  burial ground or a burial at a woodland burial site.

How is a civil funeral ceremony created?

We will together create a comprehensive ceremony that meets your wishes and requirements. There may be members of the family or friends who wish to speak or take part in the ceremony; I will talk to those who are participating and make sure that the ceremony is well organized.

I will also liaise with the funeral director and the crematorium about all aspects of the ceremony.
Music can play a very important part in the ceremony and can include any pieces of music that you feel is appropriate to the person.

Families often choose to include additional pieces of poetry or readings that had a special significance for the deceased. You can include religious items such as a hymn or prayer if you wish. 
It is very important that you are satisfied with the ceremony content, so you have the opportunity to check the ceremony text if you wish, before the ceremony takes place.

You can be assured that a meaningful and dignified tribute is created that is unique and reflects the life of your loved one.

How can I arrange a civil funeral ceremony?

Please contact me to arrange a meeting. We can discuss all the options available to you and then we will work together to create a ceremony that is unique and reflects your wishes.

The area I can cover.

I am based in the New Forest, Hampshire but can cover most of the South of England and beyond.