In this blog we look back at a truly individual ceremony involving an autumnal colour palette, bespoke elements and of course Burt the chihuahua. Who: Theo and Oliver Where: https://www.theminories.org/ When: September 2026 1st Contact: I first met Theo and Oliver at a Wedding Open Day at The Minories in Colchester in…
Category: Wedding
The Ultimate Guide to Writing Your Own Wedding Vows.
How to write wedding vows that are personal, meaningful, memorable and completely, wonderfully YOU Let’s talk about wedding vows. Those little words that can somehow feel like the biggest words you’ll ever have to write. For some couples, the idea of writing your own wedding vows sounds romantic and exciting.…
Real Wedding: Jo and Paul
This summer I had the joy of conducting a Vow Renewal ceremony for two lovely people. They had originally had a legal wedding in September 2021, in the break between three UK wide lockdowns as a result of the global Covid-19 Pandemic. They felt that they could not celebrate in…
Real Wedding: Hannah and Andy
In this blog we will be looking back to a balmy summer day in a woodland setting for Hannah and Andy’s wedding. Who: Hannah and Andy Where: https://browningbros.co.uk/teybrook-orchard When: July 2026 First Contact: Unusually I had a contact from one of my cousins to say that a work colleague was getting…
How Much Does a Celebrant Cost? Understanding the True Value of a Bespoke Celebrant Ceremony
How much does a celebrant cost? It is one of the first questions many couples, families and loved ones ask when they start planning a wedding, funeral, naming ceremony or celebration of life. And quite rightly. Budgets matter. Weddings cost money, funerals need to be planned carefully and most of…
Can a Celebrant Legally Marry You in England?
Can a celebrant legally marry you in England? It’s one of the questions I’m asked more than any other, and it’s easy to understand why. You may have seen beautiful celebrant-led weddings on social media. You’ve fallen in love with the idea of getting married in a woodland, on a…
Top Celebrant Wedding Trends for 2026/27: The Future of Personalised Weddings
Top Celebrant Wedding Trends for 2026/27 If there’s one thing I’ve learned from creating hundreds of bespoke ceremonies, it’s that couples are becoming increasingly confident about doing weddings their way. Gone are the days when everyone felt obliged to follow the same wedding rulebook. Today’s couples want authenticity, personality and…
Celebrant vs Registrar vs Religious Ceremony: What’s the Difference?
Confused about Independent Celebrant vs Registrar vs Humanist/Religious ceremonies? Discover the key differences, benefits, and how to choose the right wedding ceremony for you. Choosing the Right Wedding Ceremony When planning your wedding, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is how you actually get married. Do you choose a…
The Rudest Things You Can Do at a Wedding (And How to Gracefully Avoid Them)
Weddings are curious little worlds of their own. For a few fleeting hours, time softens, emotions glow a little brighter, and two people stand at the centre of a carefully crafted moment that reflects their story, their values, and their love. As a Celebrant, I’ve seen the magic that happens…
Avoiding the Post Wedding Blues
Life After “I Do” with Shelley Bell Celebrant The confetti has settled. The dress is carefully boxed. The thank you cards are half written. Your inbox is no longer bursting with supplier emails and your weekends suddenly feel… quiet. If you are experiencing a strange dip after your wedding day,…
