There is something wonderfully reflective about reaching your fiftieth birthday. People often ask if I feel older. The truth is, I feel grateful. Fifty years have given me stories, laughter, heartbreak, friendships, adventures, lessons and more cups of tea than I could ever count. They’ve taught me that life isn’t…
Tag: family
Welcoming Your Child with a Naming Ceremony: The Beautiful Alternative to a Christening.
Welcoming Your Child in a Way That Feels Right for You The arrival of a child changes everything. Whether you’re welcoming a newborn baby, an adopted child, a stepchild joining your family, or celebrating a child later in life, many parents feel a deep desire to mark the occasion with…
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…
What Does a Funeral Celebrant Do?
When someone we love dies, the world can feel as though it tilts slightly off its axis. In those moments, clarity, compassion, and gentle guidance matter more than ever. This is where a funeral celebrant steps in, not just as an organiser of ceremonies, but as a steady hand and…
Sober Hen and Stag Do Ideas: Meaningful, Joyful & Completely Hangover Free Celebrations
There is something beautifully refreshing about a celebration where everyone remembers the punchlines, the dancing, and the heartfelt toasts the next day. Sober hen and stag dos are rising in popularity across the UK, and not because they lack sparkle. Quite the opposite. Couples are choosing connection over chaos, memories…
Honouring Our Loved Ones at Christmas and Special Life Events
A Gentle Guide by Shelley Bell Celebrant Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many of us, it can also be one of the most emotional. As the lights twinkle and families gather, we may feel the presence — and the absence —…
Real Wedding – Zoe and James
In this look back at one of 2025’s most colourful weddings we can see how little pops of colour can make such a difference to a neutral palette and how your furry family can be a part of your celebrant led ceremony. Where: The Boundary at Garons Park, Southend, SS2…
Top 10 Personalised Wedding Ceremony Ideas You’ll Love in 2025/26
Discover the top 10 personalised wedding ceremony ideas for 2025. From handfasting to personal vows, Shelley Bell Celebrant shares unique ways to make your big day truly yours. Why Personalisation Matters in Weddings Your wedding ceremony should be more than just words — it should reflect you. More and more…
Direct Cremation – What’s All The Fuss About? The Pro’s and Con’s explained…..
What Is a Direct Cremation? A direct cremation is the most basic form of cremation. It happens without a funeral service beforehand, and without mourners present at the crematorium. The body is collected, cremated, and then the ashes are returned to the family, who can choose to commemorate their loved…
You Don’t Have to Be Buried in a Box – and Other Funeral Myths
When most people think of a funeral, they picture a casket, a cemetery, and a somber service in a crematorium chapel or church. But that’s only one version of a farewell. The truth is, funerals are as diverse as the people they honour. Whether shaped by cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs,…
