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…
Tag: individual
What 50 Years of Living Has Taught Me: The Power of Ceremony, Kindness and Letting Go.
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…
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…
Re-Naming Ceremonies: Celebrating Your Authentic Self After Transition, Divorce, or Life Change.
There are moments in life when a name no longer fits. Not because it was “wrong” at the time, but because you have grown beyond it. For some people, that moment comes after gender transition. For others, it arrives after divorce, family estrangement, spiritual change, sobriety, personal healing, or simply…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
