To hug or not to hug … that was the question at a recent Celebration of Life service. The family were all in agreement about the wearing of masks – optional but advised for inside when moving around – however a decision on hugging or shaking hands was trickier. Along with selecting readings and musical choices, the issue of social distancing has now become something else for grieving families to decide … and make no…
Continue readingWriting is a constant work in progress… there rarely seems to be a point that you can lean back, draw a firm final line and type the words “The End”. For me it can be an arduous, lonely and often frustrating occupation which will – if I let it – take over my whole life. And then – just when I think that I might have finally cracked it and everything is falling neatly into…
Continue readingSincere thanks to “Just Aylsham” and the “Just Regional” team for this article about me which appeared in the February issue of the magazine. It is not so much about seeking publicity, but more spreading the ‘Celebrant Awareness’ message. A recent two-day display in my local branch of Barclays bank made me realise that most people have not much idea about what a celebrant actually does. Some people thought that my colourful collection of sand…
Continue readingSomething old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue. There are many superstitions surrounding weddings from what to wear to the unlucky pitfalls to avoid. Right up at the top of any bride’s priority list is surely to keep her dress a secret until the Big Reveal – the moment she arrives, usually accompanied by her father, for the ceremony itself. It is then – and only then – that the guests and her husband to…
Continue reading“So, Mary, what are you currently working on?”, my friend asked. “Let me think… “one, two, three, four weddings; … oh … and a funeral”. Up until the day before yesterday there had been a naming ceremony in my diary too – Unfortunately this had to be cancelled due to a problem at the venue – it was to have been held at a Rugby Club where – would you believe it? – inconsiderately, a…
Continue readingJust before Christmas I was honoured to help a couple celebrate their wedding. As a Family Celebrant, there is nothing unusual in that … after all it is a major part of what we do. However, what was unusual was that this couple wanted a Traditional Ceremony. As a member of the UK Society of Celebrants, I can produce a glittering array of surprising elements and weddings with any theme you can imagine, but this…
Continue reading‘Old it, flash, bang, wallop, what a picture! The song from the Sixties musical and later the film “Half a Sixpence” goes on to explain that there has always been a photographer to “record the ‘appy scene”. The story, set in the Edwardian era, tells us that photography has, since the beginning of time, played a crucial part in marriage ceremonies. And there’s no doubt that, even in today’s world of phone cameras and selfie…
Continue readingIn the pre-pandemic world, New Year and the Christmas holidays were a time to press pause and have a re-think about everything. After all the hectic rushing around of the preceding months, it felt right to enjoy some simple pleasures – like a walk by the sea or in the countryside – and to take the opportunity to reflect on our lives. It was a time to take stock. During this enforced break, most of…
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