A couple of times lately I have been asked, “what is the point of a wedding celebrant?”, because to be legally married in the UK, you must sign a marriage license in front of an authorised person, a Registrar or a Priest for example. However you don't legally have to have your Wedding Ceremony performed by them – exchange of rings and vows are purely ceremonial and not a legal requirement. A traditional church wedding may well be exactly what's required but services led by a

First Steps I remember the first day of my first ever job in hospitality. I had been so excited to be offered a position, it wasn't until my mum dropped me off at the hotel where I would be living and working for an indefinite period of time, that the nerves kicked in. My stomach churned and I had the overwhelming desire to turn round and jump right back into the car. But I didn't. I picked up my suitcase, took a deep breath, glued a smile on and stepped through the doors, an

In January this year Mr Cartmill and I sold a flourishing restaurant business, the sole source of income for our household. You don't do something like that lightly, and we had been planning it for some time, in my case thinking about what to do next. The restaurant business is a highly creative, people orientated arena. I needed something that would allow my to continue to be with people, creating a special experience in a specific block of time, while indulging the side of

A wedding is not just about the dress and the fabulous venue, it's about your love story, the promises to be made, and the bit that I believe is most important – unity. As a couple you are now joining together to move forward through life as a team and unity rituals are a great way to add an extra layer of meaning to your wedding ceremony whether before or after you exchange rings and vows. From wine blending to candle lighting, there is a ritual to fit every couple's style a

A winery can make an unforgettable wedding venue and here in Kent where I am lucky to live and work, we have plenty to choose from. As a celebrant vineyards are among my favourite venues, because they offer me the chance craft some amazing ceremonies for couples who wish to do something a little different for their special day. Vineyards vary hugely in size and facilities. Some are well experienced and have dedicated event space and teams of planners, others are more intimate

A Difficult Subject? Funerals can be a tricky thing to get your head around. For me, it's not too hard, having spent 25 years of my life living in the Emerald Isle of Ireland. Whether in Northern Ireland or the Republic, death is a subject never far from anyone's lips, and funerals are attended by anyone and everyone. Children are embraced as part of the ritual, as are friends of relatives, and friends of friends. Quite simply, all are welcome. Traditionally funerals in Irela

All about Location. Spring is here and I've been visiting lots of lovely Kent wedding venues, enjoying the delights that their Spring Fairs have to offer. There are Prosecco and gin walls (my favourite), skilled photographers, celebrants like me, cake makers, you name it. And of course there are the venues themselves; I am a lover of the outdoors and there are so many beautiful locations here in kent where anyone can have a unique wedding tailored entirely to their dreams. Th

There are so many articles on the subject of wedding trends, my head is spinning after trawling through them all, but it pays me to keep abreast of new ideas because I am continually looking for new suggestions to craft my ceremonies around. Location, location For 2019, we are looking at quirky locations: the two main trends coming through are boho themed outdoor spaces, and industrial spaces with rustic furnishings and accessories, both of which are ideal situations for a un

Before launching Signature Ceremonies, I started thinking, “What would I want from a celebrant?” And the question has come back to me because I am currently planning my own vow renewal ceremony with Mr Cartmill this coming autumn. Naturally I am using a professional celebrant who I know will make it a special and joyful event. Professionalism Which brings me to the first important thing I need from a celebrant: Professionalism. Sure, I could write the script mys

When I was training I remember thinking, “who is going to need me?” I cannot conduct a legal marriage, nor name a child who is not registered, so what exactly is my role? Simply this - more and more people are discovering that anything is possible when an independent celebrant conducts their ceremony, whether you are saying 'I do', 'welcome', or 'goodbye'. Your Wedding, Your Way People ask “will I be legally married if I have a celebrant?” Well, whilst the legal bit has to be