Photo Gallery of Humanist Wedding Ceremonies

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So many things about Gracie’s naming ceremony ye

So many things about Gracie’s naming ceremony yesterday made my professional eyes ping with tears. It really was a momentous occasion for my friend Emily - pictured here snuggled into my very proud Celebrant shoulder.
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Emily’s journey to motherhood has not been simple nor without heartbreak. Not only did Emily decide to have Gracie on her own - to which I say HOLLER!!!! 😍😍 she also had five miscarriages before Gracie. I literally don’t have the words for how much respect I have for Emily and her love and bravery.
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Then brilliant little Gracie’s birth coincided with the first pandemic lockdown. I mean, woah?! So Emily’s hopes for Gracie’s naming day wasn’t just a giant thank you to the support she has had, (her best friend Bec’s moved in a week before Gracie’s birth, and stayed. To which I once again, say HOLLER! 😍), and an extraordinary opportunity for Gracie’s extended family to be all gathered together revelling in each other and making memories - which is what we humans need to do! But it was the formal appointing of Gracie’s -in her words- fairy godparents 💫✨💫 and as Emily pointed out, “as a single mum it’s even more important to Gracie, if anything ever happened to me I know that Gracie would be looked after by the most wonderful 3 people in the world.”
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A naming ceremony is truly one of the most heart warming and in my mind essential rites of passage. Yesterday Emily was able to hear just what Gracie means to her extended family, but also what she herself means to them all. And the naming script - so full of description and sentiment - has been placed in a treasure box, filled with letters from her godparents, grandparents, a copy of the song Sara sang, the script from the sketch Emily’s friend’s Charlotte and Rich performed, and time capsule gifts from every single guest - all for Gracie to open on her 16th birthday. What an encapsulation of love and a moment in time that will be for Gracie to read. I wish I’d had such a gift.
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Thank you for letting me share this @missemjones - I think you’re an inspiration. And welcome to this magnificent world Gracie Milly May Jones. You’re off to a rocking start!
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#namingceremony #singlemum #exceptionalwomen

My gang ☺️ Phoebe’s naming ceremony 19.06.21

My gang ☺️
Phoebe’s naming ceremony 19.06.21
The magnificent @katemansmith and @unleashthekeesh have me as their family celebrant forever and that makes me beam from ear to ear. I’ve married them, we’ve scattered the ashes of beloved ring bearer dog Sam and now I’ve had the privilege of helping to formally name and utterly celebrate Phoebe in her 100 year old gown!!! She’s exceptionally lucky to have these two. They are sincerely the best humans. I love them. Thank you for letting Phoebe be the same height as me, we all know she’s likely to tower over me by seven 😜😜 #sorryicutoffhalfyourheadian #raiseadaughterwhoreads #backinbusiness #doingwhatilove #zenasparish #familycelebrant #love #namingceremony

I co-wrote a book!!! ⠀ I am so damn delighted an

I co-wrote a book!!!
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I am so damn delighted and proud to be able to finally reveal some of what I was actually able to get up to during Covid lockdown.
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It was my honour and privilege to help write this book with @copsonandrew and @prof_alice_roberts and I am going to be proud as punch when I get to hold the real thing in my hand and encourage you lovely lot to read it.
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It was also such a wonder to work closely with many of my super talented celebrant collegues to gather and include their insights, reflections and knowledge amongst the esteemed and notable humanists throughout history - all within the covers of this book.
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It is an uplifting, honest and celebratory account of love and marriage. And I am so proud I could burst!
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#iwroteabook #whattodoinlockdown #loveinthetimeofcovid #littlebookofhumanistweddings #thelittlebookofhumanistweddings #humanistsuk #zenasparish #weddingwisdom #weddingreadings #humanistwedding #humanistcelebrant #love #uniquewedding #whativelearntfromadecadewithmycouples #weddingvows #weddinginspo #weddingwordsofwisdom #engagedaf #yourdayyourway #whatawaytostartlovetour2021 #lovetour2021

Me and my life. One of my smallest friends drew th

Me and my life. One of my smallest friends drew this from memory. Dallas Lovell, aged 5 and 11/12ths. #captured #lovetour2021

Done and done. In time for #lovetour2021 Thank you

Done and done. In time for #lovetour2021 Thank you clever, clever science.

It is with nothing but sheer delight I bring you..

It is with nothing but sheer delight I bring you....#weddingdetritus #firstof2021 #lovewins #joywashere #simplebeauty

Bride. Groom. Son. Daughter. Celebrant. Selfie. DO

Bride. Groom. Son. Daughter. Celebrant. Selfie. DONE!!!!!! YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Like mother’s milk, I’m home. #bridegroomcelebrantselfie #lovetour2021 #teamkj #itsgoodtobeback #LOVE #sohappyicouldcry #lovemycouples #zenasparish #ivemissedyoulovelylot

I went out out this weekend!! To a #miami80s party

I went out out this weekend!! To a #miami80s party in a back garden and the overwhelming sense of excitement to be gathered with people you love again made me SO excited for all of my couples this year. We’re nearly there. #june21st #🤞🏽#makingmemorieswiththoseyoulove #theblanchedevereauxcocktail #iwearheaddresseswhenimnotcelebranting #thegreatregathering #lateralflowtestsftw

Wedding season ready. I CANNOT wait to dress up on

Wedding season ready. I CANNOT wait to dress up on Saturday’s again!
#lovetour2021 #countdown14daystogo
#humanistcelebrant #nevertoomuchcolour #nevertoomuchpattern #nevertoomanysequins #joyishere

This popped up in my Facebook memories today and i

This popped up in my Facebook memories today and it explains why I have been happily sat at my desk for a few hours already today, happily, oh so happily, tip tapping at my keyboard weaving story and magic the best way I know how. #countdown18daystogo #lovetour2021 #lovemyjob #weteyesagogo #tellstoriesmakememories #thegreatregathering #realpeoplestories #realweddings #doingthisforadecade

And we’re back baby! My entire day today was ful

And we’re back baby! My entire day today was fully immersed in wedding couples and not postponements. My blood is pumping with 💚✨ again.
#ceremonyscriptwriting #lovetour2021 #watchthisspace #instagramgridphotosincoming #countdown38daystogo #dowhatyoulove

Little doggy update. Laika has gone blind, we are

Little doggy update. Laika has gone blind, we are seeing the vet tomorrow to find out if this is temporary or permanent. Either way she is a marvel who is mind mapping the house already and has ventured up and down the lane outside without fear or anxiety. She’s a masterclass in getting on with what’s required in the moment. Thank you to every single one of you who have checked in with me over these past somewhat traumatising ten days. My email reply time is still a little bit delayed. But look at this scrappy, scruffy, button nosed little wonder dog and blame her ;-) #laikathelovedog #blindbutspectacular #dogsmakehumanshappy

This magnificent creature of mine #laikathelovedog

This magnificent creature of mine #laikathelovedog had not one but two heart attacks on Thursday night. The vet concluded that she died twice, but pulled herself back each time. She really is a bloody marvel. And she scared the living life out of me. Now, five days on, multiple medication regimes put in place and a vet extraordinaire on the case and she’s proving that her life force is STRONG! It does mean however, that I am cross eyed and only just landing back on the ground. So, this is a public “I’m sorry I haven’t replied to your email” notice. I will get back to you ASAP. For now, one of the things I have to keep notice of, is the colour of Laika’s tongue. It went white when she had her heart attacks, so I am to be reassured when it’s pink. This is pink. She is a wonder. 💗

Proudly helping women marry since 2011. #interna

Proudly helping women marry since 2011. #internationalwomensday

A year ago, on that most otherworldly of days Febr

A year ago, on that most otherworldly of days February 29th, I was part of a group which planted 100 hand-crafted bronze mushrooms in a perfect circle around the City of London’s ‘Square Mile’. It was a spell, an artistic working, to bind Trader Fae and shine magic into dark corners of capitalism. We think most of the mushrooms are still in place. Here’s me hiding one of the mushrooms from the day on a shelf in a storm drain, just glimpsable, robustly tucked. Ready to stay there nestled or wash off on a journey to who knows where? We’re making an Instagram faery ring. Visit @JakeBoreham to see a before mushroom, and @j0nes to see the following one. Take a look at these and perhaps carry on and follow the circle. See my stories to catch a glimpse of this particular hidden mushroom. This was a powerful day, did we start a reset?

PERSONAL VOWS for @borisjohnsonuk to the wedding i

PERSONAL VOWS for @borisjohnsonuk to the wedding industry. I took the liberty of writing them for you, Boris, now I’d love it if you could reflect on them, hold@our hands, look into our eyes, AND SAY THEM BACK! And we are live on something I have been so proud to be part of - the next step in the @whataboutweddingsoffical campaign. We are trying to get the government’s attention the way we know best - creatively and impassioned! So, I've taken the Liberty of making these vows, as @patchwork_it said, with love and controlled rage, to help turn our essential wedding protest into a fun to watch, but serious to consider, wedding party. A campaign to get the government to understand our plight as a £14.7 billion industry, somewhat overlooked. If you would like to show off your own skills to help get our message to Boris? (@borisjohnsonUK on insta @borisjohnson on twitter). Go here: https://patchworkit.com/36969/whataboutweddings (Link in bio) - we’re not asking for any more than parity with other industries, clarity for a roadmap back to the safe reopening of weddings, and financial support to keep us afloat until we are safely allowed to carry on the essential role of bonding families, friends and communities. We will be needed more than ever when the Great Regathering is allowed. We are memory makers. Not idle dreamers. Let’s make a clear roadmap so we can support all of our couples in planning and moving forward. Boris, say “I do...support the wedding industry!” #whataboutweddings #vowsforboris

Let’s be radical. 💚✨
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It’s Valentine’s Day and that means many different things to many different people. A nonsense commercialised day? An opportunity to be brave and drop a cheeky message to someone you love/fancy/want to get all frisky with? An indulgent kiss where all the passions of yesteryear re-emerge?
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Today many people get engaged, which in turn leads to marriage. And marriage is a many complex thing - to be celebrated as such!
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So on St Valentine’s Day let me share this brilliant quote - spoken by Tina Modotti - an Italian photographer and political activist who declared the following words at Frida Kahlo’s marriage to Diego Rivera - a relationship as complex, contradictory and often controversial as it was perfect for them. (As you read, note how EVERYTHING is in that second ‘but’)
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Tina Modotti: “I don't believe in marriage. No, I really don't. Let me be clear about that. I think at worst it's a hostile political act, a way for small-minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way, wrapped up in the guise of tradition and conservative religious nonsense. At best, it's a happy delusion - these two people who truly love each other and have no idea how truly miserable they're about to make each other. But, but, when two people know that, and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway, then I don't think it's conservative or delusional. I think it's radical and courageous and very romantic.”
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So, whatever your feelings about Valentine’s Day remember that for each of us, everything is about context and intent and that ultimately celebrating love - however you damn wish - is a many splendid thing.
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🎨 This is an adaptation of a post from two years ago which I wanted to repost with this extraordinary painting by the great lady - Diego on my mind (Self-portrait as Tehuana)
#dismantlethepatriarchy #loveyourway #lovinallitsshades #makenewtraditions #valentinesschmalentines #loveeverygoddamnday #valentinesday #antivalentinesday #love #engagedaf

Podcast alert! @theenthusiastandco interviewed me

Podcast alert! @theenthusiastandco interviewed me for her podcast about joy in work, play and life and you can listen to it now ☺️ (link in bio)
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I’m going to quote Ellie’s show notes now and blush, because they are so nice. I’d have summed it up as “where Zena talks about not being a fly mass murderer, how a life analogy presented itself as her lover and how lying husk like and wounded can make you glad you are alive” but Ellie definitely says it with more compliment 😉
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Do take a listen and let us be the dulcet tones in your ears today.
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“TODAAAAY I am joined by one of my favourite people in the entire world: Zena Birch, Humanist Celebrant.
Zena is a bottle of champagne in human form: effervescent, bubbly, luxurious, and one of the greatest things in life. It's quite daunting writing this description, because her way with words is so marvellous: and I loved listening to them as she gave a super honest and beautifully, generously raw insight into her enthusiasm for tradition, communing, creating a sense of occasion, and being alive and getting older.” Find the podcast in iTunes, Spotify and on The Enthusiasts website. This image is from when Ellie and I were last allowed to meet in the reals. I miss the reals.

I don’t share this stuff very often, because I’m hopeless at my own self promotion! (biannually?! And when I top trump the Pope? 🤣) But in lieu of any actual weddings for the foreseeable I think it’s ok to take a moment and dance in the joy of being called a unicorn on this rainy, blustery Monday morning. May we all gallop free again soon 🦄🌈✨🦄 #gloriousmemorytowakeupto #weddingtestimonial #humanistcelebrant #loveinthetimeofcorona #wewillwedagain #lizlaneiloveyou

Standard. (Consent is a given.) In light of the

Standard. (Consent is a given.) In light of the current American Court Justice nomination and the potential repeal of Obergefell v. Hodges - allowing equal standing for gay marriage in the US, I found this quote (picture 2) shared back in 2012 in my Facebook memories today and felt such a saddened sense of backward progression. I stand with my transatlantic colleagues in being appalled at this potential regression and will add voice and solidarity to whatever we can do to make sure it doesn’t happen. I’d like to say that although there are a lot of things I’m not proud of in our country at the moment, I am proud that we made this legal step back in 2014 (still far too late! And 2020 in Northern Ireland, but better late than never!) and will be sticking with it. I’m loud, proud and delighted that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can legally marry in the UK and as a humanist celebrant I stand for love. It’s as simple as that. Everyone is welcome here. Love isn’t the easiest thing to find, when you have it, treasure it in every form with which it falls upon you. #loveislove #lovewins #lgbtq #youdonthavetoaskhere #humanistceremonies #humanistwedding #lgbtqwedding #kisswhoeverthefuckyouwant #loveisforall #kiss #thinkibetterdancenow

Pulling all sorts of animated expressions over on

Pulling all sorts of animated expressions over on @rocknrollbridemagazine #askanexpert feature today. Covering your questions: ‘whats the difference between a celebrant and a registrar?’, ‘how much is a celebrant?’, ‘can you have 15 guests at your covid secure ceremony?’, ‘how do I write my vows?’ Hop on over to their stories to look. Missed the 24hour story window? It’ll still be on their highlights bar under #askanexpert. #rocknrollbridemagazine #loveinthetimeofcorona #zenasparish #weddingquestions

Drive-thru weddings ✨✨✨ I’ve been lucky en

Drive-thru weddings ✨✨✨ I’ve been lucky enough this year to still be able to bring some much needed joy and uniqueness to couples who have had their weddings cancelled or postponed because of Covid regulations. #loveinthetimeofcorona requires invention and fun and this was precisely that. I worked with @freenow.uk to help create some genuine fun and happiness for each of our couples - Disappointment banished! Celebration required!
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The grooms arrived in a black cab, the brides in a white Prius - the first stop was to collect their bouquet and button holes from a hatch on the other side of @arnold_circus then they continued around the bandstand and pulled up to my perfectly flower-arch-decorated-steps for a mini ceremony which specifically celebrated them both - their intentions and hopes, over the uncertainty and cancellations of this year. We literally tied the knot together before I pronounced them ‘drive through married’ - they signed a certificate, popped some fizz, cut their cake before heading back off to a mini reception with their chosen friends.
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When faced with adversity or challenge, find ways to celebrate what counts. And these micro weddings did just that. Never to be forgotten, completely unique and full of light hearted madness (as an unexpected lady eating an ice cream or curious dog can be your witnesses too!!) each couple told me that these memories forged on the steps would be exactly the kind of magic they would carry into their marriage for the rest of their lives. Guidelines and regulations utterly still adhered to, it’s still entirely possible to make something extraordinary happen during #covid19 - we just have to be inventive 😉
#funcelebrant #wordscount #humanistwedding #howtomarryin2020 #smallbutperfectlyformed #freenowdrivethroughwedding

#whataboutweddings PLEASE READ. ⠀ This is Tom an

#whataboutweddings PLEASE READ.
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This is Tom and Amy, I married them five years ago today, clearly, it was serious business 🤣.
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Today, however, with no weddings whatsoever, it is a different type of serious business.
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Today is the August bank holiday, traditionally a very busy wedding weekend. It breaks my heart how many of my colleagues aren’t allowed to work today. How many of us aren’t able to do the jobs we treasure. (And need!)
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Please see the following stats as compiled by a wedding industry collective I am proud to be part of.
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“This Saturday would be our busiest day of the wedding season annually. However, instead:
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• 133,560 people will not go to work.
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• Because 4,452 weddings will not take place in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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• An additional 213,696 workers will not have provided their services.
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• A total of 347,256 workers will be impacted in just one day.
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• The total direct spend on weddings annually is £14.7bn - £9.4bn on the day itself, £3.2bn spend on retail and £2.1bn on travel, tourism and pre-wedding events.
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• This means that weddings contribute more to the economy than live sports events and 3 times that of live arts and cultural events.
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• Approx. 250,000 people depend on work related to delivering the day itself with an estimated 150,000 more in support functions - a total of 400,000 involved in weddings.”
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The wedding industry is important & more vital than first glance may lead you to believe. Wedding suppliers, venues & couples are paralysed as a result of the pandemic restrictions which have not been lifted in any recognisable form for weddings. We have been pushing government to provide CLARITY (a date they will review weddings), PARITY (so ceremonies from all faiths and communities can take place under the same guidelines as civil ceremonies and be inclusive of all devolved nations) & finally CHOICE (a stimulus package for the sector to help us through to 2021). We have constructive ideas - For more information on the campaign, please visit whataboutweddings.co.uk
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Please don’t forget about us. @borisjohnsonuk @rishisunakmp @aloksharmardg @ed_miliband @lucympowell @drrosena @keirstarmer @scullyps

Micro weddings - FOR THE WIN! ⠀ Jess and Alice c

Micro weddings - FOR THE WIN!
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Jess and Alice contacted me knowing that they wanted to mark the signing of their legal papers in a way that felt like them and more ’special’ than just adding their names to a document - as they do with their bank and their landlords.
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The original plan - slip off to Italy and have a little ceremony with their two best friends in a vineyard. Cue 2020’s infamous change of plans.
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We zoomed. I got a real sense of why the vineyard & their two best friends as witnesses was important to them & multiple emails later they had found a vineyard in the Cotswolds. Special day 2.0 was born.
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Why was it so damn special?
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Because when you decide to do something that entirely represents you, you can’t go wrong. The intimacy of this gathering meant that everything was out in the open. I was able to get to know Rachel & Adam, we could plan surprises for J&A & not worry about their reactions, because we were 100% amongst not just friends, but best friends. I was able to create a ceremony which shared stories perhaps too candid for a larger gathering, but sidesplittingly funny for our small gang, I was able to share sentiment that I honestly don’t think the four of them would have said to each other in any other public forum - as adults we so often think our love and gratitude is implied….but trust me, saying it explicitly, out loud is a truly extraordinary bonding no one should miss. In short, by having a micro wedding real truths, honest bonds, outrageous memories, earnest promises and five minute vows (the best I’ve ever heard) were not indulged but made more intensely necessary. It blew me away.
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If you have had to postpone your full celebrations until 2021/22 but are still signing your legal papers beforehand, I highly recommend creating something this small & special to accompany the marriage logistics. We only live once and making memories, sharing great stories and remembering how alive & human we all are isn’t something we should skimp on, it’s something we should actively encourage more of. Have all the celebrations! Take that CV19 & your ruinous schemes. Love and human connection won.
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(Story details continued in the comments)

Question: Can we sing in a humanist ceremony? Ans

Question: Can we sing in a humanist ceremony?
Answer: Yes, if you want your photos to look this awesome. 😊🤣* *covid caveat - you can’t sing yet. But it will be back baby! Singing and all the magnificence will be back!

A year ago today. The photo that encapsulates AL

A year ago today. The photo that encapsulates ALL the feels. Marrying @lisajanephoto and @leeallenphotos was as special for me as it was for them. Truth. Happy anniversary you magnificent pair. Linus always and forever 💚 @mattparryphoto 📸 - forever grateful.

I’m not just a celebrant. I’m an on-the-spot-e

I’m not just a celebrant. I’m an on-the-spot-emergency-rescuing-inventor. Standard, right?
✨3 years ago today ✨
“The father of the groom had no cufflinks. I know Emma and Dave love crisps (so much so there's a crisp buffet after the ceremony). So naturally I came to the rescue by fashioning a pair of cufflinks out of a packet of Wotsits. Everyone's happy. I'll be pitching this to Liberty on Monday :-)”
Still one of the best things I’ve made out of a packet of Wotsits.
#ceremoniesandcouture

Challenge accepted. You bloody magnificent women.

Challenge accepted. You bloody magnificent women. With each delectable nomination - you made me shimmy like this 😜 #womensupportingwomen
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I’m late to the party, so nominating seems moot! But one should always be late to the party 😜😉 I nominate all the time challenged women in my life
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To really support women feel free to jump on to @girlsnotbrides website, find a grass roots campaign and donate your support fiscally 😉

SMALL WEDDINGS ARE ALLOWED! It’s official! 💚🌟
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The government announced today that from the 1st August weddings AND receptions of up to 30 guests can take place so long as everything is still covid secure. Myself, @binkynixon, @fmtents, @ctshop.co.uk and @whitebuttonweddings have been preparing for this moment.
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So, if you would still like to celebrate, even if this is simply a stop gap until you get to do it properly (when we have the full all clear from the government), this could be the super duper deal for you. We have each worked out how to do a ‘lite’ version of what we do and we would love to share this with those of you who fancy it. We want to make planning your small wedding as easy as possible. So swipe right to see the ‘menu’ and choose as many courses as you like to fit your requirements.
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Please do get in touch - You can still celebrate your day in 2020.
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Drop me a line and quote ‘Little Shindigs’ for more information. (This is a limited time only offer and only works in conjunction with at least one other menu’d supplier.)
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#littleshindigs #smallwedding2020 #stillmarryin2020 #howtomarryin2020 #humanistceremony
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⠀ #classof2019 #lovetour2019
#theyearimetnewbabiesborntocouplesivemarriedandhadmultiplepastcouplesasguestsatweddingsmakingminireunions #zenasparish

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