Photo Gallery of Humanist Wedding Ceremonies

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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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I
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You
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⠀ #classof2019 #lovetour2019
#theyearimetnewbabiesborntocouplesivemarriedandhadmultiplepastcouplesasguestsatweddingsmakingminireunions #zenasparish

“I WILL pronounce you husband and wife...in the

“I WILL pronounce you husband and wife...in the meantime, please kiss!!”
I should have married Kate and Glenn today in a ceremony surrounded by all their friends and family, COVID-19 put pay to that happening this year, so we’re delaying that gratification for a proper joyful shebang next year.
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So INSTEAD Kate and Glenn asked me if I’d like to still spend this special date with them. This first photo is just after I promised them we’d get to say their vows properly next year, but for now, why not kiss in front of Blenheim Palace - so a tiny bit of their ‘wedding day’ was here and this grandiose 😉
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We spent the rest of the day together walking, laughing, getting lost and as Kate said about photo 8 - “still lost but now identifying trees”, toasting to them both with a glass of fizz found in a pub doing take out (served in a plastic pint glass - CV19 has a lot to answer for!) and talking about all the glorious plans which have simply been transferred to a different date when K&G can be properly surrounded by all of those they love.
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In a stroke of humbling generosity K&G gifted me my very own tree in the National Forest #forlovessakeplantatree - which will be forever OUR 2nd July 2020 tree and Glenn had even made me a delicious sandwich for our picnic AND the flask of tea was still hot in spite of their two hour drive!!!!! Laika had her thirst quenched - her cup was even held up to ease her drinking - spoilt indeed!
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This may well have been a different day to the one you were both expecting @keslatts and @glennwooldridge but thank you for the most wonderful day and I promise you, when your wedding day arrives we are going to celebrate you with even more gusto than we had trying to find that elusive stile!!!! 😉
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Note to self and all other celebrants. When suggesting films to while away the lockdown, pick wisely so you don’t tell your couple, and I quote, “I really recommend Sleeping With Other People” 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️
#bridegroomcelebrantselfie

Humanists UK legal case! A call to action....pleas

Humanists UK legal case! A call to action....please see below 👇🏽
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Humanists UK’s case for the legalisation of humanist marriages in England and Wales...It’s finally happening! We get our day(s) in court!!!
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Those of you who have followed me for a while will know the eight years of work I have been part of for this campaign. This brief video instastory is from back in Feb 2018 - when with nerves and trepidation I was able to present my own findings to an all party parliamentary review in the Houses of Parliament and now, I am delighted to be able to finally announce we are backing six couples going to the High Court to take a landmark legal challenge seeking legal recognition for humanist marriages on July 7-8 this year.
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Please see the link in my bio to read more about this, but a note from me personally.
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I and the 270+ couples I have married know how important having a humanist ceremony, to both represent and start their marriage, means to them. Putting the work in and having a rite of passage that means something to you, reflecting who you are and what your marriage means to you both in a location that often has a deep personal resonance and witnessed by those who matter is more than just a whim, it’s the very foundation you wish to start your marriage from.
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It is also a right afforded to citizens of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey, but not to English and Welsh citizens. This is both antiquated and deeply unfair. So, what can you do?
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Please use the next week to
~ shout about the case to all & sundry
~ tweet or write to your MP (find a very simple link in my bio to do this!)
~ to verbally & through social media support our cause.
~ And if you have had a humanist ceremony or are planning on having one please do comment below and tell us why it’s so important to you and why it matters!
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If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me - I love my job & it’s been such a privilege over the past near decade to witness just how valuable starting marriage as you mean to go on is. It’s more than just signing a piece of paper, but signing that piece of paper is important, we should fairly have the right to do so - its time to change the law.

Over the past few weeks I have found it even more

Over the past few weeks I have found it even more impossible not to become more reflective than lockdown had already made me. I’ve spent countless hours examining where we go from here in a positive way - a way that is effective, proactive, purposeful and relevant - a way that genuinely affects change and outcomes. Instagram is my work account, I separate it purposefully from my personal SM accounts as I want it to reflect the work that I DO, and the incredible people I get to do that work with, so I’ve been stuck in a small mire as to how to handle Instagram when for obvious reasons work is thin on the ground. My relationship with my couples is still ongoing, but emails, texts, kind words and support don’t make such visually appealing gram squares 😉
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Last month I read the following posted by @irlrubyph
“If you’re not sure how to respond, LISTEN.
If you’re not sure what to read, RESEARCH.
If you’re not sure what to do, DONATE.
“NOT SURE” becomes “NOT MY PROBLEM”
It’s not enough to be “NOT SURE” when racism is still taking lives.”
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This hugely resonated with me and kicked my ass back in gear with a pledge I tried to start at the end of last year. I am DELIGHTED to announce that from this moment going forwards, for every single couple I work with who say ‘I do’ I shall donate through the incredible organisation @girlsnotbrides to ground roots campaigns and community projects across the globe to help eliminate child marriage, helping empower those who don’t have a voice or choice to find theirs.
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Without exception the couples I get to work with get married out of choice not obligation, this is a privilege not afforded to everyone and so it seems appropriate to take the privilege and joy we get to celebrate and feed that back, even if only in a small way, to helping support initiatives which are making this planet a fairer more just place.
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There is a link in my bio to @girlsnotbrides support funding page and you can see for yourselves the incredible umbrella of their members projects. Each booking I take will receive a donation from me to one of these initiatives.
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May we step by step, hand in hand march forward little by little to a more equal world.

Fake fur. Sequins. AND COMPANY! A few evenings a

Fake fur.
Sequins.
AND COMPANY!
A few evenings ago I was the happiest I’ve been this lockdown. This one injection of normality and revelling has allowed me to get off the ground this week with a few projects I have been dying to finish and I will be sharing them over the next few days. From an absence and a lot of instagram no shows, to a heap at once, brace yourselves. And thank you for still being there, even in my solitude.
#fakefurandsequinsforthewin #didntevengooutout #friends #outofworktimeme

See that smile? Oh heck, am I getting excited abou

See that smile? Oh heck, am I getting excited about being able to be part of insanely magic moments like this sometime in the unknown coming future! @theodevaney and @kimayavyas had words engraved inside their rings for each other. The engravings were secret and they got to see them for the first time as they exchanged them! When you work with me, I ask you to do a lot of work together; reflection, reminiscing, a little soul searching and in doing so you can thoroughly trust that you’re on the same page! So a surprise engraving is only ever going to confirm your inner delight in each other. Man alive! This stuff makes my heart expand exponentially. As disastrous as all these current postponements may have felt, I’m grateful it gives us all that little bit more time to revel and reflect upon one another. Love isn’t going anywhere. And anticipation is such a sensational gift we’ve been given in return. My anticipation levels are beyond giddy right now. Delayed gratification - such a sweet, sweet mischief. 📸 by the extraordinary @barima.co
#huamanistwedding #londonwedding #loveinthetimeofcorona #delayedgratification #magicweddingmoments #realwedding #weddinginspo #humanistcelebrant #instawedding

These are the spoils of Madeleine and Josh’s wil

These are the spoils of Madeleine and Josh’s wild seed invitations. I would have been marrying them today, but instead, I’m watering their growing seedlings and knowing, just like this tiny flower bloom - magic is worth waiting for. Nurture what is on hold right now, the spoils of your patience will be magnificent and full of magic. #notmarriedtoday #loveremains #timyblossomsaregoodforthesoul #acelebrantdoesntstopcaringeveninapandemic #wildseedpaper #humanistceremonies #loveinthetimeofcovid19

When I was 11 my brother died. He was 8. He was ru

When I was 11 my brother died. He was 8. He was run over on an otherwise ordinary Saturday afternoon whilst playing with his friends on a driveway with his new birthday skateboard. It was a freak accident as our opposite neighbour that day very unusually had to bring his two tonne removals van home with him. Other 8 year olds aren’t reliable lookouts, and my neighbour ran over my brother, not at any speed, just the weight took him. I write this because my mum sat in the dark for many days, not moving, not talking, immobile. I starkly remember her getting up and leaving the house after a few days, I later learnt she did this to go to our neighbour. She did this one action amongst paralysing shock and grief to forgive him. To let him, if it would ever be possible, heal over accidental actions that would no doubt haunt him for the rest of his life. In that one action my mum taught me all I ever needed to know about love and about bravery.
I don’t know what to say about the anger and the grief I feel every morning when I wake and read the news at the moment. But I do know that love is greater than hate. I also know that isn’t a wishywashy statement. It is all powerful. It is hard as hell to enact in the face of loss, grief, anger, injustice, disappointment, fear. But it is also the ONLY true weapon we have that can beat prejudice, ignorance and despair. A year or so after my brother died Nelson Mandela was released from prison and my confused and still angry little soul witnessed another extraordinary expression of how love and forgiveness in the face of the opposite makes a statement great, huge, admirable, formidable. Childhood life lessons learnt and sealed.
Peaceful protesting against injustice is love. Refusing to accept our own prejudices and the prejudices of others is love. Standing up in the polling station against policies of unfairness, inequality and greed is love. Treating all others as you would like to be treated is love. Putting the work in to make yourself a better human is love. Each act disables hate just a little bit. I choose love always, sometimes with fear, sometimes with confusion, sometimes through the darkness but I choose it every time.

Confetti explosion addiction refuelled!!!! Zoom pr

Confetti explosion addiction refuelled!!!! Zoom pre-wedding ‘Pin In It’ ceremony. And yes, I am wearing a disco ball safety helmet. ✨😜🕺🏽
Sometimes disappointments can bring unexpected delights. My magnificent colleague @thissarahpowell with a heavy heart introduced Alex and Matt to me when their need to postpone meant that their new date clashed for her. One of the truly wonderful things about being part of the @humanists_uk network is the safety and faith we feel in recruiting a colleague to help us out. And so, one fabulous zoom meet (CV19 needs must, I love a first meet in person, but screens will do!) and Alex, Matt and I formed a bond and the relay baton was passed. I cannot wait to marry Matt and Alex in February (they genuinely seemed excited when I told them we would have to do new/more homework together....! My kind of people :-)), but until then they asked if we could notate their original date with a little zoom get together, curated by me and with their nearest and dearest joining us. With the promise of confetti....the zoom meeting ID went out 😉 We tied a knot around their wedding rings for safe keeping, with ribbon we will carry through to their ceremony in February (a lovely little nod) and each of their guests actively witnessed their promissory intentions. A&M told me they had been inundated with flowers, they had given each other deeply personal and thoughtful gifts that morning and as the confetti exploded and they kissed, all the joy of what they had hoped for - mixed with their anticipation for February - culminated in a bubble of extreme happiness. No one saw this pandemic coming, but I am increasingly get the feeling that by looking carefully and quietly the real pleasure in anticipation is being felt more astutely by us all. And in a world of fast immediate gratification, there’s a lot to love about this rediscovery. 🙏🏼
As for the disco ball helmet....when you change your theme from May summer wedding to February cocktails and disco, if you have accoutrements to hand to give a visual clue to the new theme....what’s a gal to do? 🤷🏻‍♀️😜✨🕺🏽#unusuallovetour2020

This is an anniversary telegram! A massive HAPPY A

This is an anniversary telegram! A massive HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the wonderful @bumberwood and @robprecious, 1 year ago today they were married and 3 months ago a beautiful baby boy - Ruairí joined their family. A proper honeymoon baby 🙂 👶🏻
Jenna, Rob asked me to let you know, that he reaffirms every word he said in your vows today and every day, (your vows are included in these photos). This has been a whirlwind of a year so today take stock and reflect on all the journeying you have done together. And remember, if you ever need extra encouragement, say Rob’s mantra “‘I’m a unicorn, I’m a unicorn, I’m a unicorn.’ ‘Unicorns can do anything!’” 🙂
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I have also included the photos of your amazing hand fasting. Remember and revel in the love and support you have and had around you this time last year! 🤝
R&J dedicated a colour and an intention to each of their 12 ribbons and then matched the sentiment with two of their guests - this was revealed as a surprise within the ceremony as we called each allocated guest up to add colour and weight to what would become their marriage knot. ♾
What unfolded was the most wonderful interaction, full of laughter and discovery as people learnt what R&J associated them with. As the ribbons we wound over R&J’s hands, the support of each friend and family member was made visual and literal. It was an absolute joy to watch unfold and made my own eyes well up as the knot was tied to a raucous and deeply invested cheer of support.
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I am sending you both such giant amounts of love today and I cannot wait to catch up and meet little Ruairī. Revel in each other and remember you were and always will be “A couple of unicorns embracing in the smoking area of Reflex about to embark on a journey that would bring us to where we are today….” 📸 @jh23photography
#zenasparish #happyanniversary #humanistceremony #bridegroomcelebrantselfie

The kind, generous and talented @scooperphotog dro

The kind, generous and talented @scooperphotog dropped by as part of her project and fundraiser for @trusselltrust with her #hitchindoorstopportraits - obviously, I dressed down. Thank you Sharon for capturing my solitary lockdown life with a dog 😍 #laikathelovedog #lovetour2020 #onhold #dontyoualwayswearasequindaycoataroundthehouse #sopleasedonreflectionthatmymilkbottlewasclean

This time last year I was revelling in the stateme

This time last year I was revelling in the statement ‘you beat the Pope’ 🤣😉 #illtakethat #testimonial #lovemyjob #humanistcelebrant #statisticallysignificant #postweddingbants #sandwichedbetweencouplechat #loveisntgoinganywhere #lockdownlookback

“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even w

“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.” - Jonathan Gottschall - As a vivid dreamer (both literally and metaphorically) I love that quote.
Storytelling is not only created in our imaginations, but in the real, the true, the everyday actions of the ordinary and extraordinary. I adore getting to tell your stories, that is what your ceremony should be made up of, the retelling of your own ordinary extraordinary lives. And then when I’ve finished, I love being part of and watching the stories continue to spill out; anecdotes, memories, moments which just keep being shared by everyone. With story sharing, empathy develops, communities forge tighter bonds, human to human connectivity is elevated. Boy, I can’t stop daydreaming of hearing all those stories being shared again. 📸 @ibiza_wedding_photographer
#humanistceremony #celebrantled #wordscount #instawed #love #ibizawedding

Some gowns are better than others. PLEASE READ ON.

Some gowns are better than others. PLEASE READ ON..
I should have been marrying Lizzie & Sam today. Lizzie is an NHS intensive care paediatric nurse & Sam is an NHS Paediatric surgeon. For obvious reasons they have had to postpone their wedding & NOT ONCE have they had a jot of self pity. They have been consistently upbeat, they are working so hard on the front line most days & yet they have even kept checking in with me to see if I am alright?! This morning I went to send them both a message about how our rearranged date would be the best day of the year & as I was sending Lizzie sent me a picture of herself in full PPE, in the ICU, with the words “different kind of gown from the one I was going to be wearing today, but kicking coronas butt on ICU…”
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What can we do? THIS👇🏽
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So I thought, what can I do? I would have been there today making sure everything was running ok, that they were both calm & excited & I'd have adored sharing their amazing story with all of their loved ones, what I CAN do instead is share their amazingness with all of MY loved ones & try & raise a little bit of magic for them today.
You don't know them, but we all know someone who will be cared by someone like them & although our applause & gratitude is real, I have been struggling to find ways of making it actionable from my own front room.
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So here is my idea....Please help me collect together wonderful things they can enjoy when they finally get the chance. An actionable way for us all to say thank you to two very real human beings. Offering their skills & training selflessly when the best I can do is stay at home.
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The amazing Patchwork team have gifted their services free of charge; everything raised will go to Lizzie & Sam. That is Patchwork's gift, the gifting has already begun!! This Patchwork link is brilliant and makes gifting Lizzie & Sam super easy. They will see what people have deonated & read any message you may want to send. I have generated different levels of gifting, from £1 upwards, it is your choice. You can also donate your services or gifts in kind if you, like so many of us, are strapped for cash right now.
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The link is in my bio. This is a surprise for them!

My gorgeous Chani and Ash sent me this photo today

My gorgeous Chani and Ash sent me this photo today - reaching out, hand outstretched to welcome their all dancing, jubilant brilliance down the aisle in the most fantastically neon bedecked ceremony I have had the honour to conduct. Today is their 4th anniversary and Chani asked me if, as their anniversary present, a tree could go into the love forest we’re growing (since autumn last year I dedicate a tree to all couples I marry with @natforestco ) so a Birch has been planted #forlovessakeplantatree 🌱 - the woodland ever grows even as we all stay still. It also reminded me that by goodness do I love my couples and the relationships they gift me with. Thank you from the bottom of my still quarantining heart! Happiest of odd anniversaries 😉 Love Sweet Love. 📸 @pgracephoto
#lovewins #humanistceremony #londonwedding #celebrantled #fromcelebranttofriend #godsownjunkyard #zenasparish

Instagram post 17860267213792967

Instagram post 17860267213792967

We ^still^ Do! Today something really good happene

We ^still^ Do! Today something really good happened. We live Zoomed a wedding into over 38 different households. I nicknamed it the Same Time, Same Place, Multiple Social Distancing Locations Aperitif Ceremony 😉 Paula and Loc got engaged back in 2014, but they have made sure their children, their business, their home and their family came first for years. So when it looked like Covid19 was definitely shutting down their wedding today, the day they had finally allowed themselves to have, my brain started whirring. How can we honour their original date, a date so filled with anticipation, the date the kids knew something special was happening? So I said, let’s do it anyway….we know all of your guests are free 😉 So we invented a ritual. We took their wedding rings and we placed them in a jar. As part of their home schooling this week L&T made coloured rice and in front of us all they poured it over the top of the rings to keep them safe until we get to retrieve them in their proper ceremony next year. Public declarations are important and so are witnesses, which is why everyone was invited to still be part of it, our communities are essential, so Paula and Loc still made promissory statements they will stand by as a family until I get to pronounce them husband and wife next year. Even L&T made promises - they are going to promise to do their best to be good and kind and keep the rings safe until we need them next year. Then I was able to get EVERYONE involved, I unmuted all 60+ guests (they were prepped!), so that as I pronounced them ’not quite, but almost’ married and we began the 301 day countdown to when we will all be able to do this in the reals, Paula and Loc would hear a cacophony of corks popping, applause as aural confetti as their own confetti rain down upon them. Hell yes there was confetti! ALL GOOD CELEBRATIONS DESERVE DETRITUS! And so, in many homes today a little bit of happiness, jubilation and grateful splendour still happened. Thank you to absolutely everyone of Paula and Loc’s friends who with me this week have learnt the ins and outs of Zoom and thus made a family feel the full weight of love and support that surrounds them. Love wins!

When photographers capture the effects of a ceremo

When photographers capture the effects of a ceremony! @lyndseygoddardphotography caught this glorious example at E&R’s wedding of how your ceremony should make your guests feel. They’re your people, they matter, they aren’t just passive observers to your day but active witnesses. Make sure they feel the kind of magnificent exhaustion laughing and crying combined can give you! It’s the whole body response to being alive that we’re looking for! ;-) #humanistceremony #celebrantled #allthefeels #realweddings #lookrightforaneyesclosedlostinrevelrydeliciouslaughingface

The wind 🌬 and veil demanded to be in on the #b

The wind 🌬 and veil demanded to be in on the #bridegroomcelebrantselfie today. ☀️
Olivia and Campbell met in Dubai and now live in North Carolina so some rain and a breeze was actually on their wish list - it’s amazing what you miss when you leave it behind 🙂
@nancarrowfarmwedding is perfect whatever the weather so they knew getting married back in Olivia’s home county may just deliver. I don’t think they quite counted on Storms Ciara and Dennis, but nothing was going to stop all of Campbell’s family travelling south of the border “we’re Scottish, it was just a wee bit of rain” 🤣
Surrounded by their closest friends and family today we revelled in their story, cried a little, laughed a lot and managed a break in the rain for a windy and magnificent confetti throw. I just know #lovetour20 has a whole lot of joy up its sleeve. #winterwedding #humanistceremony #cornwallwedding #celebrantled #cornishwed #homeiswherethemizzleis

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