Alex and Andy
As our venue was not a 'typical' wedding venue, it was a holiday home, it wasn't licensed for weddings, so we decided to look into a Humanist ceremony and found the amazing Zena Birch who is a humanist celebrant. A humanist ceremony really appealed to us as we arent religious, so it gave us an alternative ceremony, without the religion and we were able to make it completely personal to us as well as get married outside in the grounds of the property.
Zena was incredible. She put both of us completely at ease and made our wedding all about us. We had met with her on a few occasions before the wedding to discuss ideas and the ceremony itself and she was perfect. I loved the ceremony and it was without a doubt my favourite part of the day. So many of our guests have also commented on how much they enjoyed it. Thank you Zena!
Read more about this wedding here.
Hayley and Peter
Hello Zena. Thank you so much for emailing us and thank you for being part of our day. It was the most surreal, fantastic, wonderful and memorable day, one which we will remember forever. I have just read through the ceremony again and it made me cry it was so special and reading what others thought makes us realize how lucky we are to be so loved.
We couldn't have asked for a nicer person to do the ceremony so thank you once again for being part of the day and doing the reading so beautifully.
*Hayley and Peter appeared on CBBC's Marrying Mum and Dad. Because the whole ceremony was organised by the children, I was unable to talk with them when preparing the ceremony, so I composed a ceremony based on questions I was able to ask their two sons. It was a special and unique experience.
Simon Wilcox
On April 17th 2010, Zena Birch officiated our wedding ceremony. For months following, guests told me that it was the most moving wedding ceremony they had ever attended, and many asked me for a transcript of the ceremony. Zena managed to create an atmosphere in which everyone felt included; her words were eloquent, profound, at times fun - and yet always personal. She made our wedding everything I wanted it to be, and I will forever be grateful.
Ashlea Mackin
Zena Birch was the celebrant for our good friends' wedding. She made the ceremony so personal and so about them. Dove and hearts illustrationIt was, quite frankly, one of the most moving, fun, teary and romantic ceremonies I have ever been to. If you have the opportunity to have Zena perform your ceremony - grab the opportunity with both hands. Her beautiful nature and her perfect way with words mix to create a truly memorable experience.
Victoria Wilcox
Zena Birch conducted the wedding of my niece Simon Wilcox to Vince Lynch on April 17, 2010 near Los Angeles. Since Simon is the centre of my universe, my expectations were very high, Zena met them and wildly exceeded them.
Zena had obviously gone to a great deal of trouble to learn about Simon and Vince as individuals, and about the history of their relationship. She used that information to personalize the service, ensuring that it reflected their uniqueness in ways that all the friends and family members could appreciate and enjoy.
But she also added many touches of her own, including having guests each write a good wish or good advice on one piece of a pennant, which was then assembled. After they'd said their vows, Simon and Vince had to run through the banner, adding one more unforgettable moment to a charming and moving ceremony.
I got the sense from my niece that Zena was very sensitive to the tone she and Vince wanted for their wedding, and would have done something quite different if they had wanted.
Zena's presence added immeasurably to the joy of my niece's wedding, and I would cheerfully attend any wedding at which she officiates.