I’ve always loved people.
I love hearing their stories, discovering what makes them who they are, and finding the little details that make each person and each relationship completely unique.
I’ve also always loved words. The way words can make us laugh, bring back a memory, or capture a feeling that we might struggle to put into words ourselves.
A lifelong love of words
My love of words goes back as far as my A Levels, yes we’re going that far back!
I opted for English Literature, Drama and Business Studies. However, I quickly realised that the amount of maths involved in the Business Studies course was going to mean an arduous couple of years for me, and so I found myself in the only class that had space left: Classical Civilisation.
If you have no idea what Classical Civilisation is, you are not alone… I also was in the dark!
In a nutshell, it is the study of Ancient Greece and Rome, focusing on poetry, culture and beliefs. Although it was not my first choice, Classical Civilisation went beautifully with English Literature, allowing me to really explore my writing skills.
So, perhaps, becoming a celebrant was always closer to my path than I realised.
The journey that brought me here
For much of my career, I have worked in roles very different from celebrancy.
I trained to become a Dispensing Optician (and somehow found myself in another situation where maths played a large part in my studies!) and then became a Manager of an Opticians before moving into Marketing Management.
Both careers taught me so much about people, communication and attention to detail, but I always knew there was a creative side of me that was waiting for somewhere to be expressed.
I’ve always loved writing creatively. There is something incredibly special about taking someone’s thoughts, memories and feelings and turning them into words that truly sound like them.
And I think that is one of the things I love most about celebrancy.
Why my own marriage changed the way I see ceremonies
Then there is my own experience of marriage.
I’ve been married for 21 years, and last year my husband and I chose to renew our vows. It was such a fun and meaningful experience, surrounded by our closest family and friends.
It was a chance to pause, look back at everything we have shared, and celebrate not just the promises we made all those years ago, but the life we have created together since.
It reminded me that ceremonies are about so much more than the words spoken on the day.
They are about the people standing in front of you.
The journey that brought them there.
The people they love.
The memories they have made and the ones they are yet to create.
And I realised that I wanted to be part of creating those moments for other people.
That is what led me to celebrancy.
Creating ceremonies that are completely personal
I love the idea that no two ceremonies should ever be the same, because no two people, couples or families are the same.
I love getting to know the people behind the occasion, hearing their stories, learning what makes them laugh, discovering the moments that have shaped them and understanding what really matters to them.
Then comes the creative part: taking all of those conversations, memories and little details and weaving them into a ceremony that feels completely personal.
One that sounds like them.
One that makes their guests smile, laugh and sometimes shed a happy tear.
One that tells their story in a way that could never belong to anyone else.
For me, being a celebrant brings together so many things I love: meeting wonderful new people, listening to their stories, writing creatively and being trusted to play a small but meaningful part in some of life’s most important moments.
Whether it is a wedding, a vow renewal or another significant celebration, I believe the ceremony should feel personal, heartfelt and unmistakably yours.
Based in Deal and available across Kent, London and beyond, I feel incredibly lucky to be creating heartfelt ceremonies for couples and families in some of life’s most meaningful moments.
And that is why I became a celebrant.
To create ceremonies that tell your story, celebrate your people and give you a moment that you will remember for years to come.
Heartfelt ceremonies. Beautifully yours.
Want to learn more about my journey into celebrancy? Read my story here.