As a celebrant, I have the best job in the world… I get to celebrate LOVE! Who wouldn’t want to do that!?
Whether
it is a wedding, naming ceremony, vow renewal or funeral, love is what
connects all of these moments in life. It is an honor and privilege, as a
Celebrant, to not only craft a ceremony for ‘Your Journey‘ through life, for your special occasions, but to also be part of your memories forever.
What led me to becoming a Celebrant….
Through the years I have been to many weddings christenings and
funerals. Although they were all incredibly beautiful in their own
ways, I found the traditional ceremonies a little impersonal,
over-rehearsed and scripted. When recalling the events of those special
days, I found that most accounts from people tended to be from the party
after the ceremony, and rarely from the ceremony itself. This seemed a
shame to me. The ceremony aspect seemed, in most instances, a kind of
formality.
I often remember thinking; ‘Wouldn’t it be lovely if the person
delivering the ceremony was more personal, or included some personal
details to make it warmer and more engaging?’ and ‘Wouldn’t it make the
day so much more special, if the guests also felt they were being
included in some way – engaged with?’. Surely then the ceremony would be
remembered. Surely then people would remember the ceremony. After all,
shouldn’t the day start at the beginning, from the ceremony, and not at
the party afterward?
In 2017, having spent many years working the busy 9-5 world of office
admin, sales, design, marketing etc. I decided to leave my desk job. I
headed off alone to travel the world in search of new meanings to life!
On my incredible travels I lived for a time with the Shamans of the
Amazon. Here, while working with plant medicine, learning their
traditions and ways, I discovered how important and sacred the role of
ceremony is.
While completing an Internship in Master-plants, Mayan Cosmology
& Ethnobotany in Colombia I once again learned the value and
importance of ceremony. Where tradition, wisdom, community, ritual and
ceremony in these ancient civilizations were transitional momentous
occasions.
While studying Meditation, and later Ayurvedic Herbology, in India
once again the role of ceremony was ever present. The therapeutic
benefit of these modalities is gained purely by ritual and ceremonial
undertaking. Having met and celebrated with many beautiful people from
all walks of life, and cultures around the world, I began to understand
the role of ceremony, tradition and wisdom, in our lives much clearer.
I feel the westernized understanding of ‘ceremony’ has lost its way a
little, from the roots of our own cultures and traditions. Perhaps this
is due to monotony, repetition and regurgitation. Thanks to the efforts
of Celebrants around the world, by offering our clients a freedom of
expression and a way to engage or include those who surround us and show
up for us on our special day, we are beginning to celebrate the role of
ceremony once more.
A ceremony provides a safe and loving space, where all invited are
bound to the experience. In this collection of loved ones, who see us
through to the next phase of our lives, we are connected to our future
and our past. Ceremony is the coming together of loved ones. With
positive intention, love, and passing on of wisdom from one generation
to the next we are supported in the this next transition. Ceremony is
being mindful and joyful of the reasons that we have come together.
Mindful in that moment of that time. It is being present with this phase
of life, as we prepare to let go and move into the next phase, while in
turn opening our hearts. We accept the love and best wishes from our
loved ones who bear witness.
Having completed my travels and pondering the next phase of my own
life, it seemed relevant for me to consider the role of Ceremony in some
way.
I was seeking a career that was positive, happy and joyful.
I thought – ‘How can I merge my vast & varied experience in
business, with my love of writing and creativity, meeting new and
interesting people, along with my love of nature, wisdom and
tradition…AND… wrap all this up into something that is positive, happy
and filled with joy?’
The answer was plain and simple, become a Celebrant and Celebrate Love and Life! –
To be a Celebrat who is personal, friendly, heart felt and warm! To
be a Celebrant who will craft a beautiful personalised ceremony AND
deliver it with sincerity and heart! To be a Celebrant who makes the day
count right from the start…. So, here I am
