Nuptials & Names

  This is MY Name. A naming ceremony tailored to fit all naming and renaming occasions and there are an infinite number of ways to celebrate. Having a ceremony gives the gathering a little more gravitas than simply throwing a party, and it gives family and friends an event to attend that is more meaningful and truly a day to remember.  Why have a naming ceremony?  Usually when a naming ceremony is mentioned the first thing that comes to mind is a new baby, but families comes in all shapes and sizes. It could be an adoption name change or families connecting and adding names is a reason to celebrate. Transgender name recognition is a brilliant reason to have a ceremony, you can have it small and intimate or big and loud, it is your choice.  Perhaps you have had a legal name change after a separation and would like to celebrate and have it recognised. You will probably want to talk to a couple of celebrants before you choose the right one for you. I recommend looking...

  'Rachelle, what does booking a wedding or joining ceremony with you look like?' Well, you could have something a little like this- Magical Handfasting Wedding, Joining or Commitment Ceremony Includes- Initial 20 minute telephone conversation for you to get a ‘feel’ for me. A face to face or Teams/Zoom meeting for an hour so we can all have a chat about what You want to happen in your ceremony. I will give you a timeline of what you can expect from me and when is will arrive. I will post this and email it. I will send you my Questionnaire which will come at intervals, some of which you fill out together, some fill out alone. This will enable me to write a script that will have a few nice surprises for both of you on the day. I will research up to four readings or poems that I think will fit you and your day. You may of course add to this and be read by yourself or one of your party. I am happy to assist you to find the words you need to express yourself with yo...

  The tradition of throwing confetti over the newly weds dates back to mid 19th century here in the UK but comes from a  much older activity practised in ancient Rome. Warriors back from a battle? Throw flowers, rice or other grains and seeds. Random celebratory procession? Throw rice flowers and seeds.  Getting married? Rice oats and wheat were thrown over the couple to symbolise fertility. Moving forward to the middle ages during Italian Carnival, ladies would carry baskets of confetti or small sweets such as candied peel. They would throw the sweets at favoured people  (basically people they fancied) in the parade and these small sugar and flour coated sweets would leave a mark on the clothing. They threw eggs at others, so this could be where the wearing of masks started... if they can't tell what you look like, you might get away without getting 'egged' as to get to the end of the parade covered in flour and sugar 'dots' meant the person was highly favoured. Co...

  The path to becoming a celebrant has been a long, winding and interesting journey. I have sat on the idea for at least two years after seeing a game show contestant declare their job as a Celebrant. I confess I didn't know what that was or what it entailed, but I was intrigued so I did a little research. So, what types of ceremony can a Celebrant carry out for couples in the UK? Independent Celebrants can offer non religious wedding ceremonies or civil partnership ceremonies, similar to Humanists. However they can also offer ceremonies with elements of religion and spirituality. This will make each ceremony totally unique and makes them popular with interfaith weddings. The key differences between a Humanist Celebrant and an Independent Celebrant had me intrigued. I did not realise the many different pathways a celebrant can take. A humanist celebrant is an individual who offer non religious ceremonies. Their belief system is one of logic and evidence. They themselves are...

  Historical Handfasting     The term Handfasting  from the old Norse Hǻnd festa and the Anglo Saxon word  handfaestung  both meaning ‘to strike a bargain by joining hands’. This is likely the source of the action of clasping arms and later to shake hands.                                                                                 Historically, a handfasting ceremony bound two people together for a year and a day, as a  promise marry. They did this by simply holding hands in front of witnesses and making a verbal promise .   As time went on and, a ceremony was created with the act of binding or   making Fast   the hands of t...