What Can I Offer As A Wedding Celebrant?

Catrina by Sarah Salotti

I am still reeling from the joy of last week’s wedding at which I was the celebrant.  On this occasion I was also a family member so it was especially emotional but every wedding, vow renewal or other type of union is precious and I consider myself lucky indeed to be able to share these days with couples.  The nature of a celebrant-led wedding means that choosing the right celebrant for you is crucially important.  I have written before on how to choose the right celebrant; in this article I explain, specifically, what I can offer as a wedding celebrant.

Almost by definition an independent celebrant will seek to support you as a couple to create your perfect day and I am no exception to this.  However, as a Heart-led celebrant I can offer more than this; as a heart-led celebrant, I am committed to the values of acceptance, integrity and creativity and have been trained to the highest

I'm exceptionally proud of this qualification!

possible standards.  The distinction I earned in my Diploma of Advanced Celebrancy and Ritual assures you of my commitment and importantly my ability to create a truly personalised ceremony including if desired bespoke rituals reflecting you as a couple.

Every celebrant brings something of their life experience and story to their work and for me this includes a thirty-plus year teaching career and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion that has been a cornerstone of my adult life.  (See my website for more information on my background.)

Customs can be traditional, modern, unique or shared - whatever is right for you.

During my teaching career, I taught Religious Studies in a variety of Leicestershire Schools so if you are looking for someone with a sympathy and an empathy for religious traditions, rituals and culture, I hope you’d consider me ideally placed to help.  One of the delights of a celebrant-led wedding is that it can be exactly what you want it to be.  Unlike a Civil Ceremony, which has to adhere to strict legal rules, you can include whatever blend of religious / non-religious traditions, music etc. you wish. Often couples want to reflect something of their religious or cultural heritage without conforming to a fully religious ceremony.  They may wish to include some traditional rituals but perhaps without the religious connotations traditionally associated with them.  For couples who come from different religious traditions, perhaps neither one, feels quite right on its own and they want a blend of traditions.  Whilst I don’t conform to any particular religious tradition myself and am absolutely not claiming to be an expert on the wedding rituals of every religious tradition (!) I do believe my background allows me to explore these with people with confidence, empathy and understanding. (My website provides more detail about my ethos.)

During my adult life, attitudes towards sexuality and gender have altered dramatically. 

'I do'

When I was first teaching Personal and Social Education to youngsters it was under the limitations of  Clause 28! (BBC explanation of this legislation) It has been a huge thrill for me to witness the changes to British law that have seen the introduction first of Civil Partnerships and subsequently the Marriage Act of 2013 bringing equality to same sex couples.  I recognise there is still a long way to go before the trans community can enjoy the same recognition.  As an independent celebrant, it is my privilege and joy to create bespoke ceremonies for my individual couples whatever their gender or sexuality.  I understand, however, that whilst some couples are lucky enough to enjoy complete acceptance and support from families and communities, this is not always the case and I pride myself on the ability to work sensitively to respect, as far as possible, the varied dynamics that are frequently involved in family weddings!

Perhaps it should go without saying but I believe in marriage!  I was lucky enough to grow up with parents who had a strong, loving if sometimes argumentative marriage!  I have been married to my husband for 25 years and give daily thanks for the love and support I am lucky enough to enjoy.  I absolutely wish the same joy for anyone seeking it, whether that is a young couple embarking on marriage with hopes of a family or someone who has not been so fortunate earlier in life making a commitment second or third time around.  If you are looking for a wedding celebrant who will truly value you as individuals and as a couple and who really believes in the commitment you’re making, I hope you’ll consider me.

By Catrina Young, Leicestershire Heart-led celebrant, Marking Life’s Moments.

© Hardingstone Ceremonies, June, 2025