My Story

For as long as I can remember I have always loved weddings.  

I watched Princess Di’s wedding as an impressionable 2-year-old and I think it may have turned my head!  I love everything about weddings from the cake and the dancing, to the flowers and the décor. 

Why I love being a wedding celebrant

I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic at heart so it’s wonderful to spend time with people in love. I never tire of meeting new couples, hearing all their stories and experiences.  At the end of the process, it’s a huge privilege to stand with them at such an emotional and defining moment.  And the punch of joy that explodes from a really good wedding ceremony just can’t be beaten! 

 

 WHY A HUMANIST?

I’ve always been interested by people and what motivates our behaviour. I studied Human Sciences as a degree.  Learning about human cultures across the world, genetics, and human evolution, all helped crystallise my humanist outlook. And my eyes were opened to the distinctive human need to mark rites of passage.  We tend to associate weddings, funerals and christenings with religion, but when you look across cultures and throughout human history – you can see this a real human need that exists before and beyond any particular religion.

 

 

 

IMAGE CREDIT: Emily Nicholls

A Sense of Place

Growing up in the South-East, I feel very lucky to have called the beautiful county of Herefordshire home for the last 12+ years.  I love the views of the black mountains, the apple orchards (especially in blossom-time when the county is basically one big confetti-fest), the red earth, and all the gorgeous food and drink that result!

Herefordshire, the Welsh Marches, and surrounding counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, have so many magical wedding locations and venues to offer.

My background

Before becoming a celebrant in 2016, my career had been in communications and marketing.  I always looked for roles that genuinely interested me and so I’ve worked with quite an eclectic range of brands and organisations as a result.  A lot of my experience was in food and drink – so foodie chats are always very welcome!  Being marketing manager for my favourite real ale brewery was a definite highlight.  I’ve also worked in outdoor sportswear, led communications for an arts college, and worked on a big environmental project.

In these roles I gained a common set of skills as a presenter, idea-generator, project manager, wordsmith, and advanced biscuit-eater.

Family & Interests

I’m Mum to 2 energetic growing boys aged nearly 10 and 7. We try to wear them out with lots of sports, plus walking and cycling as a family as much as possible.

I love being outside and big scenery is a huge draw to me. I run (not very fast these days) but enjoy the quiet headspace out in the countryside, or putting the world to rights with my running buddies. I also like a bit of culture, and I’m never too far from my knitting! I relish simple joys in the changing seasons, and spending time with friends and family.