The outstanding county of Shropshire is Debbie's domain where her genuine, warm spirit shines through her fantabulous ceremonies. But that's just our view! Hear from Debbie herself as she tells you more ...
In our quest to venture beyond the vows and the ceremony scripts we help you get to know our amazing Ceremony Collective Celebrants in a more informal less scripted way and what an interesting bunch they are too!
In this edition of Celebrant of the Month we got to know more about our amazing pocket-rocket, Shropshire based celebrant, Debbie. So let the glamfest commence ....over to you Debs!
Question #1: Tell us a little about yourself
Hi! I’m in Shropshire, very much on the Welsh border.
I am married to my childhood sweetheart and we have 2 beautiful and fabulously talented daughters.
We have recently moved to the countryside, well in the last five years! Where we have a collection of animals, horses, sheeps and Maggie the very vocal cat! Plus our newest acquisition two pet rabbits.
Question #2: What motivated you to become a celebrant?
I started looking into becoming a celebrant after I experienced two funerals that I felt didn’t reflect the personality of the people whose funeral it was.
I just enquired with a friend who is a funeral director how to go about it, and she gave me the confidence to follow my heart .
Question #3: In your own words, what is a Celebrant?
I am a storyteller. I am a fact finder. Bringing sparkle and warmth is my aim. To take a standard ceremony and make it better, more personal and to connect with the audience.
As celebrants, we go above and beyond to make sure that you and your story are at the centre of every moment. Whatever the ceremony might be, be it a funeral or a vow renewals, we are here to connect the people who attend with the person or people that it is about.
Question #4: What types of ceremony do you perform?
Creating weddings wacky or traditional and the same applies to funerals.
You can include religious readings, prayers and even hymns. But, I always move away from the mic for those...... a chorister I am not !!
Recently adding vow renewals to my repertoire.
Question #5: Where are you based? and where do you work?
I am based in Halfway house, not in a Halfway house! It wasn’t until I moved here that I realised the connotation.
I’m more than happy to travel having taken funerals in Bangor and Sussex I’ll go wherever I am needed
Question #6: What do you enjoy about being a celebrant?
What I love about being a celebrant is ..... the people. It’s their stories, their life, their loves. I really enjoy finding a way of informing the congregation about things that I didn’t know about that person. For weddings, just the same applies again. It’s getting the nitty-gritty, and those little details, absolutely right. So, when you come out of that service you feel like you’ve had the sun on your face and your shoulders have lifted. The ceremony should never ever be the boring bit.
Question #7: Describe a ceremony you’d like to do
I would really love to take a wedding with both of the couple on their horses. I know they say you shouldn’t work with children or animals but Hey Ho! I love horses, I love people, any pet really. Possibly not sheep, if my two are anything to go by it would be chaos!!
Question #8: What do you think makes your ceremonies different or unique?
I’m unique, we are all unique and my aim is to always have that at the core of every ceremony.
I couldn’t tell you what makes my ceremonies different, but I guess it just must be me, being me.
I don’t really have a favourite type of ceremony. My want is for people to leave the chapel, the venue, the woodland or beach feeling lifted and happy and squishy inside.
Question #9: Tell us a little bit about The Ceremony Collective
The ceremony collective is exactly what we are. We are a collective of wonderful celebrants.
We all lean on each other for advice or chat with a bit of cheeky banter thrown in. Collectively, we cover the UK and recently our wonderful Costa Blanca celebrant Hazel brings the sunshine We are the best team ever and we’ve got whatever ceremony you need covered.
Question #10: Quick Fire Questions
Favourite Song - Proud Mary. I love all versions. Creedence Clearwater and the legendary Tina Turner I love the way it builds and it reminds of being a little girl when my dads band used to play this.
Favourite Food - Got to be Mexican hands down
Who would play you in a movie about your life - Rene Zellweger aka Bridget Jones!
Perefct Couples day out - Well we’ve already done it.... In Barbados! Leisurely breakfast, then a swim, then off to the races followed by Chicken and chips at La cabane with my bare feet in the sand with the most perfect sunset it was bliss
3 Dream Dinner Party Guests - Elvis would be absolutely top of the list, his music but I could just listen to him talk
Prince William as I think he’s good fun well I already know he is after talking to him at length in our local pub.
Dawn French she is a comedy genius and just an all round lovely person
Question #11: How can people contact you and learn more your ceremonies?
Please feel free to follow me on Instagram and Facebook - Debbietcelebrancy
It’s not all celebrant chat at all there’s a fair few skateboarding hamsters and dance stories. I mean, who doesn’t love a skateboarding hamster ?
If celebrant information is all you need Check out my website I would love to hear from you https://debbietcelebrancy.co.uk
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