Treasured Ceremonies

Treasured Ceremonies Welcome to Treasured Ceremonies. I am an accredited celebrant in the south of France. What is a celebrant?

From early days of humanity, we have felt a need to celebrate life events with rituals and symbolic gestures, creating ceremonies to mark big occasions. Over time many of these have become formalised, for example into weddings, civil partnerships and christenings and naming ceremonies. Very often, at the heart of these ceremonies are the making of vows in the presence of family and friends. Having

a professional celebrant means that your ceremony will be exactly that – professional from start to finish. I have trained with Civil Ceremonies Limited to become an accredited celebrant, which means we can create a ceremony together that is meaningful and unique to you. There are any number of life events which you may want to celebrate, from the birth of a child, significant birthdays, marriage, civil partnership, anniversaries, the joining of two families through marriage…the list is endless. Your ceremony can be held wherever you want it; in the heart of the Welsh countryside, at home, in your local restaurant, in a tipi on a cliff overlooking the sea, in a woodland dell…wherever you like!

31/01/2025

So, what are the priorities for a wedding in France?
The people who want to commit to each other, somewhere to do it, their celebrant.
Friends and family help make the day, but some like to elope!

🥰But use a celebrant. You know it makes sense 🥰✍

These images are from a wedding in the beautiful Clos D'Hullias in Provence. I've blogged about it and will put a link in the comments ✍🥰

with thanks to

British DJ in France

There's a heartwarming story! I doubt that I'd be able to hold a vow renewal ceremony in a cathedral but there's certain...
29/01/2025

There's a heartwarming story! I doubt that I'd be able to hold a vow renewal ceremony in a cathedral but there's certainly a huge choice of places in Southern France/Occitanie to choose from, from grand chateaux and pretty domains, to quiet country corners or even your own garden if you live here!

Let me know if you'd like to explore some ideas 😍

Yvonne Panter and her husband Paul, will renew their vows to each other, on her 64th birthday.

24/01/2025

Do you want symbolism in your ceremony?
What does "symbolism" (or "ritual") in your ceremony even mean?
I expect you’ll already be including some ritual, you'll be exchanging wedding rings, won't you? Your rings, made of "precious metal and infinite circles", symbolize your "precious never-ending" love. So, yes there will be something visual to help convey the message of your commitment.
Finding the right rituals, if any, helps make your ceremony uniquely you. Your celebrant will suggest and advise you!
Contact me to find out more, or jump to my blogs to get some inspo!
Photos are a variety from among others...please tag me if you're a supplier who'd like a mention!

January 1 2025. I guess I should reflect. There's a new dog to walk (not mine) having said the saddest of farewells to m...
01/01/2025

January 1 2025. I guess I should reflect. There's a new dog to walk (not mine) having said the saddest of farewells to my Toby in February. But what a good year it's been otherwise! So many weddings, my nephew's being a highlight 😍 Running and walking with friends, travelling with Mark and friends, watching my sister tell cancer to do one (again) and go travelling (again!). Feeling my heart burst with pride as my kids sort their lives out...for now (whose life is ever, truly sorted??... Sounds dull to me!) Buying TWO motorbikes after a 30 year gap! (One small, the other bigger once I realised that yes I do still love it!). Fun in the village, making new friends each time... French and other nationalities! And I did my first triathlon albeit a small one, and had so much fun, (and injuries!) with Ginestas X Trail Public.
Here's to more of the same in 2025. But fewer injuries and no more mourning for dogs, please 😳😍🤣

🥰Here's the full Testimonial, I couldn't be more chuffed after such a glowing reflection on the day!🥰"Thank you for show...
16/12/2024

🥰Here's the full Testimonial, I couldn't be more chuffed after such a glowing reflection on the day!🥰

"Thank you for showing us how thoughtful you were in so many ways. Such as when you carefully handpicked our wine box and nailed it together for us or when you changed your outfit so it didn’t clash with my floral (non traditional ) wedding dress.

If you’re thinking about booking Helen as a celebrant – don’t hesitate!

After doing a bit of online research, I was so relieved to find an English speaking celebrant in the South of France (which didn’t cost me an arm, a leg and a kidney 😅). Although it felt like a big risk at the time (having enquired about a celebrant online), after our initial phonecall, I never looked back! Helen just so happened to have lived in a similar area to us in Manchester! She really made me feel at ease and guided me through the process. Helen was so thoughtful and really went to great lengths to personalize our ceremony. After a couple of calls and some (very detailed) surveys to fill out, Helen blew us away with her bespoke ceremony! Boy did she do her homework! Our ceremony included all the right bits. And just when things were looking bleak the night before, suffering from food poisoning- Helen was confident and witty enough to be able to crack a joke and make light of the situation.

Helen, thank you for being the perfect mix of funny, entertaining and sincere."



We don't just want the bride and groom to enjoy the ceremony! But, like them, we want everyone to fully engage in what's...
23/11/2024

We don't just want the bride and groom to enjoy the ceremony! But, like them, we want everyone to fully engage in what's happening on the big day 🥰 It made me so happy to see that photographer Thomas had captured so many smiling faces (and a few happy tears!) on Pippa and Dan's big day. So of course I can't resist sharing them with you now.....
Photographer:
Location: .provence
Florist:
Hairstylist/makeup artist:
DJ:
Band:
Caterer:
Dress: .fashion
Costume:

Today is "FUNERAL CELEBRANT DAY"! Certainly, more people are aware of the existence of funeral celebrants than when I st...
22/11/2024

Today is "FUNERAL CELEBRANT DAY"!
Certainly, more people are aware of the existence of funeral celebrants than when I started all those years ago (8? 9? I've lost count!) in Wales. Most funeral directors I spoke to had never heard of such a role!
Now I'm in France, history fseems to be repeating itself, the "Pompes Funebres" often think that having someone to translate the words spoken by the master of ceremonies at the crematorium is sufficient.
Which, to be fair, it may be.
But it's NOT the same as having a properly trained celebrant who
✍️can offer advice as to where you want to hold your ceremony
✍️Can help you decide what you would like to include in your ceremony
✍️Can create a ceremony which is completely personalised to your loved one and their - and your - story
✍️can create a ceremony which feels familiar, aligning with your traditions and wishes
✍️can create a ceremony that truly helps you transition from a place of "with" the one you love to without them present in your life

We all know that time is short to arrange a funeral here in France (at 14 days, better than it was, but still...). Don't be afraid of doing some forward planning. It's a great gift to give those you leave behind.
Knowing what the one you've lost would like in their ceremony (cremation/burial, music, readings...), makes an awful time just a little easier.
Get in touch if you'd be interested in hearing more about funeral ceremonies in France.


and thanks to Anita Broad - Celebrant at Kisses to the Wind Ceremonies for telling me about this!

I'm working on the script for these two beautiful people, Tommy and Nicolle. Having chatted for an hour and a half after...
18/11/2024

I'm working on the script for these two beautiful people, Tommy and Nicolle. Having chatted for an hour and a half after they'd completed their questionnaires, I feel I know them well already.
By the time we reach their wedding day at the beautiful Chateau de Pondres, I hope we'll be greeting each other as friends! 🥰
Château de Pondres

15/11/2024

New Blog Alert! https://treasuredceremonies.co.uk/a-relaxed-domaine-de-blanche-fleur-provence-wedding/

When and Dan said they wanted a relaxed ceremony in Provence, I was only to happy to help!
They said their private vows after their first look with just Thomas the photographer and me with them, what an honour!!!
Everyone there bought into their love story completely. And why wouldn't they? It was a tale of love growing under the watchful gaze of the 🗽 in New York !
Take a look at the blog for more ☺️
Big thanks to fellow suppliers
Photographer:
Location: .provence
Florist:
Hairstylist/makeup artist:
DJ:
Band:
Caterer:
Dress: .fashion
Costume:

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While trying to learn French non-binary terms, I came across this article. However, I still don't know how to begin an e...
05/11/2024

While trying to learn French non-binary terms, I came across this article. However, I still don't know how to begin an email if I don't know the addressee's name. In English, I tend to start with a simple "Good morning/afternoon," but that feels more impolite in French! Does anyone have any ideas? Oh, the article may not be readable in the UK, sorry!

Comment utiliser correctement le pronom iel? Et quels sont les accords pour les pronoms neutres? On fait le point sur les pronoms non binaires.

What a wonderful testimonial 😊 It's official, I'm "elegant"!! (Well my style of delivery apparently is!). This was a gre...
29/07/2024

What a wonderful testimonial 😊
It's official, I'm "elegant"!! (Well my style of delivery apparently is!).
This was a great day with buckets of behind the scenes input from family and friends 😍
Made special, as ever also by the efforts of fellow suppliers .. I hope to visit Domain du Clos d'Hullias again next year!

20/06/2024
Happy May 1!It's a public Holiday here in France, but I've elected to stay at my desk. I've plenty of writing to do, wit...
01/05/2024

Happy May 1!

It's a public Holiday here in France, but I've elected to stay at my desk. I've plenty of writing to do, with 2024 weddings still coming in (but we're nearly full!) and room for more in 2025 I'm loving the stories lining up to be told!

Did you know that washing your face in the morning dew on May 1 is said to lead to a perfect complexion the rest of the year? I may try the rain later to see if that works! (Yes, we've some of the much - needed wet stuff falling right now 😍)

Have a good day, whether you're at work or play 🥰

💞When your bride is from Sweden and is discussing national quirks and differences with her fiancé, it would seem churlis...
28/03/2024

💞When your bride is from Sweden and is discussing national quirks and differences with her fiancé, it would seem churlish not to research what the flippin' heck she was talking about! 💞
💞So now I'd like to go to Sweden in the late Summer, don my bib and silly hat, and feast on crayfish whilst raising a glass of snaps and singing a silly Swedish Song. 💞
Skål!

Happy Valentine's Day.. Just!Well, it's been a busy one... Working this morning then swimming followed by buying new gla...
14/02/2024

Happy Valentine's Day.. Just!
Well, it's been a busy one... Working this morning then swimming followed by buying new glasses for us both this afternoon.
Oh! The glamour!
Things became even more Romantic as we headed to a bar for a beer and crisps (no lunch then swimming = v hungry!) then home for a bought ready-to-cook meal (French therefore yum!), wine and chocs (Leonidas 😜).

So, I feel spoiled! Have you been spoiled with a ring this valentine's? Let me know ! Let's see if we can make plans to put a wedding band with it!




Valentine's Day 2024Will you free my Palestine?In solidarity with Palestine and members of the community, on this day w...
14/02/2024

Valentine's Day 2024
Will you free my Palestine?

In solidarity with Palestine and members of the community, on this day which is all about love, I decided to imagine a world where we share all we have fairly and without favour.
Where love is the overriding motive between all communities.

Valentine's day is about sentimentality and clichés!
So here are a few;
Love is the answer
Love heals
Love conquers all
Love is patient
Love is kind
How about, "Love will set you free"?

Here's to a free world of love for the people of Israel, the people of Palestine - for all of us.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION; graphic of a dove holding an olive branch backed by banners of Palestinian and Israeli flags, with a red heart beneth containing the words "Will you free my Palestine"

Old dog post 🫤I've been trying to write something clever to mark the fact of Friday. Or Spring (well, it feels like it h...
02/02/2024

Old dog post 🫤
I've been trying to write something clever to mark the fact of Friday. Or Spring (well, it feels like it here in France), or my nine years (?!! yes really) as a celebrant.

But all I can do today is worry about this old boy, so here's a picture I took this morning.

Happy Friday, et bonne weekend 🍻


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Why I'm Flying the Flags
Why I'm Flying the Flags

|| New Blog Alert! || It's taken me a long time to fly the LGBTQIA+ flags. This blog explains why. I hope. https://treasuredceremonies.co.uk/lgbtqia-policy-of-love-is-love-flying-the-flags/ #lgbtqiacelebrant #lgbtqiaplus #gayweddings #gayweddingblog

What's the wedding minimum?
What's the wedding minimum?

So, what are the priorities for a wedding in France? The people who want to commit to each other, somewhere to do it, their celebrant. Friends and family help make the day, but some like to elope! 🥰But use a celebrant. You know it makes sense 🥰✍ These images are from a wedding in the beautiful Clos D'Hullias in Provence. I've blogged about it and will put a link in the comments ✍🥰 with thanks to @domaineduclosdhullias @charlenedolomaquilleuse British DJ in France @amandine_weddings

Wedding Celebrant Information
Wedding Celebrant Information

Do you want symbolism in your ceremony? What does "symbolism" (or "ritual") in your ceremony even mean? I expect you’ll already be including some ritual, you'll be exchanging wedding rings, won't you? Your rings, made of "precious metal and infinite circles", symbolize your "precious never-ending" love. So, yes there will be something visual to help convey the message of your commitment. Finding the right rituals, if any, helps make your ceremony uniquely you. Your celebrant will suggest and advise you! Contact me to find out more, or jump to my blogs to get some inspo! Photos are a variety from @thomas_bertini_photography @amantis_photo_video @franlittlewingphotos @crstorrar among others...please tag me if you're a supplier who'd like a mention! #englishcelebrantinfrance #weddinginoccitanie #weddingdomaine #joyfulweddings #englishspeakingcelebrant #weddinginfrance

This funeral was at the end of 2024, in Annecy, France. I'm glad it worked well for the family, they and their friends were truly pleased with the ceremony I created for them. I'm glad they found me.

Congratulations to Claire and James on their anniversary! It's hard to believe it was a whole year ago that I presented their bilingual ceremony. All the guests contributed to the handfasting after they made their legal vows at Claire's family's local mairie. Happy Days! #weddinginfrance #happyanniversaryfrance #celebrantinfrance #bilingualceremonyinfrance

Having a funeral is part of the grieving process. So it's important that it's the right ceremony for you. We can create a meaningful ceremony within the six days required in France. It's better if you have time to think, and to plan. It could be writing down your own ideas for your loved ones in the future. It could be quietly getting your self ready to say farewell within a few weeks to someone you love. This was the case for Sarah and her family last year. Feel free to contact me to talk over your ideas. #englishcelebrantinfrance #celebrantinfrance #funeralcelebrantfrance

Happy Easter!🐥 Although I'm not involved in any formal religion, this is one tradition I try to follow, baking the annual simnel cake 🐥 I love tradition, and ceremony... No great surprise there! Having said that, within my wedding ceremonies we could have nothing traditional (unusual not to exchange wedding rings, however!) or everything we can think of including some we've invented for ourselves! As for a funeral, it's important to me to have some sort of "committal", a final goodbye. But that doesn't seem to be the case everywhere. What ceremony tradition is a "must" for you? #eastertradition #weddingtraditionsinfrance #celebrantinfrance #simnelcake #YourWeddingYourWay

🥰🥳On International Women's day I'm celebrating my celebrant sisters 🥳🥰 We look out for each other, we share each other's loads, we cheer each others' triumphs. As a mother, I raised both of my children to have the strength to make their own decisions. Even if I find these decisions hard to understand at times, I'm proud of who they are! And my female friends and colleagues are constantly by my side with their wit and wisdom helping me find my way. Here's to the women. All of us 🥰 . @independent_celebrant_retreats #IWD24 #internationalwomensday24 #celebrantretreat2024 #cpd

My "Celebrant Led" ceremonies can mean so many different things to different people - that's rather the point, it's personal to you! Some are rich with symbolism, others less so, all weave a tapestry with words to reflect the couples whose love we're celebrating at that moment. Or they reflect the person whose life we're commemorating and celebrating. These pictures are taken from Louise and Chris's wedding earlier this year, the words are from the wonderful thank you messages they sent to me. You can read more about the ceremony on my website; https://treasuredceremonies.co.uk/reflecting-on-a-2023-wedding-in-provence/

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Our Story

“Not only is Helen kind, patient, and warm, but also funny, creative, and full of joy – all of which came through during our ceremony”

Congratulations! (Or, as we say in Wales, Llongyfarchiardau!) You’re getting married!

I’m Helen. I’m in my fifties, I still aspire to be some sort of athlete, good dog owner and get my “children” to speak to me rather than message. I drink less wine than I did (but of a better quality dahlink) and I’ve discovered something I want to share with you…….. Life’s too short for dull ceremonies! Life is great, let’s celebrate it whether you’re at the beginning, the middle or nearer the end of yours!