Katie Isles Celebrant

28/12/2024

Wishing a very happy first anniversary to Sophie & Craig.

The first year of marriage may not have been quite like the adventure I talked about at the end of your ceremony but all that still lies ahead.

I therefore today, wish you the most wonderful of years together, filled with much joy, love and real adventures!

🖤✨🤍

wedding anniversary
wedding ceremony
humanist ceremony
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winter wedding

09/12/2024

07/12/2024

Kind words...

"My husband and I chose Katie as our wedding celebrant because her warmth was evident from our first call with her. We’re glad we did!

She guided us from the start in a way that was kind and attentive, and she delivered it beautifully. When we first met her in person, we gave her a Guide Dogs pin as we supported the charity on our wedding day.

At the ceremony, Katie arrived wearing the pin - she was very attentive to little details! She had a great combination of kindness, humour, but she was also able to direct the ceremony in a very organised way - making sure it ran smoothly.

She coordinated with other suppliers before the wedding itself. Our family and friends were really impressed with her too. She left us her wedding script, wrapped in a beautiful box, with a beautiful card. Thank you Katie for everything ###"

Thank *you* so much Citta and Sam for choosing me to be your wedding celebrant. It was an absolute joy and privilege, you made me laugh so much with your antics!

If I sound like the kind of celebrant that you would like to work with for a fabulous start to your wedding celebrations, please do say hello!


Humanist Ceremonies

30/11/2024

What do you hope for in 2025?

My biggest hope for 2025 is that humanist wedding ceremonies finally gain legal recognition in England and Wales, joining the rest of the UK. It would mean so much to couples who want their ceremony to reflect their personal values and beliefs without the need for an additional legal process.

Of course, I also hope to meet many more wonderful couples, create more personal and bespoke ceremonies, and help celebrate love in ways that are heartwarming yet light at heart. Every wedding is a joy to be part of, and I look forward to crafting even more beautiful moments in the year ahead.

To my 2025 couples, I’ll be in touch in January when you can say ‘I’m getting married this year!’

To everyone who’s joined me for my November Celebrant Challenge, thank you so much for taking part! I’ve loved reading some truly wonderful stories and sharing this space with you. Remember the prompts will always be there so no rush!

📸 gratuitous photo of my lovely parents who started my love affair with wedding photography 🥰

29/11/2024

Ravi & Sarah’s wedding ceremony story is up on the blog now.

They were an absolute delight to work with and have such an interesting and unique story. We created a ceremony that none of us will forget after 24 years and five children together ✨

After nearly a quarter of a century together, Sarah and Ravi knew exactly what they wanted: to celebrate their two cultures with a wedding that was family-orientated and that told the story of their relationship. With the help of their Humanist Ceremonies celebrant they create a fun wedding ceremony

26/11/2024

What do I look for in a couple?

Honestly, I don’t mind who you are, what your plans are, how clear your vision is or whether you’re starting with a blank slate. You might have a Pinterest board packed with ideas or none at all because you thought you were going with a registrar!

You may not understand what is involved in a celebrant ceremony but I’m here to help you every step of the way.

The main thing I look for is a couple who is friendly and open. Open to creating a ceremony that feels truly you. Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional ceremony or ready to toss the rule book out the window and try something totally unique, what matters to me is your passion and enthusiasm for making it personal.

Your wedding ceremony should reflect your love story, your personalities and what matters most to you. We can create ceremonies for the shy and reserved as well as the drama queens and extroverted kings.

If you’re excited to work together to make that happen, then we’re a perfect match so send me a DM to find out more.

You deserve more than an {insert name here} ceremony.

Pictured with Sarah & Ravi. I’ve still so much to share about their ceremony but waiting *patiently* for the official photos! They didn’t know what they were getting with a celebrant wedding but said that their favourite bit was “being able to personalise it exactly how you want it.” 🩷

25/11/2024

We’re into the final week of the November celebrant challenge!

The next prompt is what’s my favourite part of a ceremony? (Honestly, who comes up with these impossible prompts?!)

Here’s the thing: I don’t have one. No, really.

Every ceremony is so different that it feels impossible to pick a single, favourite moment. Sometimes it’s the entrance, sometimes the emotional vows and sometimes it’s the relief of the five person hand fasting successfully tying!

But what I do love is the unpredictability of it all. The unexpected laughs or swearing (especially when they come at exactly the wrong time!) The kids, both big and small, bouncing with excitement. The nerves - because let’s face it, watching someone try to privately process the enormity of the occasion is rather endearing. (I’m here to help with this!)

A bonus favourite? The moment guests realise they’re not sitting through another cookie-cutter ceremony. Their faces light up and they visibly relax. It’s priceless.

So no, I don’t have one favourite part. I have all the favourite parts, and that’s why I love what I do.



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22/11/2024

Today’s prompt on the challenge is ‘do you want to do a special shoutout to colleagues/suppliers you’ve met along the way?’

Over the short time that I’ve been working in this industry, I’ve been lucky enough to meet so many fabulous people, and honestly, I’m hesitant to start listing names. What if I miss someone out and they feel a bit crap? That would make me feel awful!

But what I *do* want to say is this - to those I’ve met along the way, I hope you know how special you are. Your kindness, support and generosity have made this journey so rewarding and I’m endlessly grateful.

That said, I would love to give a special mention to a few people who have gone above and beyond:
from my training cohort who are still just a WhatsApp group away and were my first reassurance that humanist celebrants are wonderful humans

a massive thank you for your warm welcome and open spirit. You really helped ‘the competition’ in a way many others wouldn’t!

Steve and the rest of the fabulous bunch of West Mids humanist celebrants

The celebrants at the conference, those who attended my workshop and those who are joining in with this challenge and not leaving me all by myself! 🙈

at and at - not every venue gives me such a fabulous welcome so you both deserve a special mention!

There are many others I would love to list but if you’re one of the lovely ones I’ve met along the way, you are part of what has made this year so magical. Thank you.

20/11/2024

Looking back on the past year with today’s prompt - ‘do you want to share a particularly special moment?’

Honestly, I can’t pick just one because my entire first year as a humanist wedding celebrant has been special!

I feel so honoured, grateful and privileged to have worked with such a diverse group of couples. Each ceremony has been completely unique, reflecting their personalities and stories. From an intimate elopement with just three of us to a glamorous celebration with 200+ guests and everything in between. What a wonderful journey it has been!

I’ve celebrated love in woodlands, gorgeous barns and traditional venues with joy, many emotions, a lot of surprises and even some dancing.

Who knew that chorizo would become a running theme at one wedding? Or that I’d be writing secret references to Eurovision!?

And I’ll never forget the pure delight of seeing Zimbabwean and British culture blended so beautifully on a wedding day.

The variety of styles, the heartfelt moments, and the genuine connection with such kindhearted couples made this year everything I could have hoped for…and so much more.

A huge thank you also to all the guests who embraced being part of a celebrant ceremony. Your energy and enthusiasm made the magic even more special.

Thank you to all the wonderful couples who trusted me to be part of their special day.

Here’s to more love, more laughter, and more unforgettable moments in the years ahead!

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18/11/2024

So I’m late for my own challenge! That’s life isn’t it? I’ve been in Blackpool for the weekend so I’m a bit behind.

Today’s post is in response to ‘do you have any other jobs/responsibilities?’

Yes, I do!

While being a celebrant is how I reply to the question - ‘what job do you do?’ And it comes first on my list of priorities and diary dates, it is currently not my only job.

I am also a model/presenter so you may occasionally see me in a tv ad, an online video or some marketing materials…like the random German bank poster that I was sent last week!

As a spin off from this I am also a midlife content creator (the name gives me the ick but I refuse to say influencer because I just cannot take myself seriously!) over on . Over there I am very passionate about dispelling the negative myths about getting older and love to promote a positive midlife. Life most definitely does not stop at 40!

Don’t be fooled into thinking that either of these roles mean that I have a giant ego that will dominate your wedding day. I don’t!

On top of all this - I have a family, Gloria the lab, exercise to fit in, food to cook, adventures to plan, stuff to sort and a life to live.

I’m never bored. I don’t ever really stop until I’m forced to! I just wish there more hours in the day to do everything that I want to do!



1. an illustration of my family by
2. How excited was I to be invited to be an older bride by at ?
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3. Random photo of me in a German bank! 🙈

13/11/2024

Welcome back to day 6 of the November Celebrant Challenge.

Today’s question is ‘where do you work?’

Well I’m a Brummie by birth and after years of living in other cities, Spain and Italy, I’m currently based back in my home town…until I eventually move to the coast somewhere!

However, so far I’ve only done one Birmingham wedding!

Most have been across the wider West and East Midlands region so that’s my usual patch.

However, there are planes, trains and automobiles. I have a suitcase and can happily travel to be a part of your special ceremony across the UK or abroad!

Do get in touch to check availability and find out more.

Photo 3 in Digbeth, Birmingham



 
 


10/11/2024

Hello again!

It’s day 5 of the November Celebrant Challenge and today it’s ‘dream ceremony location.’

This one is pretty easy for me to answer as I’ve been dreaming of attending one of these weddings as a guest for over 10 years.

It would be an outdoor ceremony at a Spanish or Italian villa. Imagine olive trees, late afternoon, warm sunshine, long tables of friends laid with the best food and later dancing into the fairy lit night.

As a Spanish and Italian speaker, I am hoping that one day a couple will want me to conduct their ceremony in one of the countries where I feel most at home (I may have been born in Birmingham, but my heart lies near the Med) and maybe add some of the ceremony in a different language so that all guests can feel included in the celebrations.

Closer to home, my dream location would be as that was where I married back in its first year of being open and I would love to go back and be part of someone else’s ceremony there.

My list is actually endless because there is something so very special about every ceremony location - from back garden to French chateau, from village hall to ancient castle.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone else’s dream locations when I’m back from celebrating my husband’s 50th birthday.

📸 photo 1 & 2
Final image by AI after sharing my dream location with ChatGPT!



 
 


06/11/2024

It’s day 3 of my November celebrant challenge.
Today it’s ‘what is your favourite part of the job?’

This is ridiculously hard to answer because there isn’t much of this job that I don’t like.

If I have to choose, I’d probably say that I love seeing the embryonic vision that a couple has for their ceremony develop and become real over the time that we work together.

The journey from the initial conversation, where ideas are still unclear and unformed, to it see it come to life and really reflect the couple I’ve come to know is magical.

Then seeing the different emotions of the guests as they, too, are taken on that journey during the ceremony.

But I could also have given you many other examples such as unexpected laughter over vegetables, bringing favourite friends and family members together (sometimes for the first time), being part of something so symbolic and meaningful and being chosen to share in a couple’s most important of occasions.

Frankly I bloody love it all!

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03/11/2024

It’s day 2 of my November celebrant challenge and today’s task is to answer ‘why did you become a celebrant?’

I blame Covid!

As I entered 2020, my career as a commercial model was going really well. My final job just before lockdown was a lovely video for Sanctuary Spa and then work stopped and frankly took forever to pick back up again!

An alternative job and source of income had to be found but preferably another freelance role so that I could fit the different roles around each other.

I saw that Carol Smilie had become a celebrant which piqued my interest to look into what a celebrant does and I was already following so I got in touch with her to ask how she felt about her role.

It seemed to be the perfect combination of all my previous jobs rolled into one and so I applied to train with and I’m now a part of their celebrant network.

After my first full year, I have to say that this is my favourite job everrrrr.

I feel like this is what I was always meant to do. It just took me a while to realise it!



 
 


01/11/2024

Hello, hola, bonjour and ciao!

Today is the first day of my November Insta celebrant challenge and the prompt is to introduce yourself.

So here goes - I’m Katie, a 51 year old wedding celebrant based in Birmingham. I have a blended family with two girls and Gloria my lab.

I’ve just finished my first, full year of wedding ceremonies and can look back in actual amazement at how lucky I have been to be chosen by the most incredible couples who all wanted something completely different for their wedding ceremonies. I really feel like all my various job roles have lead me to this wonderful place.

I adore weddings so much that I’ve had two of my own! (Joking!) I’m gutted because neither was with a celebrant because I didn’t know that we existed until a couple of years ago which is why it’s so important to spread the word!

Loves: music, good food, the coast/sea, sunshine, Eurovision (not in ’24), getting older, getting fitter and stronger, proper conversations, radiators, languages, my bed.

Pet hates: people who social media scroll in a public place with no headphones and people who can’t stack a dishwasher my way!

Me in a nutshell: energetic, fun loving, over thinker, patient, worrier, prone to impromptu singing and dancing, quiet, recovering perfectionist and self critic, life grabbing, empathetic, powered by custard!

Say hi and tell me what are you powered by?

Please do go and see the other intro posts by my fellow celebrants by clicking on:



 
 


29/10/2024

At the recent annual conference I ran a workshop on social media for celebrants.

It got me thinking of other ways to bring us together online, share the love and raise even more awareness of celebrants - who we are, what we do and why we are so utterly fabulous!!

So during November I’ve come up with some prompts for posts - you don’t have to do them all, you don’t have to even do them all on the correct day. Life always takes priority over social media but if you’d enjoy joining in, I’d love to see what you come up with.

We know that us celebrants are a creative and friendly bunch so let’s get social and find out more about each other.

All the details are in the post above but if you have any questions, just let me know in the comments!

Do you fancy joining in?

27/10/2024

The other day, I posted about how little mishaps on your wedding day don’t have to ruin the magic.

The same goes for celebrants!

As your celebrant, my commitment to ensure that everything goes smoothly hopefully shines through. I’ll meticulously prep, double-check every detail, and probably re-read your script far more times than needed to make sure it’s perfect. I’ll do everything I can do to anticipate any potential hiccups. Yet sometimes, the unexpected still happens…

…like a massive, thorny twig getting stuck under my skirt!

I tried to ignore it, but every time I shifted, I felt it scratch. Given Nikki and Mat’s relaxed ‘wedfest’ vibe, I figured the ceremony could handle a brief interlude while I wrestled with the twig that had become rather attached to my tulle skirt! Thankfully, two, kind guests came to my rescue, freeing me from its thorns so I could carry on.

Lesson learned: not only do I need sensible shoes when working at but maybe I should think twice about wearing a long tulle skirt—even if it matches the theme!

Anyone else have stories of wedding day mishaps? Let’s share a laugh over the unexpectedly, memorable moments that make each ceremony unique!

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16/10/2024

This wedding was love at first phone call and it totally exceeded my expectations!

Jamie called earlier this year to enquire about my availability for their wedding date and his description of their wedding made me super excited to be involved.

Getting to know this pair was a delight - their sense of fun and adventure was accompanied by their warmth, story telling and generosity. Once they told me that there would be a Zimbabwean wedding step (dance) as part of their second (mini) ceremony in the evening I was hooked!

My particular highlights:
✨ their love, honest storytelling and open and warm nature that came across in our meetings and therefore their ceremony
✨ their welcoming friends and family who made me feel truly a part of their day
✨ the coming together of two different personalities and cultures
✨ the above mentioned wedding step entrance that was so joyous (I've been listening to the song ever since Saturday!)
✨ including a mini, evening ceremony so that all their guests could feel part of their ceremony
✨ telling the story of their engagement that (once again!) didn't go to plan and involved Killer African bees!
✨ the stunning venue that was complimented perfectly by the October sunshine

More info and official photos to follow....!

Each ceremony is so unique and special and an absolute joy to be a part of.

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