An accredited humanist celebrant, working in the South West. Creating beautiful weddings and funerals
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And so it begins…
The guests arrive the evening before at a beautiful house in the Cotswolds.
On the morning of the wedding the rain, wind and cold temp of 11 degrees, brrrrr, dictates the ceremony will have to be indoors. Each guest has a translation of a message from the bride’s Colombian matriarchs and some basic words for a bilingual wedding.
Shot glasses of a potent Columbian spirit are set out for a Salut! to the bride & groom
Windy woo for this one - but guests arrived fully prepared for an outdoor wedding in
A botanical theme, all the flowers were homegrown by the talented bride, even the fantastic display in the roof of the yurt.
I’m so proud to have contributed to the Packed with thoughtful excerpts from great thinkers it shows a humanist perspective on life & death. Humanist Celebrants’ contributions illustrate an approach to non-religious funerals & end of life ceremonies.
What a stunning venue for a perfect summer wedding - the sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze. Purrrrrfect
What a beautiful sunny day for an outdoor humanist wedding in Wrington.
The Mendips were the perfect backdrop to remind us of the rhythms of life. I’ve been working with this charming couple for a few months now to devise their ceremony. It’s been a privilege to help them mark this milestone and I’m grateful to share a part in their journey.
A humanist ceremony for your wedding, vow-renewal, elopement, funeral or memorial ceremony will be personal and a day to remember. Karen Lewis, former Head of School of Art & Design at UWE, Bristol is now a creative and innovative humanist celebrant.
So, as I said previously, I don’t usually post about my funeral work. But today I’m sharing a memorial ceremony because it was so joyful.
Chico was a man whose heart resided in two countries - the UK & Chile. After fleeing his homeland of Santiago during the repressive regime in the 1970s, he eventually settled in Bristol & became a well loved member of the community. He loved family, dancing to rock n roll and salsa rhythms and football. In fact he’d been so good at football that he’d played for Chile in his youth!
His homemade recipe for strawberry punch was renowned. So of course there were jugs of it flowing today 🍓🍷😋
We celebrated the journey of his life, the ups & the downs. Never one to dwell on the hurts of the past, he was always optimistic & looked to the future. His approach and zest for life, his capacity for love and happiness is something we can all aspire to.
We listened to Gracias a la vida by Violeta Parra - originally a poem. The most beautiful song where she thanks life for everything she has enjoyed.
As always, it was a privilege to tell his story.
💙 💚 💙
It’s LGBT+ History Month 🌈
This History Month we will be celebrating LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens. Directors, cinematographers, screen writers, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, make up artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and beyond.
We have lots to talk about and share with you over the next month. Make sure you keep checking back to get involved!
You can find out more by visiting: www.lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-2023/
Waes Hael!
Karen Lewis, Celebrant shared a post on Instagram: "Twelfth Night! A night full of mischief and misrule - perfect for an - Today was such a sweet (& spiced) start to the - My first ceremony of the year was for this marvellous couple from Oregon. Made all the more...
SOLD. This outfit is on its way to its lovely new owner.
Condici suit and matching hat in ‘cosmic sky’ blue. The hat ribbon is the same fabric as the dress - see close up photo. T...
Pre-loved wedding items now available on my site.
As you probably know, I always try to blend my celebrant outfits to my couple’s theme or colour scheme, so I buy A LOT! Pre-loved is far better for my purse as well as the planet, so I’m hoping you’ll join me in buying your wedding attire through my Vinted Wardrobe.
Check out my selection of Mother of the Bride / Groom outfits available.
One community, thousands of brands, and a whole lot of second-hand style. Ready to get started? Here’s how it works.
SOLD
Check out more preloved outfits for sale on my Vinted page
Immaculate Phase Eight dress & jacket, with matching bag and size 7 ‘Kendal’ court-shoes. Comes with original tags for au...
Online ‘One Life’ Introduction to Humanism Taster Session (November 13th 19:00–20:00).
If you are curious about humanism and would like to find out more, our friends at Central London Humanists will be hosting an evening taster session of their ‘One Life’ course. For further details and to register, please visit their Meetup page at
We're excited once again to present Central London Humanists' course - *One Life: An Introduction to Humanism* \- based on the course developed by Humanists UK with Chester
Morality police killed Mahsah Amini for an 'improper' hijab 25 days ago. Now, Iranian women and girls fight for their freedom in the streets, cutting their hair and burning headscarves. For their bravery, our hearts are with them this .
💚 Sustainable Wedding Alert
After the rollercoaster of events this bride & groom have experienced over the last couple of years, it was a joyous occasion to be finally able to marry them on Saturday.
Their blended family is an absolute delight and all were very much involved in the ceremony: From Harlee playing the keyboard for the bridal procession, Grace as the ring bearer, Kaydee reading an excerpt from Richard Bach, Macca as the best man and the five children each taking part in the hand-fasting ritual with Steph creating the most beautiful plaited ribbon.
The venue was in the saloon barn at Court Farm - expertly decorated by the creative bride. Check out her sustainable & affordable solutions
- Rustic pebble place settings
- Individually painted glassware instead of favours
- A handmade card repository from a recycled hamper
- A suitably themed vintage painting as the backdrop for the seating plan
A union of two people and two cultures. Ania and Pete’s country garden wedding included an old Polish tradition of bread & salt. Check out the photo in my stories / rituals highlight
I love the simplicity of this gown - G removed the lace jacket for the reception and Ta Dah, an evening gown just like that.
Sunshine, love and laughter - what more could you ask for at a summer wedding?
Scroll through to view the love and laughter at G&T’s wedding - from G’s dad insisting on giving the groom a hug to family giggles at T’s expense (he can take it - he knows he’s loved).
These are the best kind of weddings!
Venue:
Photos:
Celebrant: Karen Lewis
It’s with no apology that I’ve been off- grid for a while. I’ve been tucked away in this gorgeous eco treehouse retreat with hubby, daughter and dog.
Such a relaxing place. We stayed in ‘Sunrise’ but they’re all lovely. A blissful few days celebrating our daughter’s 21st birthday and unwinding.
One of my favourite photographs from yesterday! Congratulations J&M 💕
Mother of the bride preloved outfits - go take a look!
The month of May is popular for weddings.
And what’s not to like?
The array of spring flowers available allows you to choose seasonal blooms for your big day - one sure way to reduce your carbon footprint if you’re trying to have an eco wedding.
If you’re a local florist who supports couples to choose sustainable flowers, like my post, and follow me so I can add you to my eco suppliers list.
In memory of Dianne - who knew the importance of joy, love and each other. She was a dedicated nurse, committed to social justice and compassion.
I was lucky to get to know her briefly before she died. It was an honour to lead her humanist memorial and to support her family.
Manage social anxiety at your wedding:
If social anxiety is a problem then walking down the aisle with all eyes on you is sure to trigger symptoms.
- So the first thing to do is share your concerns with your celebrant. They’ll help you plan the ceremony so you can enjoy it. Start early so you feel comfortable with every decision.
- If maintaining emotional energy is a problem, opt for an afternoon or evening ceremony.
- If a huge guest list is bothering you, then make it a small wedding. Maybe just immediate family and a couple of close friends. Or just the two of you. Remember, it's not the size of the wedding that matters, it’s the commitment you’re making that’s important.
- If it’s walking in front of everyone that’s a worry then just don’t do it! You don’t have to walk down the aisle at a wedding - especially at a humanist wedding. You can arrange any sort of order of events that works for you.
-Focus on your partner rather than looking at anyone else. This is your day! A wink from them or a little smile will help you relax.
- Make use of the rehearsal with your celebrant to avoid worrying about the unknown.
- Find time to look after yourself in the months before the wedding. A swim, a yoga class or curling up with a book (whatever it is that de-stresses you, do it, especially the day before the wedding - working right up until the last minute will only add to your stress and anxiety so plan ahead with your boss.
- Try not to have too many people around you as you get ready.
- Learn to control your breathing and take deep breaths just before the ceremony.
- Although it’s all about the two of you, let others take the focus too. A reading, poem or piece of music performed by friends or family gives you a breather and a moment to share a smile with your partner.
- After the ceremony, utilise the couple’s photo time to be away from everyone else.
- Finally, if your bridesmaids or groomsmen know about your anxiety, arrange a code word with them for nipping off to rearrange your outfit / hair / makeup and take a moment to yourself. This is your day, your way. So take control and do what works for you.
Let me know which shoes you would choose for a special occasion - any of these by or maybe something else entirely?
Many brides opted for flats or converse last year - a practical solution for partying the night away after the ceremony.
Something I’d like to ask all 2022 brides is not to do the baskets of flip flops. They’re not good for dancing in & they’re often left behind afterwards, ending up in landfill. They are not recyclable so really not a very eco option.
Please help me to realise my mission:
If you need help to plan an eco wedding, head over to my website or DM me to book a chat
A spring vow renewal finally happened yesterday at Berwick Lodge. My couple have waited for this celebration for such a long time. It was always the plan to have a humanist ceremony with all their loved ones after their legal micro wedding, but the pandemic caused them to postpone four times.
It was a cool day so the blankets came in handy for the guests. All the spring flowers are starting to bloom, such a pretty venue - a real hidden gem.
As it’s Earth Day I thought I’d remind you that I plant a tree for every wedding ceremony booking.
We all know that weddings can be costly to the planet as well as your purse, with lots of single use items and waste. So planting a tree to commemorate your big day, helps offset your carbon footprint as well as supporting my mission: .
If you choose me as your celebrant, I’ll also help you consider where you can be more sustainable on the day without having to compromise on your grand plans.
🙌🏼
Ok, enough right?
I promise it’s my last hands post for a while. But you may have guessed, I just love hands.They are so expressive aren’t they?
What poem would you match with this photo? I like this one…
real love began when we
both stopped expecting
instead focussed on giving
Diego Perez
he would
stand there
and sparkle
she wanted
to wear him
like a diamond
(Atticus)
For ethical engagement rings, check out these south west suppliers:
Helping Hands
These are the hands of my mother and daughter.
On this national day of reflection, my thoughts are with all those who we have lost through the pandemic.
A thought for those whose hands we have held in grief and for all those hands we will hold no more.
Helping Hand
“There’s never a trouble that comes to stay;
There’s never a grievance but fades away;
Forget the heart-ache and bravely lend
A helping hand to some sadder friend.”
(Author Unknown)
Something my couples often tell me is they are marrying their best friend. In 2021, one of my couples spoke at the alter before taking their vows. They said:
“Today I will marry my friend, the one I will live with, dream with, and love.”
It says it all doesn’t it? Simple!
I am truly delighted that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anousheh Ashouri are back in the UK with their loved ones. I’m sure there will be challenges after so long apart, but at last they can begin to rebuild their lives together.
She flowers at first light
To the song of the moon
She dresses at sunlight
Her neck is in bloom
Lemn Sissay
You may have noticed my grid has been more monotone recently, reflecting my shock & concerns for Ukraine. It can feel so meaningless to continue with daily posts & trivial aspects of life when our brothers and sisters are at war. Taking the colour out just felt right for me somehow as a visual reaction to my grief. I will gently re-introduce it as I process it. We experience grief and trauma in our own unique way - poetry, art, nature are my way to reflect & heal. Just thought I’d share that with you 💚
International Women’s Day ⭐️
I will always support women to challenge gender stereotypes, discrimination & bias
In 1994, my sister didn’t want to be a bridesmaid at our wedding, so she was ‘The Best Woman’ instead - she supported us both on the day, kept the rings safe and gave a fabulous ‘best woman speech’.
A humanist ceremony means you don’t need to confirm to traditional or outdated patterns of behaviour. As I work with you as a couple I encourage you to consider all the traditions of a marriage ceremony and test whether these are valid for you. Sometimes they are and that’s fine, but some don’t want their father to ‘give’ them away so we change the wording, sometimes we have both parents walking down the aisle with their daughter or son, sometimes there are no bridesmaids. If something doesn’t feel valid for you, we find alternatives, create new traditions or leave them out altogether - your wedding, your way
If, like me, you believe in inclusivity please take the time to sign.
We're calling on the procedure committees of both Houses of Parliament to review the outdated and discriminatory 'prayers' system which the puts the views of non-religious people at a disadvantage.
My sister was the best woman at our wedding. That’s the great thing about a humanist wedding, there are no conventions to follow. You can rip up the rule book and do it your way!
Bristol
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