Annalese McDermott Humanist Celebrant

Name: Annalese McDermott Humanist Celebrant
Address: Edinburgh, GB
Telephone: +447834421079
Rating: 5

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Annalese McDermott Humanist Celebrant

Welcome to my page. I am a Humanist Celebrant based in Edinburgh Scotland.
(27)

17/10/2024

~ Eachann & Ashton ~
21.09.24
Royal College of Physicians

Once the ferry – ‘love’ - is

boarded, cast off, headed

into open water

Sail well and wear

the white sails of

knowing

love will carry all

the asks and

ardours

you and I

may bring to this

uncharted voyage

across time’s

eternally mutable

ocean

as long as

we steer

hand in hand

hand in hand

Aonghas Macneachail

Images captured beautifully by Sarah Newman Photography
Venue Royal College of Physicians

12/10/2024

If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love you very much” Mary Oliver

Sally and Callum shared their wedding day with those who raised them and shaped them into the people they are. They married their way – outdoors in the forest, intimately, focusing on what matters to them and those most important to them.

Moments like these ✨️ Sharing them with such incredible people, I don't ever take it for granted 🤎🍂🌿

Frames captured with love by The Harphams

10/10/2024

In August, Camille and Georges traveled from Brittany to Scotland. They hired a campervan and toured around Scotland with their son. In the lead up to this trip we planned a ceremony in Glencoe. A chance for them to mark 7 years of marriage with personal vows and rings, rooted in their values and love for one another.

Rituals were woven into their ceremony, such as the Oathing Stone which they collected from a beach near the place where their son felt the sea for the first time and Handfasting, with the help of their son. Vows were hand written and expressed to one another in the most tender, loving way. It was incredibly beautiful to witness such love.

Justine and Quentin, who came all the way from Brittany, and captured these gorgeous frames ~ Justine Guillemette Photographe

22/09/2024

If only we could bottle these moments...

Ewan and Scott’s wedding at Edinburgh Grand was electric and bursting with love and happiness and a ton of laughter.

And without being firebrands about it, Scott and Ewan also believe their marriage is a statement of equality. When they were growing up, their commitment to each other, and even gathering to celebrate it, wasn’t a given. They are proud to be able to enjoy that right, want the world to know about it, and will never take it for granted”

Gorgeous moments captured by the lovely Lou Rob Photography

Venue - Cheval The Edinburgh Grand

23/08/2024

Rach knew that Rich was someone special when after only a few months of dating, she asked him if he wanted to rent a tuk tuk and drive across India with her and her friends… and he said yes! Rich knew Rach was someone special on the very same trip when she took care of him after he enjoyed the last evening’s celebration party too much.

Their ceremony took place under the presence of a mighty sequoia tree ~ resistant and deep rooted, sequoia trees grow in groves, withstanding the winds and providing shelter 🌱

Such a great team to work with ♡

♡

Photograhy: Sarah Louise Photograhy

Venue: Gilmerton House

Videography: Boda Productions

Wedding Planner: Scarlett & Bell

Florals: Liberty Blooms

Hair and Makeup: Julie Mcguire

Music: The Soul Establishment

15/08/2024

Callum’s dad carved a Quaich for Helen and Callum and their growing family as a gift. Carved from marri wood, a species of timber native to the south coast area of Western Australia to combine their contemporary identity to the heritage of their Scottish ancestors.

Helen and Callum chose to share in the drinking of Muscat wine originating from the Rutherglen region of Victora, Australia. Created from the land in warm, temperate climates, Muscat is produced via the solera process by which a variety of vintages are carefully blended and aged in barrels, culminating in a harmonious union greater than the sum of its parts. Iconically Australian, it symbolises the unbreakable bond Callum and Helen both share, and serves to connect them to the far away land which they call home.

Photo Credit ~ Wildling Weddings

13/08/2024

Adela and Aidan weaved Robert Burns’s song “A Red Red Rose” into their vows. These words were on Adela’s granny and grandads wall for many years when she was growing up. She looked up to the love her grandparents had for one another and wished she too one day would find the same.

Later in their ceremony, Adela and Aidan shared some words by Whitney Hanson, which I have adapted here –

“So instead of wishing you a love that burns,
I wish you a love like a river twists and turns.
It changes and it flows,
It is powerful and free.
But it consistently finds its way back to the sea”

The most magical gathering of loved ones from Spain and Scotland surrounded these two on their wedding day.

Captured by: Heather Mckay photography

Venue: The Old Dr Bells

23/07/2024

As creative people, Michael and Catriona often try to give each other handmade gifts and artwork. One of Catriona’s favourite presents from Michael is the hand-drawn map he made of their journey through South Korea and Japan. For their wedding day Michael drew the most beautiful picture of Neidpath Castle, which they used on the front of their Order of Service.

Sharing an extract here from a song by David Bowie “Absolute Beginners” read on the day by Catriona’s mum.

"I absolutely love you
But we're absolute beginners
With eyes completely open
But nervous all the same

If our love song
Could fly over mountains
Could laugh at the ocean
Just like the films
There's no reason
To feel all the hard times
To lay down the hard lines

As long as you're still smiling
There's nothing more I need
I absolutely love you
But we're absolute beginners”

The most magical day left me smiling all the way home. And Catriona's dress! Just stunning 🤍

Pictures captured by Natalie Holt Photography

20/07/2024

Creating fun memories on their wedding day and on their onward travels to Europe led Brooke and Ollie to travel from New Zealand to Glencoe for their elopement. Their ceremony was loving intimate and happy, weaving Celtic traditions such as the Oathing Stone. As they exchanged their vows Brooke and Ollie held a stone from a beach all the way in Wānaka. After the ceremony, they threw their rock into the Scottish water, for it to make its own journey onwards.

The space they chose for their ceremony was the same place their photographer Matt married his wife Natalia a few years ago. I had the privilege of marrying Matt and Natalia and have since loved following Matt's elopement photography journey.

Photographs captured by ~ Matt Pocknell Photography

20/07/2024

Have you been to the Secret Herb Garden? It’s tucked away at the foot of the Pentland Hills. An oasis of calm, it is a magical space rooted in nature. It was here Rachel and David chose to hold their wedding ceremony and celebrations. The Secret Herb Garden also make their own gin, from seed to sip, which Rachel and David shared together in their Quaich.

David proposed to Rachel Christmas morning. Thoughtfully, he compiled some videos of their life together, which ended with a video of their twin boys, asking Rachel if she would marry him. Rachel and David have never followed a conventional route on their journey together. They see their marriage as a way to honor the love and respect they have for one another and their precious family of four.

Nothing but love for these beautiful humans.

Photo Credit 📸 - Tie the knot Photography

10/07/2024

From the very first time Sylvana and Brice came to Scotland it has felt like home – they love its magical, mystical side, its legends, its music, its incredible landscapes, its touching history, and the people. It is their country of heart, so it was a dream to marry here.

Their love of traveling has led them to create memories they can cherish forever and to discover this magnificent Scotland that has conquered their hearts.

Sylvana and Brice traveled from France to marry in Glencoe, and their elopement was planned beautifully by Olive, who I had the pleasure of marrying back in July last year.

It was a privilege to witness the love and emotion and share in these moments.

Pictures captured by ~ CB Stills
Wedding Planning ~ Olive Tamiotti
Piper ~ The Fife Piper

09/07/2024

From meeting at N’Dulge nightclub 8 years ago to making their vows at Lochgreen House, Nicola and Lewis have come a long way together, and they couldn’t be more in love. Their dads played a special role in their ceremony, with Lewis's dad sharing the sweetest, heartfelt speech and Nicola’s dad blowing everyone away on the piano. And then, there was Ronnie, their lovely lab, who was a huge part of their day.

It was so lovely to catch up with Rebecca and Ross, who I married a few years ago, and meet their growing family.

Photo Credit –Whitney Graham Photography

08/07/2024

Over the next week, I'll be sharing some ceremonies from May and June, starting with Inês and Pedro.

As we all made our way to Ralston Cairn, Glencoe, the water crossing was high. Inês and Pedro’s closest loved ones travelled from Portugal to be with them on their wedding day, and upon seeing the water, they began to throw rocks in to make a bridge for Inês and Pedro to cross. Ieva, their photographer, looked over to me and smiled, noting how symbolic a moment this was.

As a part of their sunset ceremony each of their guests shared a part of a sonnet from one of Portugal’s most famous poets Luís de Camões "Amor é fogo que arde sem se ver" which translates to "Love is a fire that burns yet burns unseen". This sonnet is an attempt to explain the unexplainable, the complex, paradoxical nature of love and the ways it can be imprisoning and liberating at the same time.

Thank you so much for choosing me to share these moments with you Inês and Pedro 🧡

Photo Credit ~ Ieva Marija Photography - https://ievamarija.com/

29/05/2024

Alex and Ali married on Seacliff beach earlier this month, with their closest family. As we weaved our way through the long grass and reeds towards the beach, the Haar lifted and the sun gleamed, showing Bass Rock in all of her beautiful glory.

We threw off our shoes, and everyone chipped into help as we found the perfect spot for their ceremony. The love was palpable.

The ceremony was sealed with a toast, honouring Ali’s dad with a sip of Rassay whiskey from a family Quaich, which was shared with everyone. To close the ceremony, Alex and Ali jumped the broom – a tradition that has both highland and West African roots.

The Haar returned after the ceremony, just in time for photographs, and we chatted and laughed as we walked back up the hill together and shared some coffee at the Brake Café afterwards.

It was wonderful to work alongside the lovely Suzie Olzen Photography who took these beautiful frames.

28/05/2024

When thinking about their wedding, Tiffany and Nick’s preference has always been to elope, and traveling to Scotland provided the opportunity, spontaneity, and vibrant landscape for a scenic and intimate ceremony. Their ceremony was loving and easeful surrounded by the backdrop of Seacliff beach and the gentle sounds of the waves lapping on the the shore.

I know I say this a lot, but it truly is such an honour to be a part of such incredibly magical moments.

“Annalese married us on the beach of North Berwick. We could not ask for a more attentive and gentler person to share the day with us. We chose Annalese because we felt that she wanted us to be ourselves and experience and write our ceremony in a way that was authentic to us. Her openness made the experience much lighter and easeful, having the space and encouragement to be the couple we are. Thank you so much Annalese”

These images by Solen Collet capture so much beauty.

Shout out to Secret Cabin for gorgeous accommodation and hospitality 🌿

24/05/2024

David proposed to Kirsty on a trip to Arran on the summit of Goatfell. Kirsty had only just recovered from a near death experience while scrambling up a scree. David handed Kirsty a small pouch from his backpack and Kirsty emptied the contents into her hands while David Said "do you want to do this?'

They did things their own way, our hearts were full.

Celebrations were held at the gorgeous G uardswell Farm and these frames beautifully captured by Claire Juliet Paton
Ring bearer- paddy the dog

19/04/2024

Dunkeld Hermitage was peaceful and easeful and bursting with Spring for Ashley and Lydia’s elopement. Love was glowing, dancing, and radiating.

--

12/04/2024

The circle in the centre of the wedding band can be seen as a symbol of unity and harmony and the cycles and seasons of life. Before Laura and Andrew exchanged their wedding bands, they were passed around their loved ones and infused with their love. Andrew's Mom then came forward and handed Andrew their rings.

Photographs by The Kitcheners

Address

Edinburgh

Telephone

+447834421079

Website

http://annalesemcdermott.com/

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