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Your Best Life- Helen Phillips Humanist Celebrant, Church Farm View, Leeds (2025)

15/11/2025

🌍 This love I've got, could take me 'round the world 🌎

D & M travelled half way across the world for their gorgeous and intimate elopement at Swinton Park last month and what a privilege it was to be a part of.

It has felt out of this world to receive beautiful words of love from them all the way back at home in Washington State 🥰

As I now have a break in ceremonies until the end of the year and next year's writing hasn't yet started in earnest, I am taking some time to work on my website and online presence (with big thanks to .digital) including getting up to date reviews and testimonials which really are the best thing to help nearlyweds find out what it is truly like working with me 😊

If you have seen me in action this year (couple, guest or supplier) and haven't yet posted a review, it is never too late! What's more, I have the chance to retain my Hitched Wedding Awards Crown based on the number and quality of my reviews on their site so I will post the link in my stories for anyone who would be kind enough to share a few words about me as a Celebrant 🙏🏻

14/11/2025

💪 And we won't forget the day we fought 💪

Last month, the UK government committed to the legal recognition Humanist marriage in England & Wales in line with marriage law already in place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.

This is to come after yet another consultation so we still don't know how far off this is in reality. More frustration for couples who want a ceremony reflective of their Humanist beliefs and values... 😢

In reality, the government could already take action to legalise Humanist marriage without further delay, however they are choosing not to.

I have this week had a response from my MP which is disappointingly indifferent from the last correspondence we had before last month's announcement.

However, the more voices that we add, the better so if you would like to also urge your MP to focus on action rather than further delay, please do consider writing to them. I will pop more info on this in my stories 😀

In the meantime, I am very excited to be going to see Matilda the Musical this weekend so expect lots about that too on my stories!

13/11/2025

📺 Nobody's put in a box (not even a telly box!) 📺

Throwback Thursday to when and I were on 'Jezza Kyle' 🤣🤣

Ha ha, not really. This was at the .weddings awards 2 years ago and this time next week, I will be heading back down to Birmingham to see how I get on in the Celebrant category this year🤞🏻 I am super excited as, as you would expect, it's one of the most fun and quirkiest nights of the year!

On a more serious note, please don't fret if your family has challenging politics or dynamics, even if you think they are worthy of the real Jeremy Kyle show!!

I can probably count on my hands the number of families who have all got along swimmingly, more often than not, there is something that it helps for me as your Celebrant to be aware of.

So I always ask, not because I am nosey, it genuinely helps me to ensure I don't include or say anything in the ceremony that might exacerbate an existing dynamic or situation. I can also help before the ceremony, ensuring that any seating plans you want are followed and, where necessary, keeping certain people distracted or apart. All of this is another weight off your mind ahead of and on the day itself and it's something you get with a Celebrant due to the relationship we build and the extent to which I invest time getting to know you and, by extension, your family and friends.

In essence, it's a safe space. Whatever you tell me is in complete confidence free from any judgement and we will discuss the best way to handle together, without anyone being put in a box (and without the help of Mr. Kyle 🤣). I am so grateful for the trust that my couples and families place in me by sharing such personal and sensitive information, again another benefit of choosing your own officiant...

11/11/2025

🥳 This party ain't private, everyone's invited 🥳

I am passionate about ceremonies that are inclusive and welcoming to all. might not be religious but they are most definitely not anti-religious.

As a Humanist, I believe that diversity and individuality should be celebrated and that doing so can create connection rather than division.

When it comes to your wedding or naming ceremony, this too will be as unique as you and your love (romantic or familial) is and this, in turn creates that connection that fosters the sense of belonging that we seek as humans.

Uniqueness equally applies to which Celebrant you choose as we all have our different styles, approaches and personalities so it really is key to find the Celebrant that is the right fit and suits you best.

If you think that I could be the right Celebrant for you then please get in touch. I still have a few dates available in 2026 and 2027 has good availability so now is the time to secure your date before any newly engaged couples come along!

10/11/2025

🌎 Still feeling on top of the world 🌎
..well of Yorkshire & North-East England at least! 😁

Thanks for making this video compilation capturing my win at the Regional Final last Tuesday!

I am still buzzing hearing my name announced especially as on the night it was such a blur (in a good way!)!

You can also hear a bit of my post-award interview in which I explain how I came to be there this year which was thanks to one of my lovely couples who nominated me. That gave me the nudge I needed to back myself but I wouldn't have won the Regional Award without all my other equally wonderful couples rallying to support and providing their feedback to the judges 🥰 I am forever grateful just as I am with every review or piece of feedback shared 🫶🏻

I have already booked my tickets and overnight accommodation for the National Awards in Liverpool and Mr P is coming with me this time! As it's also my birthday, no matter what, it's going to be a celebration!!

06/11/2025

☁️ Chase the clouds away ☁️

After all the awards excitement, I am putting my couples back in the frame today 😍

So here is C & C (& Ellie!) who married on Saturday 1st November.

It was a gorgeous autumnal day. They chose to hold the ceremony in the former chapel and then make use of Rudding's beautiful space and grounds to continue their celebrations with their guests afterwards 🥰

2026 is already fairly booked up, however November '26 still has great availability so if you are looking for a sign to book a November wedding (and book a Humanist ceremony as part of it!) then this is it 😁

05/11/2025

🏆 You're watching my glow, yeah I show it off 🏆

Bit of a (humble) brag but I am so proud of my little self for winning Best Regional Celebrant award at the Yorkshire & North-East ceremony last night.

I was certainly living my best life, enjoying my winner's entrance and also feeling like a celeb and a Sky Sports presenter simultaneously in my post-ceremony interview 🤣

I was probably the only winner upset to not get to do a thank you speech (only being up stage for a few seconds felt very short when I am usually there for 30-40 minutes 🤣🤣)

Here's what I would have said:

Thanks go to those who supported me from near and far yesterday, my family at home and my hype team on the night including without whom there would be no record of the night for me to share 😂

The biggest thanks, however, go to my couples who voted for me, without you, I wouldn't have achieved this and your support means the world to me.

A particular shout out has to go to one of my brides, Kim, who was the one who nominated me and gave me the courage and push to put myself out there. Kim also nominated .com_
so it was lovely to have a reunion with them all last night.

It was also great to catch up with so many other fab suppliers who are all at the top of their respective games .irvine .alterations and many more!

was a fab venue and .bailey.photo and the TWIA team put on a great party including a fab ukele boy band who were fantastic!

Bring on the National Finals in Liverpool on 21st January which just so happens to also be MY BIRTHDAY!! Who's bringing the cake??

04/11/2025

🧱 With love the foundation 🧱

As I am looking ahead to 2026 ceremonies, planning meetings will be starting and scripts drafted. This might be the first time of receiving a ceremony script for many so here's a handy guide of what to do when you receive it (as well as, of course, enjoying hearing your story and feelings played back to you and perhaps shedding a few or many tears along the way!).

All this info and more goes in your email but it can be a lot to take in so here are the key things to remember/ look out for.

The most important thing is that you are 100% happy with it and we will continue to refine until you are.

03/11/2025

🗽Shout it to the rooftops 🗽

I get as overexcited as Alexander Hamilton when I meet a couple who are my people, like C & C whose wedding I conducted at Rudding Park on Saturday.

They are Hamilton superfans having seen it on stage 8 times and multiple times on Disney+. In fact, Hamilton even played a part in their proposal story!

It was an absolute joy to lead their ceremony and to gather everyone together in room where it happened 😁

And without meaning to pick a fight with George Washington, I do disagree that you don't get to choose who tells your story. With you definitely get to do just that! Your story is our story 🥰

02/11/2025

🍂 Don't wanna make a scene 🍂

M & D travelled from Washington State for a romantic elopement at the stunning and it was pure delight.

It was just the two of them with the most open and heartfelt ceremony. They had both been so incredibly honest and vulnerable in what they shared with me which is the biggest help to me being able to best represent and relay your sentiments in an authentic and meaningful manner.

There were plenty of tears but also moments of laughter and fun. I feel privileged to conduct every single wedding ceremony I am involved in but the energy in an elopement is so intense and intimate and my writing style and delivery is distinct so, in my book, elopements really are a ceremony type in their own right.

Swinton offer an amazing elopement package, particularly ideal for those travelling to the UK as the team arrange lots of little details that add the perfect touch to the occasion.

M & D chose an awesome cake from to complement their style and colour scheme and also enlisted who captured every single aspect of the day perfectly including the jaw-droppingly beautiful backdrop of the Swinton Park Castle.

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31/10/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃

This is your reminder that I am still free on Saturday 31st October 2026 for couples planning a Halloween wedding and interested in an alternative and personal ceremony 🧡

Once you have your Celebrant sorted, if you are looking for decorative pumpkins for your tables or general decor then you definitely need to check out They have such a wide selection, all shapes, sizes and colours!

We have been pumpkin picking this morning and chilling this afternoon before we have a little Halloween party and then hit the streets for Trick or Treating!

What is everyone else up to today?

30/10/2025

🫶 I know we belong 🫶

One of my couple's recently chose to quote words from a favourite of theirs, 'About Time', Richard Curtis' 2013 film and arguably his most underrated work and they really resonated with me.

Often I have conversations with couples about love in the ordinary vs love being extraordinary and filled with lavish acts or grand, sweeping gestures so I imagine this quote from the end of the film will also resonate with many others.

Donna Ashworth's poem 'Ordinary Love' remains my favourite work on this subject, I can share with anyone on the lookout for a poem around this theme 😃

A classic in a similar vein is also words from Dolly Alderton's 'Everything I know about love'

What other readings or quotes on this are people's favourites?

Your Best Life- Helen Phillips Humanist Celebrant

15/11/2025

14/11/2025

13/11/2025

11/11/2025

10/11/2025

06/11/2025

05/11/2025

04/11/2025

03/11/2025

02/11/2025

31/10/2025

30/10/2025

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