Paula Black. Independent Celebrant

24/07/2025

Exactly this!

Quick.
Quiet.
No ceremony.
No goodbye.

Just... done.

But what's really being sold here?

Because death isn't tidy.
It's messy.
It's painful.
It's human.

Funeral aren't about fuss.
They're how we begin to make sense of death.
They hold space for love that doesn't know where to go.

We hear it all the time:
"We just want something simple."

And that's okay.

But simple doesn't mean silent.

It doesn't mean skipping the goodbye.
It doesn't mean pretending this doesn't hurt – because it does.

The funeral doesn't cause the pain.
The death does.

The funeral is where that pain get held.
Witnessed. Honoured.

No hymns? Fine.
No suits? Fine.
Pub, garden, front room – all good.

Make it yours.

We're not against direct cremation.
But it should be a choice – not a shortcut.
Not something sold as "easier".

Skip the spectacle, if you want.
But don't skip the meaning.

Love deserves more than a transaction.
It deserves a moment.
It deserves... even a little fuss.

15/03/2025

A Celebrant Wedding can be held anywhere, what matters is that it is all about you - and your legal union can be held beforehand as a statutory appointment with two witnesses.

27/11/2024

Well I may not have been a 'winner' but I am so proud to have amongst the South East Regional Finalists last night at the glorious - and it was fabulous to meet up with my fellow 'Sparkle of Celebrants'celebrancy

Congratulations to and for their Highly Commended status, and to the brilliant for romping home with the Finalist title.

So we didn't take home a prize but as Damien said - 'how many people work in this industry, how many are based in this South East - we are top of the industry and it is all because we get there on the words of our couples.

It was great to see some of the brilliant venues and other suppliers who I have met before and worked alongside celebrate last night.


If I ever doubt this is the right vocation for me - this is a review from one of the couples who voted for me : 'We had such a lovely experience with Paula. Not only did she take the time to really get to know our story to make our wedding ceremony as personal as possible, she provided us with so much guidance as to how we could enhance the experience for everyone involved. Paula really cares about what she does and became an integral part of our day - we honestly can’t imagine what it would have been like without her. She was able to seamlessly blend both modern and traditional aspects of our ceremony and really tailor it to our personalities and story. We had so many guests who had never seen a celebrant led ceremony who came up to us afterwards to say how brilliant Paula was and how much they enjoyed the more personal approach to each part.
We honestly can’t thank Paula enough for the time and effort she put in to our special day - she really did take it to the next level for us and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to any couples wishing to have a something a bit different to the standard wedding'

26/11/2024

I really cannot thank my couples enough - it was an honour to be trusted with your love stories.

Soooo looking forward to seeing the faboulous South Eadt Finalists tonight.

14/09/2024

10/09/2024

When issue 9 lands on your doorstep and it mentions your fabulous friend

14/04/2024

Spring 😀

08/04/2024

**URGENT WEDDING APPEAL - DRINKS RECEPTION SINGER REQUIRED - FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2024 - BROMSGROVE, WORCESTERSHIRE**

You may remember we have been given the absolute honour of planning a wedding for a very special gentleman from the WORCESTERSHIRE AREA. We are making an URGENT PLEA to all our supporters in the WORCESTER, BIRMINGHAM, COVENTRY AND ALL SURROUNDING AREAS, with your fabulous help, we can make this dream become a reality, as we now only have just over TWO WEEKS until our couple are due to have their special day.

WE NEED YOU!

If you are a DRINKS RECEPTION SINGER or know someone who can generously support us with this service please send A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO FACEBOOK as soon as you can. The quickest and most direct way to contact us, is by EMAIL at [email protected]

THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS TO SUPPORT US

We appreciate that not everyone has the skills we require to provide a service for our wedding. Please don't worry, you can still support us by making a donation.
To make a text donation text GROOM3 to 70085 to donate £3. This donation costs £3 plus your standard message rate or click here to make an online donation - https://gift_of_a_wedding.donr.com/socialmediadonations

WE NEED YOU!

If you can offer a service or know someone who can generously support us please send A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM or alternatively tweet us as soon as you can. The quickest and most direct way to contact us is by EMAIL at [email protected]

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Thank you - Team Gift of a Wedding

20/03/2024

Ostara Blessings, as the dark veil lifts drawing forward the new life emerging from the warming depths, gifting you and yours a balance in light and life.

01/03/2024

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus