County Celebrants Network

26/10/2023

My account is on hold saying I breached Facebook rules but I have not posted for ages so have no idea what the problem is.

13/05/2022

Eric Gill Training

Questions you may be asked …

What does a Celebrant do at a Civil Wedding?

Put simply, a celebrant is a person who performs and officiates formal ceremonies –such as weddings, vow renewals, baby naming, or even funerals and memorials. By booking a Celebrant for your service, you can have the vows you want, the music you want, and the readings you want.

Is my Celebrant Wedding Ceremony legally binding?

No. You will need to arrange for a Civil Partnership Registration in the Registrar's office with two adult witnesses to legally register your marriage. This is the 'admin' part of the process and does not need to be treated as a formal ceremony.

And therefore, a Celebrant Wedding Ceremony is not a legally binding ceremony. It is about celebrating your love and relationship in a way that is special to you when you wish to confirm your commitment to each other without legal ties.

What is the difference between a registrar and a celebrant?

The difference between Registrars and Celebrants in a Nutshell. Registrars have the power to marry you in the eyes of the law. Celebrants will help you to create a personalized bespoke ceremony, taking place wherever you would like. You can include personalized vows, live music, and family.

Celebrant-led ceremonies can take place in any location, at any time and they can take any format or style you want with content that's special and meaningful to you.

Celebrant ceremonies are becoming more and more popular here in the UK, If you have your heart set on a specific location to tie the knot or would like a more personalized reading at your ceremony, you may want to consider using a celebrant for your big day.

Can a ceremony with a wedding celebrant be held both indoors and outdoors?

Yes, it can, and with trends for outdoor weddings on the rise, a celebrant can often unlock the potential within a dedicated wedding venue as celebrant ceremonies are not required to take place underneath a permanent licensed structure. “The vast majority of weddings are outdoors (with marquees as a wet weather backup plan), and this provides couples with much more flexibility in terms of setting.”

If you opt for an outdoor celebrant ceremony, then you can position yourselves anywhere so long as the wedding venue has granted permission for you to do so.

Why not take advantage of fantastic views at a venue, have these as the backdrop to your day, and use the inside space for the wedding breakfast and evening reception? Explore all possibilities for ceremony settings at your venue and remember it does not need to be licensed if using a celebrant – you really can have your dream location!

Are there specifications in terms of where, when, and what time a wedding celebrant ceremony can take place?

Not at all, you can select the time YOU want, without restriction on time slots or indeed location.
Many couples will still opt for an early afternoon ceremony time, but some couples prefer an altogether different plan for their celebrations and will perhaps have a roof terrace ceremony under the stars followed by cocktails and dinner for example.

More and more couples are thinking outside of the box and doing away with tradition, and indeed opt for something a little more ‘unexpected’ and unique to them. A celebrant wedding ceremony offers couples complete flexibility!

How long does a ceremony with a wedding celebrant take?

This varies, depending on the content of your ceremony. “The vast majority of ceremonies are around half an hour and are created with a fantastic flow. Celebrant speaking parts are always creatively punctuated with guest readings or involvement in some other way so that the ceremony feels like everyone there has a role in the proceedings, and indeed in supporting the couple.

It becomes a lovely experience rather than someone just standing and reading to a group of people which can otherwise feel quite cold by comparison.”

Can guests do readings in a ceremony with a wedding celebrant?

Of course! “Celebrants actively encourage it and have lots of lovely ways in which this can be done. Guests can select a popular piece of poetry online, or they might want to write something personal about the couple that is shared on the day, but there are lots of other options too. Celebrants work with their couples and ensure that the content accurately reflects who they are and that those doing readings are comfortable with everything on the day too.

Celebrants love to use guest involvement to really add something a little bit special to the ceremony, and depending on the couple, can add elements of religion, acknowledge a cultural background, or even a family tradition.
Some Celebrants include many different rituals into a ceremony, numerous Celtic mini-handfasting variations, the creation of marriage time capsules, sand ceremonies, and a whole host of other lovely activities too! Celebrants really can make it truly personal, and unique to the couples.”

Can any type of music be played during a celebrant ceremony?

Yes indeed. A celebrant will talk you through various music options with the couple in advance. They may want to walk down the aisle to their favorite song, or sign their certificate with their favorite band playing in the background?

There are no restrictions when it comes to music during a celebrant ceremony at all and couples can opt for something that they both love, and not feel limited in their choices.

If one or both of us have been married before, can we still have a ceremony with a wedding celebrant?

“Absolutely. This has no bearing whatsoever on your ceremony with the celebrant.” Most celebrants will happily work with couples and families with varying circumstances and proudly embrace diversity.

Will we need to sign any documentation during our celebrant ceremony?

Signing documentation during the ceremony is not obligatory but many couples do like to sign a commemorative certificate which can then be presented to them with a beautiful keepsake folder at the end, with copies of their personal vows and readings inside too.

You can even choose to have ‘witnesses’ join you to complete the signing if you wish, and this is a nice way of involving other family members that perhaps were not part of the legal proceedings.

Would we get to write our own vows, or would the wedding celebrant read them to us?

“This is a personal part of the ceremony, and a celebrant would tend to try to keep this as modern and relevant as possible. There are three styles that can be used, the “I do” that many people expect to hear, the ‘repeat after me’ vows where a celebrant reads a sentence and this is repeated by the groom than the bride, and of course, personal vows written by the couple and then read to one another during the ceremony.

Many couples like to do all three and weave the words into the flow of the ceremony, but some prefer only one or two.
Celebrants can provide lots of great ways in which a couple can deliver their personal vows and are happy to help their couples in terms of creating something special, and ensuring they are of similar in length and tone.

So, what does a person need to become a good Wedding Celebrant?

• Good literary and writing skills with the ability to write concisely, grammatically, and effectively.
• A good public speaking voice and the confidence to speak to groups of people from two to several hundred.
• Smart appearance.
• A mature, calm, reassuring manner.
• Sensitive interviewing skills.
• Availability at weekends, when ceremonies may be required.
• A genuine interest in providing a quality service and improving the choice and quality of ceremonies.
• Access to, and ability to use, email is essential.
• Use of a computer and confident word processing skills, with good experience of using Microsoft Word (or similar package) and a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel or similar.

If you are concerned about your IT skills, then click below for a more detailed list of requirements.

Then, it's Knowing how …. Knowing how to put together the essential structure of a ceremony including appropriate inclusion of both secular and religious content and appropriate music and poetry.

• Knowing what constitutes a truly personal ceremony and awareness of potential pitfalls.
• Knowing how to interview clients to obtain relevant information and effectively translate the information into a well-written ceremony script.
• Knowing how to deliver a ceremony with confidence and sensitivity.
• Knowing how to make the best use of space available at ceremonies and understanding movement and logistics.
• Knowing how to present clients with a beautifully presented souvenir script to keep.
• Knowing how to set up, promote and administer your business
• Knowing how to explain the ceremonies that you conduct to others and understand the current legal situation about ceremonies in the UK.

When you know all the above - you are ready!
Eric is ready too - to train you!
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11/05/2022

Rob Friedman's expert speechwriting secrets
By Kelly Kass

Ever wonder what goes into those stirring speeches you see on television or at your company’s annual sales conference? Behind every engaging word are key ingredients that help impact speeches and influence audiences.

I recently had the opportunity to hear about some of the techniques at Rob Friedman’s workshop.

Rob is a Director of Executive Communications where he supervises a team of writers and writes speeches for the CEO and other senior executives. He began teaching workshops on communications back in the late ’80s when he was Editor of the Speechwriter’s Newsletter.
These days, he is still offering best practice tips from his nearly 20 years of writing speeches.

Clarity First

So just what goes into writing an effective speech? According to Rob, the key is to be clear from the beginning.

• What is the purpose of your speech?
• What are the arguments that will help you achieve your purpose?

“A speech is a tool – it can be used to motivate, to inspire,” Rob explains. “It can also be used to align people, to knock down opponents, to break down barriers between you and your goals.”
One way to increase your odds of success is to understand your venue and audience.

Know Your Venue and Your Audience

• Why was your speaker asked to speak at the event?
• What can he or she bring to the occasion?
• What is the demographic make-up of the audience?
• Their attitude towards the speaker and topic?

Knowing these things can help you decide what to include what to exclude; what examples and arguments will be most persuasive.
In addition, be aware of the meeting’s logistics. Will people be standing? If so, keep it brief, Rob suggests. If you want a certain type of equipment or room set-up, ensure that it is there. If your speaker is asked to present during dinner, say they prefer to speak before or after.
“You must take control, not the meeting organizers. They’re asking your speaker to speak,” Rob points out.

Find the Right Structure

A tight structure also helps make a speech clear for the audience. One way to organize your speech is by topics; if you do, it is important to focus on just a few areas.

If you are presenting a twenty-minute speech, cover 3 or 4 topics, as by covering more risks you diminish each point. Another common structure is Problem-Solution. Here, the speaker:

• describes a problem or challenge.
• explains clearly and specifically what must be done to overcome it.
• concludes by inspiring the audience that “they can do it.”
Evidence

To convince an audience, speakers must present evidence to support their arguments. This can take the form of statistics, quotations, analogies, examples, and stories.

While statistics can provide powerful evidence, they are also easily abused, some speakers numb audiences with numbers. To avoid that, Rob suggests several options, including:

• Comparing numbers.
• Distilling large numbers into something more understandable.
• Transforming a number into a picture (400,000 people dying prematurely from smoking each year is the equivalent of 3 fully loaded 747s crashing every day)
• Finding startling or compelling statistics (one example Rob used in a speech on aging is that there are more than 20,000 Japanese citizens today over the age of 100.)

The key in using statistics, Rob said, is to “make sure they prove the point you want them to prove.”

Quotes can help breathe life into a presentation. They offer opportunities for authority, humor, and perhaps most importantly, the human voice.

• Authority – When you use an authoritative quote, “You are using the best that has ever been said on your behalf,” Rob explains. This might include a noted authority, a leader, or an expert from inside or outside your organization.
• Humor – If you want some comic relief in your speech, try opting for classic chuckles from the likes of Groucho Marx or Woody Allen.
• The human voice – quoting a customer, an opponent, one’s parent, or child are among ways to increase a speaker’s connection with the audience.

Examples are the workhorse of evidence – and Rob recommends being always on the lookout for examples that support the arguments your speaker or organization is making. Stories are extended examples and are effective because they are memorable.

Stories have the added advantage of helping speakers bond with their audience. Rob says speakers should tell stories that reveal something of themselves.
“There’s nothing as powerful as people being vulnerable and showing emotion, sharing feelings, showing themselves as leaders, coaches, as parents, or sons or daughters.”

So, it is important to get to know your speakers, the stories they love to tell, what they feel passionate about, and what points they find persuasive. Ultimately, according to Rob, what makes a speech one of the most powerful communications is that, in our electronic, digital world, people still crave the human touch, the human voice.

“People don’t get motivated, persuaded or inspired by white papers or power points,” he says, “but by someone they admire and trust who shares something important.”

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11/05/2022

Eric Gill Training gives advice on making an important speech

I think that the most valuable lesson for everyone who is about to make an important speech is control. In my training program, I emphasize this as the most important thing you can learn, Whether

If it is a business speech or even one a Best Man is making at a wedding it has to be understood and under control.

If I may I would like to share my teachings with you?

Voice Control

When you speak, your voice is your most important tool. It influences the impact of your speech and can make or break its success.
Fortunately, you can learn to use your voice, just like playing a musical instrument, to increase your power and persuasiveness in any conversation or speech that you give.

All you need is a little bit of guidance.

The first thing to always remember if you want to become a successful, a fun speech or a well-paid professional speaker

1) Slow Down

When you speak more slowly, your voice has more power and authority. Your listeners have an opportunity to absorb and reflect on what you’re saying.

You exude confidence and you lend your words greater importance.
All-powerful people speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and express themselves with confidence. Loud, confident speaking is powerful and moving.

When you speak too rapidly, your pitch increases, often to something squeaky and child-like. This decreases the impact of your words and your influence on the audience because listeners downgrade the importance or value of what you are saying.

2) Use Voice Exercises

The human voice is like a muscle. It can be made stronger with exercise and use. Many people with weak voices have become powerful, confident speakers by building their voices over time with exercise.

Here’s an example. Memorize a piece of poetry and recite it regularly as you drive or walk around. Imagine that you’re making a dramatic presentation on a stage, in front of many people. Put emotion and strength and emphasis and energy into the words. Go slowly. Change the emphasis on each word in the line of poetry, thereby changing the meaning of the line.

3) Record and Listen to Your Voice

As you develop your ability to speak powerfully, record yourself reading poetry or parts of plays. Replay these recordings over and over, looking for ways to improve your pronunciation, your delivery, and your pacing.

4) Record Phone Conversations

You can increase your level of vocal mastery by recording your side of conversations and listening to them afterward. Every time you record and playback your own voice, you will hear different ways that you could improve your delivery and articulation next time.

5) Focus on Pauses

The drama and power of a speech is contained in the silences that you create as you move from point to point. There are four kinds of pauses you can use to put more power into your presentations. They are, “The Sense Pause”, “The Dramatic Pause”, “The Emphatic Pause”, and “The Sentence-Completion Pause”: Listen to the TV presenter Huw Edwards; his pauses are extraordinarily good at emphasizing words sentences, and situations.

6) Eat and Drink Well

Energy is essential for good speaking and voice projection. Before a short talk, eat lightly. This ensures that you are bright and alert when you start speaking and that your brain is functioning at its best.

Before a long talk, it’s essential to eat well. A solid, high-protein breakfast or lunch will give you the energy to burn for four to five hours. Protein is brain food, and you need it to think and speak effectively. Your voice will remain strong, and your mind will stay clear.

Remember: to ensure the best possible voice, only drink room temperature water prior to and during your speech.
Coldwater can chill your vocal cords and decrease the amount of warmth in your voice. When you have a sore throat, it can be difficult to speak clearly and project that voice. If this occurs, drink hot water with lots of honey and lemon juice. This miraculous combination will save you croaking through your speech.

By following these 6 steps you will drastically improve your speaking voice.

The feeling of confidence and readiness that will accompany practicing these skills will make you feel unstoppable. It’s a great way to overcome any stage fright that you might deal with in front of large crowds.

Good Luck!

27/04/2022

For over 11 years Eric Gill was a very successful Independent Wedding Celebrant. Now retired, he devotes his time and energy to training new wedding celebrants.

Imparting his knowledge and expertise to prepare them for a new career, they quickly become ready to conduct Civil Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Blessings, Civil Partnerships, Renewal of Wedding Vows, plus Spiritual Humanist Weddings and Baby naming.

Eric lives in Wiltshire and until 2015 was also a Professional Toastmaster. He is a Co-Founder and Honorary Vice President of the Executive Guild of Toastmasters with over 2000 weddings under his belt.
His successfully trained celebrants will then be ready to provide beautifully tailored wedding services to reflect the individual needs of the couple, and as it doesn’t have to follow the civil registry government ruling or guidelines the ceremony can have as little or as much religious content as you want.

Eric's 32 years in the wedding industry ranked him as one of the top toastmasters in the UK and his wealth of experience and training as a celebrant enabled him to provide some of the best-trained celebrants in the Network today.

Whether the couple is planning a formal, white wedding, affirmation, or something less conventional it is important that they really enjoy it. A beautiful Wedding Ceremony is just one of the many different types of ceremonies that can be created by the Wedding Celebrant.

A traditional church wedding, with ritual and religious words, does not always fit with everyone's outlook on life or hopes for the future and the laws governing Register Office weddings strictly control what can be said or done.

These ceremonies are designed around a standard framework. It is not always possible to be legally married out of doors and there are limitations on time, place, and content of ceremonies.

A Celebrant Wedding/blessing /affirmation can take place anywhere and be designed to suit the individuals.

It can be as dignified and serious as a church wedding, but with the religious element replaced by words and music that have real meaning for the couple. The ceremony can be as romantic and creative in design as they wish.

Celebrant ceremonies have been held in gardens, marquees, on boats, castles, and on beaches.

Many couples choose to stand facing their guests, for a more open and inclusive feeling. Couples with children can make them a part of the ceremony.

No two ceremonies are the same, they can be as traditional or as unusual as suits the people marrying.

There is a wide range of readings, poems, songs, music, and elements from many cultures that can be incorporated, and anyone can speak.

Many of our couples choose close family members, fathers, sons, and friends to actively participate in the ceremony.

The vows can be whatever they wish to say, and the Wedding Celebrant can advise and guide them on all aspects of the ceremony the choice is theirs:

It is important to point out that by English Law they must have already been legally married before their 'Special' wedding ceremony takes place.

After which this ceremony can take place anywhere they wish - their garden - in a Marquee or in any other grand building - their choice.

If you want to train and be a wedding celebrant Eric will train you, you don't need a degree, you just need common sense and hopefully a loving, happy, romantic disposition.

Eric’s wedding celebrant training is priced at £450.00 pp

This includes a two-module – learn at home study – plus a one-day class style teaching in Melksham Wiltshire to complete the course.

If you are interested, please call him now on 07770 625378 or 01225 704625

1to1 training is also offered for an additional fee of £50.00 (£500.00)

25/04/2022

Eric Gill

Celebrant Training

Eric Gill co-founder of the County Celebrants Network has been successfully training Celebrants for over 10 years and has established an enviable group of Professional Celebrants in his Network.

Still training celebrants in Wiltshire, he now caters to those of you that find it hard to get away for long periods or wish to travel far, by developing 2 easy to learn courses.

A 3 Module + a 2-day Class style training Funeral Celebrant course. £750.00
A 2 Module + a 1 Day class style Wedding Celebrant course. £450.00

Students can study the modules on their own, in their own time, either at home or wherever suits them. The Classroom training can be mutually arranged to suit.

For more information call or text Eric on 07770 625378 or email [email protected]

10/04/2022

Really good reaction to the new training website www.reflectandcelebrate.com

Brand new funeral celebrant training courses. Celebrant training courses.

24/03/2022

Eric’s launched his New website www.reflectandcelebrate.com and he is creating a bit of a stir. People are saying « how can he train celebrants at such a reasonable price ? » well, Eric costed it out and it all adds up, plus every candidate has the opportunity to join his Network too, so it’s a no brainier according to Eric Gill - why not check it out?

Brand new funeral celebrant training courses. Celebrant training courses.

16/02/2022

Funeral Celebrant
Eric Gill’s
3 Module + 2-day Class Course.

His Philosophy

Eric is convinced that while conventional skills training gives people new techniques and methods, it doesn’t always develop maturity, belief, or courage, so essential for the development of a successful Celebrant.

Therefore, in his opinion performance and capability are ultimately dependent on people's attitude and emotional maturity.

Because of these factors, Eric’s Training focuses on developing people as well as their skills, providing learning and experiences relevant to their own personal interest, development, and fulfillment.

His unique, style of part distance learning and a 2-day classroom teaching is called ‘Direct & Supported Celebrant Learning’.
A program designed to develop confidence, initiative, and problem-solving capabilities among his students.

In this course, Eric will reveal typical scenarios, show how to handle certain situations that can sometimes evolve in a Celebrant’s career –
He will explain how visiting bereaved and grieving families demands a degree of emotional intelligence principles and a caring attitude, one that fits very well with modern approaches but also has traditional values.

His ambition is to teach you to be an excellent funeral celebrant, and to be conducting funerals within a month of completing the course.

If you decide to enroll in his course he will send you 3 detailed modules, either emailed over to your PC or phone or be delivered by USB to your door. This allows you an opportunity to understand how the Funeral Business operates, thus underlying the celebrant role.

Then approximately 1 month later you will complete your training by attending a 2-day classroom ‘ready to do the job’ conclusion of the course session.

He will teach you how to speak, how to write eulogies, and how to write and deliver complete services, there will be writing assignments during these days so please bring a laptop- Eric will guide you from start to finish.

He expects your total commitment. You have got to understand the role you will play in people’s lives.

Training to be a Funeral Celebrant necessitates dedication and involvement from the start.

With confidence and integrity, emotionally, you automatically become more proactive, you will become solution-focused, and responsive, breeding self-confidence, leading to your being an understanding celebrant.

Modules

• 1. The Funeral Business & Ritual & Ceremony in Society

• 2. Bereavement and Grief

• 3. Celebrants: The New Vision of Meeting Needs + Examples of Services

Followed by a 2-day class conclusion of the course - ready to the job.

29/12/2021

County Celebrant Training
By Eric Gill

Many Associations like the County Celebrant Training programs face the challenge of developing greater confidence, initiative, solutions, and problem-solving capabilities, among their students.

Most Celebrant Societies need members at all levels to be more self-sufficient, resourceful, creative, and autonomous.

This behavior enables members to operate independently, which makes their societies more productive and competitive.

People's efforts produce bigger results. It is what all organizations strive to achieve.

However, while conventional skills training gives people new techniques and methods, it will not develop their maturity, belief, or courage, which is so essential for the development of successful Celebrant’s capabilities.

Because of these factors, County Celebrant Training focuses on developing the person, not the skills.

Training a celebrant, one must try to see things from the person's (your student's) point of view. Provide learning and experiences that they would like for their own personal interest, development, and fulfillment.

Performance and capability are ultimately dependent on people's attitude and emotional maturity.

Help them to achieve what they want on a personal level, and this provides a platform for trust, 'emotional contracting' with the organisation, and subsequent skills/process/knowledge development relevant to managing higher responsibilities, roles, and teams.

CCT participative role-play teaching works well in beginning this type of attitudinal development. It involves the student right from the start.

It focuses on the job. It’s a personal development mentoring scheme that immediately begins to set the scene by creating eulogies, structure and thus building ceremony.

Of course, being a Funeral Celebrant starts with the person, not the skills. It is vitally important to have a caring attitude and emotional maturity.

Visiting bereaved and grieving families demands a degree of emotional intelligence principles and methodologies that fit very well with modern approaches to developing people's belief, maturity, and attitude.

When people develop confidence and integrity, emotionally, they automatically become more proactive, solutions-focused, responsive, etc., which across a whole spectrum has a cumulative effect and breeds self confidence to be an understanding celebrant.

If you think you have all these traits, then why not sign up to be trained?

Eric has courses throughout the year in Melksham Wiltshire. They consist of 3 modules (sent monthly) that prepare you in advance and teach you everything you need to know about the Funeral business. These modules are detailed, and all have questionnaires to be completed by the student sent in advance of a two days ‘learn how to do the job’ training session in Melksham, where the following will be taught or explained:

• Learning to understanding the role a celebrant
• How to communicate with Bereaved Families
• How to deal with unusual scenarios
• Learn how to handle awkward family situations
• Write and deliver a Eulogy
• Write and deliver a complete service
• How to advertise and market yourself
• Regular support from your Mentor.

The student will now be set to take on the role of a Funeral Celebrant.

Courses are £900.00 pp with a deposit of £200.00 required in advance to secure the booking. The balance (£700.00) is required one month prior to the course date.

If you require an overnight stay, there is a Travel lodge nearby and early bookings get cheaper rates.

Once trained County Celebrants Membership is offered to the candidate for a small subscription of £10.00 per month. Membership offers the following benefits:

• Membership of a Professional Network
• Small monthly subscription fee
• No engagement commission payable to the Network
• Liability insurance of GBP 5 million pounds
• 250 Personalized ‘Branded’ business cards
• Personal Indemnity Insurance
• Certificate of Authentication
• County Listings on this website – see ‘Celebrant Members’
https://www.countycelebrantsnetwork.com/celebrant-member-list/
• Personal page to display photographs and reviews – see
https://www.countycelebrantsnetwork.com/celebrant-member-list/diana-saxby/
• An CCN Identification Badge
• CCN page see https://www.facebook.com/ericrgillcelebrant
• The comfort of knowing that despite being an independent Civil Celebrant you have the backing of the Network!

2022 course dates:

March

Monday 7th & Tuesday 8th

June

Monday 6th & Tuesday 8th

September

Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th

December

Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th


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