Bex Norris Celebrant

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Bex Norris Celebrant

I'm an independent wedding, funeral & family celebrant in Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex, London and beyo

We all have so much choice these days; from our coffee (decaff latte thanks) to our next Netflix binge, yet with our most important life events, many of us still settle for the status quo, without realising how many choices we actually have. As an independent celebrant I can create and deliver a ceremony for all of life's meaningful moments, but the 'how' is up to you. You are free to choose the s

tyle, format and content of your celebration - whether an intimate wedding, big party for a vow renewal, get together to welcome a new baby or child, or a farewell for a loved one. And if you're not sure where to begin, then don't worry, I will bring my experience, creative mind and sensitivity and together we will create a memorable celebration that is just right for you. Get in touch to book a date, chat choices or find out more:

[email protected]
07455 793 493

06/09/2022

What are symbolic rituals?

Symbolic rituals are a lovely way to add an extra layer of meaning to any ceremony that celebrates two or more people coming together. Each ceremony ritual can be done in different ways, with unique wording and meaning to suit you and your celebration.

Below are some ideas - but not an exhaustive list.

Unity Candle
A couple or members of a family light individual taper candles and then a central unity candle together, to symbolise that a united flame is stronger than the individual flames

Sand Ceremony
Layers of coloured sand are combined in a vessel to symbolise the coming together of two or more people. The sand cannot be separated once it has been combined

Ring Warming/Blessing
A couple’s rings are passed around guests during the ceremony and are ‘warmed’ or ‘blessed’ by people’s well wishes and prayers before the couple exchange their rings.

Handfasting
An ancient Celtic ritual in which hands are tied together to symbolize the binding of two lives (think tying the knot…) This can be done by the couple, but sometimes people choose to involve other family members.

Rose Ceremony
A couple may give each other a rose, or they may give a rose to a member of the other’s family.

Wine box ceremony
A couple or family choose a bottle of wine (or champagne, or gin, or port or something soft…) and seal it in a beautiful box with a card or letter written to your partner (or child). The wine box is then opened on your first wedding anniversary (or 18th birthday etc) when the note is read and the wine is drunk. The tradition can then be repeated…

Other Ritual Ideas:
· Tree planting
· Footprint making
· Fingerprint tree pictures
· Gift giving

Feel free to give me a call to chat more about your ceremony and how we might include a symbolic ritual.

30/08/2022

I love this quote by Pablo Neruda, the 20th Century Chilean poet and politician.

There is so much focus and pressure on falling in love in a relationship – don’t get me wrong, the falling in love bit is amazing, but it’s unsustainable to stay in that can’t eat, can’t sleep, delirious, heightened state for any length of time. Neruda’s quote makes me think of landing in love. Once the dizzy delirium and fizz of emotions fades, once the dust settles – does the one you are with make you feel safe, centred and free?

23/08/2022

Wedding prep lessons from a whippet

1. Keep your sights on the main thing

Whippets are sight hounds who spot movement and give chase with lightning speed. But if something distracts them, then it’s all over…

So keep your eyes fixed on what is important to you as a couple for your wedding day and don’t lose sight of the main thing(s). When you get engaged, everyone has advice and opinions about everything! I know you know… So don’t get side-tracked by what Aunty Bev thinks, or what Fred and Freda did at their wedding… Keep things simple. You might find it helpful to write down the things that are most important to you, and how you want your ceremony and celebration to feel and to use that as a filter.

2. Pace Yourselves – Know when to work and when to rest

Whippets are equally at home zooming around the park, darting, zigzagging and turning on a sixpence, as curled up on the sofa (no judgement please), or in a patch of sunshine sleeping for hours. They love to go hard and then they love to rest.

So… pace yourselves. Be as organised as you can be but take some time to enjoy the process and make sure you plan down time to rest and recover. Try to avoid wedmin fatigue.

3. Keep things sweet

When my husband told me he wanted a whippet – I didn’t know the breed well and my response was ‘What? One of those skinny dogs! But are they cuddly?’ Whippets are soooo affectionate. Our whippet Flo comes and asks for cuddles. She is endlessly sweet natured, gracious, calm and undemanding. She makes our home calmer and kinder.

So… in the inevitable stress of to do lists and unforeseen headaches, find your inner whippet and try to be kind to whoever you are living with and especially your wife or husband to be. Snuggle up on the sofa, or go for a walk and enjoy being engaged, as well as looking forward to the big day.

Whippets are 🤗

16/08/2022

It can be hard to share feedback from funerals. Photos are rarely appropriate, and messages can be very personal at a sensitive time for people.

But when you get a message as lovely, warm and encouraging as this one, it sums up why I love writing and delivering funerals and celebrations of life.

It's always a privilege to walk closely with people at such a significant time in their lives. And this funeral was a joy to be part of, as we celebrated a long life, well lived and well loved.

Many people don't realise that you can have a really personalised funeral, or that you can choose your funeral celebrant. I would love to help people have a really positive experience as they are celebrating and remembering a loved one who has died.

08/08/2022

Let's talk about girls (and boys) and baby namings and hope for the future...

I don’t know about you, but I am still on a high from the Lionesses’ brilliant UEFA Women’s Euros’ win just over a week ago.

I watched it with my 3 sons, who all kept asking me why I was SO emotional…
I told them that I wasn’t allowed to play football when I was young, and that I was feeling sad for all the opportunities and fun missed by SO many girls for far too long. But that I was also celebrating all that it means for girls today and in the years to come.

If you missed it, check out 12 year old Lacey Nicholls’ poem, ‘Yes I’m That Girl’. Lacey plays footy for Sheffield United RTC U13s. She writes with freedom and strength (a bit like how the lionesses play) as she encourages us all to enjoy the women’s game. We are and we will, thanks Lacey!

What an exciting time to be raising littlies – in a world where girls playing and excelling at footy is normal, with role models to light their path and fuel their ambition.

And of course, this historic moment is about so much more than football. It’s a celebration of ‘dedication, passion, hard work and desire’ to borrow some of Lacey’s words, as women and men over the decades have fought for change. And the impact of this change will be far reaching as little girls and boys have the freedom to pursue their passions whatever they may be.

So, if you are expecting a baby girl or have a little girl – congratulations! (and if you are expecting a boy, or have a little boy already – same!) And if you’re considering a naming or welcome ceremony to celebrate your little one’s safe arrival and to declare some intentions for their future, then I’d love to help. My boys will tell you I adore little children and would love to create a meaningful ceremony that suits you and your family.

Keira Whittle’s poem ‘I hope that my daughter always uses her voice’ might be worth considering if you have a girl.

Whether your girl is ‘bold, powerful, bright, sporty, creative, kind or inquisitive,’ I hope she uses her voice and finds her lioness’ roar!

26/07/2022

Hello! I'm Bex, an independent celebrant, creating vibrant, authentic and unique ceremonies for weddings, funerals, vow renewals, baby namings and family celebrations.

My background is in 'people' jobs: teaching and then as a community leader in the not-for-profit sector.
Now I get to walk with people at significant times of their lives - spending time with people and helping bring their vision to life for marking and celebrating all the significant moments.

I love a good book, shooting the breeze, podcasts and walking everywhere fast.

I live in the Surrey Hills with my husband, 3 sons and Flo, the fastest whippet on the planet.

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www.bexnorriscelebrant.co.uk

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It can be hard to share feedback from funerals. Photos are rarely appropriate, and messages can be very personal at a sensitive time for people. But when you get a message as lovely, warm and encouraging as this one, it sums up why I love writing and delivering funerals and celebrations of life. It's always a privilege to walk closely with people at such a significant time in their lives. And this funeral was a joy to be part of, as we celebrated a long life, well lived and well loved. Many people don't realise that you can have a really personalised funeral, or that you can choose your funeral celebrant. I would love to help people have a really positive experience as they are celebrating and remembering a loved one who has died. #funeral #funeralcelebrant #funeralcelebrants #funeralcelebrantuk #funeralcelebrantsurrey #celebrationoflife #celebrationoflife #doingdeathdifferently #surreycelebrant #surreycelebrants #celebrant #celebrantceremony #celebrantledceremony

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