Melanie Gail - Civil Celebrant

06/09/2022

Joyful and fun - I just adored working with M and S to get the relaxed and fun vibe just right for them. It was great to meet their family and friends (surprised to find I knew some of them) and be a part of their very wonderful and special day. The children played a key part of the ceremony and it very much felt like the joining of two big families with all the relatives included. Happy days.

24/07/2022

Have you seen the Law Commission's proposals for Wedding Law Reform in England & Wales?

Are you in favour?

They propose moving to an officiant-based system - regulating the officiant rather than the venue. This would open up a whole new variety of outdoor venues for legally binding ceremonies! 💚

This could also pave the way for legally binding celebrant-led weddings - but that will be a secondary decision for government so we'll need to make sure MPs understand the important role celebrants play in the wedding industry.

If you support this reform, please spread the word by sharing this badge on your socials.

The decision is now in the hands of the government - so let's demonstrate just how much support there is for this! 🙌

To read the recommendations, visit https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/weddings/


Give Couples Choice Movement

07/06/2022

What a charming courtyard wedding for this gorgeous couple . It was warm , intimate and a really beautiful day and I loved helping them make their dream come true .

31/03/2022

Great colours add that pizzazz we need in photos . Rhiannon chose this wonderful rainbow curtain for a brilliant backdrop . Details make the difference .

10/01/2022

Good morning! Just enjoying my tea as i prepare my day to start writing 3 wedding ceremonies for this year . I'm so excited about working with my couples this year. Lots of fun ahead and each ceremony is a new story unique, warm and very personal, just like my tea 😊

01/11/2021

Yes! I love my job - especially finding out about how couples meet, and what makes them want to be together. I get to listen to all the details and then write about it in a wonderful ceremony. Happy days.
Thanks Matt and Laura for sharing your story with me. xx

17/10/2021

Who knew you could have an outdoor wedding in North Yorkshire without getting rained on ? All you need is a fabulous tipi nearby- keep the countryside close whilst you and your guests stay dry. Lake Henry was the venue for this . Photographer Nicole Wilcox

24/09/2021

Autumn and winter colours are my favourites as I love the idea of warming things up - soups, fireplaces and getting cosy under a blanket - maybe with a hot chocolate... . Is this the right season for your wedding or are you more a summer/spring sort of person?

14/09/2021

What do I do in my free time? Well if I'm lucky, I get to go on a photo shoot which is like a big pretend wedding with amazing suppliers.. Here's one I was doing at Lake Henry near Northallerton, last week.

27/07/2021

Love isn't always perfect - This is a beautiful poem chosen by one of my couples to express what is hard to say in those few words we use to say how we feel. It might inspire you to choose it or something similar.

love is not always perfect it is not a fairytale or a story book and it does not always come easy love is overcoming obstacles facing challenges fighting to be together holding on and never letting go. i' t is a short word easy to spell difficult to define and impossible to live without. love is work, but most of all love is realizing that every hour every minute and every second was worth it because you did it together .i would give up everything for one moment with you for one moment is better than a life time of not knowing you thank god i found you every time i say i love you i'm really trying to say so much more than those three little words. i'm trying to say you mean more to me than anyone in the world i'm trying to let you know that i adore you and cherish the time we spent together i'm trying to explain that i want you and i need you and that i get lost in wonderful thoughts every time i think of you and each time i wiper i love you i'm trying to explain that you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. true love is when you are willing to change everything about yourself to make that person happy, but finding they don't want you to change at all it's crazy the way you see someone for two minutes of the day and finding yourself wanting the entire 23 hours and 58 minutes to pass as quick as possible. i am in love with everything about you the way you smile and the way you laugh but most of all the way you make me smile and the way you make me laugh something happened to me it was the sweetest thing that could ever be. i' t was a fantasy a dream come true. it started the day i meet you there are three great things in third world the first thing is for you to love someone the second thing is for someone to love you back and the third greatest thing is for the first and second thing to happen at the same time.
i love you
tammy davis

20/07/2021

Which traditions would you like to include in your wedding? Walking down the aisle, ring exchange, signing, vows and the kiss .....you can have all, some or none as your wedding is designed just for you. Celebrants get to know you and your tastes and start from there.

13/06/2021

What a great place for a really relaxed wedding
Alexander weddings at Lake Henry

27/02/2021

Feel free to add your words to the board

Kudoboard is an online replacement for the greeting card that you pass around and sign!

04/02/2021

Lots of amazing people work behind the scenes in the funeral world - with warmth and sensitivity https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2021/feb/03/loved-ones-not-numbers-inside-a-british-funeral-business-in-covid-times?fbclid=IwAR3tlPR-2t8Lk7HjFKkEkj3Y50bRb44RPjHY-qY01eoDlMpYrEOriGoOTUw

Photojournalist Hannah McKay spent a day at W Uden & Sons, where staff provided a rare glimpse into love, death and grieving

04/02/2021

As many celebrants say , this warm fuzzy feeling is why we do our job. It's really satisfying to help a family at their time of need and extra nice to be appreciated.

31/01/2021

I hadn't realised the importance of training to take baby photos but it all makes good sense.

North Yorkshire Newborn Photographer - Newborn Safety Blog Post. Fully Trained Newborn Photographer

28/01/2021

26/01/2021

Sometimes it's hard to think of what to say to someone who is grieving. Here are some ideas to help you.

https://melaniegail.co.uk/what-should-you-say-at-a-funeral-so-you-dont-upset-anyone-heres-my-guide-of-what-you-could-say-and-also-what-not-to-say/

Here are some ideas, but most of your message will be communicated through your eyes, facial expression and tone of voice. Make sure you look sincere and focus on the person. They may be feeling numb,lost and hurt so your gentle familiar tone and face will help bring them one step closer to feeling....

25/01/2021

As a wedding celebrant in North Yorkshire, Melanie Gail shares her top predictions to look out for in 2021. The coronavirus pandemic has put the future of big scale weddings into question, with the restrictions being placed events which has forced many couples to change their original wedding plans....

09/01/2021

Good morning everyone. Doesn't the sun lift your spirits

21/12/2020

Happy Winter Solstice . Brighter, lighter days are coming. Love and light to you all ###

16/12/2020

Celebrant, Humanist, Registrar - who does what and how can I choose the right one for me? Here's a guide I wrote for Outdoor Ceremonies. https://melaniegail.co.uk/wedding-celebrants-humanists-and-registrars-its-all-a-bit-confusing-who-does-what-how-do-you-know-which-one-is-right-for-you-heres-the-guide-i-wrote-for-outdoor-ceremonies-which-explains-th/

In this blog we outline the differences between key types of officiants and offer our top tips on how to choose the right celebrant for you!

09/11/2020

https://melaniegail.co.uk/everyone-has-heard-of-something-old-something-new-but-where-does-this-idea-come-from-why-are-horseshoes-given-to-a-bride-why-do-we-toss-the-bouquet/

Weddings are so steeped in traditional and even superstition that even the most unconventional of couples may wish to include couple of these popular wedding traditions into their special day. Here we look at some of the most popular and enduring traditions. Mix things up if you’re hosting a same-...

13/10/2020

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54512833

Hopefully I will never see this happen but if any of my clients want to have The Lord's Prayer recited at a funeral, then I'm fine with that. In fact any prayer is ok. We can use our common sense to say it quietly and not chant. It's a quiet and calming part of many ceremonies and should be included if you want it to be.

Alison Davies says she was told off by a council official after she invites Lord's Prayer recital.

08/10/2020

08/10/2020

It's so nice to get postive feedback. It makes me smile.

I was delighted to get this feedback and wanted to share it with you....
"She listened to our story and I could see we were in good hands. She understood our vibe and created a ceremony all about us. "

05/10/2020

Once upon a time, we travelled to London for a theatre trip. I love a bit of theatrical fun and my daughter seems to enjoy the stage too! She had a little solo spot in a west end show and loved it all. Hope to revisit some shows online this year and in person next year

19/09/2020

I love this idea for quirky table numbering - just another way to add personal touches to your special day and a good conversation opener for your guests to use too.

11/09/2020

So that you don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing

07/09/2020

Planning a naming ceremony

If you want to celebrate your wonderful newborn, and don’t fancy a religious service, why not try a naming ceremony? Read my top tips…
These types of ceremonies may suit you better if you don’t have a specific faith. Melanie Gail agrees: ‘Many people who aren’t religious want a ceremony that they can make special in a way that suits them, and a time and place that they choose.’
What to expect:
A naming ceremony is a happy occasion full of warmth and laughter, attended by all sorts of family and friends – and more often than not, lots of children!
It can take place anywhere that you choose and that could be somewhere like your own home or in your local pub or anywhere you feel comfortable and happy. Your celebrant will organise it in a way that works for you and will have some suggestions to help you have the celebration that you want.
Where to start:
Decide if you are going to use a celebrant and have a look for one locally.
You can try the https://www.thecelebrantdirectory.com/ or just search on the internet for a local civil celebrant.

Top tips…
• You need to think about the type of readings or music you want, and who you would like to contribute to the occasion. For example, are there other children or grandparents you’d like to involve?
• Many people still like to have godparents, but might call them mentors or guardians instead.
• It’s about welcoming your baby the way you choose – don’t be talked into doing something you’re not comfortable with because a relative disapproves of the way you do things.
The legal bit
However you mark the event, don’t forget that you have a legal obligation to officially register the birth of your child. In England and Wales that means you need to make an appointment at your local Register office. You need to get things sorted out within 42 days of the birth in England and Wales; 21 days for Scotland.