Lemonade Ceremonies

22/11/2024

NATIONAL FUNERAL CELEBRANTS DAY

Thank YOU for all the support ♥️

So we go from World Celebrant Week to National Funeral Celebrants Day…that’s a whole lotta bragging! But hey, that’s because we really LOVE what we do ♥️.

On National Funeral Celebrants Day I’m thinking about all the people I want to thank for helping me be here ♥️

⭐️ The families who have chosen me as their Celebrant
⭐️ The friends who have recommended me
⭐️ The funeral directors who work hand-in-hand to make services perfect (funeral directors care more than you can imagine)
⭐️ Venues who encourage Celebrants for memorials and wakes
⭐️ The crematorium staff who are committed to perfection
⭐️ Celebrant Colleagues who are always available to answer questions and give support
⭐️ My family and loved ones who back me all the way…and especially my mum who suggested I enter this weird and wonderful business in the first place ♥️

20/11/2024

PERSONALISING A CELEBRATION OF LIFE 💛🌼💛

Did you know that a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life is full of choices? You are not limited to what is expected, what is the “norm”, or just what a funeral director suggests.

Starting with a Celebrant - the choice is always yours! Many people believe that they have to use a recommended supplier that may be linked to a funeral director, but that’s not the case. You can you choose anyone that is right for you 💛.

You can also create personal orders of service, display photos and reminders of your loved one, and do anything that makes your goodbye exactly what you want 💛.

Today’s family not only designed and printed booklets as the order of service, they also shared their tributes alongside my words, and brought thank you cards with bags of daffodil bulbs for guests to take home and plant as a reminder of their mother 🌼. I will be planting my bulbs tomorrow and think of this very special woman every spring 💛.

16/11/2024

Being part of a Gift of a Wedding was such a highlight of my year ♥️. A beautiful charity making dreams come true ♥️.

CELEBRATING OUR CELEBRANTS!

There are no words to express the gratitude we feel for the 100's of celebrants who have supported Gift of a Wedding over the years. Their heartfelt and poignant ceremonies are what make our days special.

In honour of World Celebrants Week 2024 which takes place from Friday, November 15th 2024 to Thursday 21st November 2024, we want to recognise the work they do all around the UK and let them know how much we appreciate them.

WHAT IS A CELEBRANT?
They are people who perform or officiate ceremonies such as weddings, vow renewals, baby namings, funerals, interments and memorials.

Thanks again celebrants all over the UK, we could not fulfil wedding dreams and create wonderful memories without you!

Team gift of a Wedding 💜

15/11/2024

WORLD CELEBRANTS WEEK - DAY 4

WHAT IS MY CELEBRANT SUPERPOWER?

It’s hard to answer this without sounding totally arrogant! But I’ve been having a think about it and I remembered a recent review that referred to me as UNFLAPPABLE. I love this description and as a Celebrant it’s really important that I can cope with anything on the day and I like to think I can.

I’ve been tested with a missing bride, a tipsy groom, broken glass in the aisle, crying children, phones ringing, ring doorbells making announcements, an owl landing on my arm, and all sorts of moments that add memories to a ceremony. They’ve all ended with a calm Celebrant, a successful ceremony, a happy couple, and a smiling group of guests.

So amongst all the usual superpowers that every Celebrant needs, I would say my USP is my UNFLAPPABILITY ⭐️🤩💛.

Try saying that 10 times in a row!!

This photo has absolutely NOTHING to do with me being a Celebrant, but you’ve seen plenty of those so I decided to share this one of a local cabaret evening with - a performer fuelled by superpowers ⚡️.

And what a great excuse to select this theme tune as the music ⚡️⭐️🚀

13/11/2024

WORLD CELEBRANTS WEEK - DAY 3
MY FAVOURITE BIT

In short: THE STORY

A bit longer: Today’s post brings me to Funerals because those are the ceremonies keeping me busy at the moment. At the heart of all ceremony is a story. More importantly, a carefully crafted story written and shared with love, kindness and a little bit of humour.

Meeting with families to plan a loving funeral ceremony is always a privilege, sometimes a challenge, and never a bore. Everyone has a great story and as a celebrant I have the honour of making sure it is heard 💛.

Thank you to families and to funeral directors entrusting me with this rewarding task 🧡.

Photo by me of my view at Worthing Crematorium.

12/11/2024

WORLD CELEBRANTS WEEK - DAY 2

THREE REASONS TO CHOOSE A CELEBRANT ⭐️⭐️⭐️

1 - You’ll be smiling as big as the two lovebirds in this photo ♥️.

2 - You can include awesome things like handfasting and literally tie the knot on your wedding day 🧡.

3 - Your friends and family won’t have to listen to another boring and generic wedding ceremony. Yours will surprise them, make them laugh and keep them talking for months to come 💛.

Thank you for the joyous photo and to Emma & Josh for being as kind, loving, happy and generous as two people could be with one another. ♥️🧡💛

11/11/2024

WORLD CELEBRANTS WEEK

I seemed to have lost my social media mojo after a busy summer of ceremonies and socialising, so this seems like a great week to get posting again 💛.

Thanks to for the nudge and to for this loving photo of Charlotte & Matthew from their summer wedding in the New Forest ⭐️.

I’m Melanie and I’ve been lucky enough to call myself an Independent Celebrant for almost five years. Leaving a job that I didn’t enjoy and training to do something completely different was a risky proposition, but one I’ve never regretted 🤩.

I started with weddings, but soon expanded into funerals. Sometimes I get asked which I prefer, but there is no easy answer to that. I love stories, people and ceremonies! Whether it’s a love story or a life story, I believe that everyone has a great one and crafting that story into a memorable tale to share is my passion.

I’ve written and shared stories at weddings, vow renewals, baby namings, commitments, funerals, memorials and life celebrations 💛. I’ve been asked to create some different ceremonies next year and can’t wait to share new ideas with you! Ceremony has no boundaries 💛.

Thank you to those who have trusted me with their stories xoxo

08/11/2024

PERSONAL, UPLIFTING AND MUSICAL FAREWELLS

Today we celebrated a man who loved music, specifically prog rock, and even more specifically Pink Floyd. Opening with the lyrics to The Great Gig In The Sky and closing with the lyrics to Eclipse felt like the perfect personal tribute to a man who loved playing these songs on his guitar. 🎸

The wonderful Funeral Director even brought along her Bluetooth speaker so we could listen to Shine On You Crazy Diamond during a moment of reflection and lowering of the coffin. I think it may have been the most excitement the cemetery has seen in a while. 🎸

Funerals are about doing what is right for your loved one, your family, and yourself. Traditions are great if that’s what you want, but it’s also alright if you want to mix it up, play rock music, have a toast at the service, and dare I say, laugh a little. 🎸

💛 www.farewellsbymelanie.co.uk 💛

05/11/2024

A beautiful location for a celebrant-led weddings and other ceremonies 💛

14/10/2024

AUTUMN WEDDING SEASON 🍃🍁🍂

The days are shorter, the temperatures are lower, and the rain is more reliable…but there are also many reasons to love this time of year. I love the changing leaves, getting cosy under a soft blanket, lighting pumpkin candles, and most of all…preparing gorgeous ceremonies for couples that love the changing seasons 🍁.

From Halloween themes to November nuptials and even to the winter solstice, there are some really wonderful ways to celebrate 🧡.

To those of you getting ready for your autumn weddings…get cosy, make a hot toddy, and relax in the knowledge that you won’t have to worry about the weather (you will be indoors), that your guests won’t be on their summer holidays or double booked for other weddings, and that everyone (guests and suppliers) will be grateful for a cheery event as winter draws nearer 🍁.

Happy planning and I’ll see you soon 🧡🍁🍂

PHOTOS: Two years ago I took a solo bucket list trip of America, visiting all the places I’d never been despite living there for almost 30 years. Top of the list was New England to see the changing leaves in the “Fall”. It did not disappoint!! 🍁🍁🍁

14/10/2024

A great morning of networking with the Corporate Ladies Club hosted by Sage House by Dementia Support and held at the beautiful The Goodwood Hotel. Thank you all for the time and inspiration 🧡. We have a truly wonderful network of corporate women in our city 💛.

And no, the photo has nothing to do with the meeting, but it seemed strange to post without a shameless promotional photo 🤩!

06/10/2024

When businesses collide 🧡! How great is this cake with my backdrop 🩷.

A simple way to style your ceremony & your cake!

This ‘it’s a love story’ autumnal frame & light belongs to the lovely lemonade_ceremonies. We met at a recent wedding showcase & I just couldn’t resist asking to grab a photo of my cake here.. imagine repurposing your ceremony decor to really set the scene for your wedding cake! Simple & effective.

30/09/2024

‘TIS THE SEASON…no, not for that…but for WEDDING FAIRS 🩷

After a wonderful day talking all things ceremony in Chichester yesterday, I’m looking forward to strutting my stuff and hearing about your wedding at the Barnham Wedding Fayre next Sunday 🧡.

There will be another group of great suppliers to meet and greet, so come taste the cake, see the photos, gawp at the decorations, and start planning the best bit…THE CEREMONY 🧡🧡🧡.

I hope to see you on Sunday ♥️

23/09/2024

If you’d like to meet me and talk about your wedding ceremony, this is where I will be on Sunday from 11-3. ♥️

Join me along with some other fabulous selected suppliers to start planning your dream wedding ♥️. The coordinators from will also be on hand at this stunning location to show you around and answer questions.

Let’s talk about YOUR LOVE STORY!! ♥️

31/08/2024

CELEBRANT AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, AND YMCA LESSONS 🍒🍒🍒

It’s always a great day out volunteering with the Dickie Bows & Petticoats Club in Chichester. What could be more fun than cabaret acts, afternoon tea, bingo with Dawn, and dancing in the daytime…all whilst getting local sassy seniors out for the afternoon.

If you know someone who loves a good time but might need a little encouragement to get out, send me a message or check out for more details. If they’re lucky, I might show them how to Y.M.C.A. 😂! Hopefully that’s got you singing along 🤩!

26/08/2024

A beautiful blank canvas 💛 Open for visits on September 29th 💛

Blank Canvas 🎨

We say it all the time, but it's true - every wedding ceremony that takes place in The Guildhall looks different, and we love that! 💕

The Guildhall provides you with a perfect blank canvas to make your own. Add a pop of colour with a simple flower arrangement, a petal aisle or a carpet runner, or go all out with a focal ceremonial arch! 🌺

How would you style The Guildhall? Come along to our Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 29th September to discuss your ideas!

We'll be open from 11am until 3pm to showcase what we can offer for your wedding day. Admission is free, but we ask that you book your space online in advance: https://buff.ly/4dZlYNd

Our team of wedding co-ordinators and a team of suppliers will be on hand all day to talk you through a wedding ceremony at The Guildhall and answer any questions you might have.



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20/08/2024

I LOVE A NAMING CEREMONY! ☀️💛 AND UNFLAPPABLE IS MY FAVOURITE WORD USED IN A REVIEW!!

I was thrilled to receive this lovely review of a baby naming ceremony at West Wittering Beach. It proves that ceremonies don’t have to be complicated, expensive, or stressful. This gorgeous family chose to celebrate their young son with friends and family who flew in from all over the world for a fun reunion at the beach.

They chose a perfect spot, set up a wind breaker, brought folding chairs and blankets, had a table of hot drinks, pastries and bubbles, and had me as the celebrant to tell their family story. It was followed by friends (aka Oddparents) sharing commitments, reading poems, and generally making a fuss of the bouncing baby boy!

A few went swimming while others built sand castles and they all followed to a local pub for lunch. It was a perfect and wonderfully executed celebration. ☀️💛🏖️