Shelley Bell - Independent Celebrant

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Shelley Bell - Independent Celebrant

Fun, full of zest and curiousity, I am a Celebrant who loves to tell your stories.
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18/11/2024

💕 Monday Motivation 💕

💕 When was the last time you experienced real Joy? what caused it?
I've been exploring curiousity and discovering that here is where the magic lies.
When we were kids and allowed ourselves to make mistakes we'd ask "What's that", "How does that work" and to explore the possibilities of "what does this button do?" before it possibly end in disaster. But in between disaster and curiosity you can often find joy.

💕 Rather than asking someone new what they do, ask them what fascinates them. Watch as their little faces light up and they describe their love of film or music and often how something feels or makes them feel - this is why people still love vinyl, its not just the music but the feel of the record, the album art, the information on the sleeve, the ritual of putting the needle down and hearing that initial crackle of the stylus.

💕 So today why not choose joy by being curious, open to questions and the mysteries that leave us in awe.....what wonders might you discover....?

15/11/2024

💕 Funeral Friday - Permission to Grieve 💕

💕 This Friday I wanted to share with you a poem I found on Instagram that I then discussed with my Bereavement Support Groups because it struck a chord with me but it made me want to get their thoughts.

💕 The conclusion is that when we are grieving sometimes we want to talk about our people, sometimes we have days where we are exhausted and just want to be sad but other times we want to laugh and revel in the joys around us and that sometimes people don't know how to respond to us in our grief. The message in this poem is clear - It's OK.....

💕 In a survey by Savanta published in a Hospice UK Blog findings showed that 72% of those bereaved in. the last five years would rather friends and colleagues said the wrong thing rather than nothing at all...... It's OK...... just talk and be kind.

14/11/2024

💕 Testimonial Thursday 💕

💕 I've been playing with some new tools and I always wondered how to create a WordCloud - I know it'll be Venn Diagrams next!!

💕 I thought I would try to see what stood out if I took some client testimonials to see what words carried through the strongest and I am thrilled that at the heart of all I do is 'Ceremony'.

💕 There were also some lovely feelings - loved, special, wonderful, amazing and perfect. I know I had heard the feedback before but to see them prominent in a cloud of others some how hit differently.

💕 But don't just take my word for it, you can go back through all the testimonials on here, my websites, directories and Google to see comments made directly by the clients - these are not my words for them, these are legitimate responses.

💕 So, if you are looking for someone to create a 'Perfect' Ceremony for you, no matter what the venue, circumstance, style or content, I will help you to have the best event possible and to feel 'Wonderful'.

13/11/2024

💕 World Kindness Day 💕

💕 Today is and I wanted to let you know so you could get out there and share the love. It doesn't have to be complicated or costly, share a smile, hold a door open, pay someone a compliment, carry something for someone - all easy and free to do....

💕 The reality is that everyday we should be making an effort to be kind to those around us because we just have no idea what they might be going through. I often talk with my bereavement groups about the badges we were for the roles that we play - Mother, Sister, Daughter, Nan, Wife, Son, Husband, Brother, Friend, Grandad but rarely do we think about the ones we can't imagine - Grieving, Widow, Child Loss, Bereft, Devastated.....

So remember, whatever you choose. to be today, be kind .......

12/11/2024

💕 Have an Epic Event.....💕

💕 How?? Hire and Epic Event planner.......Me!!
Last year I qualified as an Event Planner an since then have been honing my skills at a couple of weddings and events and am ready for hire so you can have an Epic Event.

💕 To be clear, an event planner does most of the leg work. You tell me what you want and what your budget is and I'll get to work on that for you.
Or you can book all your vendors and let me know what you are including in the day and I will set up a timetable of events, liase with the suppliers and venue to make sure everything goes where it should, when it should, and then help co-ordinate the day for you.
Need a 'Gob on a Stick' for announcements and to wrangle your guests then I can do that too......

💕 Quotes are provided on a case by case basis depending on your wants and needs so get in touch to have a chat and let's see how I can take some of the strain out of your event planning and coordination and make it EPIC!!!

11/11/2024

💕 Armistice Day 💕

💕 Today is November 11th and no doubt there will have been lots of commemorative activities over the weekend for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

💕 The poppy's origin as a popular symbol of remembrance lies in the landscapes of the First World War and is an enduring symbol of Remembrance. Poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front. They flourished in the soil churned up by the fighting and shelling. The flower provided Canadian doctor John McCrae with inspiration for his poem 'In Flanders Fields', which he wrote whilst serving in Ypres in 1915. In response to McCrae's poem, American humanitarian Moina Michael wrote 'And now the Torch and Poppy Red, we wear in honor of our dead…'. She campaigned to make the poppy a symbol of remembrance of those who had died in the war.

💕 Artificial poppies were first sold in Britain in 1921 to raise money for the Earl Haig Fund in support of ex-servicemen and the families of those who had died in the conflict. They were supplied by Anna Guérin, who had been manufacturing the flowers in France to raise money for war orphans. Selling poppies proved so popular that in 1922 the British Legion founded a factory - staffed by disabled ex-servicemen - to produce its own. It continues to do so today.
Other charities sell poppies in different colours, each with their own meaning but all to commemorate the losses of war. White poppies, for example, symbolise peace without violence and purple poppies are worn to honour animals killed in conflict.

💕 So whilst you go about your business today, perhaps purchase a poppy or make a donation to The Royal British Legion for the support they continue to offer veterans of all conflicts.

08/11/2024

💕 Funeral Friday - Will Writing 💕

💕 Writing a Will can be quite daunting, full of legal jargon and needing to be notarised by a solicitor which can be costly - but did you know there was a way to get help with this for free or a small donation?

💕 November is Will Aid month and many charities offer a Will Writing service in return for a small gift in your Will to their cause, this is usually a really cost effective way of completing the process. Charities that take part (found from a quick google search) are;
🌸 Guide Dogs
🌸 RNLI
🌸 Alzheimers UK
🌸 Marie Curie
🌸 McMillan
or you can search https://www.willaid.org.uk/about and support seven different charities including Age UK, NSPCC, Christian Aid, The British Red Cross and Save the Children.

💕 You can search Martin Lewis' report on this on Money Saving Expert and remember that these Wills will only cover simple instructions, anything that involves complicated property matters for example will still need to go through a family solicitor but I highly recommend giving it a look and putting plans in place to have your wishes known asa soon as you can.

07/11/2024

💕 Be more Business..... 💕

💕 Brace yourself - I've been doing some market research and brands comparisons and I've come to the conclusion that I need to be more business.... But do I??

💕 Marketing these days is a bloody minefield and when I sit down and plan my Blogs and Social Media content (yes, I do put some thought into it) I try to match up thought provoking dates, traditions and ideas with the world of Celebrancy but I also try and include a bit of my thoughts and opinions because it helps you understand me, my brand and my product (which is more me!!).

💕 However, I have looked over some of my content and it can be a bit waffly and the links a little tenuous so, I am making a resolution to be More Business but I don't want it to be bland and stale so maybe you lovely people could tell me what works and what you enjoy.....?
I'm also going to attempt some reels/stories/video content but I absolutely hate this with a passion so it may or may not happen......
Please do share your thoughts, I'd really appreciate it :)

06/11/2024

💕 Blogtastic!! 💕

💕 I know you know, I know you have been religious with your fortnightly views of my ramblings and thought downloads, otherwise known as a Blog, but I thought it worth putting in a reminder for any of you that may have lapsed!

💕 What will you find at www.shelleybell.co.uk/blog?
🌸 Real Weddings
🌸 The inside scoop from my own Vow Renewal
🌸 My thoughts on the death of Liam Payne and how we handle deaths by su***de
🌸 Involving guests in wedding ceremonies

💕 I'll be honest, I don't always remember to do them, I am getting better and sometimes I get tied up in how to pose these things to an open audience so I stick all my thoughts into ChatGPT and get that to outline for me what I am trying to say.... but hopefully you'll find it acceptable, entertaining and thought provoking....

05/11/2024

💕 Remember, Remember..... the 5th November.... 💕

💕 Today, is November 5th, the date associated with Guy Fawkes (does anyone make a Guy anymore??) and the Gunpowder plot.
For some it's a joyous occasion of light and colour, spectacle and wonder, jacket potatoes and hot dogs. For others its dreaded for the explosions and noise and the stress to our beloved pets.

💕 Please remember to follow the instructions (if doing an at home display), keep your pets in and be mindful of your neighbours too and above all please stay safe and enjoy yourselves.

04/11/2024

💕 How do you spend your free time? 💕

💕 Don't worry, for now I'm not looking for volunteers!!
Over the past few weeks I've talked about daydreaming and using your imagination as ways to visualise how you wish to progress with a certain project or as a way of problem solving but I got to thinking, after a crazy busy couple of weeks - How do you spend your free time?

💕 You see, we always claim to be busy and never have enough time but are we doing the right thing with the time we have? But think about a wet and rainy Sunday afternoon, we have no plans, there's nothing pressing to be done - do you relish the opportunity to just be still and reflect or do you reach out for a distraction with noise and activity to take you out of yourself?

💕 Having these quiet periods is really important for our cognitive state and mental well being. It gives us time to get away from the sensory overload that can exist in workplaces or on public transport with noise, phones, music and bright lights surrounding us. The endless to do list means we forget other things and then panic because how do we fit that thing in now?? All the cortisol in our blood stream induces anxiety and prolonged exposure to this is not good for our minds, hearts and blood pressure.

💕 So, give yourself an afternoon off. get comfy, be peaceful, have a little daydream, consider whats been and whats ahead and just sit with it, make lists if you want but enjoy the quiet and calm for just a little while and feel your shoulders droop and your breathing deepen and remember this is how it should be......

01/11/2024

💕 Funeral Friday - Celebrating the Dead 💕

💕 I started this piece yesterday in recognition of all the cultures that will be remembering and celebrating their dead over the next few days - it really made me think about how we manage our grief and how our friends and family can still take up space and time in our lives in death just as easily as they dead in life, if only we let them.

🌸 Zhing Yoan Jie is recognised in China where it is believed the souls of the departed return looking for food and comfort and so offerings are left outside, however most people remain indoors.

🌸 In Korea the tradition Chuseok is observed and people return to their home towns to pay respects to their ancestors by maintaining their tombs and leave offerings of food and drink.

🌸 Oban is observed in Japan and families attend to graves and tombs to clean and dress them, before heading to their local river to float lanterns to represent the souls of spirits and then prayers are said at home based altars.

🌸 In the Phillipines Araw Ng Mga Patay is the day where souls of friends and family are commemorated and celebrated in prayers and merry making within the cemeteries.

💕 So, the question has to be, why our us Westerners so stuffy about death and remembrance? Perhaps you have your own traditions to remember those that have died in your family or community, please do share if you can......

31/10/2024

💕 Happy All Hallows Eve 💕

💕 In amongst all of the commercialised nonsense of skeletons, pumpkins and trick or treating there was a real tradition of using this time of year to remember our dead. As this weekend sees the advent of Diwali for the Hindu's, cultures all over the world will be celebrating their traditions of celebrating their dead ancestors - I'll spread this over the next 2 days as there are loads.

🌸 The origin of 'Trick or Treating' comes from the tradition of 'Souling' where food would be offered in. exchange for prayers said for the dead and dying.

🌸 In Guatemala on November 1st there is a Kite Festival held signifying All Soul's Day. The Evil Spirits are though to detest the sound the wind makes against the kites and so the soul's of the deceased can pass easily into the next world.

🌸 In Brazil families visit cemeteries on November 2nd for Dia De Finados. There is a mood of celebration as people remember and pay tribute to their loved ones.

🌸 In Mexico this Saturday they will celebrate Dia de Mu***os (Day of the Dead) where carnivals, street parties and celebrations filled with face paints and fire works will be held to honour their dead and offerings will be made to bring their souls a little closer to Earth.

30/10/2024

💕 Award Winning - Again!! 💕

💕 This month I have received another award as 'Wedding Celebrant of the Year' thanks to Corporate Live Wire's Global Awards who said
🌸 "You were considered in the category Wedding Celebrant of the Year - Shelley Bell. Having reviewed information on all of those shortlisted, I am pleased to confirm you have been picked as the 2024/25 winner, congratulations.
During the awards process we invited over 90,000 businesses and corporate professionals, magazine contributors and our subscribers to nominate companies & individuals based on factors such as quality of service, innovation, experience, sustainability and other areas. Additionally, our research team has put forward a selection of firms which they felt are deserving of recognition."

💕 Essentially, I filled in the form asking me what award I would like and I won!! In return I can pay the company £3000+ for advertising with a company I have never heard of - I think I'll pass, thanks for the accolade though.
Remember kids - all that glitters isn't necessarily gold!!

29/10/2024

💕 Happy Diwali 💕

💕 Diwali is one of the major festivals of Hindus. Celebrated with as much pomp and fervour as Christians would celebrate Christmas and with as much family based ritual and celebration. It often stretches across five days, the most significant day this year also happens to coincide with Halloween, the 31st October.

💕 Diwali is often referred to as the festival of lights and you may well witness firework displays signalling that the celebration is in full swing so those of you who have pets, may want to keep them indoors this Thursday onwards.

28/10/2024

💕 Monday Motivation - Are you making time to be happy? 💕

💕 We all profess to be busy, too busy - "I'd love to but I don't have time" - but do you? Sometimes, its not about time but priorities. Life is full of choices, minute by minute, day by day we make the best choices we can with the information in front of us but sometimes we resort to habit and routine and remove our own choices and the days very often merge into one.

💕 But you can break the cycle. If there is a rainbow do you stop to look at it? If a friend seems down, do you take a moment to check in with them? How often do you go for a walk and when you do are you present in the moment or distracted with phones and podcasts? Are you making the time to be happy?

💕 There doesn't need to be a grand gesture, sometimes the simplest of things bring joy but we often think that only comes after completing a task - ok, your task is to go out and find the biggest conker that you can.....
The urgent things will always take up space and time in our life but remember to incorporate the important things, the people and activities that matter - its your choice....

25/10/2024

💕 Clocks Change This weekend 💕

💕 Yes, this Friday I am going to have a break from talking about death and instead will take this opportunity to remind you that the clocks change this weekend - Fall Back - means an extra hour in bed - Get In!!

24/10/2024

💕 Happy Anniversary 💕

💕 To my lovely couples, who have trusted me with your celebrations on your Big Days, I thank you and very simply I say "Happy Anniversary".
It's so great to see you all grow your families and continue to celebrate your love - long may it continue 🥂💖

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Little holiday snaps of someone’s big birthday trip. Happy Birthday Mumsie!! #yourdayyourway #bigbirthday #holidaysnapshot #whathappensinvegas #sanfrancisco

Have a lovely time The Boundary ready for the wedding of Charlotte and Mark ❤️

❤️ Wedding Day Ready at The Great Lodge in Braintree for Matthew and Rachel, it’s going to be glorious ❤️

❤️❤️ Quirky Wedding Fayre ❤️❤️ 🌳Come over to Upthorpe Wood 🎄Between 11-3 🌳See me and some Quirky Chums 🎄for all your wedding needs 🌳IP31 2AP

💕 Motivational Monday - Spreading Christmas Cheer 💕 💕 Hey amazing souls! 'Tis the season to spread joy, kindness, and love like confetti! Christmas is more than just decorations and presents; it's about creating a warm and festive atmosphere that brings smiles to everyone's faces. The first week of December is also #NationalGriefAwarenessWeek so let's be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people again! Reach out to those around you, whether near or far, and share the love that makes this season so magical. 💕 Every act of kindness, no matter how small, sends ripples of positivity into the world. So, why not be the light that brightens someone's day? Perhaps make a small donation to a charity or buy a festive treat for the foodbank? But remember, your smile, a heartfelt message, or a simple gesture can make a world of difference. 🎅 This Christmas, let's be grateful for the love we have, cherish the moments with our loved ones, and extend a helping hand to those in need. Remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in spreading joy, fostering connections, and building a community filled with warmth and compassion. 💕 May your days be merry and bright, and may the holiday spirit fill your hearts with happiness! Let's make this festive season a time of love, laughter, and lasting memories. Together, we can create a world where Christmas cheer knows no bounds! 🌟🤗 #SpreadLove #ChristmasCheer #JoyfulHearts #KindnessMatters #TisTheSeason #CelebrantsRock #ColchesterCelebrantCares

💕 Motivational Monday - Small Business Support 💕 💕 Hey, fabulous souls! Today, let's talk about the magic that happens when you choose to support small businesses in your community. 🌆💖 Every purchase from a local shop isn't just a transaction; it's a vote of confidence in someone's dream. 🌈 Whether it's a cozy bookstore, a charming cafe, a boutique with heart and soul, or an award winning Celebrant (did I mention I'd won an award?) small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. 💕 When you shop local, you're not just getting a product; you're investing in the passion, dedication, and dreams of your neighbours. ✨ These businesses are the embodiment of hard work, resilience, and a fierce belief in making dreams come true. So, why shop small? Because your choices create a ripple effect. You're helping a family put food on the table, supporting an artist's vision, and contributing to the uniqueness that makes your community thrive. 💕 Tag your favorite local businesses and share the love! Let's amplify their voices, celebrate their stories, and create a movement of local love. 💙🌍 Together, we can build a community where dreams flourish and small businesses stand tall. Remember, every purchase is a powerful choice. Choose to make a difference. Choose to shop small. Choose to be a local hero. 🌟 #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness #DreamBig #LocalLove #ColchesterCelebrantCares #YourDayYourWay #SmallBusinessHeroes #BIDColchester

💕 Motivational Monday - World Kindness Day 💕 💕 Happy Kindness Day, beautiful souls! Today, let's make a collective effort to sprinkle kindness like confetti and create a ripple effect that transforms the world. In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind. Small acts of kindness have the extraordinary power to brighten someone's day, mend a broken spirit, and inspire positivity in ways we can't even imagine. ✨ 💕 Challenge yourself to spread kindness like wildfire—whether it's a warm smile, a thoughtful gesture, or a simple word of encouragement. Let's build bridges of compassion that connect us all, transcending boundaries and reminding us of our shared humanity. ❤️ Remember, kindness is a language that everyone understands, regardless of age, race, or background. It's a universal currency that pays dividends in joy, love, and unity. Today, let's amplify our kindness quotient and create a world where empathy reigns supreme. 🌍💙 Tag someone who inspires you with their kindness and share your own acts of kindness using #KindnessDayChallenge. Let's turn this day into a movement of love, compassion, and positive change. Together, we can make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time! 🚀✨ #KindnessMatters #SpreadLove #BeTheChange #colchestercelebrantcares

💕 Monday Motivation - Diwali 💕 💕 As the Festival of Lights dawns upon us, let's celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is a time for joy, togetherness, and reflection. Let's light up our homes with beautiful diyas and colorful rangoli, and share the warmth of our hearts with our loved ones. It's a time for sweets, laughter, and the exchange of heartfelt wishes. 💕 May this Diwali bring you an abundance of love, prosperity, and good fortune. Let's remember to be grateful for the blessings in our lives and share our happiness with those in need. Wishing you a Diwali filled with light, love, and positivity. 🪔💖✨ #HappyDiwali #FestivalOfLights #CelebrationTime #colchestercelebrantcares

💕 Monday Motivation - Halloween 💕 💕 This October 31st, let's turn up the spooky and channel our inner witches and wizards, ghosts and ghouls! 🧙‍♀️🧛‍♂️. Halloween is more than just costumes and candy. It's a celebration of creativity and imagination. It's a chance to be whoever you want to be, even if it's just for one night. So, take a moment to reflect on your dreams and aspirations. Are you working towards them? 🚀 💕Let this Halloween be a reminder that magic is all around us, waiting to be conjured up by our hopes and dreams. Don't be afraid to embrace your inner enchantress and manifest your desires into reality! 🎃 This is your friendly reminder that you are capable of achieving your goals, no matter how big or small. So, put on your costume, step out of your comfort zone, and make this Halloween one to remember. 🌟 🕷️ Don't let fear hold you back; use it as your fuel to light the way to your dreams! 🕯️ Happy Halloween, my fellow dreamers and believers! 🎃✨ #HalloweenMagic #DreamBig #YouCanDoIt #colchestercelebrantcares #CelebrantsRock

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How Can I Help You?

My Independent Family Celebrant services provide beautifully tailored and unique Wedding Ceremonies, Vow Renewals, Naming Ceremonies and sensitive Funeral Ceremonies across Essex and East Anglia. Your ceremony is equally important to me as it is to you, so I take the time to find out who you are and pay special attention to what is truly important to you, as well as how you want the ceremony to look and feel.

Say goodbye to someone in a style that truly reflected them or usher in the future with a new spouse or welcome a child into the family in a ceremony full of joy and inspiration, there are no limits to what your ceremony can be.

With abundant choices and a multitude of elements to choose from in your ceremony it can be everything you imagined, with no restriction on location, licenses or legal requirements that are prevalent in civil ceremonies.

Whether you have a religious belief or prefer to incorporate other traditions, I have something for everyone and respect your personal spirituality and beliefs.