Shelley Bell - Independent Celebrant

14/11/2025

💕 Celebrants Week - Advice for clients 💕

💕 Look at this daft arse, does she look like anyone you know?? Oh, yes it's me.......!!

💕 One of my colleagues asked me what advice I would give to my clients and the answer is simple - be your authentic daft arse self!

🌸 Funerals are not about making a hero of the person who has died and getting them recognised as a certain person. If your person was passionate about their family, did a routine job and loved their bingo then lets celebrate those points but also what they meant to you. If your person had very few interests in their life except for their love of a certain singer, then lets celebrate that passion and bring their enjoyment into their final tribute.

🌸 Weddings are about you as a couple, who you are as individuals but what makes your relationship special to you. Don't tailor your day based on what Aunty Joan might think, show her what makes you happy and she'll be happy too. If your relationship was forged over a shared love of a tv programme or singer, lets use that as a them for your wedding, I love slipping in quotes and lyrics and watching to see if anyone spots it.

🌸 Re-Namings - this is absolutely all about you, your authentic self, what makes you happy and feel at home in the world as you are today - your absolute daft arsedness!! Well, look no further than another daft arse to be able to help you celebrate you.

💕 So my advice is be open, say what you want, be honest with yourself and trust yourself and importantly trust me to be your biggest supporter and advocate and lets not be afraid to tell your truth in the way that you want. It doesn't matter what's gone before and what other people do, this is about you and your people and above all else its a celebration - of life, of love and of you, so let's do just that.

13/11/2025

💕 Celebrants Week - My Favourite Bits 💕

💕 There is so much to love about my role and sometimes my favourites are not always what you think. Here are some of mine;

🌸 Process Driven - As an over-thinker its important for me to have a timeline and a process that keeps me on track, so whenever I am working with people I always have a checklist and right at the beginning of our relationship I map out what needs to happen by when so I can be sure to be ready and on time.

🌸 Personal - every meeting I have involves the sharing of information, thoughts and feelings and it is a privilege to be in that place. But from that sharing I can use the values, ethics, principles and stories that people have to create fabulous ceremonies that are relevant, meaningful and impactful, just like the people they are about.

🌸 Creative - I'm no singer (despite my efforts) or artist but I am a pretty good writer and storyteller. But its not just the script, its the colour matching of my outfit to the decor, its the understanding of where people would be standing or sitting, the needs of the guests, the appropriate readings and song choices - these are all ways I can demonstrate my creativity and this means that no two ceremonies are ever the same.

🌸 Compassion - there is no doubt that I am working with people at the toughest times of their lives as well as the happiest and I am proud to be able to take the time with couples to help them battle nerves on their 'Big Day' as well as helping people feel supported and empowered to read a powerful eulogy for their person. My job is to have you feel looked after and confident and its my pleasure to do so,

🌸 Humour - whether it is a funeral or a wedding, it is really important to find the humour in any event, As a story teller, I don't do anything different than you would if you were telling the story of someone in the pub, you would concentrate on what sets them apart and tell a funny story and thats what I do, I just have skills that pull it together efficiently and meaningfully in an events context.

12/11/2025

💕 Celebrant Week - Reasons to Choose Me 💕

💕 I could tell you that I think I am the most rounded and professional celebrant, with a brilliant eye for detail and a talent for writing powerful and meaningful ceremonies, but instead we could look at this word cloud which has been created from the feedback I have received from families and couples.

They say;
🌸 Amazing. 🌸 Wonderful. 🌸 Perfect.
🌸 Special. 🌸Beautiful. 🌸 Helpful.
🌸 Brilliant. 🌸 Heartfelt. 🌸 Professional
🌸Caring. 🌸 Kind 🌸 Comfortable.
🌸Love 🌸Recommend.

💕 I am thrilled about all of these and there are other words that I've not included.
I really believe that people buy from people and if they feel looked after and supported they will use your services and I make it my mission to look after my clients and work collaboratively with them - hence these comments.

If you would like to know more about how I can help you please get in touch via my bio, website at www.shelleybell.co.uk or call 07727277996

11/11/2025

💕 Celebrant Week - My Superpowers 💕

💕 This type of post is the reason I usually shy away from these campaign weeks, You see, I'm simply not very good at celebrating what I am good at which completely goes against all the things I help my groups with!!

Here are what I think are my superpowers and my overall mission:
🌸 Anxiety - Sounds daft but because I overthink everything and hate making mistakes I have a real eye for detail and event planning.
🌸 Nosiness - I love to hear people's stories and am genuinely interested in what makes people tick. I get to the real heart of people and from here I can create something marvellous.
🌸 Creative/Imaginative - I'm rubbish at crafts (apart from diamond art and a bit of embroidery) but I often know what I want the end to look like and with storytelling and ceremony writing I generally achieve it, just don't ask me to draw you a picture!
🌸 Inclusivity - I always felt like an outsider growing up and sometimes my imposter syndrome keeps me in that space, I think thats why I am so determined to be an advocate and ally for all that need one.
🌸 Studious - I'm always learning new skills to help me be of service to those I work with - see the pics.

My Mission "To create and present unforgettable ceremonies that celebrate love, unity, and individuality through the telling of unique stories and celebrating diverse backgrounds. I am passionate about fostering inclusivity, embracing cultural diversity, and honouring all life and love stories.
I am committed to creating ceremonies that reflect your personal journey, values, cultures, beliefs and dreams. Whether it's a wedding, vow renewal, or funeral, each moment will be meaningful, authentic, and filled with love. Weaving those narratives into one seamless and joyous tapestry with creativity, warmth, and attention to detail, I aim to make your celebration a cherished memory that lasts a lifetime:'

💕 How's that??

10/11/2025

💕 Celebrant Week - Who am I? 💕

💕 This week is Celebrants Week!!!! Yes we invented it but it is a brilliant opportunity to spend the next few days explaining who we are, what we do, the best parts of our jobs and how we can best help people going forward. So, here goes.....

💕 I'm Shelley, an almost 50, perimenopausal, mildly peculiar woman who lives in Colchester in Essex with my husband Paul.
I am happily child free but sadly pet free and I am horrendously nosey which is why this job is such a gift for me, because I am finding out about people's lives and relationships, and it is an honour to be invited in.

💕 I became a Celebrant because I witnessed a funeral ceremony where the person's name was wrong twice and they were talked about in such a way that I didn't recognise them. And with me being the slight control freak that I am, I thought, I could do that better and so I learned how.

💕 In case you are in any doubt about what I do, I write and conduct personalised ceremonies for weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies, I also support those at end of life to take care of the Life Admin such as Lasting Power of Attorneys, Care Plans and funeral planning and I'm also training as a Grief Coach so I can support those living with bereavement better than I do already.

💕 I am proud to welcome those who are physically and neurologically diverse and those from the LGBTQIA+ community and am an advocate and ally for those groups. For me, I try to relate to people as people rather than a label, although recognise why these are important too. That's why I am proud to offer Re-Naming Ceremonies for those who have decided to live their authentic lives and what to be recognised as such - its a joy.

💕 I've won awards, been recognised in the press and on the radio as a spokesperson for Celebrancy and I'm a passionate advocate for Wedding Law Reform. I am absolutely living my best life when I am helping people plan and conduct their life events and am honoured everyday when someone chooses me.

I look forward to sharing more across the course of this week.

09/11/2025

Happy to share another fabulous bereavement group based in Sudbury, sponsored by Hunnaball Family Funeral Group

Join us on Monday 10th November for this month's Passing Conversations Bereavement Support Group from 2:30 until 4:00pm at The Christopher Centre in Sudbury to share some memories, meet new friends and chat together.

07/11/2025

💕 Funeral Friday - Remembrance Weekend 💕

💕 This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, so we pause to honour those who gave so much — their time, their youth, and in many cases, their lives. We wear our poppies with quiet gratitude, we bow our heads, and we remember.

💕 But remembrance isn’t just about history or ceremony — it’s an essential part of how we process grief. Remembering helps us hold on to connection. It gives meaning to loss, turns pain into reflection, and ensures that love isn’t forgotten, even when life moves forward.

💕 When we remember, we keep stories alive. We remind ourselves of courage, sacrifice, and humanity. And in doing so, we find comfort — knowing that while people may leave this world, they never truly leave our hearts. ❤️

💕So this weekend, take a moment. Light a candle. Whisper a name. Remember — because remembrance is love, living on.

06/11/2025

💕 Testimonial Thursday - Zoe & James. 💕

💕 I had a great time a few weeks ago conducting the wedding ceremony of Zoe and James at and I was thrilled that it seems the feeling was mutual.

💕 As well as these two being so grounded and so welcoming of me into their world, their vision for their day was simple yet impactful, I was blown away.
The good news is that you can see more of how they made this vision a reality over on my blog so check it out at www.shelleybell.co.uk

05/11/2025

💕 Welcome to November - Causes of the Month 💕

💕 Hello November....winter is here the trees are getting bare, the shops are getting full of stuff we don't need and so in contrast I thought I would point out the causes November is famous to offset the commercialism.

💕 Movember - Its not just about growing the tash, it's a global movement that raises awareness and funds for men's health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and su***de prevention by gaining sponsorship or setting new goals.

💕 Gratitude Month - I love this opportunity for those who are not good at recognising their skills or those who have been through a difficult time and are feeling a bit down. It's simple, get yourself a note book or use your calendar app on your phone at at the end of the day or in your lunch break, (or both), Look back at the day and make a note of something that has gone well. It could be that someone paid you a complement, you made someone smile, you smashed that presentation at work or you just managed to get out of your pyjamas today.
By recognising the things we do well, we can repeat this behaviour and by recognising we are taking small steps in our daily life teaches us that depression and anxiety is a process and small steps can be big wins.

💕 So, however you are spending your November, I hope you have fun, I hope it makes a difference for yourself or others and I hope it fabulous. ❤

04/11/2025

💕Learning from Mexico: Finding Joy in Remembering 💕

💕 In Mexico, the Día de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead) happened on Sunday and isn’t about fear or sadness — it’s about love, remembrance, and joy. Families gather to celebrate the lives of those who have died, creating colourful altars, sharing stories, lighting candles, and offering favourite foods. It’s a time of connection — not separation.

💕 This beautiful tradition reminds us that death doesn’t have to be dark or frightening, in contrast to the imagery we have on Halloween. It can be part of life’s natural rhythm — a chance to honour, remember, and even smile about the moments that made our loved ones who they were.

💕 Being death positive means talking openly about death, remembering those who have died with warmth, and finding peace in knowing that love continues, always.

Perhaps we can take a little inspiration from our Mexican friends this season — to decorate with colour, to speak the names of those we miss, and to celebrate that they lived. 🌺✨

***os

03/11/2025

💕 Monday Motivation - Small Steps 💕

💕 I've been looking for an excuse to bring back this firecracker to my feed and finally I have one. Today, I want to talk to you about taking small steps.
The young person in the picture didn't just wake up fierce, they developed those skills by watching others in the media and their community, by listening to music that motivates them and by mimicking those behaviours to be able to present this - one whole heap of sass!!

💕 Now, why should any of us be any different?
We don't just wake up being able to play a guitar or write a book, instead we have to learn our chords and that stories have beginnings, middles, ends, heroes and villains. Yes, yes, playing along to your favourite tune is impressive and signing your first novel for friends and family would be awesome but its mad to think you can pick up a pen one day and win a Booker prize the next.

💕 The small things you do when no one is watching is what's important. Small actions make the impossible feel possible again.
Sometimes our vision and ambition can make these ideas feel overwhelming and what we need to do is zoom into that vision and ask, what is the one small thing I can do today? Then do it again tomorrow and by Friday you are a lot further forward than you were today!

Remember, from little acorns do mighty oak trees grow....

31/10/2025

💕 Halloween, Death & Fear – Let’s Talk About It 💕

💕As the pumpkins appear and the ghosts come out to play, I often find myself reflecting on how Halloween makes us feel about death and dying.

💕 Our culture, adopting the furore from our stateside friends, has long used this season to make fun of — or feel frightened by — death. Skeletons dangle in windows, fake gravestones line our gardens, and we laugh nervously at the “spooky” side of things. But beneath all the cobwebs and costumes, I can’t help but think how misplaced that fear really is.

💕 Death isn’t something to mock or fear. It’s the natural close of a beautiful story — one we’ll all write in our own way. When we talk about death with openness and compassion, we begin to see it not as a monster in the shadows, but as part of the rhythm of being human.

💕 Halloween could be more than a fright night. It could be a gentle reminder to celebrate life, honour those who’ve gone before us, and maybe even find a little peace in knowing that love continues, even beyond the veil. 🕯️🖤