Maria Thorne Wedding and Naming Ceremonies - non-religious celebrant.

23/07/2024

The wonderful thing about holding a naming ceremony for an older child like E is that they can enjoy being part of the planning, helping to choose symbolic acts, readings and their favourite music. (She chose "Butterfly Fly Away" by Miley Cyrus to play at the start of the ceremony). I also absolutely loved hearing all about what she enjoys doing with her 5 older siblings, from playing football to dancing, baking to Roblox. I asked her at the start how she felt about the day she said she was "happy, nervous and excited!" She took centre stage, right next to me and we were able to chat and interact loads during the ceremony, which made it all extra special 🥰

These are the lyrics from her favourite song, which I read as part of the ceremony since they seemed so perfect for this butterfly child:

You tucked me in, turned out the lights
Kept me safe and sound at night
Little girls depend on things like that
Brushed my teeth and combed my hair, had to drive me everywhere
You were always there when
I looked back
You had to do it all alone, make a livin', make a home
Must have been as hard as it could be
And when I couldn't sleep at night
Scared things wouldn't turn out right
You would hold my hand and sing to me
Caterpillar in the tree
How you wonder who you'll be
Can't go far but you can always dream
Wish you may and wish you might
Don't you worry, hold on tight
I promise you, there will come a day
Butterfly, fly away
Flap your wings, now you can't stay
Take those dreams and make them all come true


Humanist Ceremonies

15/07/2024

Huge smiles all round! Gaby and Willie had their humanist wedding at home on the farm in Devon. Their love story began at their local pub, the Keepers Cottage. I didn't get a photo of Oscar the labrador, their very well-behaved doggy ring-bearer, sadly.
Each of them referred to the other as a "GOAT" in their surprise vows ... meaning "greatest of all time", of course!! 🥰 Oodles of happy days ahead for this wonderful couple!

Humanist Ceremonies

Image shows a beautiful, smiling bride in a wedding gown with lace sleeves, holding a pink and burgundy bouquet; a groom in a blue suit with burgundy tie and Maria the celebrant in a purple dress with cream jacket. The three are standing with their arms around each other, in front of a farm gate with bushes behind. They all smile broadly at the camera.

09/07/2024

Ever so grateful for my latest 5⭐️ Google review. I often feel, when chatting to a couple about their wedding, as if I've somehow always known them! It's rare that there isn't a quick sense of connection and I think this is what enables me to help every couple to tell their unique story.

https://goo.gl/maps/YL1nd5bPaU651VZSA?g_st=ac










Humanist Ceremonies

06/07/2024

A tropical wedding paradise at Anrán near Newton Abbot. We included a milni (flower garland) ritual, with parents, bride and groom exchanging marigold garlands, reflecting the bride's heritage and symbolising the bringing together of their two families. Guests were welcomed in by flute and tabla performers, then the chief bridesmaid played and sang the couple down the aisle with a surprise song on piano. Just so joyful!

Humanist Ceremonies Humanists UK

Image descriptions: 1 A garland of yellow marigolds hangs from the back of a wooden fold-out chair. 2 Maria, a woman with long brown hair, wears a purple dress and turquoise linen jacket and stands holding a black folder and sming beneath an arch of tropical plants and flowers 3 an archway of tropical flowers with a background of green plants and palms 4 a view of a whole plant house with koi pond in the foreground and guests in formal Indian dress in the background 5 two male musicians are seated under a wooden covered porch way, one playing a flute and one playing tabla drums

02/07/2024

Last year, every single one of my wedding ceremonies was taken outside!! Have to say we were lucky with the weather in most cases but the beauty of working in the south west... at least when it rains it's fairly warm rain!!

21/06/2024

I don't often write a post specifically about a venue, but I can't help but judge a wedding location by the way they treat "the celebrant". I really can't fault Rockbeare Manor, near Exeter, where I received a warm and very helpful welcome. Some venues barely acknowledge me on arrival! But quickly developing a working relationship - albeit for less than an hour or so - can go a long way to ensuring a smooth wedding. It's an absolutely stunning venue, beautifully presented and their wedding team are super professional. Hope to return again soon.

21/06/2024

A and G were SO super organised that they booked me 4 years ago! Their love story was chock-full of laughs and tales of friendship. Oh, and spider catching and a George Foreman grill, naturally. 🕷
Their gorgeous little girl was ring bearer and they said "we do" in a room packed to the chandeliers at Rockbeare Manor, near Exeter.

Humanist Ceremonies

21/06/2024

❤️

🎉Happy !

18/06/2024

🏳️‍🌈 Humanist celebrants have been performing same-sex weddings for decades (well before they became legal!) and Humanists UK played a strong part in the campaigns to legalise same-sex marriages in England, Wales, and Scotland.

They also campaigned for legal same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland, including lobbying MPs in support of the change.
Same-sex marriages became legal in Northern Ireland in 2020.❤

16/06/2024

👬 My grooms yesterday were married on a cliff top in N Cornwall with the sea behind them. Sadly it was waaay too windy to be outside the marquee for the ceremony but wow, what a stunning view! Played in and out by Alice Wonder Harp they chose a handfasting with 8 rainbow ribbons laid by all their siblings 🌈. Readings were a carefully-chosen poem and some Coldplay lyrics, performed by their lovely dads . Their personal, surprise vows left not a dry eye in the tent! 🥰 So lucky to work in such a stunning place with two absolutely lovely grooms.

Humanist Ceremonies

15/06/2024

🎶🎵Muuuusiiiic!!! It really can make your ceremony extra special. My last two weddings have had super-talented live musicians playing before, during and after the ceremony. One of my upcoming weddings by the sea in Cornwall will have a shanty group - absolutely cannot wait for that one! I don't have contact details sadly to tag these wonderful performers, but if you know them feel free to @ them for me! I'm a musician myself, so always up for including any tuneful treats as part of your wedding. Humanist Ceremonies Humanists UK

19/05/2024

A woodland glade near Totnes for little Hope's naming yesterday. Mum and Dad collected 7 jars of sand from different beaches that meant something to them and the guideparents created a unique sand blending. This little one is destined to be a bare-foot wild child 🤗🌳🌟

13/05/2024

🥰 When a lovely wedding client insists that you take home the delicious vegan cake they've made for your wedding planning meeting to share with the kids. Thank you Jay! 😋

27/04/2024

Thank you to everyone that asked if I had a good holiday. 🌞 It consisted of some proper, restful family time down in Looe. We even had - get this - a WHOLE DAY of sunshine, during which we made this trip to glorious Polperro 😍. It's always been one of my absolute favourite places in the whole world. Lots of walking, eating lovely food and playing games. Hoping for some more sunny days for your ceremonies this season. Last year every single one of my weddings was outside! Lots of outdoor celebrating coming up this year too, so I'll be in my element ❤️🎉

21/04/2024

Perfect weather for Sylvia's naming ceremony yesterday at Croyde Bay. Family and friends gathered to celebrate her in the N Devon sunshine. They passed around a naming stone, to warm it with their wishes before casting into the sea, so that each time she plunges into the cold water, she'll be warmed by their love.
Humanist Ceremonies

05/04/2024

We all need a little break now and again. I'll be on leave with my family until 15th April. I'll be trying not to check my emails every five minutes, so if you need general info about a ceremony or pricing, do have a look at my website: www.humanist.org.uk/mariathorne
There's also a lot of fab help on the Humanist Ceremonies website https://humanists.uk/ceremonies/home/ All other enquiries, I'll reply as soon as I can.

02/04/2024

I have several wonderful autistic people in my life and some clients and their families have kindly shared their own autism diagnoses with me. I will always do whatever I can to ensure a ceremony is inclusive of people with different needs.
☑️ I do not assume everyone wants to kiss at their wedding.
☑️ I do not assume everyone is comfortable reading promises in public.
☑️ I do not assume that guest participation is always wanted.
☑️ I am always happy to discuss how I can ensure a ceremony is enjoyable for people with different sensory needs.
☑️ I'll work to understand what is special to - and about - you; what your key interests are; what your unique style is and how we can focus on your strengths to make your day as special as possible.

Happy , everyone!

It's a time to raise awareness of the unique strengths and perspectives of people on the autism spectrum, to raise awareness of the issues autistic people face, and to promote understanding to create a more inclusive society. ❤️❤️❤️

07/03/2024

I recommend this book to lots of my clients. It's packed with loads of beautiful readings and quotes, as well as being a bit of a thought-provoking read about love and relationships in general. It's also a great read if you're writing vows, because it has all the feels! 📖

15/02/2024

Have you heard about the Virtual Village Hall, run by the Royal Voluntary Service? They provide loads of free activities, online classes and training. I recently took part in an excellent session on LGBTQIA+ allyship by Laila El Metoui, offered as part of their LGBT+ History Month events. They also have arts and crafts, cooking, exercise and wellbeing stuff. All donation-only. If you search for "Virtual Village Hall", you'll find them.

Image: handfasting ribbons from Andy and Stephen's wedding, by Johnny Dent.
Image shows a mass of thin ribbons in all the colours of the rainbow, hanging over some cream-coloured fabric.

Humanist Ceremonies

14/02/2024

Sometimes a couple will want full-on high romance and other times, I'm asked "not to make it soppy", but the brilliant thing is, you decide - it's your wedding and I'll always be led by your style.

Choosing a humanist ceremony means that you can add unique and personal touches to your wedding, so that your special day is as full of romance as you would like! Led by a humanist celebrant your non-religious ceremony will focus on your personal story celebrating your relationship, commitment, and....

14/02/2024

Happy Valentines Day all you lovers!!! 💗 If tonight's the night 💍 get in touch tomorrow and we can go from there!

Image is text on a pink background, reading "Love is awful. It’s painful. Frightening. It makes you doubt yourself, judge yourself, distance yourself from the other people in your life. Makes you selfish, makes you creepy, makes you obsessed with your hair. It takes strength to know what’s right. And love isn’t something that weak people do. Being a romantic takes a hell of a lot of hope. I think what they mean is, when you find somebody that you love, it feels like hope.
The Priest from Fleabag by Phoebe Waller Bridge".

07/02/2024

This was a fantastic lecture, so interesting and highlighted our capacity for empathy and aesthetics. A very well deserved Darwin Day medal 👏

27/01/2024

I've helped couples celebrate their love at several of these wonderful They were beautiful and have brilliant staff who welcomed me and treated me with friendship and respect. You'd be surprised how many other venues don't even offer the celebrant a glass of water!

https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-awards/devon

Awarded to UK businesses who have been highly rated and recommended by couples.

26/01/2024

Wondering what it's all about?! Great article here 👇 in Hitched.co.uk explaining what a humanist wedding is all about and why some non-religious people might choose this kind of celebration. Useful too in clarifying the difference between a humanist celebrant-led ceremony and a civil ceremony. A must-read if you're not sure what might suit you for your big day 🎊🥂🎉

Humanist Ceremonies Exeter Humanists

Curious about what a humanist wedding is, what a humanist celebrant does and if a humanist ceremony might be right for you? Here's your ultimate guide.

26/01/2024

It's going to be a total joy to help lots of lovely couples celebrate their wedding this summer. I'm delighted to have had lots of enquiries this year, but I'm going to run out of summer Saturdays soon, so if you have a date in mind, do get in touch for availability.
I still have quite a few autumn dates though, or how about a beautiful winter wedding?!

19/01/2024

A ceremony, whilst of course being really joyful, can also feel a bit nerve wracking for some people. This is what I'm there for! I may not have much control over the venue or your catering, but I can and will do everything in my power to ensure the ceremony itself goes brilliantly. I'm always well-prepared and will have practised the script; I'll get there in plenty of time in case of any last-minute hiccups in your plans; you'll know what to expect because you'll have had it to review and you can ask me about ANYTHING that might be worrying you. I'm also an expert at calming breathing and have used those techniques many a time to help nerve-stricken clients!!

See a video of me talking about keeping calm over on my Insta:
Humanist Ceremonies

16/01/2024

Arlo's Mum and Dad decided to celebrate his first birthday with a naming ceremony. This smashing little chap loves anything musical or with lights and loves to play his toy piano... with his feet! His parents made some special promises and appointed three guideparents, each with their own unique perspectives, skills and guidance to provide a listening ear and share their wisdom as he grows.
Happy Birthday Arlo!



Image Descriptions: 1. Maria is turned side-on to the camera and has her hand out to a baby boy who is in his mum's arms. The baby is smiling as his mum looks down at him.
2. A Mum and Dad and a one year baby boy in his Mum's arms, stand with Maria to their left. They are all dressed smartly and are smiling at the camera.