Michelle Taylor Your #FunkyCelebrant

11/08/2025

GET MARRIED ...
And then
Have a Wedding !!!

Confused?
You may well be, but did you know that you can separate the legals from the celebratory?

If you want your wedding day to be a celebration of your unique quirks, in a place of your choosing at a time of your choosing then choose an independent celebrant.

If you want a short, statutory and legal ceremony, use a registrar.

To legally marry, you need to give notice and then on the day repeat 2 sentences after the registrar, sign the schedule and that's it...your legal...congratulations. Go out, celebrate and bask in the glow.
Having timed a basic registration ceremony...it took 6 minutes. Short, sweet and perfunctory.

Your wedding ceremony with a celebrant is as long or as short as you want it to be.
You might exchange vows and rings, have meaningful symbolic rituals, readings, music, entertainment and ANYTHING ELSE that will make your ceremony unforgettable. Celebratory, fun, complete.

No two ceremonies the same as no two couples are the same...

You can have both, despite everything the registration services may tell you, we have right now ( until the law changes) two distinct roles. They are complimentary roles and SHOULD work alongside each other seamlessly, however the registration services are monopolising the industry and in some cases bullying the venues and couples into not using celebrants!

I could go on a rant, but I am not going to, suffice to say if you want to know more about how to get married and then have a wedding that suits you, drop me a line

17/07/2025

Can’t wait to share space with some fabulous friends and humans

Any of you lovely celebrant folk fancy coming listen to me waffle on in Birmingham in October? We know I love an opportunity to speak and share all about my world (and a lot more in this case) but this event is extra special with the most amazing line up of speakers! Have a nosey at the link for tickets for more info 🤩 and many more! 🙌🏼

‘A Celebrants’ Gathering’ will take place at Malmaison Hotel, Birmingham on Saturday 18th October.

This day-long gathering will give Celebrants across the UK an opportunity to gather together, inspire and support each other and grow their practice.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/agatheringofcelebrants/1608981?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLmEt9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsGGF6xSmLQZOr9YviEn8Tjrzafe3rmz1nwr2xYPuW32I07FvQBIoO4o-1J6_aem_7QtBiklmc3fW0Q8lTECyoQ

09/07/2025

An intersting article

Are you Gen Z, does this fit your take on a modern wedding?

Are you wondering what to expect from a Gen Z wedding? Here, industry insiders share the eight new rules for modern weddings, according to Gen Z couples. From the dress code and the menu offerings to the unplugged ceremonies and documented receptions, here's what you should expect from upcoming cele...

04/07/2025

I have had enough of being attacked by other officiants for the job that I do.
I DO NOT CHEAPEN THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE
I DO NOT UNDERMINE THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH OR THE REGISTRARS

If I have conducted your wedding ceremony for you, please share, add your comments and answer me this question...did I personally add value to your day?
thank you, with love and peace

My rather lengthy blog on the matter can be read here.

https://funkycelebrant.co.uk/stop-attacking-independent-celebrants/

10/06/2025

UK WEDDING ASSOCIATION (UKWA) //
An industry-led initiative to recognise excellence in wedding businesses across the UK launches today.
Our Mission

The UK Wedding Association was established to unlock the collective potential of the wedding industry through a commercially sustainable and trusted resource that empowers professional businesses.

The platform is designed to help UK wedding businesses showcase their professionalism, sustainability, and trustworthiness through an industry-led, voluntary benchmarking system.

Rather than imposing external regulations, UKWA believe in the power of peer-to-peer verification and industry-led standards to create a stronger, more credible wedding industry that benefits both businesses and the couples they serve.
I am proud to sit on the advisory board with some exceptional peers in the industry

You can find out more on here
https://ukweddingassociation.co.uk

02/06/2025

PRIDE MONTH//
Supporting your right to love, share your life with marry the person you choose and raise your family... in safety and peace.
Diversity and inclusivity of choice is at the heart of everything I do. Every day, every month and every year.
Supporting each other should not be confined to just one month, putting humans and the planet at the centre of everything I do is important to me, if it is important to you, especially as a wedding supplier, we're going to get along fabulously.
Let's celebrate love, life and being human in all of its the multi-coloured and multi-faceted glory.
[ID - my Pride rainbow showing the colours of the progressive pride flag in a half and half rainbow, with the words supporting your right to love, share your life with marry the person you choose and raise your family... in safety and peace.
Diversity and inclusivity of choice is at the heart of everything I do. Every day, every month and every year and my logo Michelle ]
.

29/05/2025

PLAYING WITH CHAT GPT //
in class yesterday, we created a poem about Bill & Ben, 2 gerbils.
Chat GPT then created the visuals for us to go with the poem ...what do you think?

In Uzbekistan, where the breezes spin,
By a wobbly windmill with a creaky tin,
Lives a grass hut crew, oh yes, just two—
Gerbils called Bill and his brother Ben too.

They rock little shades and Hawaiian shirts,
Sippin’ mint tea while diggin’ up dirt.
Their hut's got style, all patchwork and flair,
With disco balls hangin’ from the mid-air.

Bill's the brains, with a monocle neat,
Ben’s got rhythm in his furry feet.
Every full moon, they host a bash,
With beetles on bongos and fireflies that flash!

They surf sand dunes on bottle-cap boards,
Trading pine nut coins and funky chords.
They once met a yak named DJ Bazoo,
Who dropped sick beats on a didgeridoo.

So if you're ever in that far-off land,
And you see a hut where the grass looks grand,
Stop for a dance or a sunflower snack—
Bill and Ben will groove you right back! 🌾🎶

11/05/2025

HOW TO START YOUR CONVERSATION//

Ready to talk but not sure how?
Try one of these conversation openers:

“I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to be remembered…”

“What songs would be on your funeral playlist?”

“Have you ever been to a funeral that really moved you?”

It starts small, but it makes a world of difference

Let’s make death part of life’s conversation. Always with compassion. Always with love.

10/05/2025

ECO-FRIENDLY FUNERALS - YES, PLEASE!

Did you know… you can have a green goodbye?
More and more people are choosing eco-burials, natural coffins, and woodland settings.
It's gentle on the earth and deeply peaceful.
Want ideas?
Think: shroud burials, wildflower plots, biodegradable urns, or tree planting ceremonies
Mother Earth takes care of us…let’s return the love.

09/05/2025

WHAT HAPPENS AT A CELEBRANT-LED FUNERAL?

What is a celebrant-led funeral?
I hear this a lot, so here’s the scoop: It’s personal
It can include anything you want, from music, readings, rituals or traditions.
It celebrates a life in the most honest, heartfelt way possible
It’s not one-size-fits-all.
It’s your story, your way.
Want to know more?
DM me or check my website for details

09/05/2025

CPD COMPLETED//
2 Dementia awareness courses from the Alzheimer's Society done. Adding to my knowledge base. Well worth spending a couple of hours doing.
Now to spread the word to others in the industry about how vital this learning is!
Hey wedding industry .....THIS IS VITAL LEARNING !

09/05/2025

As Dying Matters Awareness week continues, it was lovely to receive this testimonial about a funeral I conducted recently.
It is always an honour to celebrate a life and to ensure the person I am speaking about is recognised by their family and friends. .
No skirting over their passions, likes or even their dislikes, but instead concentrating on what made them the unique individual who was known, loved and celebrated by all who knew them.

It's important to find the right celebrant for you and yours, don't settle for anyone less.
Need any help planning a fitting send off? Get in touch to discuss your needs
[ID- white square with a purple cut out corner and yellow graphic flower with a heart in it and words Michelle delivered my Dad's funeral so elegantly and perfectly.
My Dad loved Saracens rugby, bbq-ing and his holidays to the Canaries.
But he wasn't a traditional man, he loved the political debates on TalkTV,
fast Ford cars and was very excited for Donald Trump to come into office.
Michelle was different from other Celebrants. She designed something personalised, meaningful and listened to words I used to describe my Dad and included them in the service. She helped me create a tribute he would have been truly proud of.. "saying goodbye in your own way" ]
®️ #