Janet Shell Independent Celebrant North Surrey

31/07/2026

I don't want to sully my page with this kind of content but it is important to know that there are inevitably some charletans out there and there seems to be very little monitoring of the sector. Most people working in the industry are genuinely empathetic, although I have to say that I jave been underwhelemd with the way celebrants are treated by funeral directors and how disenagaged they are. It can feel like just another business organisation from where we sit and I have opnions about that kind of lack of emotional intelligence; however it is important to say that this is on another level. My heart feels for those families and relatives who have nowhere to go with this. Maybe in a horrid way the only positive is that their sacrifices have laid bare this kind of practitioner.

Police say they cannot reassure any families who used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.

25/07/2026

It is starting to be noticed

The government wants to relax wedding laws so couples can get married almost anywhere.

23/07/2026

Important and consequential changes are afoot. It is important to note that Humanist ceremonies are being highlighted, as a non faith organisation, which means no religious or spiritual inclusion either, so we really do need independent celebrants to be given the rights to marry people so that interfaith ceremonies can legally take place, honouring traditions and helping people celebrate in a way appropriate for them

The consultation on reforming wedding law has launched for the first time in over 200 years, giving couples more choice over where and how they say ‘I do’ 💍

What is the new marriage law reform? Well, the consultation will look into how and where you get married. You won’t just have to get married in a licensed venue, but it will look into a ‘licensed person’ - meaning the possibilities for your special day will be endless! 💒

GOV.UK claims, “The proposals would shift the focus from bricks and mortar to people and promises – meaning couples could legally marry almost anywhere, from forests and beaches to castles and canal boats, and even cruise ships at sea”

The consultation will run from today (16th July) to 24th September. GOV.UK has estimated that should this reform be successful, it will increase weddings in England and Wales by 3%, which may generate around £139 million in additional annual spending, contributing over £238 million to the UK economy over the next decade 💰

10/07/2026

A warm wedding from May - but we were lucky with the weather - not baking hot but still warm enough to be outside as hoped for by the bride and groom

17/06/2026

Have celebrant, will travel!
Paris yesterday, and a wedding at the Château de Chantilly that felt nothing short of magical.
Majestic architecture, beautiful music, and an atmosphere that held both grandeur and tenderness in the same breath.
The couple asked me to wear navy for this very glamorous day, 🎉and thankfully from my singing wardrobe I have the perfect long dress!🥰
😍What a joy to be part of it.

16/05/2026

I offer a global fee and honour that. This week I travelled to the New Forest and back to meet a couple at the venue for a wedding in September. In fairness, they had flown in from Australia.......

17/04/2026

They are the first to greet me; they hang around with their friends; they nervously twiddle buttons and re-set their kilts; they check I have the vows printed; once they had to go and fetch the rings because they thought the best man had them and vice versa!; they shuffle; their eyes dart about - then when we start, they turn around and see the partner of their dreams and relax and some even shed a tear.