Ceremonies with Rachael - York Wedding Celebrant

01/09/2024

How was this a year ago already?! Happy anniversary Dani + Lee!

Somehow I know today will be as full of smiles as your wedding day was. 🥰

26/08/2024

Today is one of the MOST important days in the social media calendar: International Dog Day!!

Obviously this dog person could not let such a significant date pass without honouring wedding pups everywhere. Hannah + Ky’s fur babies are part of the family, so there’s no way they would have married without them!

Vinnie + Bella nailed their ringbearer duties, and afterwards helped mum + dad de-stress with a walk on Almscliffe Crag.

I love working with dogs at weddings, and can often be found holding the lead after the ceremony 🤣

Would your pooch be a wedding angel or a bit of a scamp?!

17/08/2024

Such a beautiful day to look back over - Sophie + Craig’s gorgeous White Syke Fields wedding!

16/08/2024

Two years today, Becki + Nick tied the knot in York. It’s nice to know they’re still thinking of their wedding ceremony, and last week I was pleasantly surprised to find a new review from them 🥰

“Rachael is simply the best!

From the moment we met her, we were blown away by how friendly and professional she was.

She truly got to know us, and wrote and delivered such a meaningful, heartfelt and personalised ceremony, our wedding guests couldn’t believe she hadn’t known us for years!

Highly, highly recommended!
Thank you Rachael!”

Thank YOU Becki + Nick for making me part of your very special day, and sharing your love story with me.

Photo by Lucy Henzell.

12/08/2024

Marry someone who looks at you like this on your wedding day 🥰

Photography Chris Milner Photography
Venue The Normans

08/08/2024

That POW moment Tasha entered her wedding ceremony… full of impact and meaning💥

First she entered alone, symbolising the strong feminist woman she is, the kind of girl who decided to leave Indonesia aged 16 and travel to the other side of the world to pursue her goal of studying medicine.

*Then* she walked down the aisle with BOTH parents, in gratitude and recognition for the role they both played in raising her.

Tasha + Raef were hella intentional with the details on their wedding day, and this was just one way we subverted a traditional act in a modern and meaningful way.

And I loved it!

Rachael xx

06/08/2024

Oh hi there!! 👋 Welcome to my corner of Weddings Facebook !! 🎊

Wedding season is rumbling on and I haven’t said hi to new followers for quite some time - how rude!

I’m Rachael, based in lovely York but originally hailing from the Lake District. I’ve been a wedding celebrant since 2020, creating wedding ceremonies for relaxed couples who want to celebrate their love in a playful, creative and beautiful way.

I first became interested in Humanist weddings when we got married. Civil ceremonies turned me off, but we didn’t want a religious wedding where we had to say things we didn’t believe. Fortunately a Humanist ceremony gave us the chance to express our love in a way that felt right.

Afterwards I thought our celebrant had the best job in the world… and that inspired me to train with 💕

40+ weddings later, I still have to pinch myself that this is my job. Every wedding is unique, every couple’s story is different, and every wedding is an honour.

Email me if you’d like a Ceremonies with Rachael wedding day [email protected] 😘

30/07/2024

Remembering Nicki + Jordan’s incredible wedding day at always makes me smile.

When two adventurers who are committed to wringing every ounce of excitement out of life get married, you know it’s going to be epic! And it was. And I’m proud that among a day of brass bands, sword-cutting a cheese wedding cake and fantastic bridal outfit changes, the wedding ceremony still managed to stand out. 🥰

Have a lovely day, you gorgeous pair. Hope you’re off adventuring… ✈️

Photography

29/07/2024

Couple love letter from J + P 💌

“We were absolutely over the moon having Rachael as our celebrant! The process was so easy from start to finish, and Rachael put us at ease throughout.

Rachael is the calming presence you need on your wedding day and is full of wit and charm, which comes across in her speech writing. She has a unique skill of reading people, and our friends couldn’t believe she wasn’t a lifelong family friend!

All of our guests were raving about Rachael and how fun and personal the ceremony had been. The ceremony was the highlight of our day, and we’d choose Rachael again in a heartbeat.”

🥲 Welp! It’s the greatest honour to be such a central part of people’s wedding ceremonies, and it’s lovely to read such kind words. 🥰

Photography

23/07/2024

Happy Anniversary, George + Sam!

I think that gathering the most special people in your parents’ garden was the best start to married life.

Hope your little fam are having an amazing time Down Under 💕

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16/07/2024

Warm memories of Natalie + Matt’s special day 🥰

Happy anniversary, you lovely people. I still smile when I think of your wedding ceremony, of your beautiful personal vows and Natalie’s gorgeous mid-vow giggling fit!

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09/07/2024

For Tasha + Raef, it had to be York where they held their wedding ceremony! The city where they studied, met, dated and fell in love.

And looking at these images of their incredible day, who can blame them? 🥰

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26/06/2024

Happy one month wed, Jen + Phil! Just looking at these images is bringing back such warm memories of a ceremony filled with laughter, joy and plenty of love.

Hope you’re having a magnificent day 💕

21/06/2024

Today I’m remembering Jo, a wonderful woman, who, when faced with awful news about her health, ‘phoned me up and asked if I could do a vow renewal “because we need something to look forward to.” I said I agreed, so long as she told her husband first!

A small number of close friends and family gathered in their beautiful garden on Jo + Col’s 27th wedding anniversary. The bride and groom wore beachwear in honour of their original wedding in Antigua.

We heard how Jo + Col first met by chance when Jo covered a friend’s shift, and Col kept approaching the bar to chat with the pretty barmaid. By the end of the weekend, they were a couple, and soon they were in a long distance relationship.

We reflected on the pleasures of just being together, laughed at dreadful holidays they had shared in the past and drew strength from the support they gave each other.

27 was an odd number of years to be celebrating, but Jo said they’d not got around to it at 25, and 30 seemed too long to wait!

I’m glad Jo + Col didn’t put off renewing their vows any longer. Sadly, Jo died earlier this year, leaving a gap in the Smith family. I’m glad to have known her, shared in her story and seen Jo + Col’s love.

All my couples stay in my mind, but Jo + Col especially. 💕

Colin is tackling a sponsored walk to raise money for the hospice that supported their family, and I shall pop a link in my stories if anybody wishes to donate.

21/06/2024

Some love stories need a little push, but Jen + Phil’s very relationship owes its existence to a friend with an eye for a single guy… kudos to Megan!

“At the romantically named Dirty Dicks bar, Megan spotted two men, Phil and Joe, sitting at a table. Megan asked Jen if she should go and talk to them, and find out whether they were single. Jen looked at the two well dressed men, deep in conversation and told her not to bother, they were clearly gay and looked to be in a fairly serious relationship!

But Megan was not put off and went over to say hello. Moments later, she called back to Jen, ‘It’s okay, they’re not gay!’

Jen sidled over and asked what they were talking about so intently. She could not have predicted the answer: rabbits!
Jen loves rabbits, so she sat down.”

And so their love story began 🥰 As you can see, it was an emotional tale, and a beautiful moment within Jen + Phil’s wedding ceremony.

Photography by

18/06/2024

Happy one month married, Jordan + Greg! I’ve never seen a certificate signing quite as regal as this one, and I love it!! 👑

Hope you’re having a magnificent day, gents 🥰

Rachael xx

18/06/2024

Wondering where to get started planning your wedding? Living North Magazine have some great pointers...

We've picked out some of our favourite suppliers to help you plan the perfect day.

17/06/2024

Rachel + Jordan absolutely nailing their aisle kiss!

If you want to savour every last moment of your wedding ceremony and create one last ceremony memory, add an extra kiss to your exit. You won’t regret it!

Kiss captured by

15/06/2024

To my LGBTQ+ couples and followers this Pride month:

✨I can’t promise that I won’t get a bit misty eyed when you make your vows. Your love has historically been contested, and so it is all the more precious to me.

✨ I can’t promise to give you a wedding ceremony exactly like everyone else’s. Your love is unique and q***r love is magical, so your ceremony should reflect this.

✨ I can promise to check your pronouns and whether you have groomsmaids, bridesmen or something totally different.

✨ I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to be you and to get where you are now, but I can listen, reflect, and share your triumphs with your guests.

✨ I can promise to be interested in your unique experience of the world and love, to listen and to use this to create a wedding that is comfortable for you both, exuding warmth and joy ☺️

Much love,
xx

12/06/2024

This time 4 years ago, I took my first steps to becoming a Humanist wedding celebrant! Following an application and an interview (pandemic days, so fully online), I was told by that I had made the grade.

It was a leap of faith, as weddings were pretty much banned, but I loved weddings so much and knew this was the role for me.

45 weddings later, I’m pretty sure I was right. I’ve learnt what I love doing and what makes me feel confident. I can guide couples in choosing elements to craft their perfect ceremony, and I can make them and their guests feel totally at ease on what could be a stressful day. I can make people smile, and bring joy.

Thank you to all of the couples who have trusted me with their wedding ceremonies. Thank you to all my celebrant pals who I’ve shared ideas and gossip with. And mostly, thank you to my spouse Iain who encouraged me to become a celebrant in the first place 😘

Photograph by Claire McClean Photography

10/06/2024

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary, Sophie + Craig! Your White Syke Fields wedding really was the one that broke the mould - all-singing, uplifting and totally unique.

I know you will be doing something amazing today, have fun…

Love Rachael 😘

Photography .wedding.photographer

07/06/2024

I’m very excited to have been accepted for celebrant mentor training for ! I’ll be starting my training this weekend.

When I did my celebrant training four years ago, my mentor was a friendly ear for asking questions, bouncing ideas off, and sharing her experience. Now that I am a seasoned celebrant, I feel it’s my turn to share some of my wisdom! 😂

If you’re thinking of training to be a celebrant, do ask what support you get *after* the course has finished. I’m so pleased that keeps providing support through mentoring and ongoing observations and CPD. And I can’t wait to see which new wedding celebrant I get paired with!! Another person to talk weddings with - yay!

03/06/2024

💕Jen + Phil 💕

I just want every couple to look as happy as Jen + Phil did on their wedding day, and I know laughter and smiles will follow them wherever they go.

These photos really do sum up what I love about weddings 🥰

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02/06/2024

Congratulations to Becky + Ed! 🍸

The lime tree avenue at was an elegant, beautiful spot for us to reflect on Becky + Ed’s love, and witness them exchanging rings and taking part in a handfasting ceremony supported by their mums.

Lots of the guests commented that they’d never seen a Humanist ceremony and how much better it was than a civil ceremony! My first time at Saltmarshe was a memorable one. 🥰

30/05/2024

✨New review from Helen + Lucy✨

“Well what can we say! From start to finish Rachael was just amazing! We wanted our ceremony to reflect our love for each other, but we didn’t want it too serious and wanted everyone to see how much fun we have together.

Rachael totally got what we wanted and delivered an amazing ceremony with lots of laughs as well as some very special memories shared with each other.

We have had such good feedback from our guests as well as ‘older’ relatives who were a little apprehensive but loved how much love was on show and how personal our ceremony was to us. We couldn’t have even dreamt of anything better.

Thank you so much, we would recommend 1000000% to anyone thinking of tailoring their ceremony to share their personalities and memories.”

Welp. 🥲 That’s a very big percent recommendation! And I loved hire much love was on show, that’s a very good way to sum up how a wedding ceremony ought to be! 🥰

Gorgeous photos by

27/05/2024

🥂Happy anniversary to the Thompsons! 🥂

Tip: if you can get married on a bank holiday weekend, do! It makes for a guaranteed anniversary celebration for life!

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20/05/2024

Happy one month wed, Rachel + Jordan! 💕 I’m hoping the novelty of wearing those wedding rings hasn’t worn off yet…?

I’m hoping you’ll both sing a special anniversary song today 🎶

13/05/2024

PSA: Registrars are not your only option.

Registered wedding venues are not your only option.

Copy and paste ceremony scripts are not your only option.

Choose creativity, marrying where the heck you like with words that reflect you spoken with passion, from someone who gets you.

That’s all!

09/05/2024

What should you include in a wedding enquiry??

✨Dates and location are a good place to start!
✨Your partner’s name - you’d be amazed how many people forget to include this! 😂

These are the essentials, and will allow me to check if I’m free…

HOWEVER… if you want to send me my dream enquiry, you might also like to tell me:

✨ What it is about a Humanist ceremony that excites you.
✨ Why you want to work with me to create your perfect ceremony.
✨ What kind of vibe you’re aiming for on your wedding day; how you want you and your guests to feel! 🥰

Knowing this will allow us to make the most of our chemistry call, that first meeting where we see if I’m a good fit for you. I’ve been having some lovely chats lately with new couples, and I’m still taking bookings for 2025.

It’s best to get in touch via email, as I don’t always spot DMs from people I’m not following.

07/05/2024

Classic wedding ceremony moments… just more you!

I love creating Humanist wedding ceremonies with all the bits people expect to see - exchanging wedding rings, signing certificates, kissing (lots of kissing!!) but also things they might not expect: your stories told with love and warmth, the humour of real life and a smattering of pure joy. 🥰

Photos taken at Allerton Castle by Mark Hooper Photography