We had the pleasure of having the wonderful Simone as our celebrant for our baby’s naming day ceremony. Even now after three years people still talk about the ceremony and how personal and intimate it was. Many of our guests had never attended a naming day before and they thought it was so beautiful and felt Simone had made it so personal and special for us as parents but also included our guests. Simone is truly gifted at what she does and we are so happy we found her and would highly recommend to any future parents you will not be disappointed! Thanks again Simone, Olivia and Sami
It’s not often that a poem is suitable for a baby naming, wedding, and funeral (yes it has been done)! An exception is the iconic tongue twister Oh! The Place You Will Go, by Dr. Seuss. It’s a personal favorite of mine and is packed with encouragement, advice, and excitement!
But, before you dive in, allow me to offer you some advice… Continue reading →
It is a beautiful piece of prose that I use to slow down a ceremony and allow the couple a few precious moments to connect to each other, in an otherwise whirlwind day!
Preparing for a wedding can be super busy as there are so many elements to think about, and this can be overwhelming. When a couple arrive at a ceremony, they are a combination of nervous and excited, and sometimes find it difficult settling in to the ceremony and then suddenly its all over!
As a wedding celebrant, I am responsible for slowing things down. This gives the couple a chance to make memories in that moment.
The Hand Blessing is a non religious piece of prose that works well with the ring vows, a hand fasting ceremony, or on it’s own.
Hand Blessing
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Want to get in touch or have a questions about a ceremony? Drop an email to hello@thecivilcelebrant.ie
Love has a different meaning for everyone. It fulfils a different need, a different desire, and a different want. For Walter Rinder love is knowing someone else cares that we are not alone in life.
Love is not just looking at each other and saying ‘You’re wonderful’. There are times when we are anything but wonderful. Love is looking out in the same direction, it is linking our strength to pull a common load, it is pushing together towards the far horizons, hand in hand. Love is knowing that when our strength falters, we can borrow the strength of someone who cares. Love is a strange awareness that our sorrows will be shared and made lighter by sharing; that joy will be enriched and multiplied by the joy of another. Love is knowing someone else cares that we are not alone in life.
Sometimes its one line from a verse that captures how we feel about our partner, child or loved one. Some times one line is enough…
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
I have for the first time found what I can truly love – I have found you. You are my sympathy – my better self – my good angel; I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my center and spring of life, wraps my existence about you – and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.
