Alternative and inclusive weddings, Handfasting and Funeral ceremonies by Celebrant Kate, an empathetic, creative and warm celebrant.
What people say about me
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starstarstarstarstar Yesterday New
Absolutely amazing Celebrant from the first meet, we felt accepted and understood considering our unconventional trio, it was never a second thought, we felt so blessed to have Kate as part of our day, from the planning and how accommodating she was, to me not being able to handle timeframes to helping organise our crew of minions with all their neuro ticks and including them so they were a big part of it, without overwhelming them. Kate was so patient and kind and we wouldn't have done anything differently, Kate made the day so much more extra special and we will forever cherish our memories with her that were made along the way and on the big day.
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.starstarstarstarstar 9 weeks ago
What a kind and compassionate Celebrant Kate is. From our first meeting through to the funeral service she led for us, we knew we were in safe and trusted hands. Thank you Kate for being the wonderful person you are! 🦋
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Skye Lythopen_in_new
1 review • 4 photos
starstarstarstarstar 13 weeks ago
We found Kate after looking online for someone who could add uniqueness to our special day. Right from our first meeting, she was exactly what we’d been looking for. We are influenced a lot by ancient traditions and our ceremony was Lord of The Rings/Gothic themed. Kate had so many wonderful ideas that she brought to life!! We knew that we definitely wanted to be handfasted but Kate also introduced us to the ideas of a sacred circle, ring warming, a candle ceremony and her words were truly magical. We had many planning meetings before our wedding where we could discuss and get to know each other. Kate has such a special aura about her, filled with kindness, understanding and positivity. Nothing was too big an ask. Kate threw herself into the ceremony, even wearing a cape to celebrate with us. She has a real talent for bringing feelings together and sharing our story with all of our loved ones. She made the process so easy and stress free, making us feel so cared for and bringing our weirdness and uniqueness together in a ceremony that everyone couldn’t stop commenting on afterwards. We truly are so thankful for Kate and couldn’t have imagined the day without her. Whilst she was calling the ancestors in, a hawk started to circle overhead and on a slightly overcast day, when the rings were presented, she sun shone right on them. Everything felt meant to be. Kate you are such a special, thoughtful soul. Thank you for being you ✨💫✨
Because I conduct funerals and wedding ceremonies, I have made it easy to find the right place - for funerals please click on the link below, for celebrations, including weddings and handfasting ceremonies, scroll down.
Funerals, ashes interments, celebrations of life and memorial services.
I offer a range of funeral services, working closely with funeral directors and also independently to create the perfect service for your loved one. Please click below to find out more.
Weddings, Handfasting ceremonies, vow renewal ceremonies.
Ceremonies by Celebrant Kate
More about the types of ceremony I offer.
As well as traditional funerals and wedding ceremonies, baby naming and vow renewals, I also specialise in providing spiritual ceremonies and those based on your interests and passions in life.
How you live your life is important. Your beliefs are important. Your interests are important. Let's celebrate them together.
Alternative ceremonies
Pagan ceremonies including handfasting, oathing stones, the Quaich or Loving Cup, jumping the broom and unity candles. Celebrate your story within a sacred circle blessed by the four quarters and their matching elements. Enjoy the magik of the seasons and the phases of the moon as you pledge your love now and in all lives to come. Pagan Funerals and celebrations of life. Surrounding the catafalque with the elements. Smudging and blessing the space. including onward prayers for the dead.
Wiccan ceremonies can include all of the above, and also the blessings of the gods and goddesses, as we invite their blessing and celebrate what their influence brings to your lives. Build an alter and create your circle with smudging or invocation. Wiccan funerals and cremations - we can include prayers for the soul, create a sacred circle, even build an alter - yes, even in a crematorium - or we can hold an ashes ceremony outdoors.
Viking ceremonies - including runik blessings and the traditional sword and shield exchange. Invite the blessings of Freyja on your love story. A recent couple had the blessings of Loki, the trickster, and Thor, who blessed us with a downpour and thunder as we stood under the protection of the trees... Viking funerals - we may not be able to set fire to a ship, but we can ceremonially set fire to a model on water, and there are many other Viking funeral rites we can include in your ceremony.
LGBTQAI+ and Thrupples - all are welcome. Inclusion and equality are at the heart of my ceremonies. Celebrate your love, or commemorate a loved one through a ceremony written and conducted with and for you. No need to ask, love is love. We all deserve love and to be remembered with love.
Gaming, Live action role play, cos play, Dungeons and Dragons weddings, (if you threw 20), and all gamers. If this is how you met, or it is an important part of your life, then come to me - we have a journey to go on together, much quaffing to be done, and at the end of it, a ceremony which is filled with what you love - funerals, weddings, baby naming or vow renewals - why deny such an important part of your life at the most important moment?
Medieval ceremonies - which can include quaffing! Jumping the broom, plighting your troth, a cake and ale ceremony, mead in your loving cup..... the influence of Medieval practices on modern wedding ceremonies is undeniable. Whether you find me at Loxwood Jousts in the summer, or choose your own venue for a medieval or Renaissance ceremony, let's create something special. The couple below are making their vows in a sacred circle before toasting each other with mead.
Sci-Fi - I am a huge geek and love Dr Who Star Wars, Star Trek and of course the sainted Sir Terry Pratchett - I wear the lilac. So come and find me and ask about your genre and let us find a way to celebrate it in your ceremony. The couple in the photo below chose May the 4th for their Starwars themed wedding, and Darth Vader gave the bride away!
And, of course, as a sustainable celebrant, I minimise my own impact, as can be seen on my Sustainability Page, but I also help you by having a group of fantastic sustainable suppliers eager to give you the perfect wedding, which cuts carbon emission, without costing the earth.
Best Independent wedding celebrant of the year 2026
I was thrilled to receive this email!
"Following our merit-led research and evaluation process Celebrant Kate has been recognised as the deserving recipient of:
Best Independent Wedding Celebrant 2026 (UK):
Kate Mitchell!
So grateful to all of the couples and those doing the research who placed their trust in me. I am truly humbled.
Click below to find out more about Celebrant Kate Handfasting and wedding ceremonies
I welcome all faiths including Christian and humanist, and have conducted several blended faith ceremonies including Catholic and Jewish, and Hindu and Anglican. Your faith and your identity are important and it is my role to ensure that you have a ceremony which reflects this.
If your loved one had a passion or hobby, then let's celebrate that together.
If you love steam trains - lets have a steam train leaving as the curtains close, or the Tardis.... It is important for your ceremony to be as you wish - from a gentle goodbye after a long life lived well, or an appropriate faith based ceremony, natural burial or memorial, or a loud and proud celebration of your life which reminds everyone there of who you were and what you enjoyed.
I am, of course, an inclusive LGBTQAI+ celebrant.
Baby naming and welcoming ceremonies
Celebrate your new arrival with a baby naming ceremony.
This short welcome video explains a bit more about what I do. You will find other videos on the relevant pages to help further.
Phoenix Ceremonies - also called True Naming Ceremonies
These ceremonies help you to choose the true name you wish. Suitable for many different people including trans and non binary members of the LGBTQ+ community - this is a safe space, all are welcome.
Funerals, memorials and celebrations of life - introductory video
Handfasting and wedding ceremonies
I am a recommended celebrant at several wonderful sustainable venues. The Lost Village of Dode, Hayne House, Bore Place and many more wonderful hotels and dry hire venues .
My couples get access to my extensive little black book of amazing wedding suppliers who are all committed to creating wonderful weddings which are also carbon neutral and sustainable.
It is my honour to be invited to contribute to a variety of wedding magazines, websites and blogs.
A selection of recent articles can be found below.
One of my weddings was chosen for the Real Wedding Section at Your Kent Wedding
You can still read it by clicking here. Read all about Anna and Owen's wonderful Festival Wedding. I admit my eyes leaked a bit when they said their favourite part of this gorgeous wedding was the ceremony. This creative couple deserve all the happiness in the world.
Read all about our sustainable Country and Western inspired wedding at The Lost Village of Dode on the celebrated sustainable "Green Union" website
Amazing suppliers including Love it again wedding dresses, Lauren Garfitt make up and hair designer, 4yaParty supplies, Lilac and Lace floral designs and celebrated photographer Emily Brown.
Handfasting - five things you didn't know!
At the wonderful Lost Village of Dode, a hidden gem wedding venue. Read my blog on their story page to learn more about hand fasting!
Sustainable can be Luxe!
A super team of sustainable wedding suppliers got together at the marvellous Brookfield Farm Wedding Venue to prove that you don't have to compromise on style or glamour to have a sustainable wedding.
As a member of the fabulous Natural Wedding Company Directory, I couldn't be more proud to have this story told on their blog!