The Handfasting ceremony can be traced back over nine thousand years. You can choose to have a full Pagan ceremony which involves calling the quarters, creating a sacred circle and including the ancestors and those in spirit.
Handfasting is heart led and heart felt. It is the origins of the term "tying the knot" and forms the basis of many Pagan ceremonies.
Creating a sacred circle .
Invoking the power of the South, fire
The power of water, from the West
Inviting us to honour the North, the earth beneath our feet.
The air, from the East, blowing its blessings upon your union.
Creating a sacred circle from pumpkins - the quarters are marked, and I am lighting the flame which will burn throughout the ceremony.
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Whoooee it`s windy in Wimbledon! Walk with a wonderful couple to look at their sacred place for next year`s handfasting. It was so lovely spending time together, getting to know each other as people, and also discussing their ceremony. One of the many parts of my work I enjoy. Looking forward to dodging April showers to conduct a magical handfasting next year!
@hitched @forconsciouscouples @sustainablewedding @anaturalwedding @unconventional_wedding #outdoorwedding #woodlandwedding
As the wind howls, was scrolling through my phone and enjoying the remembered warmth of this wonderful ceremony at @longtonw. I love seeing @dollydolltattoos thrive with her wonderful husband Mike, and love her tattoo designs. @mickiejeanphotographyx did so well to capture all the Autumn tones. I have one more wedding this year, on the 29th December, a truly precious handfasting, and then my weekends are my own again until March 2025! So excited to visit @wimbledoncommon tomorrow with a couple to choose their special place. WELLIES AT THE READY, S&J!
Today is National Funeral Celebrant day, apparently, and appropriately I spent it conducting two funerals. One, a loving goodbye to a.son and brother gone too soon, was.held at the wonderful @bluebellcemetery . The team from @viner_and_sons, organised by Sarah and led by Lee were brilliant, and the family found great comfort in the simple heart felt service. Family poems and a visual tribute completed a special day.
Now, I rarely do 2 funerals in a day because I am a.bespoke celebrant, and prefer to focus on one family a day. However, a private commission in my all time favourite natural Burial ground @eden_valley_natural_burial was impossible to resist. This service could take as long as needed because only one ceremony is held there a day. We began the service at the entrance. Her daughters pulled the cart, and decorated the whicker casket with flowers. We stopped half way for a.poem, then the ceremony took almost an hour as we listened to her cello playing soaring up into a blue sky, and many friends and family paid tribute. Martin and Amy made sure everything went beautifully. I finished my day with writing a funeral, editing services and arranging home visits for next week. This truly is a wonderful job. Thank goodness for thick socks and a warm coat!
@aoic #funeralcelebrant #nationalfuneralcelebrantday #woodlandfunerals #woodlandburial #naturalburials #naturalburialgroundskent #Kent funerals #Surreyfunerals #surreycelebrant #kentcekebrant #Londoncelebrant #funerals #memorials #celebrationsoflife
I am in Liverpool! Tomorrow I have the tremendous honour of conducting a baby naming ceremony at the @invisiblewindfactory for a gorgeous couple and a very special baby. So what better excuse to visit such a wonderful city with @debbietearleart . Ferry across The Mersey tick!
Shining a light for all who have suffered through war, conflict and human actions in all the wars before the wars we are living through, and wars to come. They also serve those who stand and wait. We shall remember them.
Here`s to friendship. I met these two beauties on our first day of teaching college and struck gold. This photo is from my parents` 60th wedding anniversary in August, taken by the brilliant @emily_brown_photography . This week I have conducted a wedding hand fasting, a.betrothal blessing, and 3 funerals. After.my 4th today, I have a memorial tomorrow for a wonderful family man, who died too soon, before another funeral on the 11th. Next weekend I am in Liverpool for a baby naming ceremony. In my calling I hear so much about friends and so today I am toasting my besties, in the sunshine on a happy day. @csk1966 @debbietearleart . #handfasting #betrothalceremony #babynamingceremony
This is an oathing stone, used for a very special handfasting ceremony over the weekend. It refers to this lovely couple`s deeply rooted relationship, and contains the symbols for love and eternity.
They chose the design and colours. This was.my.gift to them, to treasure. @independentcelebrants @hitcheduk @anaturalwedding @unconventional_wedding @countryspaceuk
#oathingstone #pagan #handfasting #naturalwedding @sustainableweddingmovement @sustainableweddingallianceuk
#loveislove #weddinginspo #freegift @coltsfordmill_wedding_venue
After the betrothal ceremony! What a wonderful way to.spend a Sunday. @hitched @anaturalwedding @unconventional_wedding @independentcelebrants #paganhandfasting #betrothal #engagementceremony #paganblessing #sacredcircle #riverside ceremony #riverhandfasting
At the wonderful @coltsfordmill_wedding_venue for Peter and Diba`s handfasting ceremony today. What a beautiful, intimate place to say I do. We had a beautiful poem in Farsi from the bride`s mother, and the love and joy in the room was palpable. I know this couple is heading for their happy ever after! @hitcheduk @unconventional_wedding @sustainableweddingalliance
@naturalweddingdirectory #handfasting#oathingstone #romanticwedding #all faiths #loveislove🌈 #noneedtoask
Spot the dog! Had a great chat with a couple yesterday who have chosen to have their #handfasting in a woodland setting. Coincidentally, whilst walking Lyra and Gina yesterday, this tree and clearing inspired me with visions of a ceremony beneath its branches. The joy of a #celebrantwedding is that these dreams can be your reality! #Samhain blessings to you all.
@independentcelebrants @hitcheduk @unconventional_wedding @sustainableweddingallianceuk @sustainableweddingmovement @thedreys @countyweddingmagazines @coltsfordmill_wedding_venue #pagan #woodlandwedding #magicalwedding #rescuedogs #Samhain #Autumnweddings #autumnhandfasting #samhainhandfasting.
#pumpkinwedding #weddings2026 #weddings2025 #weddinginspo #starwarsweddings #vikingwedding #dndwedding #furrywedding #loveislove🌈 #noneedtoask
Celebrate your baby`s name, its meaning and the joy you feel with a baby naming ceremony!
That momemt when... Jess and Warren are declared handfasted! The look on their faces says it all! @jessicaaambxo @emily_brown_photography @themanorgardensbirling @hitcheduk @independentcelebrants @unconventional_wedding @sustainableweddingallianceuk @sustainableweddingmovement @greenunion.co.uk #handfasting #outdoorwedding #gardenwedding #veganwedding @thefatcarrot #sustainableweddingcelebrant #creativeweddingcelebrant #celebrantinkent #celebrantinsurrey #localcelebrant #weddinginspo
Gina and Lyra watching Strictly! My gran`s chrocheted blanket is still going strong 50 years on. #celebrant #crochet #Autumnnights #thewheelturns #rescuedogs #rehomedontbuy #2ndchancedogs #cosynights #autumnwedding @anaturalwedding @hitcheduk @independentcelebrants @unconventionalwedding @boreplace @caracol_camp
When someone takes the trouble to write personally to thank me, it feels so overwhelming. They are grieving, yet wanted to thank me. It was a true pleasure to help this lovely family say goodbye to a.much loved mum.
#funeralcelebrant #funerals #lovinggoodbye #lovingfuneral @bluebellcemetery @dignity @W.Hodges #uniquefunerals #kindcelebrant #gentlecelebrant #creativecelebrant #creativefunerals #presentationscrolls
Busy week this week booking weddings for next year, conducting funerals and planning a trip to Liverpool for a baby naming. So here is a restful picture from my garden whilst I catch my breath! @independentcelebrants @hitcheduk @unconventionalwedding @greenunion.co.uk @naturalweddingdirectory
#handfasting #baby naming #funeralcelebrant #weddingcelebrant #international celebrant #kentcelebrant #surreycelebrant #paganceremony #unusualweddings #different weddings #weddinginspo2025
When it all feels too much - opening your mouth can feel the hardest thing to do. Finding the words can feel impossible. "I didn`t want to worry you! "They don`t need me to bring them down" "No-one understands" "No-one can help me" - these are all thoughts , but they feel like truths. Stop. Breathe. You will get through this. Today is World Mental Health Day. In my work as a funeral celebrant my metaphorical door is always open. For my wedding couples I am here to help and to listen - anxiety is common. For sleep deprived new parents trying to arrange a baby naming, I am here to listen and empathise. For those who have attained their new lives at considerable personal cost, you can do it, keep going!
Helpful counselling and support including clubs - country wide:
https://www.instagram.com/mindcharity/
Specific support for men - lots of different groups including Men`s sheds:
https://www.instagram.com/giveusashoutinsta/?hl=en
African and Caribbean mental health support for those who feel unheard elsewhere
https://www.acmh-services.co.uk/contact/
LGBTQAI+ support and counselling for all aspects of life
https://choicesupport.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/supported-loving/supported-loving-toolkit/lgbtq-social-groups
Love is love.
#lgbtq🌈 #inclusivecelebrant #ally #couples #thrupples #handfasting #weddinginspo #noneedtoask #weddinginspiration @unconventionalwedding @greenunion.co.uk @anaturalwedding #sustainablecelebrant @sustainableweddingmovement @sustainableweddingallianceuk
#truenamingceremonies #namingceremoniestrans
Cutest ring bearer ever! I met the lovely Beth and Alex, and Wookie three years ago at a wedding fair - we bonded over our mutual love of dogs and they booked me the next day. Three years, a pandemic and various life events later and we celebrated their wonderful love affair with a little help from Wookie, and some shots!
Thank you @michaelangelo for your wonderful photographs, and to this gorgeous couple for letting me share them with you. You can`t hear her, but the lovely @lulaweddings sang and made the moment totally special.
@ravenswoodvenue is the perfect place to celebrate. The team took so much care of every little detail.
Many congratulations to a wonderful couple, and woof to Wookie!
#dogatawedding
#ringbearer
#dogringbearer #includeyourpetsinawedding
#traditionalwedding
#romanticwedding
#loveislove🌈
#Inclusivecelebrant
@hitched
@unconventional_wedding
@independentcelebrants
@anaturalwedding
@greenunion.co.uk
Who else loves Autumn? The world turns, the harvest is gathered, and my couples get creative! Venues
@longtonwood @barnfieldweddings @littlefantfarm
Florals: where known @helen_sheard_floral_designs_ (the gorgeous backdrop)
@paperandbloomuk
Hair and mua where known
@d_halloffame
@larajamesmakeup
Photos
@emily_brown_photography
@mickiejeanphotographyx
Dresses (where known)
@sabinamotasem
Purple dress second hand from Oxfam
Jewellery
@kata.jewellery
Couples
@dollydolltattoos @mikemailey
@abi.mikes
@spillerelectrical
Hurrah for Autumn!
#pumpkinwedding #autumnwedding
#weddinginspo
#autumnweddingideas
#best celebrant
#kentcelebrant
#surreycelebrant
@hitched
@unconventional_wedding
@sustainableweddingallianceuk
@greenunion.co.uk
@independentcelebrants
Award winning Inclusive Independent Celebrant
Celebrating life and love from beginning to end.
email Kate@celebrantkate.co.uk
