Barbara Jennion | Wedding and Funeral Celebrant

Hi, I’m Barbara, your funeral, family and wedding Celebrant for West Yorkshire, creating bespoke ceremonies for those important, milestone occasions throughout life.

I live with my partner in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, but return to my hometown of Widnes in Cheshire frequently, so my potential to be your Celebrant covers a few counties down the M62.

I have two sons and I dote on four young granddaughters. Oh, I am Nanzilla! My partner and I have ten grandchildren between us, so Christmas is a bit … well … let’s call it loud and loving!

There isn’t much I won’t join in with, so you’re just as likely to find me on a quiet walk taking photos as you are to find me dressed as Marge Simpson at a party or watching football, debating the offside rule. We recently bought a retro trailer tent so I’ve got the camping bug (and bug spray!)

The seeds of becoming a Celebrant were planted when I wrote and delivered three eulogies for the funerals of my brother, my childhood friend and my Mum. I found the process cathartic. It also tapped into my desire to craft something uniquely apt to capture who they were.

I also had the honour of writing and delivering a speech for one of my dearest friends’ 25^th wedding anniversary, who marked the occasion by renewing their vows on the island of Cuba, hence the vintage car shot below of some of us in full “woo hoo!!” mode.

My background is teaching English Language and Literature to GCSE, A level and adult Access students. I’ve noticed over the years that thank you cards never say “You wrote the best aims and objectives, Barbs”.  Students thank me for how I made them feel.

The role of a Celebrant isn’t too far away from this, for isn’t the nature of having a ceremony motivated by feelings?  Joy. Comfort. Respect. Commitment. Grief. Appreciation. Love … 

What will I do as your Celebrant?

In my world, words are everything. My role is to put words to your feelings and make important occasions memorable for important people.

I can genuinely say that to be entrusted with composing a bespoke celebration of life - or celebration in life, is nothing short of a privilege.

Firstly, you want someone to organise, write and express the right words on what may be the most difficult day or the most joyous of days. I offer:

• Funeral and memorial ceremonies
• Interment
• Wedding, commitment and civil ceremonies
• Vow renewal ceremonies (please take me to Cuba again!)
• Naming ceremonies (babies, blended families, adopted families)
• Other personal milestone ceremonies (graduation, big birthdays, anniversaries, bon voyage …)
• Scriptwriting service (help with your vows or speech)

Whatever the occasion, it will be a day driven by emotion and I want to help you turn your ideas into something memorable and unique.

Step 1: Contact me. We’ll talk about the occasion and arrange a meeting in person or via Zoom if this isn’t possible.

Step 2: The meeting. You put the kettle on; I’ll get my notepad out and we’ll simply chat. I’m a ‘people person’ so I’m pretty sure we can form a productive relationship. If it’s a wedding, we’ll meet a few times before ‘the big day.’

Step 3: The writing. This is my bit. Essentially, I want to gain a rich understanding of the essence of the person or people involved and the details you want like music, readings, activities and themes etc. It’s all about building something together.  I’ll listen to you carefully so that I can create a ceremony you can look back on and feel was done ‘just right’.

If you choose me as your Celebrant, please don’t hesitate to ask me for advice or ideas to make the ceremony more personal.

Best wishes and good thoughts

Barbara x