Wedding and Funeral Celebrant in Bristol

Hi, I’m Rachel and I am a Wedding and Funeral Celebrant working in Somerset and the surrounding areas, particularly around Bristol, Bath and Wells.

I have been a teacher of music and a choir leader for many years and I love the ways in which music can express feelings and bring people together. Together with my husband Paul we write songs and music for special occasions and musicals for group performance. We run national music courses for young percussionists and french horn players, and I even, recently started a ukulele ‘orchestra’ in my local village - but that’s a whole other story.

Animals and their welfare are important to me. I am very supportive of animal-care charities and eco-friendly lifestyles. We have horses, donkeys and several dogs and cats in our extended family, all 'rescued' from distressing circumstances to live happier lives with us.

I was drawn to being a Celebrant because I love being a part of joyful events and using my presentation skills to enhance and make the most of an occasion. In my life, I have experienced both deep joys and sorrows that have been marked by formal events. They have given me strong feelings about what makes for a perfect ceremony.

Of course, not every occasion marked by a ceremony can be called 'joyful' but even a funeral, however tragic, can still have a positive theme and feelings.

I think I’m very much a “people person” and members of my choirs have been kind enough to say they appreciate and enjoy my easy-going style of leadership and sense of humour.

When you employ me to create and lead your special ceremony I'll always consider it to be not just a job but an honour and a pleasure.

Like my many colleagues, I can compose and deliver a unique ceremony for your wedding and other major life events such as renewal of vows, baby naming and other forms of commitment. For funerals and memorials I can offer a caring and dignified event that reflects your thoughts and the unique life of your loved one.

My special talent, however, is in music. If you would like live music to be part of your ceremony then I can play piano or organ, I can sing and I can arrange the participation of other instrumentalists. As an extra special part of your celebration, I can even create a special song, written exclusively for you. I and my husband Paul are an experienced song-writing team and can present you with something that will be a lasting, musical reminder of all the special memories of this day. It's an entirely optional service but something to add an extra dimension to a ceremony or a wedding video.

If you already have favourite music in mind that is special to you and you would like to use to mark your day just let me know. I'll be delighted to help create whatever kind of ceremony you prefer. I'll listen to your desires and offer all the suggestions I can to make your dream come true.

In the past, I have attended some family weddings and funerals where the person leading the event was plainly following a generic script they had used dozens of times before. I feel that is so sad as these events can be such a grand expression of who we are as individuals. When we take the time to craft a unique ceremony, based on the personalities of the people at the centre, it can be remembered for ever by everyone involved.

Please contact me for an initial chat and we'll explore what we can do together.

Rachel