Ceremonies by Susie

13/09/2026

It’s amazing how quickly the landscape has changed. A week ago everything was dry and brown, and now — after the rain — the fields and hedgerows have turned green again.

I had Turn! Turn! Turn! stuck in my head on my walk last week, a song written before I was born!
https://youtu.be/W4ga_M5Zdn4?si=P5NOUAlLJsHwXjDK
I ended up looking up the passage it’s based on. I’m not religious, but there’s something grounding about the idea that nature has its own rhythms, and life feels steadier when we tune into them.

Over the past month I’ve had this real urge to gather things in — field mushrooms for breakfast, plums, blackberries and cooking apples for crumbles, jams, chutneys, — that old instinct to harvest and store, even though we have fridges, freezers and supermarket shelves now. Maybe it’s just the season doing what it’s always done.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos of the green returning.

31/07/2026

It doesn't seem as though any time has passed since the solstace, but it has! We are already at another turn of the calendar and the first harvest of the year. Lammas is another pagan festival. It is dedicated to honoring transition, gratitude, and the changing of the seasons. It marks the moment we begin to reap what we have sown.
Our ancestors celebrate this sacred time of year by baking bread in thanks for the earth's fertility & making corn dollies.
I have been reading about handfasting ceremonies - and apparently these early marriage contracts were often made during Lammas when tribes met for feasts and games.
The wheat fields I was walking in a couple of weeks ago are now cut and there are haystacks dotted around. The blackberries and damsons are ripe for picking. I feel grateful for another abundant year. Happy Harvest! 🍞 🌽🌾

22/07/2026

Hello. 😊. Did you know that there is big news at the moment for the future of celebrant weddings?

Right now, the UK government is running a public consultation on proposed changes to marriage laws which could be a real game-changer for couples who want a fully personalized, meaningful wedding ceremony.

As things currently stand, a celebrant cannot legally marry you. You have to book a registrar for the "legal bit" and then have your celebrant ceremony separately, but as part of the proposed changes celebrants could be legally recognized at last! This means your chosen celebrant could do the legal registration AND your beautiful, personal ceremony all in one go, anywhere you choose. It is all about giving couples the freedom to marry exactly how, where, and with whom they want.

I'm sharing this information because the government wants to hear from couples and wedding professionals alike. If you would like to see more choice and flexibility for future weddings, you can share your views directly in the consultation here: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/family-justice/reforming-weddings-law-in-england-and-wales/consultation/
Thank you and have a lovely day! Susie x

Find and participate in consultations relating to the duties of the Ministry of Justice.

29/06/2026

A lovely testimonial from a truly lovely bride and groom - thank you and Congratulations again to Mr and Mrs C - ❤️🧡🩷💚- so happy to have been part of your special day. (Gorgeous photos too from Rikki Critchell Photography)

We were so lucky to have Susie as our wedding celebrant. From the very beginning, she was incredibly organised, thoughtful, and attentive to every detail.
The planning process was seamless, and Susie went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. She took the time to get to know us, listened carefully to what we wanted, and made us feel completely supported throughout. It was also her first time conducting a handfasting ceremony, and she absolutely nailed it. She embraced it with such confidence and care, making it feel incredibly meaningful and special.
On the day itself, Susie brought such a wonderful sense of calm to everyone. Her warm, reassuring presence helped ease any nerves and ensured the ceremony ran beautifully. Every little detail had been carefully considered, and everything came together perfectly.
We couldn't have asked for a better celebrant. Susie made our ceremony feel personal, meaningful, and truly special. We are so grateful for all the hard work, care, and dedication she put into our day. We would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a celebrant who genuinely goes above and beyond.

24/06/2026

I was so touched to receive this recommendation just now from BPC Funeral Services .
Susie recently officiated at one of our funeral services and from our first initial telephone conversation i found her to be Friendly, Professional and very easy to work with. The feedback from the family was positive and glowing. We would have no hesitation in recommending Susie to future families we deal with as I know they would be in good hands.

21/06/2026

June has been really busy so far, so taking time to slow down this evening was much needed. Walking through the fields and woods, summer was in bloom, and the longest day of the year has brought the most beautiful, golden light.
I read today that "solstice" means "sun standing still." No wonder that at this peak of warmth and light, it feels like the perfect moment to stand still and reflect on the year so far, before the seasons eventually begin their gradual turn towards the cooler darker months. (Don't worry, there's plenty more sunshine first...)
Because today is also Father’s Day, I've been thinking about my Dad too. We lost him when he was very young, and I don’t remember him as well as I wish I could. But I love looking at this photo of him holding one year old me with my very chubby cheeks! So, just having a moment today to appreciate the beauty around me, and the love that stays with us. Happy Father's Day to all the dads, both here and in our hearts.

16/06/2026

An early start today and a sense of peace that comes with a quiet morning among the trees and flowers. Today, I had the privilege of conducting a funeral service at Weston-super-Mare Crematorium for a lovely Dad and Grandad who will be sadly missed by all his friends and family.
Afterwards, I was able to walk through the memorial gardens and was very touched by all the personal ways people choose to remember and honour their loved ones. Looking around today, the little objects left by headstones and plaques spoke about the unique lives they represented. I saw a serene Buddha statue, a colourful Muppet plushie, and even a four-pack of lager left for a final toast.There is no "right" way to grieve or to remember. Whether through sacred symbols, childhood nostalgia, or a favorite drink, these offerings are a powerful testament to enduring love. 🤍Traditional offerings span many cultures, from Mexican Día de los Mu***os altars to Asian ancestral shrines. If you are curious about how different cultures use unique items to honour the dead, this website has lots of beautiful and thoughtful articles to read:
https://www.talkdeath.com/cultures-that-celebrate-death/

06/06/2026

Well, the weather certainly tried its best today — but love won, as it always does. A rainy orchard, a beautiful wedding teepee, and a couple who couldn’t stop smiling… honestly, it was perfect in its own wonderfully British way.These two are such a natural match, and it was a joy to help them celebrate with their lovely friends and families. I feel very lucky. Photos to follow once I’ve dried out!
💛🌿

01/05/2026

I love looking into different ceremonies and traditions and I think there is a real yearning for many people at the moment to embrace some of the old ways and mark the passing of the year with different rituals. In our fast-paced hectic modern world it is too easy to let these moments just go by in a blur so I'm trying to pause and honour them.

Today, May 1st, marks Beltane, one of the great Celtic fire festivals and one of the most passionately celebrated sabbats on the Wheel of the Year. Where Samhain honours the thinning veil of autumn, Beltane celebrates the bursting life-force of spring, the union of energies, and the ignition of summer’s fire.

Beltane (from the Gaelic Bel Teine, meaning “Bright Fire”) was traditionally celebrated across Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It honoured the god Belenus, a radiant deity of healing, sunlight, and protection.

Ancient Beltane rites included:

- Twin bonfires that people and livestock passed between for purification and blessing
- Feasting and dancing to welcome fertility, abundance, and good fortune
- Offerings to the Fae, who were believed to be especially active and mischievous

Beltane is the moment when the Earth is fully awake-lush, fertile, and overflowing with potential. It’s a celebration of life-force, creativity, and the sacred spark within us.

To celebrate this special festival this morning I lit a small fire and wrote some intentions on paper then burned them. I made an offering table and thought about all the things in my life I'm grateful for.

I also listened to lovely music and the birds in my garden, drank chai tea and ate strawberries and cake- (well it did say feasting!)

Magical Beltane Blessings xx