Sue Walder - Humanist Celebrant

10/06/2026

🥂✨ Happy first anniversary Josie & Lucas! ✨🥂

How time flies - how is it a year since Josie and Lucas's outdoor wedding at in York?

It was a privilege to be part of such a lovely group of family and friends who had gathered from the UK and Australia - all wishing nothing but joy to this committed couple

This is one of my favourite photos from the ceremony - the look between them as they exchanged rings. Beautifully captured by the talented ✨

28/05/2026

🎊 Kind words 🎊

The naming day ceremony we put together for Joni was such a joy to conduct and it's so lovely to know that the family got so much out of it too

Named after Joni Mitchell, this Joni is already showing signs of her namesake's talent and is a regular songbird

Joni is a very lucky little girl to have such a loving community of friends and three generations of family in her corner

Gathering together to mark an important addition to a family is very special and reaffirms something special: that the loving bonds that connect us are worth celebrating

If you'd like to know more, then get in touch 🥳

08/05/2026

🫧 A day of family, friendship & fun 🫧

near Haworth in West Yorkshire was the setting for little Joni's naming ceremony last weekend

While the sun disappeared, it didn't rain - yay! So we could hold the ceremony outside with the dramatic Brontë countryside as our backdrop

A communal pledge to Joni was made by her 'village', two guide parents were appointed and colourful ribbons were tied onto an embroidered hoop by three generations of family - a lovely keepsake for Joni

As she was named after the celebrated singer songwriter Joni Mitchell, we ended the ceremony by listening to The Circle Game - a heartfelt reflection on growing up

What a great day. Joni is a very lucky little girl to be surrounded by such a loving community of family and friends ❤️

02/05/2026

🥳 🩶 Silver pumps for a naming ceremony 🩶🥳

The first outdoor ceremony of the season for me today

It's little Joni's naming day at in Brontë country, West Yorkshire

It might rain, it might not - but I thought these silver trainers would be both fun and practical! They make driving over the moors a bit easier too

Joni will be welcomed into a loving circle of friends and family in a relaxed and personal ceremony.

It's been an absolute pleasure getting to know this family - let the celebrations begin 🥳🎂🫧

20/04/2026

This survey is looking at non-religious people's experiences with end-of-life care. I'm sharing the link for those who may wish to participate ...

Take part in a survey to help inform the future of end of life care!

Our research team is looking for individuals who have recently experienced the death of someone close to them to complete a survey. The project explores how people experience and imagine and good death, and seeks the perspectives of those who have recently accompanied someone through the dying process. This survey will ask questions about what types of services the deceased may have accessed, and if/how these provided support.

The survey is completely anonymous. No identifying information will be recorded.
The survey is available in English, for those who live in Canada, the US, UK, and Australia. Translations are available for those who live in Brazil or Argentina. The estimated completion time is less than 20 minutes.

If you are interested in taking our survey, click on the link below:
https://utampa.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bpx7hiIzvFCtO8C

27/03/2026

🩷🌷🥂 Outdoor Yorkshire Wedding 🥂🌷🩷

For any couples planning an outdoor wedding in Yorkshire - take heart! It *is* possible

Just take a look at these lovely photos that photographer took of Josie & Lucas's wedding last June at in York

The rain held off, the sun came out and there was no need for Plan B

We held a small, intimate wedding ceremony in a gorgeous garden enclave. There were poems (one written and delivered by Josie's dad) and their little boy delivered the wedding rings

We've got April showers on the horizon but soon - very soon - it's going to be sunshine all the way! (What can I say? I'm an optimist 😅) 💗🌞💗

22/03/2026

🎠 The Circle Game 🎠

How lovely to get the first naming ceremony planning meeting of the season off to a flying start

Elle and Ben have chosen in Brontë country, West Yorkshire for a (hopefully) outdoor ceremony to celebrate their daughter Joni with family and friends

As she's named after Joni Mitchell, it seems only right that The Circle Game features - it will be performed live by musician friends

The song is a hopeful, poetic reflection of the passage of time and growing up - perfect for a naming ceremony

"And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time..."

Roll on May - fingers crossed for fair spring weather 🤞🌷🌞

20/03/2026

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09/03/2026

🕯️🌸 Candles for remembrance 🌸🕯️

Today Lynda's family and friends honoured and celebrated her life

At the beginning of the ceremony they lit candles in remembrance of a well-loved woman who will be sorely missed

Heartfelt tributes and memories were read by family as I told her story

She didn't want people to wear black so the Coach House at near Huddersfield was filled with colour - everyone understood the assignment

She also didn't want things to be 'too sombre' so she'd have been pleased that amongst the tears there were laughs and smiles

A fitting send-off for a woman who died as she had lived - bravely and on her own terms

08/03/2026

💫🌟 Happy International Women's Day 🌟💫

As a humanist celebrant I'm so lucky to work with so many amazing women - funeral directors and arrangers, wedding photographers, events managers and my wonderful celebrant colleagues

I'm also the mother of two brilliant young women who make me burst with pride every day

Last October I had the sensational opportunity to be both a wedding celebrant and mother of the bride

This photo, taken by the incredible , shows me in a double cuddle with my girls - Siobhán (the bride, on the left) and her sister Julia (maid of honour, on the right)

The future's bright with these two in the world 😍

❤️