SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: CELEBRANT KATHRYN

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF

Hello there! I’m Kathryn (she/her), I’m a Wedding Celebrant accredited by Humanists UK. My role is to work with couples to create, curate and deliver a unique, bespoke wedding ceremony. Every wedding ceremony I deliver is written entirely from scratch and completely authentic and inclusive to you both! No templates, no delete as appropriate and no crossed fingers during the bits that don’t reflect you!

I’ll make sure that instead of feeling constrained by tradition and expectation, your ceremony is full of warmth, fun and joy. I live in South East London with my hubby David and our gorgeous cat Timba. but happily travel, creating unique wedding ceremonies for modern couples who are getting creative and making meaningful wedding choices that reflect them.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I became a Humanist wedding celebrant because I love people and I love working with them to make sure they have a wonderful time! I had been to a lot of humanist wedding ceremonies and loved each and every one!

I also love ritual & celebration, humans have been marking milestones by gathering people around them for thousands of years. I’m honoured to be part of that for every couple I create a humanist wedding ceremony for. One of my favourite things is a fabulous day filled with love that makes people feel good! Basically I love people and weddings, and people at weddings.

HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

Well on a wedding day…I’ll be at your wedding venue at least an hour before the guests to make sure we’re all set. I’ll coordinate with photographers, venue staff, musicians and readers. I’ll also be there to reassure you both! Finally, I’ll conduct your feel-good ceremony, kicking off your fabulous day and your fabulous marriage!

On other days, I’ll usually start my day by checking in and answering new enquiries, then I’ll start writing; either ceremony scripts for upcoming weddings, blogs, Instagram posts. Then, usually in the evenings I’ll have intro calls with potential couples or planning chats (usually in person covid-permitting) with couples whose ceremonies I’m creating.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Meeting amazing couples and being able to be even just a tiny part of creating a beautiful wedding ceremony for them is just the most incredible feeling! I always raise a toast to every couple when I get home. I’m lucky enough to now be friends with the couples I’ve married.

AND WHAT IS THE WORST PART?

Having to say no to awesome-sounding couples when I’m already booked! 2022 and 2023 are going to be really busy years for weddings so if you are thinking about booking a celebrant (or any wedding supplier) then I highly recommend getting in touch as soon as you can.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea or you’d be a mug! I try to be really open about who I am, what I’m like, my values so that couples can make a decision about if I’m the right celebrant for them.

I honestly believe that there is a celebrant who is the right fit for every couple who wants one, so if it’s not me that’s OK. I choose to only take on a limited number of ceremonies a year so I’m always happy to recommend a celebrant colleague as Humanist Celebrants are part of a large, lovely, supportive network!

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT COUPLES TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

Getting married with a celebrant should feel like having a cheerleader, friend and advocate all rolled into one as you start your ceremony.

Humanist Wedding Celebrants undertake an intensive selection and training programme, that includes creating multiple ceremonies in order to achieve their accreditation. Once accredited, we have to show our continuous professional development and be observed at various intervals to maintain it.

Humanist Wedding Celebrants are also part of a formal support network, working alongside other humanist celebrants in their local area and beyond. This is really important to consider, just in case the rare but unfortunate happens where there is an emergency for your celebrant!

Also, looking for a celebrant that has a strong support network also means they’ll have had lots of opportunities to develop themselves and have

a range of ideas for your ceremony.

On a personal level, I’m passionate about ensuring every couple can find a wedding celebrant and have a wedding that’s authentic and meaningful. You deserve a ceremony that reflects you uniquely and celebrates your love, your story & your values.

I also feel really strongly about equality, access and inclusion, I’m skilled at creating accessible events and am on a mission to banish ableism in wedding ceremonies. It should go without saying, but just to be clear:

Love is love! I’m delighted to officiate at weddings of people of any sex or gender identity in any combination!
I’m also acutely aware of how ‘white’ the wedding industry is and I am committed to working with, and amplifying the voices of black, brown and mixed-heritage couples and suppliers from diverse backgrounds.

When it comes to access in the wedding industry, I know from personal experience, that your ‘average wedding’ often poses challenges or barriers for some. Making them feel ‘less than fabulous’ or even downright excluded. Not on my watch! I am determined to banish ableism from wedding ceremonies!

With 15 years professional experience in inclusive participation and a lifetime of understanding, I will make sure that your ceremony is accessible to you and fully fabulous! I can suggest ways to remove any barriers, offer solutions to keep you feeling confident and empowered and if you need me to advocate for any of your choices, I’m there!

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR COUPLES PLANNING A WEDDING?

My main advice is to make choices that feel absolutely right and authentic to you. There is nothing wrong with making wedding planning choices that feel more traditional if they have meaning and feel right to you both. One of the most effective ways to have a wedding that is authentic, inclusive and really reflects your love and your story is to work with a celebrant, that way your ceremony is as personalised as the rest of your day!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDN’T WORK IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

I actually have a ‘day job’ which I keep doing because I love it so much! I work for a big national charity designing and delivering learning and development for all our amazing volunteers!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR TIME OFF?

I volunteer in a few local projects including in a food initiative and at the book group I set up..The fact that most of my volunteering takes place in my local pub is in no way connected…honest!

I have an (un)healthy obsession with all things London Transport and used to work at London Transport Museum and love visiting historic and heritage sites. I’m a keen armchair sports fan, I’m also a season ticket holder at Dulwich Hamlet, a disillusioned Arsenal fan, a devotee to Minnesota Vikings and fervently watch Strictly, Richard Osman’s House of Games, Only Connect and RuPaul’s Drag Race – they count right? I also do the usual things of seeing friends, cooking and wasting time noodling about on the internet and watching reruns of Criminal Minds.

DREAM HOLIDAY?

A two week tour of Croatian Vineyards, InterRailing around Germany (again) or tickets to either the SuperBowl or Eurovision…

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?

Still marrying gorgeous couples – celebrating the anniversaries of the couples I’ve married who’ve become friends and hopefully sipping on a cool glass of white wine in a Croatian Vineyard!

Check out Kathryn‘s website and follow on Instagram !