The question I’m most often asked is why I chose to become a celebrant, and the answer to that is really easy. I’ve attended many weddings and funerals in my life, the majority of which have been full religious ceremonies, but which were much more to do with dogma and religious tradition than the individuals at the centre of the occasion. Then, whilst living in New Zealand, I discovered what the role of a Celebrant was, and here I am.
I conduct ceremonies which have individuals at the centre of them – in other words, human-centred. People nowadays have a wide range of personal belief systems, and so the ceremonies I conduct are hugely varied: sometimes they’re entirely non-religious, sometimes they have a little bit (or quite a lot) of religious content, and sometimes they’re interfaith (where more than one belief system is represented). So whether you have no belief whatsoever, or you have religious or spiritual beliefs, the most important thing is that I will deliver your ceremony exactly as you want it.
As an English graduate and writer, I worked in senior roles in education for 17 years, most recently as a Headteacher, so I’m a highly confident organiser and public speaker. In some of the spare time I have, I’ve enjoyed volunteering in organisations as diverse as the prison service, the Durrell Wildlife Trust, and the Samaritans.
TESTIMONIALS
Your wedding venue and location are only limited by your imagination and are as individual as you are. Jess and Joel from Australia, chose to head up on the gondola and get married on Aonach Mor. This is what they had to say about their day: “We were very blessed to have Glynis as part of our special day. At the start of our journey all the way from Australia to the Scottish Highlands, Glynis made us feel very comfortable and took the time to deliver a very intimate experience that we will cherish forever. Glynis was professional, warm and spoke true from the heart, delivering a beautiful ceremony that we will never forget.”
Much of my work is in conducting funerals, or farewell ceremonies, and this is what one client had to say about her sister’s funeral: “I would have loved the service which everyone said was perfect, very personal and they particularly liked the fact you asked us up to the front for the Committal. It’s strange, what I thought was going to be quite a gruelling day turned out to be one to look back on with happiness and in some ways I wish I could see it all again as it went too quickly. The Spanish blessing was a beautiful touch.”
Some couples like to renew their vows for special occasions, or after a long period of marriage. Karen and John from Inverness did just that to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, in one of their favourite spots overlooking the River Ness: “We met Glynis and felt she was the right person for us straight away. She was able to pick out our feelings and thoughts that made our day very special, professional and organised and exactly what we were looking for.”