Gordon J Smith - Rites & Rituals Scotland Celebrant

07/12/2025

Fascinating, and worth listening to.

07/11/2025

If you are anything like me, and God help you if you are, the increasing appearance of American words and phrases in common use in the UK is annoying, to say the least.
Words like “snuck” instead of sneaked, and “dove” instead of dived do my head in.
But there are other words in common use in North America that we tend to shy away from, such as (the) Fall when talking about the season, Autumn, we are currently in.
Personally, I find Fall useful when it comes to changing the clocks, using “Spring forward, Fall back” as a useful reminder as to whether to advance clocks an hour or move them back.

But here’s the thing, Fall isn’t an American invention, it comes from ancient English that made its way across the Atlantic, and which we have long since abandoned.
Both Spring and Fall come from a time when language was simpler and reflected what we experienced.
Spring is derived from “spring of the leaves” and Fall from “fall of the leaves”. Both observing the beauty of nature and, I think, encouraging us to notice and appreciate the change in the environment around us.
Of course, we all know what Autumn means, but Fall (of the leaves) tells us so much more and can encourage us to appreciate the world in front of us.

05/11/2025

After too long a period of inactivity, I posted a new Blog on the Rites & Rituals website.
Where do you sit? Sign or coincidence?

Written by Gordon Smith Last week I popped into Ninewells Hospital in Dundee to visit my cousin who’d had her appendix whipped out. Successfully :)Ninewells is a place I came to know quite well around 18 months ago when my wife, Janet, was undergoing investigations and treatment associated with a ...

30/10/2025

If you engage with me, or any other representative of Rites & Rituals Scotland, please be reassured that your marriage has been, or will be, solemnised by a celebrant, who is legally entitled conduct your ceremony. Lindy and Victoria have recorded a podcast to explain all.

A few days ago, the Sunday Post published an article in which they said there are bogus Celebrants operating in Scotland, and some coupled who think they are...

25/10/2025

The latest Rites & Rituals Scotland podcast, featuring yours truly.☺️

In today’s episode, we sit down with Gordon ... the only man in the Rites & Rituals Scotland community of Ceremonialists ... to talk openly about what it rea...

21/10/2025

A lovely autumnal morning.
Who’s making your rainbow?

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

Still a couple of hours left The Scottish Wedding Show and we have having such a great time meeting so many lovely couples and hearing all about their plans for the big day. If you would like to pop by, we are at Stand A58 with big smiles and a wee chocolate to keep you going

12/10/2025

Day 2 of the Scottish Wedding Show at the SEC in Glasgow.

12/10/2025

11/10/2025