Hardingstone Ceremonies

27/12/2025

If you are recently engaged, you will be thinking about the task of planning your wedding day. Whether you're excited to get going or are daunted by the task (or perhaps a bit of both) I hope this article is helpful to get you going.

Enjoy the process and remember it's your day so whilst friends and family may offer advice, you should ultimately do what you want to do!

Are you overwhelmed by the task of planning a wedding? This article guides you through some of the first steps to planning a perfect wedding day.

26/12/2025

In my recent blog about Christmas traditions I reflected that if traditions don't or no longer work for you, it's important to make new ones. Well today I put that into practice; I've abandoned the tradition of making a Christmas Cake as it never gets eaten. Instead we've got Christmas brownies 👍🌲

26/12/2025

Did you receive something sparkly yesterday? Christmas is a popular day for proposals. If you've just got engaged, congratulations 🎉🎉🎉.
No doubt you'll want to jump right in and start planning your wedding day - obviously I'm biased, but would always suggest you start with the ceremony as this will set the tone for so much - Religious or secular - or a blend of both, formal or relaxed, liturgical or bespoke, generic or personal, public or intimate...the choice is yours!
Happy planning and do drop me a line if you have any questions or want to know more about what I can offer as a celebrant.

22/12/2025

So true.

Many winter solstice traditions connect to death as part of a cycle, not an ending. The longest night symbolized the “dying” of the sun, honoring ancestors, rest, and what has passed—followed by the gradual return of light and renewal. Darkness wasn’t feared; it was understood as necessary for rebirth.

Photo - Duddo 5 Stones at Sunset in Northumberland, UK.

21/12/2025

Today sees the shortest hours of daylight in the northern hemisphere - the Winter Solstice. This day and the festival that marked it, played a crucial role in the origin of today's festival of Christmas. You can read more in my blog -

By using traditions already familiar to people the Church cleverly shifted people’s allegiance without going into all out battle with them.

19/12/2025

Thinking of all the families I have been privileged to serve this year, facing their first Christmas without a loved one. Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas.

As we enter the Christmas period and many are enjoying the festivities, it can be a difficult time for those who have lost a loved one, whether that is past or present. It is important to talk about how you are feeling, and to reach out to someone if you are struggling. There are support services available to you, with compassionate and friendly staff trained in bereavement support, on hand to listen. Here are a list of services, here to help you:

SAIF Care - www.saifcare.org.uk/bereavement-support/
Cruse Bereavement Support - www.cruse.org.uk/
The Good Grief Trust - www.thegoodgrieftrust.org

19/12/2025

Hugely grateful to C & M for sending me these photos of their June wedding. Wonderful memories of a fabulous day of love, family and fun. Supremely grateful to this special couple for letting me use their photos and for the great review.

Wishing them a particularly Happy 1st Christmas as Mr & Mrs!

19/12/2025

Well done to Fern and everyone at Reflection Funeralcare Ltd for organising this collection. A wonderful community contribution. 🌲🌲🌲

17/12/2025

A broach often allows me to show my respect to the person whose funeral I'm conducting. From the Royal Signals broach that belonged to my mum to pencils for a teacher, I like to reflect the person in my attire.

16/12/2025

Today is largely a day of rehearsing ahead of a funeral tomorrow. A gorgeous dog walk provided a valuable bit of fresh air. Thank you to my friend A for providing such excellent company (both human and dog) and for treating me to a Christmas coffee. A real treat!