Peony Celebrations and Memorials

Peony Celebrations and Memorials Weddings, baby naming and funerals; bespoke ceremonies written and delivered with personality.

If you love Christmas - the sparkle and lights; cosying up together, Christmas trees and the family all around - a Chris...
12/12/2025

If you love Christmas - the sparkle and lights; cosying up together, Christmas trees and the family all around - a Christmas wedding may be for you. Consider soft lighting and festive cheer to make your day extra special. As a Celebrant I am available all year round and I'm happy to get on board with your theme. Contact me for more details.
Photo: Blair Roberts Castagnetta on Unsplash

When I write a funeral script I keep it personal. I make sure I use all the words that the family have used in our meeti...
09/12/2025

When I write a funeral script I keep it personal. I make sure I use all the words that the family have used in our meeting to describe their loved one. I not only ask why the chosen music has significance, I look beyond that and into the lyrics to see if I can see the loved one there. If you are organising an interment of ashes following a direct cremation and would like to know more - message me, I'm happy to help.
Funeral Directors - message me for more details.

It's grief awareness week. Falling in the middle of engagement season it's a reminder that in the midst of life we are i...
03/12/2025

It's grief awareness week. Falling in the middle of engagement season it's a reminder that in the midst of life we are in death.
Grief affects everyone differently and no-one, least of all yourself if you are grieving, should expect you to be at a certain phase of the process. I think that it's important to understand that it is a process and that this too will pass. Ask for help if you need it - if you are in the Cotswold I have a list of organisations that can help. Message me if you'd like a copy and be kind to yourself.
Photo: Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash

So you've chosen the ring - something meaningful and beautiful - now all you need to do is pop the question. Here are a...
02/12/2025

So you've chosen the ring - something meaningful and beautiful - now all you need to do is pop the question. Here are a few ideas for some romantic and fun places to propose:
The spot where you first said "I love you"
In the stands, watching your team
Recreate your first date
Hide the ring in a glass of champagne or a dessert
Write the words "will you marry me?" on the bathroom mirror
Visit a stately home
Photo: Dylan Sauerwein on Unsplash
Words: Brides.com, Zola.com, Austen and Blake

If you are planning your wedding, you'll be thinking about how you'll get married, and what style of ceremony you'd like...
28/11/2025

If you are planning your wedding, you'll be thinking about how you'll get married, and what style of ceremony you'd like. The choice of religious or civil service is deeply personal. Did you know that 75% of marriages in the UK are civil ceremonies? These sorts of ceremonies use standard wording and you will have a choice of 3 sets of words in 2 sections of the ceremony. The chances are that your guests will have attended a similar service in the past. Whereas if you choose to use a celebrant you will have a service that is as unique as you are. Personalised and intimately crafted vows and there will be no restrictions on your choice of music, poetry or readings. Your wedding, your way.
Contact me if you'd like more information and to discuss your options.
Words: Gloucestershire Register Service
Photo: Tai's Capture on Unsplash

An engagement ring with your lover's birthstone is a romantic and thoughtful gift. Here are the 12 birthstones with the...
25/11/2025

An engagement ring with your lover's birthstone is a romantic and thoughtful gift. Here are the 12 birthstones with their months:
January - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March - Aquamarine
April - Diamond
May - Emerald
June - Alexandrite
July - Ruby
August - Peridot
September - Sapphire
October - Tourmaline
November - Topaz (pictured) (Also my birthday!)
December - Blue topaz
I hope that your love says 'YES' and don't forget that a celebrant led wedding can take place whenever and wherever you like. Contact me for more details.
Words: International Gem Society
Photo: Gary Yost on Usplash

For those planning a proposal soon here are some of the meanings of precious stones that are popular engagement ring cho...
21/11/2025

For those planning a proposal soon here are some of the meanings of precious stones that are popular engagement ring choices.
Sapphire: Nobility, truth, sincerity, faithfulness
Emerald: Patience, compassion, prosperity
Ruby: Passion, romance, wealth
Amethyst: Calm, clarity, peace of mind
Topaz: Protection, honesty, eternal love

A marriage proposal is a big deal and will be followed by some massive planning sessions. It's never too early to discuss your ceremony with a celebrant who will incorporate all your individuality into the day.

When you choose your engagement ring you might want to think about what the stones mean. Diamonds remain extremely popul...
18/11/2025

When you choose your engagement ring you might want to think about what the stones mean. Diamonds remain extremely popular for engagement rings and in their pure, colourless state they represent love, commitment and eternal beauty. You may choose a gorgeous coloured diamond and there are a rainbow assortment available. Yellow diamonds mean positivity and optimism, pink ones are for beauty, romance and fun. A blue diamond signifies passion, trust and loyalty while green ones show growth, health and nature. A vibrant orange diamond is for youth, emotion and harmony and a black one is a symbol of power, sophistication and elegance.
Wherever you are in your wedding planning journey it's never too early to discuss your options with a celebrant.
Words: H Samuel
Photo: Omer Evren

I've taken a step away from engagement season and I thought I'd share some traditions around the colours of mourning. We...
14/11/2025

I've taken a step away from engagement season and I thought I'd share some traditions around the colours of mourning. Wearing black to a funeral is popular in the west and dates back to the Romans. The Victorians really embraced it following the prolonged mourning of Queen Victoria for Prince Albert. Widows were expected to wear a black bonnet and veil in public for the first six months of mourning, and they were expected to wear black for 1-2 years following the death of their husband. Men (of course) got off more lightly, they were expected to mourn their wives for 3-6 months only and could get on with their lives in their regular suit.
In Buddhist countries white is a popular colour for mourning. It symbolises purity and re-birth and families wear it in the hope that their loved one will be reborn.
Red is sometimes worn at South African funerals. It signifies honour and patriotism and commemorates the blood shed during the Apartheid era.
In Central and South American purple, a colour for spirituality, is worn for mourning the death of loved one. In Thailand purple signifies sorrow and is worn by widows for the funeral, while other guests are expected to wear black.
Don't feel bad if you don't want to wear black to your loved ones funeral. Other colours are appropriate; make it your own.
(Words: The Funeral Guide, picture Dead Good Legacies on Unsplash)

Engagement season rolls on and I have been looking at some engagement traditions from around the world. In Germany engag...
11/11/2025

Engagement season rolls on and I have been looking at some engagement traditions from around the world. In Germany engagement is more casual than other countries and one half of a dating couple may present a promise ring. This is worn on the left hand before the wedding and swapped over to the right hand afterwards. When a marriage is proposed in China the groom's family shower the bride-to-be with gifts including food and trinkets. A Hindu tradition in India is that the Groom's father asks the brides father permission for his son to marry his beloved daughter. There is also a pre-wedding vow ceremony called Lagna Patrika.
If you are getting engaged this season, it's never too early to arrange a chat with a celebrant, like me, to discuss your wedding day.
Words: Wedding Bee
Photo: Taylor Brandon on Unsplash

It's engagement season! Did you know that 40-50% of couples get engaged between now and February? If you are planning a ...
07/11/2025

It's engagement season! Did you know that 40-50% of couples get engaged between now and February? If you are planning a proposal or have just said "YES!" you have my heartfelt congratulations. While you are busy buying rings and floating around in your cloud of happiness remember that a celebrant led wedding will be original, personal and authentic. It is never to early to contact me to discuss your options.
(40-50% stats from The Knot and brides.com. Photo Lauren Mitchell on Unsplash)

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Latton
Swindon
SN66DJ

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
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