A little bit about me…
“I believe that life is for living to its fullest and each day is a gift to be celebrated”
Having a connection with your celebrant is a must. So if you want to find out who am I – here you go.
I’m a wife of forty two years (I know I can’t believe it either!), mum of four very cool children and grandma (known as Gigi) to five little crackers! I lived in Aberdeenshire for 37 years but I’m originally from Liverpool and I now live in France.
I’ve been told I’m a very positive person and for me it doesn’t matter whether the glass is half full or not because I can fill it up any time I want!
I’m a heart-on-my-sleeve sort of person so you know exactly where you stand with me and being a Scouser, with Irish roots, I enjoy good craic and a laugh.
I love to meet people and listen to their stories. I also love travelling and throw myself into new experiencing. My most ambitious trip was to the Galapagos Islands where hubby, my elder daughter and I went scuba diving with sea lions, sharks (no, not the dangerous type – they were sleeping) and penguins! And in 2017 we travelled around the world crossing the International Date Line. That meant we travelled all day from Perth and finally arrived in Hawaii before we’d even left Australia!! Very strange but so cool.
When I have free time I love to go to the cinema, sing with two local choirs, kayak and swim in the local river or play Mahjong with my crazy friends. I also adore eating out and cooking for my pals. But my favourite pastime is spending time with my family. My nuclear-powered grandchildren keep me on my toes and after an afternoon at the park or in the swimming pool, I’m ready to read a good book to them with a cup of hot chocolate and then quietly collapse. x
{ ‘L’absence totale d’humour rend la vie impossible’ which translates as ‘The total absence of humour renders life impossible.’ Sidonie Gabrielle Colette}
My work
My job is to make your ceremony as stress-free as possible and I think the key to that is meticulous planning.
The preparation starts when we have our first chat, either face-to-face or online. You can tell me all about your plans and any ideas you have for your ceremony. The only limits are your imagination – and of course good taste!
Q. After we book you, will you be in touch at all?
A. Yes, for me it’s all about building a great relationship with you both. I’ll email you every few months and you can update me on your wedding plans, ask any questions or maybe talk through something you’ve seen and would like to include in your ceremony.
Q. When can we start planning the ceremony?
A. You can start to collect ideas for the ceremony as soon as you’re ready. If you have any weddings in your diary you can take mental notes of what you like and don’t like about them; both are equally as important. Then in early January of the year of your wedding, I send you each a questionnaire. When I receive your completed questionnaires, you’ll receive the first draft seven to ten days later and then the fun begins!
Q. It says in your T&Cs that we can make unlimited changes to the ceremony. Is that right?
A. Absolutely. The first draft is a starter-for-ten and we can make any changes you want: we can include your best pal Stacy reading a poem or your brother Mat who wants to sing a song. It’s always really, really nice when others get involved in the ceremony.
Two weeks before your wedding I’ll be back in touch to double check everything is as we’ve planned and we’re good to go. Then I print out everything and no more changes can be made.
Q. What happens on our wedding day?
A. I arrive in good time. I say hello to you both and check our plan is still okay. I also say hello to anyone involved in the ceremony e.g. sometimes readers need a little reassurance, the young ones in your wedding party might like to show me their outfits or a nervous escort may want to go over exactly where to stand.
Then I conduct the ceremony we’ve created in my own inimitable way, with sincerity, tenderness, a genuine warmth and a laugh or two slipped in. This is a wedding though and so a degree of gravitas is injected at the appropriate times.
Q. What happens if the bride is late?
A. No, no, no. A bride can’t be late! I only book one wedding a day, so it’s no problem for me. The only issue maybe if your guests are sitting in the heat and wilting like flowers under the beating sun.
Q. How do we book you?
A. Although I’m based in the south west of France (Rouffiac 16210) I’m very happy to travel further afield but this will affect my fee. Drop me a line at gaynor@celebrantfrance.com to check if I’m available and for a quote. Then you complete the booking form I’ve sent you and pay your booking fee. All done.
Let’s Talk…
To see if I’m available for your date and discuss plans for your ceremony, please get in touch.
I’d love to chat and find out more about your wedding plans.
