In the past, most ceremonies were religious, so it was a total no-brainer – when someone was born, or you wanted to get married, or someone had died you just went to wherever you and your family worshipped and, well, they did the rest.

When life started to become more secular, another option became available. When someone was born, you could still go to wherever you and your family worshipped and have them welcomed into your religion, or you could do nothing. Then, about 20 years ago, came naming ceremonies. A non-religious choice for welcoming new lives into the world and into families – conducted by celebrants.

Similar choices became available for funerals too. If you were someone who swerved religion in life, you could now choose to swerve it in death too. Opting for a celebrant-led funeral in a crematorium or, in more recent years, a celebrant-led funeral anywhere you please.

Weddings developed a bit differently. Civil marriages have been around for ages – in register offices and more recently in licenced venues (most often hotel function rooms) but locations and times are restricted and the laws surrounding what can and can’t be said (even what music you can choose) are rigid to say the least.

Wedding Celebrations led by celebrants sit alongside the legalities that you sign with a registrar. Just like when you get married abroad, you make an appointment at the register office here to sign the document that changes your legal relationship status (it’s easily arranged, takes about 10 minutes and costs about £50)*. Same with a celebrant-led ceremony. Document signed and the world’s your octopus.

Want to hold your wedding celebration in your own garden? In your favourite pub? Overlooking your favourite view? You can with a celebrant.

Want to hold your wedding celebration at night? Lit by fairy lights? In a woodland? You can with a celebrant.

In fact, with a celebrant, there is no restriction at all in choice of time or location.

Want to commit to one another’s children as you commit to each other? No problem.

Want your dog to be the ring bearer? Bring it on.

Want to please the Hindu and the Catholic in-laws by including elements of both religions in your ceremony? It’s all totally do-able with a celebrant.

There’s no limit to what you can commemorate either. Literally anything can be celebrated …….

Want to bless your first home together at your house-warming party? A celebrant can do this.

Want to hold a massive divorce party and have an uncoupling ceremony, committing yourself to yourself in your new life chapter? Why not.

Want to hold a little ceremony between a group of friends committing to still support one another as you all scatter off to uni? Well, that would just be lovely.

Funerals, memorials, new-child welcomings, family blendings, renewal of vows ……. There’s so much in life to celebrate. And that, essentially, is what a celebrant is. One who celebrates. With you and yours. In your way.

*a current Law Commission review might change this, meaning that celebrants may be able to soon do the legals too – watch this space/me explode with excitement