Humanist Vow Renewal Celebrant Cheshire
It has been my privilege and pleasure to work as a Humanist Vow Renewal Celebrant across Cheshire over the last 15 years. This however was a particularly special occasion: a return to a family I already knew very well indeed.
Back in April of 2015, I was hired by the lovely Susie and Matt to design, write and lead a humanist wedding ceremony on a windswept Northumberland beach. Their ceremony included a naming ceremony element in celebration of their two young sons and culminated in a beautiful hand-fasting ceremony led by their older sister Charlie. It was one of the most moving and memorable humanist ceremonies I’ve ever been a part of.
Fast forward 9 years and I was delighted to hear from Susie and Matt again, this time to ask if I would create another Celebrant-led ceremony: this time a part humanist vow renewal and part Celebration of Family in Cheshire for Charlie and her new husband Luke. Charlie and Luke live out in Australia and wanted to return to the UK to celebrate their recent marriage with family and friends.
‘When it came to finding the right person to support Charlie and Luke in wanting to bless their marriage back in the UK there was no question in our minds that you Hannah were the right choice. We already knew and trusted you to understand the unique nature of their wishes after what you did for us and the boys for our combined marriage and naming ceremony nine years before.
We are eternally grateful that after all that time you remembered us and just happened to be available at relatively short notice…it was just meant to be! As our ‘Chef with words’ your kindness and guidance brought a gentility to the evening that perfectly suited Charlie and Luke’s wishes.
They wanted to celebrate with a subtle spirituality focused on the depth of their love for one another and the bonding of the two families without any grand gestures, pomp or religious overtones. The blessing set the tone perfectly for a weekend of celebrations with family and close friends. Hannah, we thank you for your warmth, your joy and your smile.’
Susie + Matt
So on a wonderfully autumnal September evening in Susie and Matt’s garden, we celebrated not only Charlie and Luke’s marriage but their families as well, all only able to spend time with one another so rarely. Our script was written with both Charlie and Luke’s answers and the words of selected loved ones, who were able to add so much to the celebration in terms of their different insights and perspectives on their relationship.
The vow renewal ceremony was included a traditional Scottish quaich ceremony, reflecting Luke’s family’s heritage, where a married couple enjoy a sip of whisky before the cup is then passed to every family member to signify the joining of the two families. We then rounded everything off with a bespoke well-wishing, written with loved ones’ words.
In all, 10 pages of nominated contributors’ words informed the writing of Charlie and Luke’s ceremony. It was the perfect testament to love, friendship, family, resilience, parental pride and sibling bonds. I doubt I’ll ever have another ceremony experience quite like it.
If you like what you’ve read about Charlie and Luke’s renewal of vows, do check out my vow renewals page and Instagram. If you’ve any questions, just drop me a line. It will be a pleasure to hear from you.
Hannah Wroe Gill | Humanist Vow Renewal Celebrant Cheshire | Your Three Days
