Welcome

Hi, I’m Carol Smith and I’m an independent celebrant. I deliver unique, personalised and meaningful ceremonies for those special occasions in life, throughout the Southwest,
and across the UK and Europe.

I celebrate diversity, inclusivity, quirkiness and individuality.

 

Let me work with you to create a truly bespoke, precious and memorable occasion.

Welcome

Hi, I’m Carol Smith and I’m an independent celebrant. I deliver unique, personalised and meaningful ceremonies for those special occasions in life, throughout the Southwest,
and across the UK and Europe.

Let me work with you to create a truly bespoke, precious and memorable occasion.

  The Somerset Celebrant

A bit about me

My name is Carol Smith, and I am an independent celebrant living in Somerset. In 2016 I qualified as an Independent Family and Funeral Celebrant, with the United Kingdom Society of Celebrants. In this time I have delivered over 1,000 funeral services and over 250 weddings, including handfasting ceremonies and renewal of vow ceremonies. I have also deliverd 30 baby naming ceremonies and am an on-line celebrant tutor, training others who want to become celebrants.

My website is predominantly focused on weddings, not funerals, as I believe grief is private,  however, the reality is that I perform around 3 funeral or memorial services a week, and limit myself to twenty weddings /vow renewals / handfastings a year. The reason that I limit the number is in order to ensure they are top quality, and I only ever do one ceremony a day.

My background is in teaching English, and for 27 years, I have worked, supported and delivered education to a diverse variety of students. They have ranged from those in challenging and difficult situations, to those from very privileged backgrounds. I still have a great passion for teaching. Through my work, I have developed a deep empathy and understanding of people’s needs, enabling me to work alongside them, to create the best ceremony for any occasion.

I became a celebrant because I am passionate about people having choice, making ceremonies personal and enabling them to incorporate individual beliefs and traditions into their special days. Whether it’s a wedding ceremony, a handfasting ceremony, baby naming ceremony, celebration of life ceremony or memorial service, each ceremony is bespoke, unique and meaningful.

l live with my partner, Brian and have three grown-up children. Six years ago I became a grandmother for the first time. However, since then four more have been added to the ‘clan’.

In my free time, I enjoy spoiling the grandchildren, (what happens at grandma’s…), running, walking, reading, going to the cinema, travelling and eating out.

Since becoming a celebrant, I have had the privilege of leading some family ceremonies, including being the celebrant at my daughter’s wedding and also leading the funeral service for my mother.

If you are looking for a celebrant to lead your wedding or handfasting ceremony, please click here

If you are looking for a celebrant to lead a funeral ceremony, celebration of life ceremony or memorial, please click here 

Millie (my daughter) and Ben ‘tying the knot’ following a handfasting within their wedding ceremony.

This precious moment captured by Benjamin of Whoisbenjamin Photography

In September 2020, my mother, Mary, died at the great age of 91, of fraility of old age and dementia. In 2022, after the Covid travel restrictions had been lifted, we as a family, accompanied her ashes to the family grave in Malta, according to her wishes

The Somerset Celebrant

Wedding Ceremonies, Handfastings, Commitment Ceremonies and Vow Renewals

Weddings, I love them. I get to meet some amazing couples. I spend time with them, to understand their wants, in order to craft and deliver the perfect ceremony for them.

The ever expanding collection of confetti shots on my gallery page reflects the joy and happiness created!

Working with couples and families to create their special memories is such a privilege. In fact I can’t believe how much I love every aspect of what I do! Just how lucky am I?

I was recently invited to talk about celebrant-led weddings with top wedding photographer Nick Church on his YouTube Channel Top Table   Follow the link to watch us chat about an amazingly unforgettable wedding we did together and get an insight of what I can do for you!

Unsure about what a celebrant does? Click on  This post which explains the similarities and differences similarities between a celebrant-led and a registrar-led wedding.

Check out my Weddings page for lots of tips, ideas and inspiration.

Check out my blog, where you will find helpful posts on all things wedding, from making a stunning entrance, to having your dog at your wedding.

Got a question? My ‘Frequently Asked Question Page‘ may give you the answer, if not then get in touch.

 carol@somersetcelebrant.com

07530570943

 

 

The Somerset Celebrant

Funerals, Celebration of Life Ceremonies,  Memorials

Every life is unique, and the funeral ceremony or memorial service should reflect this.

 

The death and funeral of a family member or friend is as much a part of our life as the birth of a new baby. It is a very emotional time. Because most of us find it difficult to talk about death, especially the death of someone close, we lose the opportunity to explore the many choices and options that are available to us as we prepare to say our final farewell.

As your funeral celebrant, I will be with you every step of the way, to enable you to have the ceremony of your choice, for your loved one, and to break away from traditional ideas and stiff formality.

The funeral ceremony is a chance to celebrate the life, loves and achievements of the person who has died. It can be themed to suit an interest or passion from their life and an opportunity to share with friends and family, their likes, loves and last wishes and honour their memory.

Family and close friends are welcome to participate in the ceremony, by means of readings, poems, and tributes, to say their goodbyes in ways of significance to them, and to those present.

If you are looking for a celebrant for your loved one’s service,  then please get in touch.

 carol@somersetcelebrant.com

07530570943

 

 

Toni and John enjoying the readings

Sarah and Giles Maunsel House

Husna and her Bridesmaids

Dulcia and Luke go back to School

Suzy and Aaron

Jiajing and Xiao

Michelle and Desi

Allannah and Dave

Hannah and Ben

Caitlin and Stu

Ellie and Chris

Sacha and her bridesmaids

Lisa and Shaun - My Very First Wedding !! xxxxxxxx

I celebrate diversity, inclusivity, quirkiness and individuality.

If you like what you see on my website and would like a little more information, please complete the  contact me page on this website. Alternatively, if you prefer to chat on the phone, just give me a ring on 07530 570 943.

Thank you so much for giving us such a beautiful ceremony. We will treasure the memory always. We were sorry we missed you before you sneaked off but I wanted to tell you we had the perfect day and every guest commentated on what a beautiful and enjoyable ceremony you delivered. Thank you again xxx

– Caitlin and Stu, ANRÁN, 11/04/2018

Just amazing, I’m blown away, thank you Carol, you have really captured who we are as a couple.! You spent time and effort to get to know us and produce a ceremony that fitted us perfectly. Thank you for your patience, help and support. Again, many thanks for your services on our special day. Many people remarked on how good your service was.

Deirdre and Roger

Renewal of Vows 

Northover Manor

Thank you so much Carol for such an amazing day, the words were so special and all meant the absolute world to me! Graham was so surprised and hasn't stopped talking about how amazing you were!

– Sue and Graham, 25th May The Pier House, Westward Ho! Devon

Thank you so much for helping make our ceremony perfect for us – it was exactly as we wanted! I have attached a couple of pics, we are over the moon!

– Toni and Martin –10th June  –  Coppice Gate Farm, Shapwick, Somerset

Thank you so much for giving us such a beautiful ceremony. We will treasure the memory always. We were sorry we missed you before you sneaked off but I wanted to tell you we had the perfect day and every guest commentated on what a beautiful and enjoyable ceremony you delivered. Thank you again xxx

- Caitlin and Stu, ANRÁN, 11/04/2018

Just amazing, I’m blown away, thank you Carol, you have really captured who we are as a couple.! You spent time and effort to get to know us and produce a ceremony that fitted us perfectly. Thank you for your patience, help and support. Again, many thanks for your services on our special day. Many people remarked on how good your service was.

Deirdre and Roger

Renewal of Vows 

Northover Manor

Thank you so much Carol for such an amazing day, the words were so special and all meant the absolute world to me! Graham was so surprised and hasn't stopped talking about how amazing you were!

- Sue and Graham, 25th May The Pier House, Westward Ho! Devon

Thank you so much for helping make our ceremony perfect for us – it was exactly as we wanted! I have attached a couple of pics, we are over the moon!

- Toni and Martin –10th June  -  Coppice Gate Farm, Shapwick, Somerset

My blog

I love writing my blog.  I try and answer many of the questions that I get asked on it. In addition, I share tips, ideas and beautiful moments from my wedding ceremonies. In other words, I try to make it useful to you.

An Evening Handfasting

An Evening Handfasting

An evening handfasting ceremony. An evening handfasting ceremony is a great idea, for many different reasons. It could be that you like the romance of tying the knot just as the sun is going down over the horizon, lighting the sky in red and gold as it slowly slips...

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Six Top Tips for Writing your own Wedding Vows

Hannah and Stephen saying their tender and loving vows to one another, under a beautiful flower chuppah at Coombe Lodge, Blagdon. Heather Bailey Photography  Lucy and Caleb saying their vows in the stunning Orangery at  St Audries Park   Six Top Tips for Writing...

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Six Top Tips for Making a Stunning Entrance

Six Top Tips for Making a Stunning Entrance

Louise and Ian very much wanted their two boys to be involved in their ceremony from start to finish. The Vintage Wedding Photographer  My daughter Millie being escorted to the ceremony space and up the aisle by her father, with my other daughter, Sophie one of the...

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The Somerset Celebrant  - Trelion Cornwall

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UK Society of Celebrants

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