Who am I anyway? Why choose me as your Celebrant? What is it even that I offer?
These are all super valid questions, I mean, how do you chose the right celebrant for you? And why would you choose me?
Well certainly don’t choose me just because I tell you to.
Don’t chose any celebrant just because they or someone else tells you to. Even if that person is trying to be helpful and you trust them implicitly. Yes, take the recommendation as a guide, BUT, arrange a no obligation chat with that celebrant before you commit.
I’m not trying to do myself out of your business! Maybe I would love to work with you to help you celebrate or commemorate; maybe not! We really do need to gel. You need to feel you can trust me.
You need to feel relaxed with me to tell me your story in order for me to be able to offer you the best service. You need to know what type of services I offer. What my style of delivery is. How I plan to work with you in the run up to delivering your ceremony. What I include in my services. What I don’t include! Never mind the practicalities: Am I available on your chosen date? Can I get to where you are holding your ceremony? What will it cost you? When do I take payment?
You not only need my credentials you need my personality! And only then should you choose me to be your celebrant!
So, why choose me as your celebrant?
Choose me because I am the right fit for you.
Choose me because you feel comfortable with me
Choose me because I help you feel safe and relaxed
Choose me because you believe I will do my absolute best to tell your story as it deserves to be told
Choose me because you believe that I am invested in you and your story
Choose me because you trust me
Start by booking a no obligation, no pressure chat (ideally by video if not in person), and then take it from there. Message me 07526 928232 or info@bernib.co.uk
So what are my credentials?
- I have trained as both a funeral and wedding celebrant through a very reputable celebrant training academy which has excellent reviews and an excellent record, Celebrant Coaching and Training Academy
- I am a member of the Association of Independent Celebrants and have been since I completed my training in February 2019
- I am also the Regional Representative for the Association of Independent Celebrants for all their members across Wales
- And for the year October 24-Oct25 I am the Vice President for the Association of Independent Celebrants. In 25/26 I will be their President
- I am an End of Life Doula in raining having completed the foundation and Modules 1 & 2 with Living Well Dying Well
- I am a member of End of Life Doula UK
- I run a group called My Life, My Death, My Wishes (on Facebook) and have designed two courses to help individuals and families plan for dying and death
- I co-write for the British Institute of Funeral Directors
- I co-host a podcast called Ask A Celebrant
- I host my own vlog/podcast Berni B : Full Life over on YouTube
- You can read reviews about me on Google or Facebook
- I host regular grief circles to hold space and memorialise those we have lost , Fireside Reflection
- I work in partnership with Ann Seymour Photographer to create packages for micro celebrations and elopements
- I was a quarter finalist on BBC2’s Ultimate Wedding Planner in 2023
What is my style?
I see my role as one of support and empowerment. One where I help you to be totally authentic. Allowing you a truly unique ceremony that wholeheartedly reflects your story. I debunk myths, break rules, and provide creative ideas so that your story, (your love, your loss, your occasion), can be celebrated or memorialised in a way that meets your needs. One that completely reflects your personalities.
I’m hands on, creative, approachable. I’m a great listener and I hear things! I hear the things that aren’t spoken out load and I help include the little things that matter and make you and your story uniquely yours.
I start with a blank piece of paper and we take it from there. I don’t clock watch, I don’t impose my own rules, I go with your flow and together we create magic.
What Services do I offer?
Funerals, living wakes, memorials, scattering of ashes, remembrance services. These can be at traditional crematoria or burial grounds or in private homes, hotels, golf clubs, pubs, community halls or in the great outdoors; anywhere that feels relevant to the person we are commemorating.
In addition I can help create orders of service and I help write eulogies for you using your voice.
Planning for End of Life. I work with individuals and families to ensure that all the plans are in place and conversation have been had to prepare for death. From signposting and assisting with practicalities such as wells, lasting powers of attorney and advanced directives, to facilitating conversations with family members, helping identify and document wishes for quality of life and funerals, research local options, look into legacy projects and bucket lists,
As an End of Life Doula, I am basically a ‘companion in Death’. I sit alongside the dying and their family in a non-medical capacity, facilitating, normalising, remembering and helping with whatever needs doing or hearing.
Momentous Moments. As a Celebrant I specialise in elopements, vow renewals and micro weddings as well as non-traditional celebrations to mark milestones in life such as transition, graduation, retirement, adoption… anything really that you feel is worth more than a cursory toast. If its a momentous moment for you then its a momentous moment for me and I’m keen to help create a unique and authentic ceremony to celebrate it
What does it cost?
I can only offer guidelines and they’re there for you to easily access in the appropriate sections of my websites; but once I’ve set a price depending on a no obligation no pressure conversation, I stick to it, no hidden extras . You will know exactly what you will get from me and that will depend on what it is you need.
Whatever type of service I am helping you with, you can be assured that on the day of that service you will be the only person/family I will be committed to on that day. My thoughts for that whole day I totally with you. Even if the ceremony itself is only 1/2 an hour. This means that if you are running to time or ‘late’, if there are delays or setbacks, I will be with you in plenty of time before I’m actually officially needed and be available after too. Just in case. Believe me, it takes a weight of your minds knowing that.
If you think I might be the celebrant for you lets start by booking a no obligation, no pressure chat (ideally by video if not in person), and then take it from there. Message me 07526 928232 or info@bernib.co.uk
