About

Hi, I’m Helen your English speaking celebrant in France.

I’m owner and founder of Treasured Ceremonies. I’m here living a hot (much of the time) and happy (most of the time!) life in France. My hubby may be retired, but not me, I’m an “English speaking celebrant in France”! Who’d have thought it?? I lived in West Wales for nineteen years before that, and this was where Treasured Ceremonies was born.

About me; I’ve come to this “Celebrant thing” via a very circuitous route. Having worked in various industries and loved sport (hobby athlete) through my life I’ve realised I’m a communicator and am only happy when working around people. And/or showing off and winning!

Have you ever had those professional reviews when you have to identify your strengths? Even before being a celebrant, mine tended to be on the lines of, “You put people at their ease, they want to work with you”. Add to that a fellow celebrant’s comments (after we’d spent a great time at a celebrant’s retreat together) saying I should use words such as “dynamic, spontaneous, intelligent, inventive, outgoing, comic, sincere, drive, adaptable and imaginative” to describe myself! Combine that with a knack for writing, and the families and couples I’ve worked with as a celebrant have found the process as fun (in the case of weddings etc) and rewarding (in all ceremonies) as I have. I think you will, too.

Have a look at my wedding celebrant and naming reviews  and my funeral testimonials to see for yourself…

 

 

 

Treasured Ceremonies’ Values

The values we bring to this business are:

Have fun. We only come this way once.

Value everybody’s opinion and their take on life

Take care of others, look after my own physical and mental well being

So, no matter whether you want to have a very simple ceremony with a “traditional” feel or whether you want to completely reinvent the wheel, let’s do it!

Why have a Treasured Ceremonies Celebrant?

In each of my ceremonies, whether it’s a wedding, anniversary, renewal of vows, naming, renaming, celebration of life (funeral), memorial or any other, I aim to get the mood “just right”. It’s unlikely that I’ll ask you if you want a “funny”, “romantic”, or “serious” ceremony, I’ll generally pick up what’s right for you from the chat we’ll be having before creating the script.

Thank of me as a kind of mirror. On your wedding day, I’ll be reflecting your story, your hopes for the future and the joy of the occasion onto you, your family and friends. The reflection will be of you, since on the day, “my” style” is “your” style!

On the day of your loved one’s funeral, again I’ll be reflecting your thoughts and feelings, what you loved and what you’ll miss. Maybe even what the person has given you to take on with you through life.

What do we do?

View of bride and groom kissing through flower circle at celebrant led wedding in France

Wedding Ceremonies & Renewal of Vows

When I create a ceremony around your partnership, I will write the script with and about you. I can use symbolism, or rituals, to demonstrate your relationships with each other and with your family and friends. More about your wedding or partnership ceremony.

Naming Ceremonies

I have two children myself, and recognise the joy of introducing your little one to your wider family and friends. If you have a baby, or adopt a new member into your family, allow me to create a “naming”, or “welcoming” ceremony. This is a wonderful way to show those you love how much this new person means to you. More about a naming ceremony here.

Funeral Ceremonies

A funeral or memorial ceremony is a time to reflect on the memories you have of a loved one. This can be an especially tricky time for a family in France if you’re unfamilair with French funeral traditions. I’ll visit you or meet online at first (time is very important here) and  talk through your needs. There is no template or book from which I copy and paste a “service”; it’s all based on our conversations. Click here for more information.

Where can you hold your ceremony?

If you want to get married, you are required by law to have your marriage registered by a certified registrar. In the same way, a death needs to be registered, as does a birth. However, there are no legal implications on who can conduct the ceremony attached to any of these events. Many couples choose, therefore, to have a relatively quiet marriage ceremony at the register office. Then they have their big ceremony at a venue of their choice. This building can be registered for weddings or not, outside or inside, public (with permission if necessary) or private. A world of choice suddenly opens up. I can talk to you about alternative funeral arrangements such as natural burial. This can be carried out at a natural burial site or on private land. Please read my blog here. I have worked throughout West Wales which means that as well as guiding you through your ceremony, I can help you look for the ideal venue through my contacts in tourism and local trade. If you don’t live in the area, but like many people have decided to have your wedding celebration here, contact me. I can introduce you to a wide variety of local traders whether they be caterers, cake decorators or venue dressers.

Are you ready to create a unique ceremony?

wedding celebrant in south of France between laughing bride and groom with flower arch behind
LGBTQIA+ Progress flag yellow, white pink blue brown black triangles, stripes in red orange yellow green blue purple

I promise today to be your best friend, your companion and your number one, the Han Solo to your Leia.

I will be there for you through the good times, amazing times & awesome times. But importantly the difficult times

The trans-gender flag in blue pink and white

I vow to love you no less than I love the dog

I promise that I will never take you for granted, and always hold your hand

Indian bride embraces her groom under fairy lights in Provencal celebrant wedding

You are everything I always wanted, but all the things I never knew I needed. Simply put, loving you altered my chemistry.

Let's create special memories together

Get in touch to start our journey to the perfect ceremony