Rye’s Own Independent Celebrant

Glenda Procter

Rye is a beautiful medieval town, seemingly unchanged by the passing decades. It has wonderfully preserved ancient buildings, many of them pubs, inns, hotels and restaurants. It truly is suspended in time and as you walk its cobbled streets, it is the sort of place where you can let your imagination run free, visualizing its colourful history. You will be spoilt for choice, as to how to spend your time and where to eat and drink. Rye is a short distance from the sea and surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty. It is the perfect place to visit for those special occasions, enticing you back to discover more of its unique picturesque past and unhurried atmosphere. Rye attracts couples of all ages, across all seasons and from all over the country wanting to have a celebration. Given the current economic climate, planning a lavish wedding, civil partnership, naming or renewal of vows ceremony may seem a bit extravagant. What is not realised by many is that no matter what your budget you can still have stylish celebrations in Rye, giving you one of the most special days in your life.

The key to an elegant and tasteful or trendy and modern celebrations lies with Rye’s own Independent Celebrant, Glenda Procter.

Glenda is one of a small number of professional Independent Celebrants and an active member of the Association of Independent Celebrants .AOIC. What this means is Glenda is fully supported and accredited as a self employed celebrant, allowing her to conduct private wedding and civil ceremonies, such as renewal of vows, and naming ceremonies following the legal commitments.

At this stage it is important to note the English law specifies that you must already have been legally married before your ‘Special’ wedding ceremony takes place. The least expensive option for ensuring the legality of your marriage is midweek at your local Registration Office. The legal formalities of marriage can be completed quite easily and simply, leaving the joys of your magical ceremony, exchange of rings, ‘first kiss’, tailored service to your ideal venue.

Choosing to have an Independent Celebrant offers you the complete freedom to integrate any element you wish into your ceremony; the options for Your Day are endless. Couples who hire Celebrants for their wedding or naming ceremony are generally not church going and want a ceremony that combines their cultural backgrounds and religious traditions with their own unique identities. Unlike Registration Offices and Churches, Independent celebrants can also perform ceremonies for interfaith couples and their families offering a semi secular service/ceremony bridging the beliefs of both couples. This is especially important for example when the legal marriage has already occurred over seas and Page Eighteen the couple wish to celebrate with family in England. Further to this, Independent celebrants like Glenda can perform Renewal of Vows – days, weeks or years – after the legal marriage has taken place. They also conduct Welcoming Ceremonies for a new born baby, adopted or step child into a relationship. A child’s first birthday is often a time for a Naming Celebration when guiding adults become part of their lives.

If you feel marriage is a step too far then why not consider a Commitment Ceremony. Maybe you are not ready to commit to marriage or a civil partnership and a commitment ceremony is an ideal way to express your dedication and love. Or maybe you have taken that first step and wish to celebrate with an Engaged Ceremony to recognise your commitment to one another with a special ceremony in one of the many idyllic locations in Rye.

Whatever the occasion your Independent celebrant will conduct your ceremony in a meaningful moving way, with reverence and solemnity with just the right amount of support to put you at ease – formal or informa; sophisticated or simple; intimate or shared with friends.

One of the key benefits of an Independent Celebrant is the choice of venue; your special day can be anywhere you choose with no restrictions based on licence venues as for weddings. Your celebration can take place in any venue you desire, indoors or outdoors, Rye has many suitable hotels, restaurants and historic buildings. Of course, you might prefer a more intimate venue, like your own private home and garden. Independent celebrants like Glenda will work with you to help you create a ceremony that is right for you. Glenda can offer suggestions from a range of traditional ceremonies and can tailor an individual and unique ceremony just for you. You might like to include a sand ceremony, hand fastening, light a unity candle or include pledges or vows with close family or children.

Rye’s own Independent Celebrant, Glenda, is a professionally qualified Independent Celebrant with years of experience to draw upon. Now in her seventh wedding season, she has attended over 500 weddings and this summer she conducted her 300th wedding ceremony as a marriage Registrar within East Sussex. Many of these were conducted in venues in her home town of Rye and she has twice appeared on ITV, 4 Weddings program conducting the wedding ceremony!

Glenda specialises in ensuring that couples ultimately have a ceremony that is personal to them and reflects their lives and dreams. Glenda prides herself on her attention to detail and ability to relate to all her couples in a very friendly and practical way, she is a truly dedicated professional. Her ability to organise and deal with people comes from her previous experiences as a coach, tutor and a British Airways Stewardess and Personality Girl. Glenda has a large folio of thank you letters and cards from delighted couples, parents and the newly engaged making her a perfect choice as Rye’s own Independent Celebrant.

So if you have a dream let Glenda be part of it…..ask her to act as your Independent Celebrant and officiate at your ceremony wherever you choose that is special to you. Perhaps out of doors or on the beach, on a boat, or under your favourite tree, or indoors in your private home, or any venue prepared to help make those dreams come true.

Glenda’s Tips for your Perfect Day

Choose their wedding officiate wisely as they are a vital key in your perfect day. “Speak to them well in advance and make sure you really engage with them, after all they will be right there at possibly one of the most important and special moments of your life.

” Practice your kiss and look each other in the eyes. “You will likely have many guests watching when you ‘seal your marriage with a kiss’. Guests and family at this moment cheer and applaud and a simple practise makes all the difference and creates a lovely atmosphere in the room.

If you are looking for a lovely little village hall, “my own village of Udimore has a magnificent HALL, ideal for anyone wanting a beautiful private setting for a special self catering celebration”

Glenda is also one of a small number of qualified Lady Toastmasters working in the South East of England.

For further details contact Glenda Procter directly by telephone 01797 226100 or email glendaprocterladytoastmaster@ live.com Subject; Independent Celebrant.

From the October 2012

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