The Barefoot Celebrant

UK Midlands based, free thinking celebrant for life's important rituals; weddings, renewal of vows, baby namings, memorials
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Meet Ian
Officially an Anglo-Australian, I have London to thank for knocking me into shape, and Sydney for rounding off the edges, and I like to think that both cultures inspire my approach to being a celebrant; a certain English gravitas delivered with a warm Aussie smile!
I have been known to wear many different hats throughout my life; from corporate music industry manager to English teacher; from landscape gardener to copywriter; and more latterly farm manager and alpaca breeder! Not to mention, at various times, a full-time dad to each of my three daughters.
The common thread that runs throughout has been my passion to connect and communicate with people from all walks of life.
For weddings, my aim is to capture the true essence of a couple’s relationship, and to understand their hopes and aspirations for their big day. For memorial services, to paint a balanced portrait of a life in light and shade that makes allowances for grief, but also encourages celebration.
As a writer, I enjoy the challenge of giving life to a ceremony with carefully chosen words, carrying the weight of emotion appropriate to each situation, in a style that allows all parties to focus on the most important and personal aspects of the occasion.

The Barefoot Philosophy
Why 'barefoot', you may well ask? Granted, my Australian training was preparing me on a sandy pathway to shoeless ceremonies in South East Queensland. But despite getting plenty of subsequent beach time in Dubai and South Goa, I finally came to rest in middle England, about as far from the coast as geographically possible!
However, the barefoot philosophy definitely persists as a mindset; a desire to transcend the more burdensome elements of formality and create connections on a more relaxed, more open, 'human' level.
The main photo at the top of this page? From my own barefoot wedding, in Vanuatu, back in 2011.
As a celebrant, I am truly blessed to be working in a space where so many vibrant and unique life stories converge.
I look forward to working with you and hearing your story. But don't worry... I will usually be wearing shoes!
I hold an Australian Certificate IV in Celebrancy.
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“What makes the desert beautiful", said the little prince, "is that somewhere it hides a well...”
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry "The Little Prince"