Mandy Ellis Authorised Civil Celebrant

Becoming a Celebrant had been on my bucket list for about five years.
When my children left home, I knew I wanted to move to the countryside, buy a big block and eventually conduct ceremonies there.
And here we are, fully set up for meeting families and couples here at home.

Why I'm a celebrant: I love every aspect of being a celebrant, including being a funeral celebrant.

The personal joy I feel when I can guide couples from their first meeting with me to then being the person who prounonces them husband and wife, it's a privilidged position.

Of course celebrations of life/funerals require a totally different approach, which is where I feel being adaptable helps me enormously, I never know what level of grief the people I meet with are at, their relationship with the deceased, family dynamics and so on.

What feeds my soul with funerals is helping people navigate a (mostly) very difficult and emotional time in their life. Questions I have been asked range from is there reserved parking for family, to i have no idea what I'm doing and I need you to guide me on everything.

Both roles require listening skills, I can't create a ceremony if I don't pay attention to both the spoken and unspoken word. Quite often, someone will make a quick joke or comment and then we expand on that, that's generally when families share funny and unique character traits of their loved one.

Treasured memories: Many treasured memories!

Eulogies ~ One person was really ticked off that their spouse had died, gave them a proper telling off for dying and leaving them here on their own, finished off with how much they loved them though.

Another time, I invited up a dear friend of the deceased, (70year old), who shared: When we were young, we shot a kangaroo, took him to the public toilet, put his tail down the toilet, put glasses on him and put a newspaper on his lap.
Then we sat outside and waited!!!
Along came a couple, both went into respective loos, the lady screamed, like really screamed and ran out of the toilet block, her husband came running out too trying to pull up his pants and yelling what's wrong.
We were all in stitches in the car watching!!!
And that was one of the stories he was allowed to share!

I love wedding rehersals!
This is generally when couples and their guests get their sillies on! Don't get me wrong, we get the job done, as is evidenced in the smooth sailing of the ceremony, it's the time grooms prance down the aisle, give their mates a kiss, dad's say silly things as he hands over his daughter, (I know not totally pc, but it's the rehersal), they may play silly songs, like highway to hell or U2 still haven't found what I'm looking for.

It's a fun time, it settles the nerves, and I guarantee you on the day, everyone knows their part and the giggly groomsmen are replaced with men looking dapper, hair fully gelled into place, ladies looking spiffy and not a hair out of place, and to the guests, it looks like everyone just knowing what to do.

Tips : When it's fly season, do not eat or drink anything other than water, as the flies are attracted to your mouth and it's horrible trying to speak with a fly determined to enter your mouth!

Be as honest with your celebrant as you are comfortable being, it's best I know if there's likely to be a drama with one of your guests.

and I'd like to say: Your celebrant (me) is here to answer your questions and guide you along this journey, whether it's a happy occasion or a sad one, ask away, if I don't know, I'll find out for you.

Finally, I love being a Celebrant, it's one of the best careers in the world.