I’m Barbara, your funeral, family and wedding Celebrant for Cheshire and Merseyside, creating bespoke ceremonies for those important, milestone occasions throughout life.
I have returned to my hometown of Widnes, Cheshire, so my potential to be your Celebrant covers a few nearby counties like Merseyside, The Wirral and Lancashire.
I have two grown up sons and one of my greatest and joyous honours will be to conduct the wedding ceremony for my own eldest and future daughter-in-law in July 2026. I dote on four young granddaughters and my life is full.
There isn’t much I won’t join in with, so you’re just as likely to find me on a quiet walk taking photos as you are to find me dressed as Marge Simpson at a party or watching football, debating the offside rule. Having bought a retro trailer tent, I’ve got the camping bug (and bug spray!) and my dream would be to have a campervan.
We recently had Barbara, of Riset Ceremonies, conduct our daughter’s naming ceremony and we were absolutely blown away by the amount of effort she put into the day. From spending time with us and getting to know our family dynamic and story, to even loaning us decorative pieces for the ceremony, Barbara was there for it all.
Beth G.
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The seeds of becoming a Celebrant were planted when I wrote and delivered three eulogies for the funerals of my brother, my childhood friend and my Mum. I found the process cathartic. It also tapped into my desire to craft something uniquely apt to capture who they were. I also had the honour of writing and delivering a speech for one of my dearest friends’ 25th wedding anniversary, who marked the occasion by renewing their vows on the island of Cuba, hence the vintage car shot below of some of us in full “woo hoo!!” mode.
My background is teaching English Language and Literature to GCSE, A level and adult Access students and you know what? Retiring from teaching in 2024, I am now a part-time Learning Support Worker at my local College. Over the years, students never wrote thank you cards with “You wrote the best aims and objectives, Barbs”. Instead, they thanked me for how I made them feel.
The role of a Celebrant isn’t too far away from this, for isn’t the nature of all ceremonies underpinned by feelings? Joy. Comfort. Respect. Commitment. Grief. Appreciation. Achievement. Love …
Barbara Jennion
About me
What will I do as your Celebrant?
In my world, words are everything. My role is to put words to your feelings and make important occasions memorable for important people.
I can genuinely say that to be entrusted with composing a bespoke celebration of life - or celebration in life, is nothing short of a privilege.
Firstly, you want someone to organise, write and express the right words on what may be the most difficult day or the most joyous of days. I offer:
- Funeral and memorial ceremonies
- Interment
- Wedding, commitment and civil ceremonies
- Vow renewal ceremonies (please take me to Cuba again!)
- Naming ceremonies (babies, blended families, adopted families)
- Other personal milestone ceremonies (graduation, big birthdays, anniversaries, bon voyage , welcome home …)
- Scriptwriting service (help with your vows or speech)
Whatever the occasion, it will be a day driven by emotion and I want to help you turn your ideas into something unique to you.
