A Unique journey of an Asian Female Celebrant?

The first question you may be asking yourself is, What is a Celebrant?

When there is a life event, for example a birth, a wedding,or  funeral, you will think of registering this at the registrar office and getting in touch with a priest, vicar or equivalent, to conduct the ceremony. There is another option that you can now consider, which is definitely becoming more popular, and that is an Independent Celebrant. Although, currently in the UK, you do still have to involve the registrar, you can have an Independent Celebrant led ceremony.

An Independent Celebrant, will help you as the couple, or as the family, create and deliver a ceremony that is personalised, respectful and does not have the restrictions that a registrar or a priest may have.

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What can you include?

You can have live music and singing, involve your family in the ceremony, get children and even your pets involved. You can include religious readings and poems, write your own personal vows, include your own love story, exchange rings, make promises and include rituals like the sand ceremony, ring warming, hand fasting and more.

Apart from the cremation, the ceremony can take place where you choose. Indoors or Outdoors. It could be a favourite place, where you proposed, a dream destination. The choice is yours. 

How unique is the journey of an Asian Female Celebrant?

Sonal Dave has led an exciting and eclectic career bringing her passions together as an Award-Winning Ceremonies Celebrant, Toastmaster, Public Speaking Expert, Magistrate and Published Author in 2 collaboration books. Sonal is also a member of the Charity Shishukunj, supporting children through holistic development.

After 20 plus years working for the Public Sector, rising from admin officer through to Deputy Director, Sonal herself witnessed workplace harassment and bullying through her career. It was time for her to leave and protect her own health and sanity.

Sonal shares:

As a Celebrant, I did face some difficulties. In particular, the main one was that society did not and still does not understand that there should be choice and that couples and families do not have to follow the expectations of others, especially when they themselves do not believe in it. For example, if the couple were not religious then they could have a ceremony that was spiritual and more inclusive of the way they live their lives as a couple. If the person who passed away was not religious then we can create a spiritual ceremony with readings, poems and live music. 

What I love being able to do is utilise my knowledge and experience of the Asian culture to include both symbolic, spiritual, and cultural moments both in the language and the special moments. Also, being a Toastmaster means that I am able to give couples and families, luxury and peace of mind, that events run to time and that any issues are managed discreetly, allowing the ceremony to be calm, personalised, unique and memorable for all the right reasons.

Currently in the Uk there are only 2 Asian Female Celebrants & I am very proud to be one of them.