Two Humanist Ceremonies™ celebrants have won the top prize at prestigious national wedding awards which recognise the best celebrants in England and Northern Ireland.
Humanist Ceremonies celebrant Jane Blackman won the coveted title of Wedding Celebrant of the Year for England at the Wedding Industry Awards which took place in Leicester Square in London last week. Later the same week her fellow Humanist Ceremonies network member Emma Bailie won Celebrant of the Year at the Northern Ireland Wedding Awards at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast.
At the awards in England, Jane was one of two Humanist Ceremonies wedding celebrants shortlisted for the Wedding Industry Award. She was also the winning celebrant for the South East of England regional award. Fellow humanist celebrant Dawn Rees was named best celebrant in the East of England at the same awards.
The Wedding Industry Awards are the most highly regarded and sought after in the wedding industry in England, acknowledging the contribution that all wedding suppliers make to a couple’s big day. They recognise individuals and businesses whose excellent services have gone above and beyond, ensuring the most perfect days for couples getting wed.
At the fifth Northern Ireland Wedding Awards, winner Emma Bailie was one of six Humanist Ceremonies wedding celebrants shortlisted for the inaugural Celebrant of the Year Award. She celebrated her win with fellow Humanist Ceremonies celebrant nominees, Claire Taylor, Jean Barrett Quinn, Karen Bell, Fleur Mellor, and Liz Peel. Liz was named as the highly commended runner-up at the ceremony.
England Wedding Celebrant of the Year Jane Blackman said:
‘This is a very special accolade and I could not be more thrilled to receive it. It’s such a wonderful feeling to be recognised for this particular award, as it relies totally on real couples voting and giving detailed feedback about their experience of working with me – and having me there as their wedding celebrant on one of the most important days of their lives.’
Northern Ireland winner Emma Bailie said she was ‘chuffed to bits and still surprised’, and thanked the couples who nominated her, along with her friends and family for their support on her celebrant journey.
Humanists UK Head of Ceremonies Isabel Russo commented:
‘We are delighted that the winners of two huge national wedding industry awards are members of the Humanist Ceremonies network. These prestigious awards and nominations reflect the high-quality service we provide, the high standards of our training, and the depth of personalisation and connection we strive for with all of our couples. Humanist Ceremonies are truly unique and meaningful and we are proud to deliver such important, memorable occasions.’
NOTES:
For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Press Manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at casey@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3078 or 07393 344293.
A humanist wedding is a non-religious ceremony that is deeply personal and conducted by a humanist celebrant. It differs from a civil wedding in that it is entirely hand-crafted and reflective of the humanist beliefs and values of the couple, conducted by a celebrant who shares their beliefs and values.
Humanist Ceremonies™ has been the gold standard provider of meaningful, personalised non-religious ceremonies in the UK for over 120 years. Its celebrants are trained, accredited, insured, and quality-assured by Humanists UK. 98% of clients rate Humanist Ceremonies 5/5 in feedback forms.
To find our more about Humanist Ceremonies, visit the Humanist Ceremonies website.
If you’re curious about Humanist Ceremonies, you might enjoy reading our FAQ about humanist weddings, our interview with Northern Ireland humanist celebrant Stewart Holden, or some of the articles in our Humanist Weddings Blog.
To find a humanist wedding, naming, or funeral celebrant near you, you can use the Humanists UK Find a Celebrant map.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 85,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.