This month we have Katie The Celebrant answering my quick fire questions; a lady I’ve admired from afar for ages! Her insta account (@katiethecelebrant) is well worth a follow for daily fun and general good vibes!
Here she is to tell you a bit more about herself….
Please Introduce Yourself
I’m Katie, a humanist wedding celebrant specialising in fun, funny one-of-a-kind wedding ceremonies for non-religious couples wanting something totally different for their big day!
Your business…
1. What made you want to set up your business?
When I got married in 2013 I assumed non-religious couples only had two wedding ceremony options: have a religious wedding and feel weird about it, or suck it up with a boring civil ceremony. We chose the latter and got married in our local register office… a grey dreary sixties council block, with a registrar we’d never met before. It was all over within ten minutes and felt like a huge anti-climax. Fast forward two years and I went to a uni friend’s non-religious Humanist wedding ceremony – it was AMAZING! Completely personal and fun and FUNNY, and celebrating the human values of kindness and equality… It was like wow, THIS is what everyone’s wedding should feel like. I had an epiphany! I made it my mission to spread the word about these amazing ceremonies – and woohoo, here I am doing just that!
2. What’s the best part of your job?
All the interesting people I get to meet. Couples who go for humanist weddings tend to be thoughtful curious types; they aren’t just being swept away by traditions or ‘going through the motions’. They’ve actively looked into the ceremony options, and made a decision to do things differently, so they’ve usually got plenty to say for themselves. I learn a lot from them!
3. What’s the worst part of your job?
Working on my own all the time! I think people think being a celebrant is quite glamorous but 90% of the time I’m alone at my desk, hair in a scraggy top knot, in my jim jams, trying to stop myself eating the entire contents of my fridge (failing miserably).
4. What’s the weirdest request you’ve ever had from a client?
I got asked to do a rap in a ceremony! Gaah! I said I’d give it a go! I showed them my skillz, and the request was politely withdrawn!
5. What’s been your favourite ever wedding you’ve worked on/at?
I really can’t choose a favourite. I love fun and noisy weddings the best, so any wedding where music is involved (love a pop song in place of a hymn!) or shots for toasts half way through! Weddings are obviously serious occasions but my favourite weddings are big celebrations – I always put the emphasis on the fun!
6. You’re surrounded by beauty in your job. What do you find beautiful?
What a question! Smiles from strangers/ my three year old son breaking out into spontaneous dance/ Rixo dresses/ Meeting couples who become new best friends/ cold mornings/ dogs begging for tummy rubs/ noodles/ golden hour/ the peak district/ north Norfolk coast/ … I could go on??
7. Best piece of advice to offer to those getting married?
Never go to sleep on an argument.
8. Anyone you particularly admire in the industry?
Melissa, founder of The Un-Wedding. She’s built an incredible brand around looking after her two kids (so she’s my working mum idol) and she’s been a huge support to my business.
(We here at Devine Bride are also fans! Find both Katie and I in Melissa’s Book of Love supplier directory here!)
9. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Ooh… Jump and the parachute will appear. I was terrified of giving up my dull (but lucrative!) copywriting role to pursue being a celebrant full time, but it was the best decision I ever made!
10. What was your career plan B?
I would have loved to have been an actress. I very nearly went to drama school but decided at the last minute to do a degree in journalism instead!
You…
11. Where do you call home?
Cambridge
12. Favourite shop?
I feel awful admitting this because it’s not very in keeping with my humanist values but… AMAZON (I’m trying to give up the habit!)
13. Favourite restaurant?
Probably Wagamama
14. Who would you have play you in a movie about your life?
Emma Stone – she looks nothing like me but seems fun!
15. Cocktail of Choice?
Not a big cocktail drinker, more a sherry or red wine kinda gal!
16. Your biggest extravagance?
Clothes.
17. Do you collect anything?
No, I’m very anti collections since I had a Marie Kondo (The Magic Art Of Tidying Up) clear out at Christmas! Nothing is safe in our house now. If my kids haven’t played with a toy for two weeks I’m side eyeing it ready to give it away! My husband has taken to hiding his things in the attic…
18. If you could buy any building, which one would it be?
The first house I lived in.
19. What’s the most romantic thing someone’s ever done for you?
Probably propose. Although our proposal story is incredibly unromantic (they’re the best). My husband took me on a bike ride and I moaned all the way about the terrain/ how hungry I was etc… then he got the ring out of his pocket, and I quickly changed my tune…
20. Where do you go to let your hair down?
I’ve got two young kids so hair letting-down time is few and far between at the moment!
And finally…
21. Tell us something about yourself?
I failed my driving test seven times!
22. Invisibility or flight?
Flight.
23. Any regrets in life?
I always think I regret not discovering my passion earlier. I look at people like Ellie from The Wedding Enthusiast who is 23 (who seems to know exactly what she wants to do with her life) and wish I’d has a similar sense of direction ten years ago! I spent a lot of time in crappy journalism jobs, knowing that I was not fulfilling my potential… but, at the same time, if I hadn’t done all those jobs I wouldn’t appreciate what I’m doing now. And MY GOD, I LOVE WHAT I AM DOING NOW!
24. Tell us your favourite Instagram accounts at the moment!
@hunsnet (this account makes me HOWL on the daily), @leopardmidiskirt @voguewilliams (I’m obsessed with her, she’s so funny!), @luckypineapplebar.
25. If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I’d make humanist wedding ceremonies legal in England and Wales. They are currently not (boo!). Humanists UK is so close to changing this though, if you’re interested in the campaign to get these weddings legalised please check out their website!
(Humanist wedding are legal in Scotland however – and Katie travels! Just check out her insta!)
Thank you so much to Katie The Celebrant for taking part! What a funny and interesting interview! She’s all smiles and fun is Katie!!
