Anna Bailey | The Happy Celebrant
A little bit about me....
I'm a Humanist celebrant and I conduct weddings and naming ceremonies.
Firstly, huge congratulations on your engagement, wedding anniversary or new arrival. I know how exciting, and over-whelming, planning your big day or family celebration can be.
I’ve been a journalist for 18 years and I love telling other people’s stories. I would love the opportunity to help support you as you plan one of the most important milestones of your life.
Since becoming a celebrant, I’ve conducted some beautifully varied ceremonies. These include one under a tree in Greenwich Park with just a few family members, to almost 200 people in a town hall. I love how personal and unique Humanist ceremonies are for each family.
For me, it’s really important that creating a wedding or naming ceremony is a really fun and enjoyable process. I’d hope that when your big day is over, you’d be able to look back on the time we spent working on the script and ceremony as a really fun and positive experience.
I’m also brimming with lots of ideas for helping make ceremonies extra special and personal for each family. I get genuinely excited when I find the perfect reading or poem for a celebration, and love to teach others about the many special symbolic actions, such as hand-fasting, that can be performed.
Nothing makes me happier than receiving wonderful feedback from couples thanking me creating their perfect ceremony.
As well as being a celebrant, I’m also the editor of the food and parenting website Goodto.com - and in the past I’ve worked at ITV, MSN and UKTV. I’ve met and interviewed countless people from all walks of life. I’ve often been complimented on my ability to put people at ease, and I really enjoy helping others articulate their feelings.
I began my career in local journalism in 2004 at The Basingstoke Gazette, and part of role involved editing the anniversary section of the newspaper. Each week, I’d visit couples celebrating 25, 50 and even 60 of marriage – and chat to them about their memories, the life they’d built together and hopes for the future. I’m delighted that after almost two decades, I’ve returned full circle to meeting couples and families to help celebrate their happiest moments.
If you think I could be the right person for you, I’d love to hear from you.