Together we can create your own Individual & Magical ceremony

Picture
photo: www.capturedbyliam.co.uk
 My name is Michele Bentley and I am a free-spirited, independent celebrant. I offer civil and sacred ceremonies, both scripted and unscripted, and my belief is that each ceremony should be as individual and magical as the people it is honouring. I can offer a traditional wedding ceremony, maybe with a touch of ancient ritual such as hand-tying or  a Celtic-style handfasting for a Wedding or Vow Renewal. Other services include Baby Naming Days, Reclaiming Your Name, Gender Affirmation Ceremony, or the very special Passing Over Ceremony.

As an Independent Funeral Celebrant, I am able to offer any type of ceremony you would like for your loved one. Unlike a humanist ceremony (which is not permitted to have any religious or spiritual content), we can incorporate any beliefs you may have. I will create and deliver a funeral eulogy that really captures the essence of the person who has died and truly honours them in the best possible way . Whether your funeral is at a crematorium, graveside or in a beautiful woodland, I will help you give your loved one the final tribute they truly deserve. Together, we will create a funeral (or memorial) to celebrate life.
​
The other ceremonies I offer are non-religious, and include ancient traditions and rituals connected with nature and the elements (Air, Fire, Water and Earth). Your own spiritual preferences can be sensitively incorporated if requested. Each ceremony is woven around your individual story and may include contributions from your friends and family, whether that be poetry, readings, songs, music or just words of love. In the Handfasting Ceremony you will exchange rings and make vows just as you would in any wedding ceremony. Your ceremony can be as informal, fun, dramatic or moving as you wish, the only limitations being your dreams and imagination.
Locations
Your Ceremony can be held at our Yurt Sanctuary in Somerset, either in the meadow, surrounded by wildflowers and butterflies, or in our beautiful 18ft healing yurt “Willow”.
Alternatively, I can come to your chosen location and hold the ceremony in a place that is meaningful for you.
Weekend Packages
We also offer wonderful weekend packages at The Yurt Sanctuary so you can combine your ceremony with a two-night stay in our luxury yurts, “Wildwood” and “Little Oak”.
​You will arrive on a Friday and settle in, maybe relaxing in one of our wood-fired hot tubs or enjoying a sociable meal around the firepit. Your ceremony will be held on the Saturday (late morning) and then you have until Sunday afternoon to enjoy the comfort and tranquillity of our beautiful yurts and their private gardens and facilities.
There are plenty of “extras” to choose from: Massages, crystal healing and chakra balancing, flower essence therapy and the very special “Sacred Couple’s Incense Blending Ceremony with Sound Bath”. You can even enjoy have-a-go archery … which was very popular at my own “Robin Hood” themed vow-renewal handfasting!
Please do feel free to talk to me about your perfect ceremony and I can try to make it happen for you. Let’s have an initial free chat, either on the phone, by zoom or in person and see what magic we can create together…
Continue the Celebrations
There are several fantastic local venues to go to after your ceremony, to meet guests and have a larger reception/evening “do”. If you would like more guests at the ceremony itself, I can also conduct it at the reception venue. Most of these special places have the option/space for a marquee and some have barns and in-house caterers. These range widely in price, depending on facilities, so I am happy to offer suggestions and pass on contact details if you are interested.