There is something very special about couples who have been together for years and years, who want to celebrate their relationship with a Humanist vow renewal.

Eamonn and Stella celebrating 45 years together at their vow renewal

Eamonn and Stella’s Humanist vow renewal ceremony near Oxburgh Hall was a simple yet profoundly moving family affair. Their daughters Jess and Lorna contacted me only a couple of weeks before the planned date but everything fell together so sweetly it was as if we had known one another for years.

A small ceremony which acknowledged lives well-lived, grown up children who adore them and grandchildren too. What could be more lovely?

We thought a hand-fasting would be a lovely way to recognise the ‘ties’ that bind this family together and so the family chose ribbons whose colours represented love, commitment, steadfastness, energy, health and compassion and we “tied the knot” to seal the deal.

45 years is a triumph. The love in the room was palpable. Not all ceremonies have to make bold statements. This one was perfect.

As Jess kindly wrote afterwards

Thank you for doing my mum and dad’s ceremony on Saturday. It meant so much to them both and I know I couldn’t have asked for a better celebrant – it was so personal to them and the perfect tribute to their relationship – not a dry eye in the house!


Hopefully our paths will cross again at some point as it was such a pleasure pulling this all together with you and your problem-solving instincts at the ceremony itself were much appreciated

The pleasure was all mine.