Dawn Rees is a humanist celebrant based in Norfolk. Here, the former nurse explains how she helps people celebrate just about anything – all over the UK and abroad
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Dawn Rees and I’m a Humanist celebrant. I’m trained and accredited by Humanists UK (humanistsuk) which is a charitable organisation promoting humanism and represents the interests of non-religious people in the UK. It advocates for a compassionate, ethical life based on reason, evidence, and human values, rather than on religious beliefs. It is currently campaigning for Humanist celebrants to be allowed to conduct legal marriages – as they already do in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Guernsey and Jersey. Why not England and Wales? If you have an hour to spare, I’ll make you a cup of tea and give you the short version!
What led you to becoming a Humanist Celebrant and how would you describe the role?
I have been a member of Humanists UK for about 20 years and trained to be a celebrant 8 years ago. Since then, I have conducted hundreds of ceremonies for all sorts of people and in all sorts of places. If I am asked to perform a wedding, I work closely with the couple to find out more about them – more ‘who they are’ than ‘what they do’. Couples often book more than a year ahead, so it gives us plenty of time to meet and talk, and for me to write a ceremony that truly reflects their lives and their relationship.
What is your background – what were you doing before?
I originally trained as a nurse in London and worked in a number of hospitals in London and then Ipswich. Then, after a divorce and with two dependent children, I went to the UEA to study as an undergraduate in English and Philosophy. After that, I did a Masters in Social Work and worked in child protection and later in child and adolescent mental health, setting up new early intervention and help services across Norfolk in between 1997 and 2003. Then I changed roles and worked for the Department of Health, commuting to Cambridge and then London developing and changing new services across England as part of a national team, which I then led for 5 years. After that – a change: I set up my own business in consultancy to the public and third sector and as a leadership coach. I guess you could say all my experience rolled into one once I was self-employed. I loved it and still do! In between I have been known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, I still have a food blog – I write about food and cooking, and I love cooking for lots of people.
Are you Norfolk born and raised – what do you love about living and working here?
Nope, I was born in Ipswich, then moved to Manningtree when I was nine. I moved to Norfolk in 1979 and I love it. I love how easy going it is, how beautiful it is; I love the small market towns and the number of self-employed people there are. I love the support of other women rooting for one another and I love the sea. Being near it, swimming in it with my dog, camping beside it, sailing on it. Luckily, in Norfolk, we are never more than forty minutes from the beach! I love Norwich Pride, the thriving art and music culture in Norfolk and I am particularly glad that over time Norfolk now has a more diverse international population. We can all learn from one another.
How does a humanist wedding ceremony differ from a traditional one?
A Humanist ceremony offers you much more choice, particularly if you are not religious. A traditional wedding is likely to be in a church/mosque/temple or a Registry office. These are the only places you can be legally married. I advise my wedding couples to seek a ‘you+two’ ceremony at the Registry office and then go for it with a Humanist celebrant-led ceremony. The ‘you+two’ is simply the couple and two witnesses, a statement that they are legally free to marry. It costs about £70. Not many people know about it – but you really don’t have to spend a lot of money for a Registry office wedding if you don’t want to. You just need to ask for the ‘two+two’ ceremony. Then you can have your Humanist ceremony wherever and whenever you want – and it will be personal, memorable, and 100% built around what you both want.
What sort of area do you cover – any unusual locations you would like to mention?
I cover England and Wales – the furthest weddings in the UK are Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Bristol, Cornwall, Kent – and of course the whole of East Anglia. I also perform ceremonies abroad which are just beautiful. I think the two most unusual ceremonies I’ve conducted are – firstly on Cromer beach at low tide in September – it was cloudy, windy and a huge success. Just 10 guests plus the couple – we mapped out a circle in the sand and planted canes with ribbons attached. A lovely guy took photos from the promenade and then took the trouble to find out how to get the photos to us. We warmed up later at North Sea Coffee! Another was a wedding for a couple who were circus performers. They were preceded by tumbling acrobats when they walked in and the rings were delivered by a stilt-walker! That’s not to say that every ceremony is high-octane. I have also led a vow renewal for just the couple, and a family union ceremony of thanks where illness had been a huge challenge. We simply celebrated recovery and the power of love!
You really can celebrate anything, and a Humanist celebrant can help you with that. I don’t conduct funerals, but I celebrate just about everything else. We are only here once, so we’d better LIVE!
Where can people find out more about what you do?
The easiest thing is to go to my website dawnreesceremonies.com for more information and to follow me on Instagram @dawnthecelebrant
Visit Dawn Rees Ceremonies – Humanist Celebrant
Featured image of Dawn Rees – by bethmoseleyphotography.co.uk
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