Not your average ceremony

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I’m Emily, a former registrar turned independent celebrant living in South Wales, creating personal ceremonies for couples and families who are bored of the ordinary, and want something that truly reflects them, and their family

Every ceremony I write starts with a blank page, and your story.

Emily Ayres, South Wales celebrant, sitting on an oversized chair at a wedding. She is smiling, wearing a black dress with colorful stars, pink shoes, and has wavy, shoulder-length hair.
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Check my availability
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No rule book.

A field, a beach, a barn, your garden, the venue you already love. Bring the dog, involve the kids, skip the bits that mean nothing to you. The ceremony should fit around you - not the other way around.

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A pink wavy line on a light gray background.
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A pink wavy line runs across a light gray background.
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A pink wavy line on a light gray background.
A pink wavy line on a light gray background.

ANYWHERE. ANY WORDS. ANY WAY YOU LIKE.

Funny, emotional, relaxed, unconventional - whatever feels right. Every ceremony is written from scratch, so it sounds exactly like you, not a template with your names dropped in.

Sound like yourselves.

By the ceremony day I’ll know you properly - what makes you laugh, what makes you nervous, what matters, and what doesn’t. Standing up there won’t feel like a performance with a stranger and a script.

Less awkward. More you.

Why me?

I’ve spent most of my working life right in the middle of other people’s biggest moments.

First, as a family solicitor, then as a registrar. Between the two, I’ve had a lot of experience of keeping calm, listening properly, handling emotion and making sure the important bits don’t get missed.

I know how to work with a venue, run to time, calm a shaking hand, and keep going when the music cuts out or the ring box won’t open. None of that is the difficult part.

The part I really wanted freedom with was the writing. Now each ceremony starts with a blank page, ready to start writing your story. You see every draft and approve every word, unless you would rather keep some of it as a surprise.

Emily Ayres standing and smiling at a wedding ceremony, with a floral arrangement at the top on a brick wall background and two mannequins with face-shaped heads decorated with flower arrangements on golden fabric-covered stands on either side.

“Thank you so much for an amazing ceremony Emily! The best in the business.”

Molly A, August 2026

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“Hands down the best ceremony we’ve had for our boys Naming Days”

Louise W, July 2026

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“You have been absolutely fabulous to work with”

Helen J, November 2025

KIND WORDS

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KIND WORDS *

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Different ceremonies. The same approach.

Thoughtful, personal ceremonies written around the people at the heart of them - whether you’re getting married, renewing your vows, welcoming someone into the family, or saying goodbye.

Weddings and vow renewals

Personal, relaxed ceremonies written from scratch and shaped around the two of you - with all the bits that matter, and none of the bits that don’t.

Explore Weddings

Funerals and Celebrations of Life

Warm, thoughtful ceremonies that honour someone properly - with space for personality, memories, laughter, and everything that made them who they were.

Explore funerals and celebrations of life

Naming Ceremonies

Joyful, meaningful ceremonies to welcome, celebrate, or mark a new chapter in someone’s life.

Explore naming ceremonies

Professionally trained. Properly supported.

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Blue circular badge with the text 'Association of Independent Celebrants' around the border, a colorful logo of interconnected abstract figures in the center, and the word 'Member' in gold cursive text in the middle.
Logo of The Academy of Modern Celebration, a circular emblem with a pink border and black interior. The pink border contains black text reading 'The Researched Wedding Celebration' and the year '-2025-'. Inside the circle, in large pink letters, is 'AIMC' with smaller pink text beneath stating 'The Academy of Modern Celebration'.
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