Janet Shell Ceremonies is a new celebrant based in Hersham, Surrey
“People seem surprised at first, but the celebrancy field is packed with people like me," says Janet. "If you think about it, the skills required for standing up and delivering a ceremony and engaging with people are the same as those required to be excellent in the classroom or to be able to hold an audience, and it feels the most natural thing in the world! I've been asked to sing at many weddings over the years, and while loving the joy of the occasion, I've also witnessed some less than perfect ceremonies with the atmosphere feeling rather flat.
Janet officiated her first ceremonies in 2021 and has several bookings already for 2022 -23, including a handfasting pagan ceremony this summer.
“My second ceremony was a request for handfasting, and at first I suggested they find somebody else as I hadn’t done it before, but the groom said he wanted me to do the ceremony and was happy for me to learn on the job," shares Janet. "I practised on door handles, on my husband and anybody who was standing around and, on the day, it went well! Out of that came a request for this summer! Never say never!
"Every ceremony is an opportunity to learn and grow. When you see a happy couple and their family and guests at the end of a ceremony, it is a great feeling to know that you have been part of that and made a difference."
“I truly love meeting people and hearing their stories and seeing how I can showcase the next part of their life," explains Janet. "I won’t be the right person for everybody, and it's important to acknowledge your own style – mine is calm, classic, confident with a twinkle in my eye! My sense of humour is always with me. I have a lot of life and performing experience to give me perspective in life, which is what I believe adds a layer of depth to my work, but for all that, on the day, it's the couple who are in the spotlight, not me!”
To find out more about Janet, visit www.janetshell.co.uk/weddings.html, call 07730 409 648 or email janetshell@talktalk.net
