Welcome - About Me
My name is Barry Nixon and I am an Independent Family Celebrant. My attributes are Weddings, Funerals, Vow Renewals, Naming Ceremonies and Pet Funerals.
I live in Maidstone with my lovely wife Lynne and two step-children, along with a menagerie of animals.
I had a varied professional background when I left school but the best 20 years of my professional life was spent in Her Majesty’s Prison Service, firstly as a Prison Officer where I learnt the ropes of a very demanding job and for the last 10 years as a Senior Officer which was an even more responsible and demanding role.
Of the many experiences that I gained from my time in the Civil Service, I have the ability to interact with people from all walks of life.
I have the ability to acknowledge and understand the emotions and feelings families experience during joyous or sad times in their lives and can adapt accordingly.
As a family celebrant, I am able to give a more personal service which is based purely upon the individual families requirements.
I will work closely with you to ensure that the service I deliver will be the most personal and individual ceremony for your family.
As a family celebrant, I am independent of any religious or humanist organisation, thereby I can create a ceremony which celebrates an individual’s personal beliefs.
I am based in Kent, but I am willing to travel to fulfil the needs of the people who choose me to conduct their ceremonies.
Weddings
CONGRATULATIONS !!
Your wedding day should be the best day of your life.
It would be a privilege for me to help you create your perfect wedding day. Pledging your love to one another is one of the most important and special days of your life.
You can hold your ceremony wherever you choose. The venue does not need to be licensed, so you can get married anywhere from your own garden to a special place of significance, however, you may need to seek permission from local authorities and landowners in some instances.
As a legal formality, each couple is required to obtain a wedding licence ahead of the ceremony. All you need to do is register with your local Registry Office at least a month before your ceremony. You will then make arrangements to visit the Registry Office in person to get your wedding licence and this will involve reading out a short legal citation in front of the Registrar. This can normally be done on the morning of your ceremony or days before if you so wish.
Working together, I will write a ceremony personal to you and it can be as serious or as fun as you would like it to be.
If you so wish, you can each write your own vows, or if you would prefer, I can do that for you.
SAME SEX MARRIAGE:
Same sex marriages are truly welcomed and we can, together, organise a beautiful personalised and unique ceremony at a venue of your choosing.
Funerals
Arranging and organising a funeral can be a very daunting experience at such an emotional time and saying goodbye to someone you love is probably one of the most difficult things we face in our lives. I will speak to your family with a sensitive and sympathetic approach.
Each ceremony is written individually with as much input from family and friends as you so wish, in an uplifting manner to celebrate their life in a honourable way, focusing on what made that person special and unique, and I will include any content that reflects the wishes of your loved one.
Ceremonies may have religious elements in them, or none at all, the choice is yours.
I like to, where possible, meet with the family beforehand to discuss your wishes to enable me to make the ceremony as personal and unique as possible.
Vow Renewal
Vow renewals are becoming increasingly popular and are at times undertaken to mark a special anniversary, an important event during your married life or to simply re-affirm your love to one another.
Whatever your reason, I will work with you to create an inspiring ceremony to celebrate the years you have already had together.
Naming Ceremony
The birth of a new baby is a joyous time and one for celebration.
A Naming Ceremony offers an alternative to a traditional Church Christening Service and can be for older children and adults alike, as well as for babies.
It is also an avenue to welcome step-children or adopted children into your family.
I will meet with your family, where possible, to discuss your wishes and together we can prepare a unique and personal ceremony to be held at a venue of your choosing.
Pet Funerals
As a pet owner, you know that pets are an essential part of our family and I know from personal experience that losing a much loved family pet can be devastating for most people.
I will provide a dignified ceremony whether it be in your home, garden, pet cemetery or another location of your choice.
I will plan, compose and conduct a unique ceremony for your pet with compassion and sensitivity.
Contact Me
