Time is the greatest gift you can give anyone - so give it on Mother's Day!

Cards!..................Emails!....................Texts!.................Flowers!...............Lunches!.............however you choose to spend Mother's Day today - may the day be perfect for you!

It's a day with a focus.  It's a day that celebrates a role.  In a few hours my own Mum will be coming for lunch and she'll walk away smiling having spent time with her daughter, her son-in-law..........and the two mighty Newfoundlands!

The greatest gift you can give anyone is time - because it's the one thing that you give of yourself, that you can't ever get back.

So even when today is over, don't leave it for another year before you celebrate what you and your Mum have.  Because somewhere out there, just around a corner, is a son or daughter who no longer have their Mum with them.

And I bet they'd give anything, to be able to hold and hug her for one last time.

Death through a lens - Photographers at funerals?

Here's an interesting little blog that really tests our thinking!

We book a photographer for Weddings, for Christenings and for other big celebrations.

But would you book a photographer to be at a funeral for someone you loved.

This blog asks the same questions.

 

http://www.goldencharter.co.uk/blog/283_death_through_a_lens

Why you won't find me behind a table at a Wedding Fayre!

A question I get asked many times by professionals in the wedding industry, is am I interested in attending various wedding fayres?

 

And my answer.....all the time......every time.......is a polite......... 'No, Thank You'.

 

 

 

 

 

Clients who book my ceremonies, do so on the basis that they've heard about me, or they've experienced one of my ceremonies direct - they've been there as a spectator and have felt the emotion in the room!

 

Sincere Moments has grown through recommendation and referral - in my view, the only way to grow a business successfully and for the long term.  I've never paid for any form of advertising or to pitch up anywhere and display my wares!

 

But the main reason you won't find me behind a table handing out leaflets, is because you can't hand out emotion.  You can't hand out feelings.  And you can't hand out sentiment!

 

Yes you'd meet me and I could tell you all about how I work.............but I want you to experience what I do either first hand, or talk to someone who has.  That's why 95% of my bookings come from people who've either been to one of my ceremonies, or they've been recommended by someone who has.

 

I quite understand why photographers, florists, stationery artists and the like, do attend these fayres.  If I was selling those products then I'd do exactly the same.  But I'm not.  

 

So if you're reading this and wondering how you can get a feel for the kind of ceremonies I design and lead, do get in touch.  I can put you in touch with suppliers and previous clients, all who've seen and heard me perform a ceremony.

 

I wouldn't want you to book me without either meeting me personally for a coffee somewhere, or talking to someone who has used me.  

 

That way, we both know we're right for each other!

 

xCarole 

Beginnings & Endings!...........Happy New Year.

Let me wish you all a happy New Year!

 

 

However you're feeling today...........be grateful that you're alive to feel it!  

 

And no matter how much we reflect, no matter how many resolutions we make, to start something new we have to let something go in our lives.  There isn't space to do everything!

 

 

 

 

 

I hope your 2014 brings you your own success and happiness. - however you choose to measure that!

 

Happy New Year

 

xCarole

 





My Top 3 Highlights from 2013 - 'One offs' with a difference!

Well it's almost upon us - that ringing in of the New Year.  Away with the Old.  Hello to the New!

But before I step into 2014, I've looked back over the last twelve months and realised a few things happened in the life of Sincere Moments  - things that are unlikely to ever happen again!

So here are my Top 3 Highlights from this year, in no particular order - each one with its' own set of emotions and memories!

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Will you marry me?

 

 

Back in April, I was delighted to design and lead little Oscar's Naming Ceremony.  Pete and Heather are just wonderful parents, deeply devoted to each other and their son.

 

But little did we all know, that Pete had something more up his sleeve for the big day!

 

 

Before the ceremony started, Pete took me to one side and gently said that he had something that he just wanted to say at the end to everyone - and could I make time for that please.  Of course! - I envisaged he wanted some space to make his own personal thanks to his family and friends.

But here's the shock......because this is what he really wanted to do:

There wasn't a dry eye in the room........as Pete turned to Heather............and thanked her for everything that she brought into his life......and everything that she'd become to him.  He loved her..........and would she marry him?  Little Oscar had no idea of the enormity of what was happening around him!

Needless to say the answer was a resounding Yes!........and I'm looking forward to helping them both celebrate their marriage next year.

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Dragon's Den Entrepreneur picks Sincere Moments as one of his favourite small businesses

 

It was April again that brought good news!  The business found itself in the spotlight for some local and national media coverage.

 

Theo Paphitis, the former Dragon's Den entrepreneur................picked Sincere Moments as one of his top 6 favourite small businesses.  That meant immediate access to Theo's international business network, to his other winners in the UK, and to his growing #SBS (Small Business Sunday) business network.

 

In November, I travelled to Birmingham to spend the day with him and other entrepreneurs......to hear his views on business.................and to receive my award from him.

 



During his speech, he made one particular comment that hit home to me.........."If your business doesn't rock your boat.........then go and get a job!"

Being a Celebrant certainly rocks my boat!

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An intimate Renewal of Vows - for a most inspirational lady!

 

It was down in Somerset in June, where I was delighted to lead a Renewal of Vows ceremony for a truly inspirational woman.

 

Naomi Thomas is the founder of the charity The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation (www.weddingwishingwell.org.uk) - a charity that helps terminally ill people, to have the wedding of their dreams.  In 2010, Naomi found out that she had incurable breast cancer - news that simply wiped out all her future dreams.  

 

On 6th June 2012, she married Graham.  A year later, and they decided that they wanted to celebrate their first year of marriage together with a Vow Renewal ceremony.  In Naomi's own words.....'We don't know if we'll have a second wedding anniversary!'

 

Away from all the spotlight and the media, Naomi and her husband Graham together with their son Devon, renewed their vows in the fabulous St Audries Park Manor House.(http://www.countryhouseweddings.co.uk/st-audries-park)

 

 

 

(Photos courtesy of http://www.martingillman.co.uk)

 

It was probably one of the most intimate of ceremonies that I've ever designed and led.  No audience.  No spectators.  Just two people lucky and grateful to have their time together.

 

Naomi went on to win the Daily Mail's Inspirational Woman of the Year award, taking her to Downing Street to meet and be congratulated by Samantha Cameron.  She's a remarkable lady who's making such a huge difference out there.  It was a pleasure to meet her and I wish her much strength in the times ahead.

 

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So there we have it!  A year where I've met many wonderful people and been involved in many milestone occasions.

 

Every ceremony I take is as unique to me, as it is to the people involved.  No two ceremonies are ever the same - nor should they be!   I'm always humbled at the personal stories people share with me and how they allow me to turn them into amazing ceremonies.

 

To all those I've worked with over the year, you've all taught me something, you've all made a difference for me. 

 

Thank you for choosing Sincere Moments to be part of your celebration.

 

Happy New Year to you all.

 

XCarole.

 

 

It's that time of year again...........time to reflect....time to stop and think!

Well that Christmas Eve hush has found its' way into our homes!

 

It makes us quite reflective. It gives us some time to stop and think.........So I just wanted to take this moment......to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*   To all those families who I've helped say goodbye to loved ones during the year, my thoughts are with you all. Christmas will be a difficult time but you will get through it. 

Remember.......your memories are one of the few things in life......that no one can ever take away from you. May they bring you much comfort and warmth.

*   For those special families and couples who I've helped celebrate new beginnings and the history you've shared together - I hope Christmas brings you all that you're looking for ......and a little bit extra too!..........Enjoy your time together......just like you always do!

*   And for those of you who've already booked dates with me for ceremonies in 2014.........I'll be in touch as we've arranged!........You'll be surprised at how quickly it'll all come around!

Wherever you are this Christmas and however you choose to spend it.........may it bring you contentment, warmth and happiness.

Merry Christmas.

xCarole

A day in a Celebrant's diary......when she gets to meet a Dragon!

So on the 28th November, in the bustling city of Birmingham, I finally met my Dragon!

You might remember that back in April, Theo Paphitis, former Dragon's Den entrepreneur, chose Sincere Moments as one of his top 6 favourite Small Businesses on Twitter for that week.  That meant:

• That I got to be in his business club with lots of tips, ideas and networking!
• And that I got to meet him!

And here's the picture of Theo presenting me with my winner's award:

It was a buzzing and inspiring day!  The one thing that stuck in my mind after he'd given his talk.....was his quote about being in business:

"If it doesn't rock your boat........go and get a job!"

 

Being a Celebrant certainly rocks my boat.............and I'm just as attentive and proud of my next ceremony....as I was when I did my very first!