Let's create and celebrate life's memorable milestones together!
Welcome to Hand on Heart Celebrant: where you will be supported by a qualified celebrant and coach, in making the most important moments with those you love, lifelong highlights.
Hand on Heart is the name of my company as it reinforces the trustworthy way in which I work whilst listening to your greatest hopes and dreams for your ceremony.
In my hands, you can relax and enjoy every minute of your celebration, knowing each detail will be considered and your day will be creative and bespoke to your needs.
Debra Massey
About Hand On Heart Celebrant
- and me, Debra Massey
Thank you for visiting Hand On Heart Celebrant, where I provide preparation and ceremonies for couples and families.
As a Celebrant, Executive Coach, and 34 years of award winning experience in schools, I am dedicated to creating unique and personalised special occasions for you and your loved ones.
This role came about after publishing my second book, 'Life Beyond Lanyards' which explored what transferrable skills might make a successful change of career for others.
LITERALLY, taking a 'leaf from my own book' I realised the potential of being a celebrant in helping to create other people's memorable milestones.
I do this because I love it and enjoy enabling your dreams become your reality.
Also having experienced 'that moment' when realising I had met my soulmate 37 years ago, I recognised the importance in the little details, that make each love story precious. To write and share that on your special day, is an honour and always a privilege.
Who would have thought a holiday romance in the Greek Islands in 1987 would end in my own 'happily ever after? Despite being told by a handsome young man that he was a trainee pilot (which I believed) I later found out this wasn't the case - but we blame the Top Gun Tom Cruise influence to this day!
What I do know is how it feels to suddenly realise you have found 'the one.'
We moved in together within 6 months, were engaged a year to the day we met - and married in 1989.
For our Silver Wedding anniversary, we agreed on 25 people for those 25 years, recognising our relationship was strengthened and guided by some very special people, including our two sons.
Perhaps that explains my delight in creating personalised events for families and couples, so that your unique love story can be shared with those most important to you?
I love the personalised approach and having recently been the Mother of the Groom, I realise how important it is that a ceremony should include family and friends in creative ways unique to each couple.
I look forward to working with you to plan and deliver a wedding, commitment, vow renewal or other couples’ ceremony - or enable you to have a bespoke naming ceremony for your precious child.
Services
At Hand On Heart Celebrant, your milestone event is in safe hands. For celebrations to mark an adult partnership whether a Commitment, Vow Renewal, Civil Partnership or Wedding Celebration Ceremony, you will have a high quality in delivery and preparation.
For a Baby Naming Ceremony, you are using the expertise of an award winning teacher who is DBS enhanced and with an outstanding legacy of providing excellent, creative provision for babies to teens.
Why choose Debra Massey, the Hand On Heart Celebrant?
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I bring over 34 years of experience in planning bespoke events and national experience in public speaking. I am also an experienced coach, with Master’s Level accreditation, meaning I am a great listener.
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I am a fully qualified Civil Celebrant, endorsed by Civil Ceremonies Ltd.
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I have a First-Class Honours degree with an English, Drama and Dance specialism meaning your ceremony will be well written and with plenty of exciting and creative highlights to make it unique and memorable.
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I am also a published author, therefore have a professional writing capacity .
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I have led exciting events including all generations, all faiths and welcome the opportunity to support LBGTQ+ ceremonies. Love is love in all its forms and you can rest assured your day will be presented - your way.
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No two ceremonies I provide are the same; this month I have planned and presented one LBGTQ+ wedding celebration, a naming ceremony for triplets and vow renewal, each with religious or non-religious content.
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You can rest assured, planning your special ceremony, as well as delivery will be well managed by an interested and experienced professional.
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For families who wish multiple children to be named, this addition is creatively included, whilst for ceremonies where a loved one has passed away, sensitive inclusion of memorial recognition with religious content being very welcome, if required.
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I have led indoor and outdoor events with small groups to celebrations including hundreds of people present. I provide wide experience in creating bespoke events to meet a wide range of styles and settings.
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I have led two eco-focussed award winning organisations, hence sustainability is also a passion I am happy to incorporate into any event.
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I am DBS enhanced and confident in communicating with children, including those with additional needs. I would welcome contact to discuss a ceremony to mark adoption of a child.
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I am a consultant for my local authority enabling young people with special needs to shine and fulfil their potential, likewise I have supported many families when an adult has been unwell, so can confidently adapt ceremonies to be inclusive of all.
This will be led by me at every step. providing the highest quality of personal service.
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I only do one event on any given day and a maximum of 2 a week, to ensure my clients have my undivided attention.
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You will know that throughout our partnership from the first meeting discussing options for your special occasion, during follow-up consultations, drafts of ceremony content and especially on the big day, you can focus on enjoying every minute.
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You will be reassured that no detail is too small to be overlooked.
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I choose this role because I love seeing dreams and plans held dear, come to a reality for you. I have been happily married for 37 years and know that no two love stories are the same.
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Symbolic actions whether sand ceremonies, unity candles, handfasting and many more options will be interwoven within a ceremony with music and readings, to reflect your personalities and preferences.
Communication preferences vary from one person to another:
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I usually meet face to face, but access online platforms can be arranged, if preferred.
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We can keep in touch as details are agreed via phone, email or post if required. Conversations and meetings planned around your other work and life commitments. I am flexible in meeting during the day, in evenings and on weekends.
Let me create something special and memorable for you, forever.
Any ceremony to celebrate love and commitment of a family to a child - or between 2 people who want to share their delight as being known as a couple, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I look forward to hearing from you as the first step towards your ‘happily ever after' next step.
All pricing is inclusive of meetings, planning, ongoing communication and the ceremony itself. It does not include travel, additional mutually agreed roles nor resources beyond certificates or any other item agreed between both parties.
Gallery
Your special celebration of a lifetime milestone, whether that be a ceremony to celebrate a naming, wedding, vow renewal, or commitment to someone special, can be uniquely provided whenever and wherever works for you.
No two celebrations are the same, as no two relationships ever will be.
I look forward to working with you to shape the day of your dreams.
The following photos are from meetings or during key aspects of a range of ceremonies recently shared on my social media, with huge thanks to those photographed for agreeing to share these.
Testimonials
Feedback on Debra Massey's creativity, relationships with couples and families, involvement of children and capacity to provide bespoke ceremonies:
‘After postponing our wedding multiple times due to the complexities and stress of traditional venues and guest lists, we were seeking a low-key celebration for our second marriage.
When we discovered Debs, everything changed. She not only made our dreams a reality but also personalized our ceremony script based on our life story.
We had full control over the guest list and chose to have the wedding in our cosy garden at home, keeping it a surprise until the day.
Debs orchestrated the ceremony flawlessly, making it personal and unforgettable, tailored uniquely to us.
I wholeheartedly recommend Debs; she is a remarkably talented Celebrant who helped create a day we will cherish forever.’ Vicky
‘Debra shows true professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail truly makes any ceremony unforgettable. She really is the best for any memorable and meaningful wedding.’ Mel B
‘f you are looking for someone extra special for your special day then Debra is the lady for you. Debra knows how to make every occasion truly unique, she has a a gift in making a person feel special, listened to and valued.
I cannot think of anyone more perfect to be a celebrant. ❤’ Lissa B
'Deb spoke at my daughters naming day. It was a day filled with people who we loved from young to old from all pathways of our lives. When she spoke it was with understanding, kindness and empathy for us as new parents. She understood what we wanted from the naming day and remained true to our wishes. I have no reservations at all in recommending her to others interested in doing an event " their own way" - she gets it! You really won't be
in safer hands.' Lisa
‘Debra Massey delivered the most beautiful heart warming vow renewal ceremony. She thought of everything from writing the script and presenting the ceremony. What she put together was just beautiful. She is always clear and super organised while creating a personalised vow ceremony. Debra Massey shows friendliness and professionalism.
We had a unity candle ceremony with a certificate signing. As a family we had a sand ceremony, a ritual where different colours of sand are combined as one. This was shortly followed by the hand fasting ceremony with different coloured ribbons, “tying the knot”, making our day special and memorable. We absolutely loved the whole experience.
We highly recommend Debra Massey to make your service unique, bespoke and special. She is really the best.’ Shrey
‘If you are looking for a celebrant for your special day I would highly recommend Debra. She stands out from the field and her warmth and dedication shows in her attention to detail, whether in published writing or in live events . She has a distinct flare for imaginative content and has the expertise and professionalism to include whole families in particular, and the ability to involve children with special needs.’ Caroline
Contact
I am looking forward to hearing from you:
'Please don't hesitate to get in touch as a first step in making a current dream ceremony become your reality.
Indoors at a venue, in your own home, on a farm, beach, or woodland: your day will be planned your way.'
With Hand On Heart Celebrant:
Debra Massey
Tel: (+44) 07903577202
