Celebrant profile:
Candice Dillen
Hello, I'm Candice and I became a celebrant in 2015. I quickly found it to be the most wonderful job and in early 2022, conducted my 1000th ceremony!
I hope my video will illustrate how much I love my role and give you an insight into my work. Feel free to check out my social media too and then please get in touch to discuss your plans!
Being a celebrant means I meet people from all walks of life. I craft ceremonies from their memories and stories and I am part of some of the most significant occasions in their lives. It's fascinating, diverse, humbling, joyful and incredibly rewarding.
On a personal note, I'm married, have 2 children, a dog and a cat. Life is hectic!
My professional background is Health Promotion/Education and in previous jobs i have worked with neurological conditions, HIV & Aids, Substance misuse, mental health, public health and more. All roles with people at the centre. I decided to become a full time celebrant in 2019 and people are still at the heart of what I do.
Being a humanist doesn’t stop me trying to understand the universe and our place in it. It just means looking to the evidence we have. Fundamentally I believe in treating others with empathy and compassion, not for hope of reward, or fear of retribution, but because it's the most human way to be.
In my (limited) spare time I love:
Cooking and baking ( I own way too many cookbooks.)
Pottering in my wee garden (I adore plants and flowers)
Travelling to interesting places (i have perpetual wanderlust)
Music and live gigs (I have eclectic taste and live in a very musical household)
Researching everything to the *nth degree
And I also love a good dance!
Check My Availability
Busy Limited Available
Wedding & Civil Partnership Ceremonies
When you choose a humanist wedding you are choosing to have a non-religious ceremony that is personal, unique and memorable. So, it’s important that you are involved in shaping and crafting your ceremony. What makes a ceremony special is that captures your journey and the love that has grown between you, in a way that is right for your personalities. Your ceremony should have your guests saying afterwards - 'that was so you!'
My approach is to work with you to help you create a ceremony that’s authentic, interesting, fun and meaningful. I listen to your ideas and guide you through all the options for your ceremony - symbolic gestures you may like to include, ideas for your vows, readings and more. You know why you want to marry each other and it's my job to capture that.
Your ceremony can feel traditional or relaxed, informal or formal, quirky, humorous, intimate....there is no right or wrong. But your personality should come across, not only in the writing but also in the delivery on the day itself. You may be nervous but I'll make sure you enjoy it and feel relaxed.
Your wedding day is a day when everyone you care about is brought together to celebrate your love. It's unique and magic. Having a personal and meaningful ceremony that you will never forget, that people truly feel connected to, gets everything off to the very best start!
Funeral Ceremonies
The first humanist funeral I attended was my nanas back in 1999 when humanist funerals were unusual. I loved how unique it was and how it celebrated her life and who she really was.
I conduct funerals across Edinburgh. I will meet families in their own home, where I will outline what’s involved in the ceremony. I listen to the family as I find out about the life of the deceased, asking questions to guide so I can be sure I have the information to write a tribute that is truly reflective of their loved one. I always ensure that the family have a ceremony draft in good time so any amendments can be made. I’ll then provide a special final copy for the family to keep.
It’s an honour to be trusted by families at such a difficult time in their lives and a privilege to share in the achievements and challenges of a life lived. I ensure that each ceremony I write and deliver is dignified, meaningful and truly reflects the character of that person. It’s very important to me that every family feels comforted that they’ve had the most fitting tribute possible for their loved one.
Ceremony fees:
Contact me to confirm my fee