Celebrant profile:
Karen McLaughlin
Although I live in Ayrshire I am happy to meet couples and travel to ceremonies in other parts of the country so if you are thinking of a ceremony I would be happy to hear from you.
My home is in in Ayr and when not working as a celebrant I volunteer as a befriender and as a trustee with a project for children and young people who are socially isolated and need some support to be out and about.
Its rewarding to be part of something which makes a difference to the their lives.
I am also a volunteer panel member with childrens's Hearings Scotland . which is both difficult but also worthwhile. Many children lead hugely difficult lives
I have a love /hate relationship my garden,(mostly love ) depending on how much work its taking in mid summer and then the tidying in autumn . In this pandemic time the garden has been somewhere to stay sane and keep busy. I still hate November though!
My partner and I lost our very old (18) springer /collie cross ,our "fur pensioner". just before lockdown so I now content myself being dog sitter/gran to Sophie the wee cutie my daughter rescued from Egypt and the occasional dog from friends .
I enjoy my holidays and like all the planning that goes into them and its always good to have a trip to look forward to .
My back ground is in social work and adult education and I have worked and taught as a counselor and coach/mentor. I have long experience of working with people in a variety of situations where warmth, rapport, respect and good listening are important. I hope I bring these qualities plus genuine interest and connection to all of my work.
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Wedding & Civil Partnership Ceremonies
Weddings and civil partnerships take many different shapes and are celebrated in a variety of places. Some couples want a a really big bash and a very full ceremony while others want to keep things short if still sweet!
Its my job to support you to think about and plan the kind of ceremony you want and to help you choose, or perhaps write, the things you want to be said and done on the day. I can help resource you with various things to read and consider but also encourage you to have your own ideas and choices.
As a celebrant It's a real privilege, pleasure and good fun to be part of the excitement and joy of planning a wedding and I hope I may be part of your very special day.
Naming & Welcoming Ceremonies
I really enjoy the fun and warmth of naming ceremonies where families and friends can be relaxed and join together in welcoming babies or indeed children of any age.
Its nice to meet families and hear what they want from a ceremony but also to learn about their story and their hopes and dreams for the new wee person. The actual ceremony has elements of formality but is able also to be be good fun,to include other children and to be a good excuse for a party!!
Funeral Ceremonies
My work and life experience allows me to bring a respectful but warm and genuinely interested approach to meeting families and preparing a funeral ceremony.
I encourage families to share their memories and stories and to think about music and poetry or prose which they think relates well to the deceased. Families always have the right to make contributions to or make changes to the ceremony .
Funerals are such a crucial part of life's passage and I feel it is both a privilege and a worthy responsibility to contribute to that.
Ceremony fees:
Contact me to confirm my fee