Vine Hotels Launches New Holistic Celebrant Event Service

There is no denying it, COVID-19 has impacted all our lives in so many ways. Most of us have never lived through anything like this and it is completely new territory for us. In addition to it effecting everyday life, it has meant that some milestone occasions have had to be put on hold, and some of our wonderful couples have had to postpone their wedding day.

Here at Whirlow Brook Hall we have had the privilege of seeing so many couples tie the knot, each wedding so special and unique, and it has filled us with so much joy over the years. We know how much work, stress and emotion goes into planning a wedding and our hearts really do go out to couples who have had to make the difficult decision to postpone their wedding day. But please do remember, weddings are not cancelled, they are simply on pause. Your big day will come, and you will have the best day ever- we will make sure of it! So, let us look at the positives, you get extra time for the wedding build up, which we all know is just as fun as the day itself! It is just like Christmas time, Christmas Day it

Sheffield-based Vine Hotels has united with Nicky Oates, a South Yorkshire holistic celebrant, to offer exclusive humanist and non-denominational services for events taking place at four of its local venues.

The Mosborough Hall Hotel, Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa, The Old Rectory and Whirlow Brook Hall are working with Nicky to offer clients the new option of a holistic celebrant – someone to create and host a uniquely personal service as part of an event such as a wedding, engagement, baby naming or even a funeral. The venues are reacting to a growing demand for non-religious services in the region and aim to give customers more autonomy over how to mark their events.

Nicky Oates says she is “thrilled” to be working with Vine Hotels in bringing uplifting celebrant service ideas to more people in the area. Talking of her new partnership with the hotel group, she said: “Often clients that do not follow a designated religion want some kind of ritual in their event ceremony to help demonstrate and celebrate love or honour the life of a lost relative. Yet, because they are not tied to a particular faith, there is little choice in how to achieve this. Without the religious elements, a service can sometimes feel a bit impersonal too. That’s where I come in. I create a bespoke service that is a focal element to the event and individual to my clients.

“I will work alongside my client in designing the format of the occasion and helping them to write what they want to say at the event, or if they prefer, I write something for them. I also offer a range of historic rituals that can be a part of the day too.

“Some examples of a humanist elements in a wedding, might include ‘unity rituals’ such as the warming or blessing of the rings. This is where the rings are passed around the guests before they are exchanged. Each person will bless them in their own way – whether that is simply holding them (warming), projecting positive energy, or saying a prayer, poem, or blessing.

“Colour is often used too – there is a custom that involves coloured sands poured by friends and family in layers into a vessel of the couple’s choice, which is then kept for prosperity. It is a visually beautiful representation of the complexity of love and friendship.

“My ceremonies are a joyous multisensory experience, with the lighting of candles, burning essential or aromatherapy oils, singing, poetry and art. Even in a funeral service, these elements can be brought into the day to create an uplifting moment to celebrate the lost person’s life.”

Richard Beck from Vine Hotels said: “Bringing Nicky on board allows us to offer our guests an exciting new opportunity and as far as I’m aware, there are no other local partnerships offering a similar holistic based service. It’s a chance for guests to create a focal point to their event and sense of occasion, without a religious element.

“The beauty of this is that Nicky can create a service that works in all settings, for all guests and that brings the flexibility and individuality that will make this popular.”

Holistic event celebrant services at Mosborough Hall Hotel, Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa, The Old Rectory and Whirlow Brook Hall are available from £600.  For details, visit https://www.mosboroughhall.co.uk/ , https://www.kenwoodhall.co.uk/, https://theoldrectoryhandsworth.co.uk/ and https://whirlowbrook.co.uk/.

self is great, but so are all the festive activities you get to partake in during the build-up.

When it gets to your ‘should be’ wedding day in the coming weeks, please do not be sad, and instead look to the future and all of the exciting things you can do between now and your new date.

Here are a few ideas from our team at Whirlow Brook Hall, of lock down friendly things which you can do on your original wedding date, to help keep your spirits up.