What is Heritage and why does it matter?

Heritage is a way of finding meaning and purpose through a connection with the past.  It can help root you in your origin story, affirm your identity, be a source of pride and honour, and guide your values and actions.
 
Heritage can carry a wealth of meanings.  Some of the meanings below may resonate with you. All of these form part of my heritage.  If any of them are precious to you, I would love to work with you to add meaning to your ceremony by honouring your unique heritage.

Personal heritage

The heritage someone close to you leaves behind, which you want to honour in their memory.

Cultural Heritage

The cultural and religious heritage which influences your family’s history and informs the present.

Natural Heritage

The local, national or international heritage of a person or family, such as the beauty of the natural world or styles of architecture.

The Heritage of Memory

A personal heritage; the precious memories evoked by a place, a landmark event or a treasured possession.

Shared Heritage

Shared celebrations of lifecycle events, combining the longstanding traditions nurtured by elders with innovations from younger generations.

A Heritage of Love

The stories, folk memories, music, objects and pictures that are passed with love, laughter and tenderness from generation to generation.

Let’s talk about your ceremony

Why I became The Heritage Celebrant

When I celebrated my own mixed-faith marriage in 2013, we created a ceremony that honoured both my Jewish heritage and my husband’s Scottish heritage to bring our very different families together in a day of abundance and joy, rich in meaning.  Our day included songs in three languages, prayers written by family and friends, colours that reflected what Scotland means to us, a wine ritual involving both our mothers, food representing both Scotland and the Mediterranean, the Jewish ritual of breaking a glass, Scottish dancing, bagpipes and kilts. 
 
It was a day we shall always treasure because it felt so like us.  Whatever you are celebrating, whoever’s life you are commemorating, I would love you to experience that feeling too, and I would love to help you achieve it.
 
I have been lucky to have a rich family history that has been part of my life ever since I can remember.  I can trace my Sephardi (Spanish-Portuguese) relatives back to 1492. Along the way I have inherited stories of love, conflict, loss, tragedy and laughter from all over the world.  I have not only been able to incorporate my Jewish heritage into my own ceremony but have helped other family members to do the same. 
 
I am proud to be rooted both in the vibrant, diverse city of London and in the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands.  I cherish our natural heritage, from sweeping parks and beautiful gardens to tranquil woodlands and majestic lochs, and I love ceremonies which take place in nature or incorporate elements from the natural world. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor wedding ceremony, a naming ceremony in your own garden or a natural burial in a beautiful setting, I would love to be there with you and help bring the atmosphere of the day to life.

My mixed heritage wedding day
Click here to learn about my values

How my cultural heritage, history and perspective support you

Telling your story.

Do you see yourself as a historian, an artistic type, a scientist, a teacher, or a larger-than-life character who doesn’t fit the established norms?  I identify with all of these and more through my diverse educational and life experiences. 


Are you proud of your heritage, whether cultural, religious, historical or creative and feel it lies at the heart of who you are and how you want to express yourself to the world?  Me too. 

Sparking creativity.

I’ve always loved bringing creativity to the projects I’ve worked on alongside people of all ages and backgrounds. I have a strong sense of curiosity and a desire to engage with different cultures, places and traditions.  I am skilled at exploring people’s stories and lived experiences and bringing them alive through my writing.

I would love to work with you to bring creative, gorgeous and, where appropriate quirky elements to your ceremony.

Time to listen.

I often work with people who feel shyness or reticence about talking about what’s on their mind or in their heart, and uncertainty as to the way forward. 

 If you’re feeling a little shy or you’re not quite sure what to expect, or you’re not sure whether you have a story to tell, you’re in safe hands.  I’m sensitive and I really care. I’m here to build trust with you so that we can discover and celebrate the stories that really matter together in the most authentic way.

Bringing your day to life.

I’m a performer at heart and am never happier than when I’m on stage.  I love exploring a character’s back story and finding her essence, so that I can understand her intimately and bring her to life for the audience. 
 I’m excited to bring my stage experience to your celebration, to create a narrative with truth, dimension and heart, in order to communicate that story to the people closest to you so that they feel fully immersed in everything you want to say and remember the day for the best of reasons.

Words that matter.

I’ve always adored creative writing, ever since I bought my first notebook at the age of 7 and wrote a story about a family of friendly mice! I’m a published writer and have won a prize for my poetry.  I’m now using my writing skills to enable you to capture the essence of a departed one, a future partner or a young person affirming their identity. 
 
I’m so looking forward to working with you on crafting memorable words just for you.

Let’s talk about your ceremony