Flo with The Funk

Very personal funerals. Tamara and Sian lead us through parlour funerals and how they can be so uniquely personal and actually very easy to arrange.  Give yourself space and time to organise a good send off. Give yourself time to grieve in a way that honours a life well lived.  Enlightening chat about just some of the things you can arrange for a final goodbye   thank you to  Dulcie, Tamara and Sian for their company and insight. You can contact them here    Dulcie James @celebrant_dulcie  Tamara Burgess @celebranttamaraburgess Sian Allen @magpieceremonies    AND  I am here  www.funkycelebrant.co.uk  @michelle_funkycelebrant 

when a group of friends come together over cheese and wine in front of an open log fire and conversations start to flow.... We explore friendship in our 50's and 60's, how they, we have evolved and what we would tell our 25 year old selves.  It's amazing how a group of diverse women can come together with commonality, shared self doubts and on some occasions self loathing, but allow themselves to be lifted by their friends.  Recorded ahead of IWD 2025, bonds of friendship seem even more important these days.   thanks to Jo, Angie, Sher & Hels for indulging me with raw honesty and vulnerability.  I adore you all x 

When over 20 women come together on a celebrant retreat, magic happens, crown are straightened and love, friendship, laughter and laughter is in abundance. Join me as I chat with just a few of my colleagues who were on the retreat.  Starting with the irrepressible Lisa Lister, founder of Independent Celebrant Retreats.  Want to know more?  Check out @independent_celebrant_retreats over on Instagram  or check Lisa out at lisalistercelebrant.com.    Thanks to all the lovelies that joined me for an interesting natter during the morning. Tamara Burgess @celebranttamaraburgess Mel Maelo @whiteravenceremonies  Helen @treasuredceremoniesinfrance  Beth Llewellyn  Dulcie James @celebrant_dulcie Vicky Griffiths @hwyl_ceremonies_celebrant  Katie Costello @katiesoulmidwife Sara Price @Sarapricecelebrant    What are you waiting for? Join in the fun in 2026 

A short series of 5 minute or less mindful wedding zen moments.  Episode 5  ~The Power of Pause: Reconnecting as a Couple Join me for some mindful moments of zen in an oasis of calm as you take a break from the stress of wedding planning, and remind yourselves who are the most important people in all of this.  Let's chat about how we can create the perfect ceremony for you  Michelle 

A short series of 5 minute or less mindful wedding zen moments.  Episode 4 ~ Nature's Inspiration: A Moment of Connection Join me for some mindful moments of zen in an oasis of calm as you take a break from the stress of wedding planning, and remind yourselves who are the most important people in all of this.  Let's chat about how we can create the perfect ceremony for you  Michelle   

A short series of 5 minute or less mindful wedding zen moments.  Episode 3 ~ Zen Budgeting: Aligning Finances with Your Values Join me for some mindful moments of zen in an oasis of calm as you take a break from the stress of wedding planning, and remind yourselves who are the most important people in all of this.  Let's chat about how we can create the perfect ceremony for you  Michelle 

A short series of 5 minute or less mindful wedding zen moments.  Episode 2 ~ Finding Calm in the Chaos: Stress-Busting Techniques Join me for some mindful moments of zen in an oasis of calm as you take a break from the stress of wedding planning, and remind yourselves who are the most important people in all of this.  Let's chat about how we can create the perfect ceremony for you  Michelle 

A short series of 5 minute or less mindful wedding zen moments.  Episode 1 ~ Mindful Rituals for Wedding Planning  Join me for some mindful moments of zen in an oasis of calm as you take a break from the stress of wedding planning, and remind yourselves who are the most important people in all of this.  Let's chat about how we can create the perfect ceremony for you  Michelle 

HOW TO BECOME AN ACTIVE LISTENER A great podcast for celebrants and anyone who needs to hone their listening skills.  Paula talks us through her top tips on how to truly engage in a conversation.  Some of the tips she will be sharing... 1. Build rapport 2. Come into the conversation 'clean' 3. Be prepared to listen  4. Reflection  5. Record it!  To hear these and other great tips, come on in for a listen!  Paula recommends taking a look at Time To Think and More Time To Think by Nancy Kline to help you hone those skills too.    Paula is in the process of of setting up her celebrant business in Sussex and you'll be able to find her via her website  Your Personal Celebrant. co.uk soon   

A powerful conversation about achieving resilience and some work life balance. A huge thank you to Deborah Page who was so vulnerable and realistic in her sharing of her life experiences.  You can find Deborah via her website truetoyoucelebrancy.com or her socials Facebook Instagram    And the links as mentioned should you need any help PIP  Step Change         

The effervescent Emma from Stort Valley Gifting rounds up my short series on eco conscious weddings   Recorded in 2023, we talk about the evolution of their shop and gifting range as well as their own wedding and their route into eco consciousness.  Her motto is to shop local, reduce your footprint and enjoy what local fellow suppliers can offer... Emma is a fellow Small Business 100 and F:Entrepreneur 100 supplier, and it was so much fun chatting with her.  Go and find their shop and get yourself booked in for a tasting soon  https://www.facebook.com/stortvalleyspirits https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmacoelho/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/stortvalleyspirits/ https://www.instagram.com/stortvalleyspirits/ https://www.stortvalleyspirits.co.uk   For more Funky stuff find me here         

In this episode I am chatting with the lovely Zoe Mills Photographer  She is at the very start of her eco journey with the SWA and is excited to see where it takes her as she gears up for a busy wedding season after recently moving house  Capturing emotion-led natural moments Helping you feeling at ease. Zoe is a  photographer with eco-conscious values   Follow her here www.zoemillsphotography.com Instagram: instagram.com/zoemillsphoto facebook.com/zoemillsphotography 07958 716 588 contact her here :zoe@zoemillsphotography.com   Find out more about Small Business Saturday  here  Find out more about your favourite Funky Celebrant here          

In this episode I am chatting with the fabulous Florrie from de Havilland Memories.  We chat about her  journey from engineer to stationer and how she is earning her eco credentials... Excellently Executed Stationery Creating Exciting Guest Experiences. de Havilland Memories specialises in producing refined wedding stationery, signage and calligraphy. Using only the highest quality, sustainably sourced materials, your invitations are carefully curated to tell your love story, leaving a lasting impression for your guests and remaining a timeless keepsake.   Follow her here www.dehavillandmemories.com  Info@dehavillandmemories.com  www.instagram.com/dehavillandmemories  www.facebook.com/dehavillandmemories  www.pinterest.com/dehavillandmemories    tel: 07821 140 700   Find out more about your favourite Funky Celebrant here          

The amazing Mercedes, joins me in conversation as we chat about her journey to accredited SWA supplier.  She is an inspiration and a valued cheerleader for greener and eco friendly wedding suppliers.  Mercedes lives and works mainly in London and Kent...and will travel basically anywhere her electric van can take her.  Listen to her story here... Business name: 4YaParty Weddings & Events Website: www.4yaparty.co.uk Email: info@4yaparty.co.uk Social media: @4yaparty on all social platforms   FunkyCelebrant   

Series 3 kicks off with the amazing Michelle Miles from the Sustainable Wedding Alliance joining me in conversation to talk all things green within the wedding industry.  Find out where her journey started and where the SWA are currently, along with all the plans for future sustainability within the wedding industry.  If you are a wedding supplier you can find out below  website: sustainableweddingalliance.com Carbon Literacy Training - sustainableweddingalliance.com/for-businesses/carbon-literacy/ SWA Instagram - sustainableweddingallianceuk SWA LinkedIn - sustainable-wedding-alliance Michelle's LinkedIn - michellemilesevents   If you are part of a couple planning your own sustainable wedding, here's a link for you  Couples Instagram - instagramforconsciouscouples   There's loads of  information and details on how you too can start your own journey.  Hope to see some fellow suppliers on the forum, and thanks Michelle for such an informative chat.  Funky Celebrant   

In this not to be missed, last episode of series 2, I am in conversation with  loss and anxiety coach, Dulcie  James from Positive Clarity.  Dulcie is at the top of her game as an educator and therapist, she can give you the tools to help you regain control of your state. Dulcie shares her processes as we talk about grief, loss and recovery, If you want to know more get in touch with her here.  Email: info@positiveclarity.co.uk Web: www.positiveclarity.co.uk   Funky Celebrant 

****TRIGGER WARNING*******  In this edition of  'In Conversation with ...' as we continue exploring grief and loss, Sharon and I are talking about baby and child loss.  It is an emotional topic and may be upsetting for some.  For professionals in the funeral industry this is a must listen to, open and honest discussion about loss and how we as professionals can help families. Especially useful for Celebrants and Funeral Directors. To contact Sharon, you can visit sharonweavercelebrant.co.uk @sharonweaver1 Twinkle Baby and Child Loss Support and Resource  For help in arranging a child's funeral  http://www.childfuneralcharity.org.uk/   Funky Celebrant      

In this episode  I talk with Sheron Burt, a celebrant based in Daventry. Sheron has just established a local Coffin Club         Coffin Club West Northants. We talk about the language around death and how she is hoping to revolutionise how people talk about and view death in her area.   You can contact Sheron via her website www.sheronburtyourcelebrant or via her social media  looking for either @coffinclubwestnorthants or @sheronburtyourcelebrant   Funky Celebrant      

Nothing in life is certain, except for taxes and death as the old saying goes. In the 2nd of my episodes looking at death, grief and saying goodbye, we explore how you can plan and prepare to say good bye to those you love, taking away some of the stress loss inevitably brings    You can find out more about my services on my website. Funky Celebrant

Welcome back to my podcast. A lot has happened since my last broadcast and I wanted to share some of my journey with you as I talk about celebrating through the grief of losing someone dear to you, both as the honourees (i.e.the couple) a guest or a supplier. Because some days we are all close to tears, but somehow we need to navigate throught it    You can find out more about my services on my website  Funky Celebrant

Chatting with Sophie I learnt a lot about Humanism and the differences between Humanist and Independent Celebrants from her point of view          (nothing she says is on behalf of Humanist UK...It is all purely her interpretation on life, love and the world we inhabit today!!) We bust some myths, discuss our commonality and have a bit of a giggle about accents too. If you feel Humanism resonates with you you can finds out more at Humanism.org.uk  To book Sophie for your own ceremony visit her website SophieColligan.com OR find her on Insta @sophiecolliganceremonies    You can find out more about me via my website  Funky Celebrant   

Join me as I chat with Nasher about why Jesus was a socialist amongst other things! Brian Nash or Nasher as he is more often called, takes me on his personal journey from guitar legend in 80's band Frankie Goes to Hollywood through to returning to his home town after 30 years and rediscovering its architectural beauty during lockdown.  We talk about his new fond vocation as a Funeral Celebrant (launched during the Covid-19 lockdown) and why his latest  photographic and spoken word project is going to be so poignant. As they say up there in Liverpool...'He's sound!'  and I hope you enjoy listening to his musings as much as I did.  'BOSS!" You can contact him via his website  Nasher the Celebrant.com   You can find out more about me via my website  Funky Celebrant

Join me as I chat all things wedding planning with the fabulous Natalie Solanke! From why you need a planner to what the whole process involves. Before we move onto talking about one of our favourite subjects ... Weddings at Jimmy's Farm and what wedding could look like post Covid. AND   then of course we have to mention Steve McQueen.... who??? Listen to the podcast to find out more !  Like what you hear?  Contact Natalie to find out more! https://nataliesolankeweddings.co.uk  Natalie's photo - photo credits to Anesta Broad Photography    You can find out more about me via my website  Funky Celebrant

In this episode I am joined by Ericka Davis an American wedding officiant and Gwen Rule a wedding and funeral celebrant from London. We continue our conversation on overt and covert racism as well as looking at whether it's ok for  anyone to jump the broom. Before looking forward to the future, as role models within our industry. Two more fabulous women of colour working within the Wedding Industry who you would be mad not to find out more about! Ericka can be reached via her website www.expertiseweddings.com  and Gwen via her website www.uniqueceremony.co.uk    You can find out more about me via my website  Funky Celebrant   

In this episode I get to have an in-depth conversation with my favourite gin swilling beardy photographer...Avi from AK Expressions. We talk about weddings post lockdown and how they really are likely to look, for a little time yet at least. How your suppliers who need to get up close and personal might have to adapt and how your celebrant, photographer and videographer are going to have to work before during and after the ceremony.  It's not all doom and gloom though, because as we talked, we started to bounce some solutions off each other and left the conversation feeling quite upbeat and looking forward to finally getting some form of 2020 wedding season off the ground.  How do you think its all going to shape up?  Want to book the bearded wonder?  Pay a visit to his website www.akexpressions.com   You can find out more about me via my website  Funky Celebrant  

TRIGGER WARNING This episode is a serious, frank and open discussion between 5 women of colour as we discuss racism, how it has impacted our every day lives and continues to affect some aspects of our working lives as celebrants here in the UK and Malaga, Spain. I make no apologies that some people listening to this podcast may be upset by some parts of the discussion, because it IS a discussion that needs to be held in communities all over the country. Here is a list of resources you may find useful. BOOKS   How to be an antiracist by Ibram X Kendi   So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo   Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race by Renni Eddo-Lodge   White Fragility - Why it's so hard for white people to talk about race by Robin DiAngelo, PhD   Me and white supremacy by Layla F Saad   ARTICLES TO READ   How to make this moment the turning point for real change by Barack Obama   How you can be an ally in the fight for racial justice   How to be an ally if you're a person of privilege   How to be a white ally Why you need to stop saying all lives matter by Rachel Cargle   TED TALKS   Nova Reid's Ted Talk - Not all superheroes wear capes - how you have the power to change the world   Heather C McGhee's Ted Talk - Racism has a cost for everyone   ANTI RACISM AND RACE ACTIVISTS & EDUCATORS ON INSTAGRAM   @novareidofficial @rachel.cargle @laylafsaad @roxanegay74 @ckyourprivilege @theconsciouskid@privtoprog This is not the end of the conversation, but the beginning.   My thanks go to Jamie Walker - www.jamiewalkercelebrant.com Jas Biant- Infinite Celebrations By Jas - www.infinitecelebrations.co.uk Sheron Burt - www.sbyourcelebrant.co.uk Maxine Mitchell - maxinemitchellecelebrant@outlook.com Natasha Johnson - www.malagaminister.com   You can find out more about me via my website Funky Celebrant          

Meet two of the most awesome Celebrants in the North of England...  Ellie Farrell & Louisa Starr We're all from the Midlands, so once conversation starts flowing we are quickly reduced to giggling wrecks, and can all understand each other perfectly.. I just hope you can too. We discuss wedding day ferrets, wedding day beards, vikings, Harry Potter and what makes an alternative wedding ceremony, as well as the future of Celebrant led weddings....such a lot crammed into ½ an hour! You can find out more about Ellie at https://alternativeceremoniesuk.com  and Louisa at https://funeralcelebrantyorkshire.com   You can find out more about me via my website  Funky Celebrant        

Hello and welcome, let introduce myself  My name is Michelle aka the Funky Celebrant...my nickname since 16 is Flo ....apparently I reminded the name giver of Floella Benjamin because of my bright and bubbly personality.  Come on over and meet me on my website to find out more about me  Funky Celebrant  Or  If your a UK based wedding celebrant in need of some mentoring  The Savvy Celebrant.co.uk