A wedding celebrant from Sankey Bridges is hoping to be popping champagne corks later this month after being nominated for two industry awards.
Laura Hurley, who owns Colours and Promises, is in the running for global celebrant of the year and rising star in the 2021 Celebrant Industry Awards.
The event will be hosted by The Celebrant Directory – an online hub of inspiration for those wanting to tie the knot – and will recognise those people delivering excellence in their field.
Mum-of-three Laura, who is 39, is a wedding, naming ceremony and funeral celebrant covering Cheshire and the north west as well as officiating over special occasions all over the country.
She spends time getting to know families, couples and individuals and allows them to share their memories and hopes for the future so that she can create a unique and bespoke ceremony for their special occasion.
Laura said: “It’s such an honour to be nominated and so unexpected.
“I work hard to provide the best service possible for my clients.
“When I’m not meeting with clients, working on scripts or officiating ceremonies, I am doing CPD (continuing professional development) or reading about how to further develop my skills as a celebrant.”
Special occasions have been put on hold for the past 14 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic with some people getting married with just a handful of guests and others simply taking their vows and putting their reception celebrations on hold until restrictions ease.
Jennifer Claire Constant, founder of TCIA and The Celebrant Directory, said: “I am so excited to finally launch these awards so we can shout loudly about our fantastic celebrant community and really recognise the talent we have.
“The past year has shown how integral celebrants are within the funeral and weddings industry, working and supporting families through life-changing events.
“I’m really proud of how our members have come together and have made a difference in times of such hardship.”
Laura’s ideal wedding ceremony as a celebrant would take place high in the sky in a hot air balloon but she is also keen to gain her SCUBA diving qualifications so that she can hold events under the sea.
She said: “My couples are so important to me.
“More often than not they become more like friends and watching them say ‘I do’, knowing I have played a role in their big day, is just the best feeling in the world.
“Weddings are really picking up now and it’s so lovely to see couples planning their big day after all they have been through over the past 14 months.
“It’s heart warming to see all my fellow wedding suppliers back out doing what they love.
“I have lots of weddings, vow renewals and naming ceremonies coming up this year – I have nine in August alone!
“I’m even getting enquiries and bookings into 2024, which means couples are growing in confidence and booking their special occasions despite the pandemic, which is just amazing.”
Voting for the winners in each category will open on Monday, May 17 until Friday, May 21 before the nominations are then reviewed and judged by an independent panel made up of industry experts.
The winners will be announced on Monday, May 31.
For more information about Laura’s services as a celebrant visit her website at www.coloursandpromises.com
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