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About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2023

Last update: January 2026

🌿 Rites of Way — Ceremonies with Soul

Ceremonies with soul — rooted in nature, crafted with love, laughter, and poetry.

Hi, I’m Carolyn (Cas) Holmes, the outdoor celebrant behind Rites of Way. I create wedding ceremonies, vow renewals, naming ceremonies, and celebrations of life that feel heartfelt, inclusive, and joyfully personal.

With over 40 years’ experience in health and social care — alongside work in management, training, research, and events — I bring calm guidance, disability awareness, and professional expertise to every celebration. My ceremonies are designed to feel authentic, uplifting, and full of meaning, while still holding space for fun, laughter, and lightness.

What I Offer: Weddings, Vow Renewals, Naming and Pet Ceremonies

Bespoke ceremonies rooted in your story, with options for themed celebrations, creative rituals, and co‑produced elements.

Vow Challenge Workbook

Gentle guidance, reflective exercises, and flexible short‑notice support to help you shape vows that feel true to you.

Inclusive Ceremonies

Disability‑aware, multi‑faith, and including languages in your ceremony (German, French, Italian, Portuguese), with a focus on emotional safety and adaptability.

Pet‑Friendly Celebrations

Welcoming beloved animals into symbolic roles in weddings, namings, or celebrations of life.

Naming Ceremonies

For babies, children, adults, and pets — warm, personal, and rooted in your family’s story.

Rituals & Symbolism

Handfastings, unity rituals, guest participation, and creative symbolic acts that make your ceremony unmistakably yours.

Poetry & Music Guidance

Drawing on my love of literature and sound to weave words and music that resonate deeply.

Eco‑Conscious Support

Gentle advice for sustainable choices, whether outdoors under open skies or indoors in meaningful spaces.

Complimentary Ceremony Audit

A no‑pressure conversation to explore your vision and possibilities.

What Couples Say

Couples often describe my ceremonies as “far more than just a ceremony — it was a deeply meaningful experience that touched every guest.” Others call me “a calming figure who put everyone at ease” and “our dream celebrant.”

Why Choose Rites of Way?

  • Nature‑rooted symbolism for eco‑conscious couples

  • Disability‑aware practice for emotional safety and accessibility

  • Interactive rituals that invite guests to participate meaningfully

  • A unique breadth of services beyond weddings, including namings and celebrations of life

  • Pet inclusion and multilingual options rarely found locally

  • A balance of soulful depth with fun, laughter, and joy

  • A celebrant who blends artistry (poetry, music, literature) with professional event expertise

Let’s Create Something Magical

Your ceremony should feel like you — personal, soulful, and unforgettable. Whether outdoors in nature or indoors in a space that matters to you, I’ll co‑create your ceremony with care, creativity, and flexibility.

You’re warmly invited to get in touch — no pressure, just a friendly chat to explore your vision. Celebrant in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire & Beyond | Celebrant

Carolyn the Celebrant is based near Hitchin, Hertfordshire and serves neighbouring counties — just ask if you’re unsure.

  • Woman-owned

Frequently asked questions

Language:

English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese

Religion:

Anglican
Baptist
Catholicism
Methodist
Protestant
Non-religious/humanist

Type:

Celebrant
Master of ceremonies
illustration notebook

Do you have any questions?

Reviews for Carolyn the Celebrant

Gemma
Gemma Sent on 10/09/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A beautifully personalised ceremony telling our story!

We came across Carolyn via a google search whilst looking for a celebrant for our vow renewal. We spoke on the phone and instantly clicked, We had two further online meetings where we felt completely at ease with Carolyn and we discussed our vision for our day and what we wanted to include in our ceremony. We gave Carolyn information about our relationship and she turned it into a beautiful personalised story of us!
Communication was great and Carolyn has been completely supportive throughout. Carolyn is so passionate about the work she does and was dedicated to making our day special. Our ceremony was everything we asked for and more and we couldn’t thank Carolyn enough! We would highly encourage Carolyn to anyone looking for their celebrant.
D
Dennie Sent on 17/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect choice for us

Cas was amazing, well prepared, always there for us and is just a lovely person to be around! She helped us a lot with preparing our vows, thinking about everything that's needed for the big day and making our dream wedding come to life. She even practiced to speak some german during the ceremony so my family can understand her and she did a fantastic job. We are very lucky to have had Cas for our wedding and would recommend her anytime xx Thank you Cas for being brilliant and the perfect celebrant for our wedding!
Lucia
Lucia Sent on 04/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Carolyn Made Our Wedding Truly Magical!

We feel so lucky to have had Carolyn as our celebrant — she was truly a gift to our wedding day.

From the very beginning, Carolyn took the time to understand our story, our values, and the unique blend of our two cultures and religions. What she created was far more than just a ceremony — it was a deeply meaningful and emotional experience that touched us and every one of our guests.

Her script was beautifully written, heartfelt, and personal — full of love, warmth, and authenticity. She even went the extra mile to write it in both English and Portuguese, which meant the world to us and made my mother feel included and respected. That thoughtfulness is something we will always remember with gratitude.

Carolyn also managed to bring together our different beliefs and traditions with so much grace and sensitivity. She created a space of unity, joy, and respect — something truly special that reflected exactly who we are as a couple.

Thank you, Carolyn, for your kindness, your beautiful energy, and for helping us create a ceremony we will cherish forever. You exceeded all expectations, and we couldn’t have dreamed of anyone better to guide us through this moment.

— Lucia & Sokol
E
Emily Sent on 12/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Cannot recommend enough!

If you're considering having a celebrant for your wedding, I cannot recommend Rites Of Way enough! All of the work and care that Carolyn put into getting to know us and our story as a couple was so evident in the wedding script, which was so heartfelt and personal to ourselves. Many of our guests said it was the best wedding ceremony they'd ever been a part of, and they loved getting to know more about our story as a couple. Carolyn was there throughout our wedding planning to support us and was extremely accommodating. She was such a calming figure for us on the day and helped put everyone at ease. Thank you for helping to make our day so memorable!
H
Heather Sent on 08/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Thank you for everything 🙏💕

Cas was our dream celebrant and I can't recommend her highly enough. She stepped in at the last minute and put together a beautiful, personal and touching ceremony that made us feel so special. Thanks for everything you've done.
B
Bonita Sent on 01/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Very happy, couldn't have asked for more.

Carolyn offered just the right level of support before the event and did such a lovely job on the day. She's really approachable and put us all at ease. We had a handfasting and she helped us to choose all the right elements to make it really personal. She was also very understanding and sensitive to how to incorporate our daughter who has SEN needs. Thank you Carolyn!
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Your events

29 Jan
Open Door

Live Q&A coming up. If you’re planning a 2025 ceremony, pop in and ask me your burning questions. I'll be available between 7.30pm - 8.00pm

Join me for a live Q&A about celebrant‑led ceremonies. I’ll share a link during the session so you can reach me directly afterwards, or you’re welcome to email me if that’s easier.

Rites of Way is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Q & A with Carolyn the Celebrant at Rites of Way
Time: Jan 29, 2026 07:30 PM London

Date: From 29/01/2026 to 29/01/2026 Schedule 19:30 - 20:00
Place: Meppershall, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
29 Jan
Open Door

Live Q&A coming up. If you’re planning a 2025 ceremony, pop in and ask me your burning questions. I'll be available between 8.30pm - 9.00pm

Join me for a live Q&A about celebrant‑led ceremonies. I’ll share a link during the session so you can reach me directly afterwards, or you’re welcome to email me if that’s easier.

Rites of Way is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Live Online Q and A with Carolyn the Celebrant, Rites of Way
Time: Jan 29, 2026 08:30 PM London

Date: From 29/01/2026 to 29/01/2026 Schedule 20:30 - 21:00
Place: Meppershall, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Meet the team

Carolyn (Cas) Holmes
Carolyn (Cas) Holmes
Owner - Celebrant

.🌿 Let Me Tell Your Story

I’m deeply passionate about working with couples to create ceremonies that reflect their dreams, values, and personalities. My aim is simple: to make your day joyful, meaningful, and unforgettable — a true celebration of you.

As your celebrant, I’m here to empower and support you. I love helping couples and families step into their moment with confidence, authenticity, and connection.

My Journey to Celebrancy

In 2023, I organised my mum’s funeral — a deeply emotional and transformative experience. The heartfelt compliments I received were a sign. It felt like a now‑or‑never moment to follow my dream of designing and leading ceremonies. So I took the leap… and I haven’t looked back. I love every single ceremony I’m trusted with.

My path has been shaped by a rich tapestry of life experiences:

  • A long career in health and social care

  • Growing up my the sea and New Forest in Bournemouth
  • My Italian heritage
  • Becoming a living kidney donor to my husband

  • Volunteering and training in personal development

  • Performing music and publishing my own work

  • Being a mum to two incredible humans

  • “Grandpawrenting” my beloved Teddy

  • Carrying forward my mother’s love of poetry

  • And a deep love of walking in nature, photography, and outdoor swimming at our local lidos

These threads weave together into the celebrant I am today — calm, creative, grounded, and wholeheartedly invested in your story.

🏳️‍🌈 Proudly Inclusive and Celebratory of Every Kind of Love

I warmly welcome LGBTQ+ couples and celebrate love in all its beautiful forms. Inclusivity isn’t just a value — it’s part of my family. My brother‑in‑law is a fabulous drag queen, and I honour individuality, expression, and connection wherever and however they shine.

Why Couples Choose Me

Couples often tell me I’m easy to talk to, a good listener, and someone who helps them discover their own answers. I bring compassion, creativity, and flexibility to every ceremony, and I accept and celebrate you exactly as you are.

I Believe in Ceremonies That Are

  • Fun and joyful

  • Creative and a little bit unusual

  • Family‑ and guest‑inclusive

  • Pet‑friendly 🐾

  • Authentic and true to you

  • Memorable and legacy‑making

  • Rooted in nature and outdoor spaces

  • Sustainable and accessible

  • Unique, empowering, and inclusive

Your Story Is Waiting to Be Celebrated

Whether you’re bursting with ideas or simply exploring what’s possible, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch via Hitched — let’s begin shaping a ceremony that feels beautifully, unmistakably yours.

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Map

Meppershall SG17 5QF Hitchin (Hertfordshire)

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