Me; The Alternative Celebrant
I believe that every person is extraordinary, that every chapter change in the novel of our lives is worth a celebration. Everybody is unique; and, as The Alternative Celebrant, I aim to help people celebrate, commemorate and remember in their own unique and ordinarily extraordinary way. Helping to create and then deliver services that truly reflect them, encouraging them to be true to themselves and those they are celebrating. I advocate forgetting about what is ‘expected’ and doing it exactly how you want. I specialise in intimate, honest, heartfelt events: funerals, remembrances, elopements, vow renewals, joining ceremonies and other unique personal reasons to punctuate your story.
I own a small rural B&B in Llanwrtyd, Mid Wales, am a stained-glass artist and teacher and Lady Lily the Pink of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. Sometimes these hats are worn separately, but somehow, they all work in synergy to create one unique and alternative package
My full name is Bernice Benton, everyone calls me Berni, (except my parents who use the full name if they’re cross even to this day, and I’m 52!). Sometimes I’m Lady Lily the Pink of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party…
“The first time Berni told me she was thinking of training as a Celebrant, I think my heart skipped a beat. When someone finds their path, and you get to be even a tiny part of the journey, it’s a special thing.
Berni is compassionate and passionate, she’s quirky and totally real. I would not hesitate to recommend Berni to anyone who wants to mark a special moment in their lives in a way that will be one-of-a-kind.
Training Berni as an Independent Celebrant has been a joy and watching her create truly unique celebrations with her glorious approach and authenticity has been a highlight of my career as a trainer.” – Dinah Liversidge – Coach, Mentor, Writer, Speaker – No Box Thinker
We are all Extraordinary
As an individual who has spent the last two decades recognising the ordinary extraordinariness in everyone’s life, I really had come to want to facilitate others in their own recognition, acceptance and joy at their own selves.
Intimate Alternative Celebrations of Love and Unity
I love to celebrate outside the mainstream; in my mind LOVE IS EVERYTHING, so whether you are part of a couple or thruple; whether you are part of the LGBTQI community: or whether you just want to explore a different way of celebrating your union, then I’m here for you; thinking outside the box and cheering along every quirky idea you might like to incorporate in your celebration.
Personally I’ve been happily unmarried to the same man for 25 years. That doesn’t mean that we don’t share a common commitment, sense of unity and values. Sometimes it’s worth celebrating this. As an independent celebrant I am able to help you create the perfect quirky, intimate, alternative celebrations of love and unity, and provide a unique package for you and your close friends or family in our grounds here at Cerdyn Villa.
As The Alternative Celebrant, and being an artist who runs a rural guesthouse I would be overjoyed and honoured to help you create that perfect unique, quirky, intimate, alternative celebration of your love, commitment and unity. I can help write speeches or vows, coordinate a celebration service, provide a memento of the occasion and help you with ideas and contacts…
Elopements & Micro Weddings
An ideal way to share your most precious emotions with the most select and precious people in your life.
More and more people are seeking a more intimate and personal way of sharing their love and commitment to each other. There is a new phrase in town., “micro -wedding”. Its easier to manage. Perfect for the budget conscious.
Historically elopements were hurried and secretive methods of marrying; these days they are simply a non-traditional, intimate, and intentional way to get married, often chosen because the focus is on the eloping couple as opposed to the guest experience .
Whether you are choosing a micro- wedding or an elopement, if you choose to do it here, with me just remember this: There are no rules to follow; there is no set structure to consider; no dress code formality to adhere to: no institutions to conform to. The event is for you, about you and will encompass only words and activities that reflect you. Together we can create your perfect few days.
Life Celebrations: Remember and Reflect
Maybe you feel it is time to revisit the loss of a loved one. Maybe at the funeral 12 months, 5 yrs, 10 yrs ago, you wish you’d said something different or celebrated their impact on your life in a different way. Or you may just wish to remember and celebrate their life again. Memorials and Remembrance Services, , the way you want them. There are no rules…Remember & ReflectMore than a Pet
People often don’t realise the strength of emotion and the grief that can come from losing a cherished pet, if you’ve lost your dearest dog, cat, horse (or any animal) friend then the feelings can be as strong as those of losing a human. Time to reflect is important. Your dog, cat, horse or whatever animal friend, was certainly more than a pet, they were part of your family.Relationship Status Update!
Maybe you’ve just come out as lesbian, gay, trans, non-binary, pan-sexual. Perhaps you’ve just got divorced. Have you’ve found and embraced a new way of living? Whatever your Relationship Status Update, you may think its worth celebrating, its certainly one of lives chapter changes. There are no rules, dare to be different, mark it with a celebration.
A New Direction, A Fresh Start
Freshly Divorced? Big career change? Back to school as a mature student? Moving abroad? Maybe you’ve recovered from a life changing illness? These events are monumental punctuation marks in our life. Take a moment.