Independent celebrants, one society.

I’m Tory, an Independent Modern Celebrant and the co-founder of The Celebrant Co-operative Society. I live in Brackley, Northamptonshire, with my husband Gary and our rather wonderful collection of rescue animals – Phoebe, our Romanian rescue dog, cats Ruby, Nora and Hugo, and Myrtle the tortoise.

Becoming a Celebrant brought together the things that matter most to me: people, storytelling, individuality and community. Co-founding the Society felt like the natural next chapter – creating something fair, honest and inclusive, where independent celebrants can support one another and thrive without losing the independence that makes our profession so special.

A career built around people

My background spans strategic account management, business development, sales leadership and community engagement. My role with the Co-op Group gave me a deep appreciation of co-operation and community-led organisations, while my LLB (Hons) in Law – completed part-time while working – strengthened my interest in governance and fairness. These are the principles on which I co-founded the Society: collaboration over competition, opportunity without exploitation, and a belief that we are stronger when we help one another succeed.

Celebrancy with heart

As a Celebrant, I conduct weddings, vow renewals, namings, funerals and memorials. I have a particular love of ceremonies connected with nature and symbolism, including tree planting, handfasting and candle lighting. My own beliefs are rooted in nature and sustainability, but a ceremony should reflect the people at its heart – their beliefs, their values and their story, not mine.

That same principle of inclusion sits at the heart of the Society: there is no single way to be a Celebrant, and I want our membership to reflect the diversity of our profession.

Home, books and the natural world

Away from work, I am happiest outdoors, usually in the garden, or tucked away being creative in our “west wing”. I am a devoted bookworm, with a soft spot for Cicely Mary Barker and The Flower Fairies. Gary shares my love of books, so perhaps it was inevitable that we married in Hay-on-Wye in 2022, our celebrations including a henna ceremony and jumping the broom – reminders that ceremonies should never have to fit neatly into somebody else’s box.

Why I co-founded the Society

Above all, I co-founded the Society because I believe there is room for a different kind of professional community – one where celebrants remain proudly independent but never have to feel alone, where experience is shared rather than guarded, and members have a genuine voice in the organisation that exists to support them.

I don’t want the Society simply to be something that celebrants join. I want it to become something they feel they belong to. That, for me, is what co-operation is all about.

I am a trained End of Life Doula, an independent care company owner, and a celebrant, with a particular passion for funeral work and supporting people through some of life’s most significant and tender moments.

Alongside my work in care and ceremonies, I bring a strong corporate background in account management and Learning & Development, where I have coached, supported and developed teams to work collaboratively, build confidence and achieve shared goals.

Although my previous roles have not been within a cooperative structure, I have always instinctively embraced cooperative values in my approach to work: self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. For me, these values have meant listening to others, sharing knowledge and skills, encouraging everyone’s voice to be heard, supporting colleagues to grow, and recognising that we achieve more when we work together rather than in competition.

Alongside my friend and co-founder, Tory, I am passionate about building a Celebrant Co-operative Society that feels genuinely welcoming, inclusive and supportive — a place where everyone feels they belong, are valued for their unique contribution, and can thrive both personally and professionally. We want to nurture a collaborative, collective culture built on trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to doing things differently.

For me, this Society is about more than working together; it is about creating a community where we can learn from one another, support one another, and build something meaningful together.

With over 25 years of experience in graphic design and the print industry, Gary brings a wealth of creative expertise, commercial knowledge and a keen eye for detail to the Celebrant Co-operative Society.

Having worked across a diverse range of design and print disciplines, Gary established himself as a self-employed graphic designer in 2012. Since then, he has worked with clients to bring their ideas to life, producing everything from business cards and corporate stationery to calendars, promotional materials and large-scale stadium banners. His background combines creativity with customer service, account management and a genuine appreciation for the importance of building lasting professional relationships.

Gary's journey into the celebrant world began somewhat unexpectedly, through supporting Tory as she embarked on her own journey to becoming an independent celebrant. Along the way, he developed a growing understanding of the profession, its opportunities and the challenges faced by those working independently.

Through Tory's work with the Co-op Group, Gary also became immersed in the principles and values of co-operation, particularly the importance of collaboration, mutual support, democratic participation and working together for the benefit of a wider community.

When the idea of establishing a co-operative dedicated specifically to the celebrant community began to take shape, it felt like a natural next step. Combining creative thinking, practical business experience and a shared belief that independent professionals can achieve more by working together, Gary became part of the journey to bring the Celebrant Co-operative Society to life.

As the Society's Graphic Design Lead, Gary takes his responsibilities to its members very seriously. He is passionate about ensuring that every member has access to the creative resources, guidance and support they need to develop their individual identity, promote their services with confidence and thrive as an independent celebrant.

For Gary, good design is about far more than aesthetics. It's about helping people communicate who they are, what they stand for and the unique value they bring to the families and communities they serve. He is committed to making every effort to ensure members feel supported, valued and equipped to succeed, regardless of where they are on their celebrant journey.

Away from the world of design and co-operation, Gary is an enthusiastic bookworm, a devoted football fan and an unapologetic worshipper of cats — although not necessarily in that order! Whether he's engrossed in a good book, following the football or attending to the demands of his feline overlords, Gary appreciates the simple pleasures in life, along with a healthy dose of humour.

People, community and wellbeing have always been at the heart of my work. I am passionate about helping people feel heard, valued, supported and connected, and I believe those principles sit naturally alongside the values of co-operation.

I bring over 20 years’ experience in leadership, people development, community engagement and support, working across co-operative, charity, community and regulated environments. Throughout my career, I have focused on building trusted relationships, developing people and creating inclusive environments where individuals feel able to participate and thrive.

Through my work with The Co-op Group, I have developed a strong understanding of co-operative values and the importance of giving members a genuine voice. I work closely with members, colleagues, charities, councils and community organisations, bringing people together, building connections and helping turn ideas into positive action.

Supporting people has been a consistent thread throughout my career. I have led and developed teams, coached individuals, worked with people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, and supported situations where safeguarding, confidentiality and wellbeing have been particularly important.

I am also a qualified hypnotherapist with counselling skills, alongside training in young people's mental health and motivational coaching. These skills have strengthened my belief in the importance of listening without judgement, recognising when someone may need additional support and creating a safe and supportive space for people to be heard.

As a Director of The Celebrant Co-operative Society, I am proud to take responsibility for member wellbeing. I want to help create a culture where our members feel connected, supported and comfortable talking about their wellbeing, particularly in a profession where we are so often the ones supporting others through significant moments in their lives.

For me, co-operation is ultimately about people supporting people. I am excited to bring my experience, skills and passion for wellbeing to the Board and to play my part in building a compassionate, inclusive and supportive co-operative where every member feels that they belong and can flourish.