Celebrating your journey with you Yorkshire Family Celebrants

Hello from North Yorkshire

Our names are Jessica and Hugo Stephens and, YES, we are a husband and wife team. We live in North Yorkshire and create bespoke and unique Luxury Weddings, Baby Naming Ceremonies, Renewal of Vows, Funerals and Celebration of Life Ceremonies for you. We are happy to perform ceremonies in wedding venues and hotels or in somebody's garden.

We have chosen the white rose of York to be our brand logo. I was born in Yorkshire and all my mother's family were from Yorkshire, so it is a very special county for me. I lived down south for many years but returned to my true roots 10 years ago which felt like a real homecoming.

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Meet Jessica

Hello, I have worked as a GP for 33 years until I chose early retirement in 2022. Before working as a GP, I worked in hospitals as a Doctor in accident and emergency, obstetrics, paediatrics and special care baby units.

I have always worked with people and enjoyed caring, helping and advising from birth to the very end of life. I decided to adapt these skills to offer support to them and to create bespoke ceremonies for all of life's stages.

I enjoy really getting to know my clients so I can understand what my clients want and need in their ceremony and craft accordingly. I aim to make and deliver a truly personalised ceremony for their occasion which they will always remember and treasure.

I have three grown up children and, so far, one granddaughter to keep me busy. I have spent all my life involved with horses which, outside of work, have kept me more than fully occupied as my daughter competed at a high level.

I enjoy dog walking, gardening, reading and especially our village book club, playing Bridge and, to many people's surprise, Warhammer 40,000 battles.

Meet Hugo

I left school at eighteen and joined the Army where I served for ten years as an officer in the Coldstream Guards. I then left to pursue a career in law becoming a solicitor specialising in corporate, finance and governance work for housing associations and other not-for-profit organisations and charities.

I am now nearing retirement and want to continue to use my skills in a different career.

I chose celebrancy as it's a "people business" and the most enjoyable aspect of both my previous careers has been working with a wide range of people in different places and circumstances.

Whilst I can be very formal when the occasion demands it, I like to inject some "joi de vivre" into everything I do; I am the eternal optimist and always see the pint glass as being half full, not half empty.

I play bridge with my wife (we make an excellent team!), golf with my sons and have been known to perform a little magic at parties.

Meet James

Hello, my name is James and I am a son of Jessica and Hugo.

I grew up surrounded by strong family values, which have shaped the person I am today. My journey eventually brought me to Yorkshire in 2015, a place I now proudly call home. The move was inspired by a desire for a fresh start and the lifestyle that Yorkshire offers, and I was fortunate to meet the love of my life! So, I have a deep appreciation for the community and traditions here.

Beyond my personal story, I have a real passion for rugby union - both men's and women's, and am a convert to rugby league, as well as an epee fencer. I've always admired the teamwork, respect and spirit the game represents, and it continues to be a huge part of my life and identity.

Becoming a Celebrant felt like a natural step for me. I want to create meaningful, personal wedding ceremonies that honour this most important life moment. For me, it's about bringing people together, telling their stories in a way that truly reflects who they are, with warmth and authenticity, and helping to create memories that last a lifetime.

Each of us is a friendly and approachable professional celebrant & we are warm and caring.

All three of us feel that attention to detail is vital. We have all always needed to be good and accurate listeners in our careers. We have transferred these skills and will use them to create a unique ceremony for you that captures your special memories and moments. We are all accomplished speakers and we can deliver a polished ceremony for you.

We would be happy to include family pets, such as dogs and horses, in your ceremony to make the day even more special for you.

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Kind Words

"Jessica created the most respectful and beautiful script and delivered a confident and compassionate presentation of it. I believe your career, as a GP in the medical profession, has given you wisdom and life experience that will always ensure a balance between the gentlest compassion and respected gravitas."