So on social media this week, I asked what content you’d like to see more of on my page and one of the joint winners was…
Alternative Celebrations 🎉🥳🥂
And honestly? I love that this is something people are curious about.
Most people know I create weddings, funerals and baby naming ceremonies here in Liverpool. But what you might not know is that I also design and deliver deeply personal, joy filled alternative celebrationsfor all sorts of life milestones.
What Do I Mean by Alternative Celebrations?
When I talk about alternative celebrations, I mean ceremonies created to honour the meaningful turning points that don’t always come with a traditional script.
Moments like:
✨ Retirement
✨ Big birthdays (30, 40, 50, 60… you catch my drift!)
✨ Divorce (yes, really, they aren’t always a negative and they can be incredibly empowering)
✨ Gender affirmation and identity changes
✨ Blending families
✨ Graduation
✨ Promotion or career change
✨ Engagement
Or honestly? Anything that feels significant to you. If it matters to you, it’s worth marking.
Here in Liverpool, I see more and more people wanting to celebrate life in ways that feel authentic, inclusive and completely personal and that’s exactly where alternative celebrations come in.
Why Mark These Milestones?
So many people are choosing not to marry or have children but why should they miss out on being celebrated? Even if you are married with children, I believe that we should celebrate all our victories big and small.
Ceremonies give us a chance to:
• Reflect on how far you’ve come
• Honour growth and resilience
• Celebrate identity
• Gather your people
• Create a moment you’ll remember
Whether it’s a joyful divorce party reclaiming your independence, a gender affirmation ceremony affirming your name and identity, or a retirement celebration marking decades of dedication before the ultimate freedom begins, these are powerful life chapters.
And they deserve more than just a quick toast at the pub (unless that’s your vibe, in which case we can absolutely build something around that too!).
Personalisation Ideas for Alternative Celebrations
This is where the magic happens ✨
No two ceremonies are ever the same. Here are just some ways we can personalise your alternative celebrations:
💬 Storytelling
A bespoke script that tells your story – funny, emotional, reflective, bold. However you want it to feel.
• Candle lighting for new beginnings
• Sand blending for blended families
• A name affirmation ritual
• Letter burning to release the past
• Memory sharing circles
Music Moments
Your soundtrack matters. Whether that’s a power ballad for a divorce celebration or a nostalgic anthem for retirement.
👨👩👧👦 Involving Your People
Invite friends, family, chosen family or colleagues to share readings, memories or promises of support.
📝 Personal Promises
Not just for weddings. You might write promises to yourself for the next chapter of your life.
🌈 Affirming Identity
For gender affirmation ceremonies especially, creating a safe, empowering and celebratory space is everything. We can include name blessings, community affirmations and symbolic gestures that reflect who you are.
Alternative celebrations can be big and bold or intimate and gentle. Playful or deeply moving. Or, my favourite, a bit of both.
Alternative Celebrations in Liverpool
Liverpool has always been a city that celebrates individuality, resilience and community. It’s the perfect place to create alternative celebrations that feel modern, inclusive and completely you.
Whether you want something in your back garden, a hired venue, by the waterfront, or somewhere that’s special to your story we can make it happen.
You don’t need permission to celebrate your life.
You just need intention.
Let’s Celebrate Your Next Chapter
If there’s a milestone coming up or one you’ve quietly passed and wish you’d marked, this is your sign.
Let’s create something meaningful, personal and full of heart.
If you’re curious about planning your own alternative celebrations, I’d love to chat. Get in touch and tell me what you’re marking and we’ll start dreaming it up together. 💛