Ceremonies by Emma Richardson-Steele

09/02/2026

💐 Like many wedding traditions, the bouquet toss carries a story that has travelled through centuries.

Long before white dresses and carefully planned celebrations, brides in ancient Greece and Rome carried fragrant herbs and spices believed to protect them from misfortune. Flowers and garlands symbolised new beginnings, fertility, and devotion—hopes lovingly woven into the start of married life.

💐 In medieval Europe, weddings were lively, and sometimes unruly affairs.
Unmarried women would chase the bride, tearing pieces from her gown as tokens of good fortune. Dresses were worn only once and were never meant to be kept, each thread believed to carry luck and promise.

💐 As time passed, wedding gowns became more treasured. To protect the dress—and perhaps restore a little calm—the bride would toss an object to distract her guests. The bouquet, rich in symbolism and meaning, became that offering.

💐 Early bouquets were not chosen for beauty alone. They were often made of herbs such as dill, symbolising desire, alongside spices believed to ward off ill fortune and bring blessings to the marriage.

💐 Today, the bouquet toss remains as a gentle gesture of hope. A moment where the bride passes on her joy and good fortune, trusting that love, in its own time, will find its next home.

If you would like me to write and deliver your wedding ceremony, incorporating traditional elements, personal touches, or meaningful symbolism like this, please contact me. Free quotations and advice are always available.

Emma x

02/10/2025

Your ceremony is more than a moment—it’s the heart of your wedding day. 💍

With beautifully written vows, bespoke scripts, and timeless delivery, I create ceremonies filled with meaning, elegance, and love.

📍 Booking 2025–2026 weddings across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, The Cotswolds & beyond.

💌 Enquire via the link in bio with your vision, date & venue

📱 Or WhatsApp: 07960 107111

✨ Elegant. Romantic. Exclusive.

27/09/2025

WHY DO FUNERAL DIRECTORS PAGE?

Paging is the process of walking ahead of the Hearse at a slow, ceremonial pace. At an Oliver & James our Funeral Director will do this for every Funeral conducted by us (unless a family request otherwise) to;

🫶🏽Clear the route. By paging Funeral Directors make other road users aware that a funeral cortege is approaching thus affording them time to slow down, stop or to allow extra room.

🫶🏽Guide the procession. Paging helps to guide and direct the funeral cortege and gives clear direction to the Hearse Driver. Paging can be particularly helpful when roads or service venues are difficult to navigate.

🫶🏽 Respect the Deceased. Paging marks the solemnity of the occasion and, by paging the Funeral Director makes a symbolic gesture of respect for the deceased on their final journey.

Paging is typically done as the cortege leaves the branch, as the cortege arrives at a house address, leaving that house address and finally on arrival at the service venue. As the Hearse draws level with the Funeral Director they, along with the FSO’s, Chapel Attendant’s, Celebrants or Ministers will bow to the coffin.

03/09/2025

🐴✨ Today I’m writing a wedding ceremony script for a bride who’s arriving on her beloved horse, escorted by eight bridesmaids—and a flower girl—all riding their own majestic steeds. What could possibly go wrong?! 😅

From unexpected trots to surprise nuzzles, I’m planning for every “just might happen” moment—and weaving them seamlessly into a ceremony that’s as unique as the couple themselves.

I create exclusive, bespoke ceremonies, tailored just for you. Every word, every moment, every laugh… unforgettable, for all the right reasons. 💍💖

📩 [email protected]

🌐 www.emmarichardsonsteele.com

01/09/2025

Congratulations to Amy and Michael!

On Saturday, I had the honour of delivering their beautiful and truly unique ceremony.

And just look at this moment . . . when you have rain, you also have rainbows 🌈

Every cloud may have a silver lining, but theirs was pure gold 💛.

14/08/2025

09/08/2025

Every ceremony I write is as unique as the life it honours.

As an independent celebrant, I craft each part of a celebration of life to truly reflect your loved one — not just the tribute or eulogy, but every word spoken.

The welcome is personal, offering warmth and care to family and friends. 🤝
The committal reflects their life, loves, and legacy. 🌿
The closing words are written to bring comfort, peace, and a gentle sense of closure. 🕊️

Because I’m independent, I can work with any funeral director — it’s always your choice who leads the ceremony. If you’d like me to write and deliver a beautiful, heartfelt farewell for your loved one, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here when you need me.

📧 [email protected]
📞 07960 107111

16/05/2025

The recent tragedy at Bicester Motion has deeply affected our community. The loss of two dedicated firefighters and a member of the public is a profound reminder of the risks faced by those who serve.

As a celebrant, I often seek words to provide comfort during times of sorrow. Yet, in the face of such a devastating event, words can feel inadequate. The bravery displayed by our emergency services, who confront danger to protect others, is both humbling and inspiring.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives. May their courage and dedication never be forgotten.

This incident will remain a significant part of Bicester’s history, a testament to the selflessness of those who serve.

08/05/2025

📜 The Farmer’s Ladies

They gathered round to say goodbye,
The village low, the spirits high.
They spoke of Tom, a farming man,
With weathered face and calloused hand.

“He loved the ladies,” someone said,
As gentle nods bowed every head.
“A different girl in every field,
No heart he wouldn’t charm or steal.”

His wife just smiled and sipped her tea,
“I always knew… well, partially.”
For Tom was quiet, kind and shy—
But still those names would flutter by:

There was Bessie, plump and sweet,
And Rosie, swift on cloven feet.
Daisy kicked, but loved her hay,
And Buttercup would nuzzle, stay.

He’d call out names with tender pride,
Each one a prize, a love, a bride.
But those who thought him wild and free
Missed the joke entirely.

For in the barn and in the shed,
Were all the “girls” he gently fed.
No flings or flirts, no hidden vows—
Just faithful love... for dairy cows.

So raise a glass and shed a tear,
For Tom the farmer, kind and dear.
His heart was big, his boots were worn,
He rose with mist each frosty morn.

He lived for fields, for calves and cream—
And loved his girls, like in a dream.
A faithful man, no need to browse—
He’d found true love . . . among the cows.

08/05/2025

🌾 A celebration of life reflecting the rural way of life 🌾

I trained as a celebrant over five years ago now, and I’ve been lucky enough to craft ceremonies that speak from—and to—the heart. I find myself drawn to the countryside. To weddings beneath open skies, naming ceremonies in the shade of orchard trees, and fond farewells for those who lived and loved through the seasons of rural life.

This week, I had the privilege of writing something special: a funeral poem for a beloved dairy farmer. A man whose “ladies” turned out not to be what the village first assumed. He wasn’t a man of many flings—he was a man of many cows. And with warmth and a smile, his story was shared.

Personally, I’m not a great fan of generic poetry at funerals, but when the poem is created to honour the life lived, it can bring comfort, connection, and even a gentle laugh through the tears.

🌼 Every ceremony I create is bespoke, whether it's a joyful beginning or a final goodbye. I believe in telling real stories, gently held in laughter and love.

If you’re planning a countryside ceremony—wedding, farewell, or something in between—I’d be pleased to write a beautiful ceremony just to you. 🤍

Here's a poem I created just for him . . .

📜 The Farmer’s Ladies

They gathered round to say goodbye,
The village low, the spirits high.
They spoke of Tom, a farming man,
With weathered face and calloused hand.

“He loved the ladies,” someone said,
As gentle nods bowed every head.
“A different girl in every field,
No heart he wouldn’t charm or steal.”

His wife just smiled and sipped her tea,
“I always knew… well, partially.”
For Tom was quiet, kind and shy—
But still those names would flutter by:

There was Bessie, plump and sweet,
And Rosie, swift on cloven feet.
Daisy kicked, but loved her hay,
And Buttercup would nuzzle, stay.

He'd call out names with tender pride,
Each one a prize, a love, a bride.
But those who thought him wild and free
Missed the joke entirely.

For in the barn and in the shed,
Were all the "girls" he gently fed.
No flings or flirts, no hidden vows—
Just faithful love... for dairy cows.

So raise a glass and shed a tear,
For Tom the farmer, kind and dear.
His heart was big, his boots were worn,
He rose with mist each frosty morn.

He lived for fields, for calves and cream—
And loved his girls, like in a dream.
A faithful man, no need to browse—
He'd found true love . . . among the cows.