Celebrant Sue by Your Side: Warm, Personal Ceremonies for Elopements in Devon

A Celebrant Who Truly Listens — and Tells Your Story Beautifully

Based in: Devon  |  Style: Relaxed, warm, inclusive, neuro-affirming  |  Website: Celebrant Sue by Your Side

There's something quite special about a celebrant who has spent a lifetime being alongside people in the moments that matter most. Before founding Celebrant Sue by Your Side, Sue spent 35 years in education as a teacher and headteacher — and it was the human side of that work, the storytelling, the connection, the celebrations and the challenges, that she loved the most.

Becoming a celebrant felt like the most natural next step, and that depth of experience is something you feel in every conversation. Sue is also proudly inclusive and neuro-affirming, which means she takes the time to really understand each couple as individuals — how they experience the world, what helps them feel comfortable, and what truly matters to them.

"I realised that the part of my role I loved most was being alongside people during the moments that really mattered. Becoming a celebrant felt like the most natural next step."

A Ceremony Style That's Relaxed, Warm and Full of Heart

Sue's ceremonies are modern, personal and often sprinkled with gentle humour. They're never stiff or scripted — they flow naturally and are thoughtfully crafted so everyone feels comfortable, at ease, and able to be themselves.

As a neuro-affirming celebrant, Sue thinks carefully about pacing, sensory elements and emotional comfort, so the ceremony feels calm and supportive for everyone there — couple, family, friends, even the dog. Whether your day is romantic, light-hearted or deeply emotional, the result always feels authentic to you.

"Relaxed, warm, and full of heart. My ceremonies are modern, personal, and often sprinkled with gentle humour."

Why a Celebrant-Led Ceremony Feels So Different

If you've only ever pictured a registrar-led wedding, Sue's approach can feel like a quiet revelation. With a celebrant-led ceremony, there are no restrictions on what you can include — personal vows, meaningful rituals, music, family involvement, or anything else that reflects who you are.

You're not fitting into a structure; the ceremony is built around you. Your story, your personalities, your values, your way of being. It's not an off-the-shelf ceremony — it's a one-of-a-kind experience where your love story sits right at the centre of everything.

"Freedom in the very best way. You're not fitting into a structure — the ceremony is built around you."

Making Each Ceremony Unmistakably Yours

It all begins with getting to know you properly. Sue takes time to listen — how you met, what makes you laugh, what you love about each other, the little quirks and the big moments. She creates a safe, relaxed space where you can be yourselves, with no pressure or expectation.

From there, she carefully crafts a ceremony that reflects who you are, not just as a couple, but as individuals too. No two ceremonies are ever the same — because no two love stories are.

Couples are always encouraged to make the ceremony their own. That might mean writing your own vows, including readings from people who matter to you, adding symbolic rituals like handfasting or ring warming, or doing something completely unique. There's no right or wrong way — it's about what feels meaningful and comfortable for you.

Why Celebrant Ceremonies Work So Well for Elopements

For couples planning an elopement at Millbrook, a celebrant-led ceremony is often the perfect fit. With fewer people — or just the two of you — the ceremony becomes incredibly intimate. There's space to slow down, to be present, and to really feel each moment.

It's flexible, personal, and beautifully suited to a quiet ceremony in our gardens, a candlelit moment indoors, or a heartfelt vow exchange just for the two of you. The day is shaped entirely around what you want it to feel like.

"There's something incredibly powerful about two people standing together, fully focused on each other, without distraction. Often there's laughter, often happy tears — and always a real sense of this is our love story."

The Moments Sue Loves Most

Ask Sue what she loves most about wedding days, and she'll tell you about the moment just before everything begins — the mix of excitement, nerves, and "this is really happening". Being a calm, reassuring presence in that moment is something she treasures.

And then, the first glance. That first look between a couple as one walks towards the other. Sue always makes sure to slow right down at that point — a pause, a breath, a moment that's just yours. It's not something to hurry past. It's something to feel.

"You can almost feel the whole atmosphere change… the nerves, the anticipation… and then there they are. I always make sure we slow right down at that point. Because it's not something to hurry past — it's something to feel."

Memorable, Unique, and Sometimes Wonderfully Unexpected

Over the years Sue has created some delightfully unique ceremonies — from a bride presenting her Lord of the Rings loving partner with a five-foot sword, to a groom arriving on horseback, to every guest taking part in a handfasting ritual. One couple even invited their guests to vote on their married surname.

One of the most emotional moments she's witnessed was a bride sharing, mid-vows, that she was pregnant after years of trying. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. It's those personal, unexpected touches — the ones that come straight from a couple's story — that make ceremonies truly unforgettable.

And of course, there are the lovely little surprises that no one plans for: a sudden gust of wind lifting the bride's veil into the treetops, a groom's dog bounding off after the drone, perfectly timed laughter from guests. Sue always embraces those moments — they make a ceremony feel real, relaxed and wonderfully human.

Sue's Advice to Couples

If you're starting to think about your ceremony, Sue's advice is simple: make it yours. Don't worry about what you think a ceremony should be — think about what feels right for you as a couple. Keep it authentic, include things you love, and don't be afraid to do things differently.

And most importantly, take a moment during it all to pause, look at each other, and really take it in.

"Don't worry about what you think a ceremony should be. Think about what feels right for you as a couple. Take a moment during it all to pause, look at each other, and really take it in."

Not Sure if a Celebrant Is Right for You?

If you're on the fence, Sue's first suggestion is always the same — let's have a chat. No pressure, just a conversation. Many couples aren't quite sure what a celebrant does until they talk it through, and once they realise the level of flexibility, personalisation and support they'll receive, it tends to make sense very quickly.

If you want a ceremony that feels truly you, rather than something off-the-shelf, a celebrant-led ceremony can make all the difference.

Why We Recommend Sue to Our Couples

Sue brings together everything you'd hope for in a celebrant — warmth, experience, real attentiveness, and a beautifully calm presence on the day itself. Her inclusive, neuro-affirming approach means every couple feels properly seen and properly heard, and the ceremonies she creates are always unmistakably theirs.

For couples planning an intimate elopement or a small wedding at Millbrook, having Sue lead your ceremony is one of the loveliest decisions you can make.

If you're building your dream team for your Devon elopement, our full list of trusted wedding suppliers is a wonderful place to start. To talk to Sue about your ceremony, get in touch with her directly. And if you'd like to start planning your day at Millbrook, we'd love to hear from you — say hello here.

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