my values & approach

A life-long supporter of families

I am experienced and skilled in putting people at ease and quickly developing an understanding of people’s beliefs and values to co-create beautiful, personal and meaningful ceremonies. If you have traditions you want to honour but want to make them your own and you want it delivered with warmth, dignity and gentle humour, I am your man. As an experienced teacher, headteacher and father of three, I am curious, creative and very organised. I have a deep experience of working with and involving children in an engaging way. I love to find out about people so I can make events for them meaningful and memorable. In particular, your passions, your heritage and natural surroundings so I can use this new knowledge to weave fitting connections, readings and rituals into my ceremonies. Feel free to email me at david@acorn2oakceremonies.co.uk or use the “Contact Me” form to get in touch to see how I might help you. Feel free to call me, text me or message me on WhatsApp on 07865 400312 You can arrange a free no obligation video call too.

I write and deliver ceremonies to honour all stages of life: naming ceremonies, weddings & commitments, renewal of vows as well as funeral and memorial services. Having designed with my wife our own wedding ceremony over 25 years ago and having written and led my own Dad’s funeral service over 10 years ago, my aim is to try and to deliver to you, your own beautiful, personal and dignified ceremony for your occasion. I am fully trained and experienced. I have completed the NOCN Certificate in Civil Celebrancy in the UK. I am featured on www.thecelebrantdirectory.com, www.hitched.co.uk, www.funeralcelebrants.org.uk. I have written and delivered personal and meaningful wedding ceremonies for couples across England and I have carried out funeral services for over 15 leading funeral directors in Sheffield. I now train others to be a successful Celebrant at my own Celebrant Training School. I have public and private liability insurance to lead wedding, family and funeral celebrant services. I have signed up to the Funeral Celebrants council’s Celebrants Accord.

I spent 23 years in teaching, including as a Headteacher, supporting children and their families in secondary schools. I’m a member of the Institute of Professional Celebrants, and am fully trained and have public and private liability insurance to lead family and funeral celebrant services. I work across the North of England from my home in Sheffield (covering Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire). I also work across the South of England from my base in Berkshire where my Mum and sisters live (covering Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex & Dorset).

Originally from Berkshire, where my Mum, sisters and their families still live, I moved to Sheffield in 1996 with my wife who is originally from Manchester. We have lived in various parts of South Sheffield including Crookes, Woodseats, Lodge Moor and now Fulwood. Our three children were all born in Sheffield, attending local schools. For the past 20 years we have been enthusiastic house-swappers. We have swapped with families from all over France, in Spain, Germany, Finland, Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean, Reunion in the Indian Ocean, as well as all over the UK. It has given our family some amazing experiences which we would never have been able to afford, if we were having to pay for holiday accommodation for five.

Life events and ceremonies are key milestones which can help create positive, lasting memories. As your Celebrant, my aim is to ensure that your ceremony will reflect the faith, spirituality and values of those whose lives we are celebrating.