“I love this job. But it doesn’t feel like a job. And I like that feeling…” Lou Fowkes (every day!)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my lovely couples and families who have so kindly, and so very generously, trusted me with their ceremonies. It has been an absolute joy to play a small part in your beautiful milestone events and an absolute honour to share those very personal moments with you.
Lou xxx
Lou Fowkes at The Oak Barn Frame Farm 19 December 2023. Photo courtesy of Drew Linford.
“Lou’s delivery is perfect with the right amount of seriousness peppered with humour.”
“I don’t think I just found a celebrant in Lou, I think I’ve found a friend!”
“The moment I first talked to Lou on the telephone, I had a good feeling.”
“…she spoke with such passion and elegance.”
“Lou was warm, kind and professional.”
“Our ceremony was wonderful, a true reflection of ‘us’, and we have Lou to thank for this.”
“…a delight from start to finish.”
“Honestly, cannot recommend her enough.”
“Lou was the addition to our big day that we didn’t know we needed!”
“The ceremony itself was just perfect.”
“This is a job you hope to only need to call upon once, so if you do, Lou at Kent Creative Ceremonies is a fantastic call and literally made our wedding.”
Hi! My name is Lou and I am a Marriage, Family & Funeral Celebrant, offering creative storytelling with love, joy, care and compassion, that captivates and evokes the true meaning of life’s milestone moments.
With a background in arts and entertainment, both on and off stage, I always wondered if a career as a celebrant would work for me. Friends and family had, over the years, said I’d be perfect. Working on stage as an actress and singer and off stage as a director, producer and writer, it turned out to be the perfect fit – putting together a ceremony is a bit like putting on a theatre production – it’s all in the storytelling…
So whether you’re organising your wedding and would like something that truly reflects you as a couple, celebrating your lasting love by renewing your vows, welcoming your beautiful new baby into the family or giving your loved one a warm and uplifting farewell, I am passionate about creating bespoke, authentic and heartfelt ceremonies that offer the freedom and flexibility to give unique and treasured memories for you and your family.
Having trained with and now a Member of The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants, I cover Kent, Essex, London, Sussex and Surrey and am happy to officiate at ceremonies that respect all beliefs, and none, as well as being LGBTQ+ inclusive. I am fully insured with Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
I am originally from Surrey but, together with my husband Rodger and son Sam, we upped sticks and moved to Whitstable (or ‘The Bubble’ as us locals like to call it!) in 2011 and have never looked back. I now adore walking my West Highland Terrier Bobbi along the seafront and then winding up at one of the many restaurants consuming the local delicacy of oysters – washed down with a good, cold Kent beer! When I’m not standing in front of guests delivering a ceremony, I am standing in front of music lovers, as I am a singer with a five-piece blues band called Stormy Sundays, as well as tour my own show around the country celebrating sassy female blues and soul singers. I also work part-time in the Box Office at my local arts centre The Gulbenkian. On Thursday nights from 7-9pm, I present my radio show; ‘Lou’s Rhythm & Blues Show’ on 94.6 Cabin FM (online, on your smart speaker, on the app and on the airwaves!), playing a mix of blues, jazz, swing, soul, gospel, funk and disco, interspersed with lots of chit-chat! And when I am not doing that, I am cleaning the house…
Lou x
NEWS
I was delighted to attend the National Funeral Exhibition 2024 on Friday 14th June, assisting with the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants stand. I trained with Terri Negus , who founded and runs the fellowship and I continually receive ongoing guidance and support from this fabulous organisation, which has truly helped me develop into the confident and compassionate celebrant I am today. The exhibition was attended by those working in the funeral industry; celebrants, funeral directors, crematoriums, suppliers of cremation and burial equipment, mementoes, gifts and keepsakes, memorial jewellery, coffins (and some fabulously artistic ones on display – things have really moved on from just plain wood!) music providers, hearses…etc etc. For those of us working in this unique industry, it was a brilliant exhibition to be at, and I learnt so much – not just from my fellow celebrants (we were sharing stories and ideas all day long!) but also from those visiting our stand. The exhibition takes place every two years, so I’ve already pencilled the 2026 week in my diary! Posted: Saturday 15 June 2024
Newly engaged couples who are after a unique and creative wedding ceremony, those of you who wish to celebrate your marriage by renewing your vows and new parents who would like to welcome your new baby or child into the family, I have some dates still available for 2024 and my diary is now open for 2025 and 2026, so get cracking and give me a buzz!
A quick snapshot with Joe & Charlotte…
Eric & Lara – just about to exchange rings…
Sharing laughter during Nick & Maxine’s ceremony…
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FEATURED & WORKING WITH THE FOLLOWING:-
The Fellowship of Professional Celebrants – www.professionalcelebrants.org.uk (Trained & Supported)
The Celebrant Directory – www.thecelebrantdirectory.com (Featured & Listing)
Bridebook – www.bridebook.co.uk (Listing)
Your Kent Wedding – www.yourkent.wedding (Featured & Listing)
The Celebrant Magazine – www.thecelebrantmagazine.co.uk (Interview)
Whitstable Website – www.whitstable.co.uk (Interview & Listing)
A Kentish Wedding – www.akentish-wedding.co.uk (Wedding Fairs)
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THE FELLOWSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL CELEBRANTS
All of our celebrants are trained to write bespoke and personalised ceremonies for every person, couple or family whom we serve. We never train or encourage any celebrant to use pre-written templates for services and our ethos is very much that every person is unique and therefore every ceremony should be unique. Any member of the public or professional who engages with us, such as Funeral Directors and Wedding Planners, can be assured that in choosing an FPC Celebrant, they are choosing someone who has been professionally trained to an exceptionally high standard. They are choosing someone who is fully certified and has no criminal convictions; providing total piece of mind in an un-regulated profession. All of our celebrant members have completed one or more of our own acclaimed training courses, and have proved that they have met the required standards of competence in both writing and delivering ceremonies. Our celebrants adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, and Standards of Service. We are also the only celebrant organisation in the UK to have a Criminal Records Disclosure policy for public safeguarding, which was set up under the guidance of Sussex Police.
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WHITSTABLE
Based on the North Kent Coast, pretty Whitstable is a traditional fishing harbour town hugely popular with visitors throughout the year for its quirky independent shops, colourful beach huts and tasty fresh seafood. Just over an hour from London and accessible from motorway and mainline stations, it is perfectly situated to place your wedding by the sea. It offers you and your guests a multitude of options in terms of hotels, wedding venues and those all important photographic opportunities, as it is celebrated for its truly beautiful sunsets. For more information on the town and all the wonderful things Whitstable has to offer, please visit www.whitstable.co.uk
Please Note: Header photo courtesy of Matt James Photography.