A celebrant duo who joined forces to launch a new wedding service last year have been nominated for three global awards.

Laura Bell, from Chickerell, founded Fox & Star Events a year ago.

But after working back-to-back weddings with Laura ‘Lou’ Brown at Mapperton House the previous season, both joined forces to launch Fox & Star Ceremonies.

And now Laura and Lou have been nominated in the Global Celebrant of the Year, Rising Star and Most Unique Ceremony categories of the 2021 The Celebrant Industry Awards (TCIA).

The awards – an industry first – are hosted by The Celebrant Directory, an online hub of inspiration for those in search of celebrant-led ceremonies and celebrants.

The global awards recognise those delivering excellence as nominated by fellow celebrant colleagues, industry suppliers, couples and families.

Laura said: “We are absolutely over the moon to be recognised by our fellow celebrant colleagues, couples and wedding industry friends to be nominated with the weddings and namings categories.

“I completed my training at the beginning of the pandemic with the aim of writing, officiating and performing magical bespoke celebrant-led ceremonies complete with beautiful rituals.

“I asked Lou to join me on this adventure after we worked at Mapperton House & Gardens in 2019 managing back-to-back weddings for a whole season together.

“We met several celebrants during this time and were really inspired by their ceremonies.

“It’s very much a community over competition industry.”

With nominations set to close on Sunday May 9, voting then opens to the public on Monday May 17 until Friday May 21, before being reviewed and judged by an independent panel made up of industry experts.

Jennifer Claire Constant, Founder of TCIA and The Celebrant Directory, pictured left, said: “I am so excited to finally launch these awards to shout loudly about our fantastic celebrant community and really recognise the talent we have.

“The past year has shown how integral celebrants are within the funeral and weddings industry, working and supporting families through life-changing events.

“I’m really proud of how our members have come together and have made a difference in times of such hardship in 2020-21.”

The winners will be announced and notified on Monday May 31.

As certified celebrants, Laura and Lou both trained independently with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy and Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.

Celebrant-led blessings and ceremonies are bespoke and unique, offering flexibility on location.

• thecelebrantdirectory.com/awards