FORMER journalist Simon Houson is used to writing tales – now he gets to pen real-life love stories for couples tying the knot.
The 56-year-old, from Glasgow, spent decades working in local papers and tabloids throughout the country, finishing his career at The Scottish Sun.
Former newspaper man Simon Houston is loving his new career as a celebrant[/caption]
Cancer survivor Nicole Lowther is helping to give back while working as a celebrant[/caption]
Alyson Stewart dealt with the public on a daily basis for 29 years as a paramedic[/caption]
And during his time at the paper he took on the challenge of learning to be a stand-up comic for a feature, even securing a place on the Edinburgh Fringe stage.
And he reckons all his skills have come together in his new role as a celebrant.
Simon, who also hosts the podcast Let Me Be Frank with Celtic legend Frank MacAvennie, said: “Standing in front of a big crowd and making them laugh is a proper buzz. That combined with the fact that I’ve obviously done creative writing all my career made it an ideal choice.
“But it was my sister, who is also a celebrant, that made me think about it. She said I was tailor made for it because I could speak well, write well, don’t mind standing in front of several hundred people and can command an audience.
“The interview skills are key too, because you need to get to the heart of the matter with couples.
“It’s all about life stories because you’re telling their journey during the ceremony.”
Simon, who works for Fuze Ceremonies, says it may sound cheesy, but there’s nothing like the moment he can pronounce a couple legally wed.
He said: “You start out meeting the couple in their home, in their jeans and t-shirt. Then you fast forward to when you can say, ‘I can now present to you Mr and Mrs’ and everybody cheers – it’s a really lovely feeling.”
And there’s one standout moment that made the celebrant feel like a wedding rock star.
Simon, who recently became a grandfather, said: “Probably the most exciting one I’ve done so far was on-stage at the Barrowlands. It was a proper buzz getting up there.
“And I did say to them, ‘I’m obviously thrilled to do this, but would you mind if I started the ceremony with a shout, hello Glasgow?’ They were great and it was just the best experience.”
Former paramedic Alyson Stewart swapped an ambulance for the altar after being disappointed by the impersonal nature of a pal’s funeral.
Now she loves being there at the moment a loved-up pair say “I do” or to help celebrate someone’s life.
Alyson, 67, a celebrant with the Humanist Society Scotland, said: “I had always been a humanist so I decided to try to become a humanist celebrant in my area, as many people did not know about the humanist ceremonies that were available.”
Working as a frontline paramedic for 29 years meant she was used to being there for both joyful and tragic moments.
Alyson, from Fort William, Highlands, said: “It was an incredible job as I was with people at the most frightening times for them and their families. I was with them at the end of life.
I dealt with the public on a daily basis at lots of different stages in their lives. It was invaluable in my training to become a celebrant
Alyson Stewart
“Often there was nothing medically that could be done but to sit quietly, holding them and reassuring them — and it was an incredible privilege.
“The other end of the scale was complete and utter joy for me when I would be delivering babies in lay-bys.
“I dealt with the public on a daily basis at lots of different stages in their lives. It was invaluable in my training to become a celebrant.
“My role as a paramedic taught me the importance of listening and giving people time to explain their needs.”
And in her new job there have also been some brilliant highlights.
Alyson said: “Conducting wedding ceremonies is amazing and most of mine are on mountainsides in Glencoe.
“I love that I can still share in people’s lives at times of sorrow and joy.”
I love working with people and supporting them, creating the very best ceremonies possible for them
Nicole Lowther
Nicola Lowther loves love – but it was her passion for helping others that inspired her to become a celebrant.
As a teen she was diagnosed with cancer. Now in recovery, the 23-year-old gives back to a charity that helped save her life through her work marrying people.
Nicole, from Queenzieburn, North Lanarkshire, said: “The Beatson ultimately helped to save my life, not only once but twice. A huge reason I joined Fuze Ceremonies is because a portion of the fee that couples pay to have one of us as their celebrant goes to our chosen charities which are The Beatson and Alzheimer’s Scotland.”
Nicole was just 17 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
She had six months of chemotherapy and went into remission – but the disease returned.
She said: “I went to university to study psychology and in my final year I decided to study a celebrant and public speaking qualification with UKCAPSA which allowed me to become a Humanist Celebrant.
“A few months after I started my celebrancy journey, my cancer relapsed and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma, five years after my initial diagnosis.
“I went through a really difficult chemotherapy treatment and in February this year had a stem cell transplant, with the hopes that my cancer will never return again.”
Nicole added: “Now I’m in recovery from my transplant and starting to do my ceremonies again, which I love.
“I love working with people and supporting them, creating the very best ceremonies possible for them.”
