About me

My interest in becoming a celebrant was sparked when my sister and her husband-to-be then asked me to conduct their wedding in 2012. Since then, friends and clients have asked me to conduct weddings, memorials, baby namings, and family celebration ceremonies all across Scotland. I love to travel and have led ceremonies in historic castles, on breathtaking beaches, windswept hilltops and in gorgeous gardens. It is a great honour and privilege to help facilitate important and meaningful moments for couples and families.

I believe in creating ceremonies that are centred around the family involved. I pour my heart into every ceremony I create and will really take the time to get to know you. It is my wish to create a ceremony that is all you wish it to be.

I have always held a deep fascination for life’s transitions. As Co-Director of KnotStressed Therapies in Edinburgh, for the past 20 years, I have supported couples during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. It is incredibly rewarding and heart-fulfilling work. My background is in Environmental Education, Conservation Science and Zoology. Now based near Gairloch in the Scottish Highlands, I’m a keen cyclist, wild swimmer, hiker and environmentalist. I’m an active member of the Society for Children’s Book Writer and Illustrators (SCBWI) and am writing a young adult/crossover historical book. 

I believe deeply that families should be able to decide how and where they choose to mark the momentous occasions in their lives, however big or small, religious or secular, traditional or unconventional. There is something beautiful about bringing together individuals with varied beliefs, views and life experiences and honouring these in a shared, life-affirming and celebratory ceremony.

I have been an Independent Celebrant since 2012. In 2014, I qualified as a Funeral Celebrant with the Humanist Society Scotland. However, whilst I fully respect and admire the Humanist approach and have many friends who are Humanist Celebrants, in 2018 I decided to become a founder member of Agnostic Scotland. I am thrilled to be part of this organisation which essentially supports me in my wish to offer families what they want in their own ceremonies, whether that be faith-based or secular content. Through Agnostic Scotland, I am able to conduct all aspects of wedding ceremonies, including the legally-binding aspects.

Onie Tibbitt, Independent Wedding Celebrant based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

I am delighted to create bespoke ceremonies for families. Every ceremony I lead is different in content, tone and feeling. The words spoken and elements included are a reflection of the couple and family involved.

The gathering of individuals to support, comfort and celebrate with each other through meaningful traditions, symbolism and rituals has taken place over millennia. Any event in life can be acknowledged, respected and honoured with ceremony if those involved feel it is important to them.

My role varies depending on the family. Some people know exactly what they are looking for and it is my role to transform their wishes into reality. Others might have some ideas about the kind of ceremony they would like but they aren’t sure about the content and it is my pleasure, through our discussions and time together, to help bring their ideas together into a beautiful ceremony.

On the day itself, I am sometimes asked to be there before and after the ceremony to help ensure the fluidity of the day. Or, it might be you have planned for your ceremony to unfold with a wander through nature or at different locations. Other times, I am simply requested to hold the space and conduct the ceremony.

I am happy to adapt my role to whatever suits your needs and wishes. I look forward to being in touch with you. Please do get in touch.