Introduction: Celebrating Amazing Women
Table of Contents
Photo credit: Heather Photography
Every year, on March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). It’s a day to reflect on how far we’ve come, to honour the women who paved the way, and to champion those who continue to break barriers. For me, as an Independent Wedding Celebrant and proud business owner of Fanfare Ceremonies, this day holds a special significance. It is about celebrating amazing women who have helped me, on my own personal journey, with my business in an industry I adore. However, it must also be about celebrating amazing women from our past, who made this all possible for us. Therefore, let me first acknowledge the pioneers who forged a path for us all.
International Women’s Day History:
IWD began in 1911 when brave, determined women fought for their rights, demanding better pay, fair working conditions, and the right to vote. At that time, women had little political representation, limited opportunities in the workplace, and were often expected to conform to societal expectations that restricted their independence.
The early suffragists and activists who started IWD knew that change was necessary. Their courage and resilience set in motion a global movement that was finally recognised by the UN in 1975. It recognised the importance of celebrating amazing women and has provided a platform that allows women today to build successful businesses, take leadership roles, and pursue their dreams freely. Thanks to their strength, we now live in a world where women can thrive as entrepreneurs, support one another, and continue to break down barriers that once seemed insurmountable.
Celebrating Amazing Women – Building My Own Business
Running my own business has been an incredible journey. When I first set out as a Wedding Celebrant, I had no idea just how rewarding – and, let’s be honest, challenging – it would be. There’s something truly empowering about carving your own path, making your own decisions, and creating something that is uniquely yours.
Being a businesswoman today means freedom. It means creativity. It means being able to connect with wonderful couples and help them celebrate love in their own way. But most importantly, it means being part of an inspiring network of women who support and lift each other up.
Photo Credit: DHW Photography
Celebrating Amazing Women Who Inspire Me
Success in business isn’t just about what you do – it’s also about who you surround yourself with. I am incredibly fortunate to work with, and be supported by, some truly wonderful women. Today, I’m celebrating amazing women like:.
Venetia Norrington – The Magician Behind the Lens
If you’ve ever seen a photo of me (ok, I’ll be brave, check this one out!), chances are Venetia took it. She’s a truly gifted brand and wedding photographer, capturing not just moments, but emotions. Somehow, she manages to make me look halfway decent in photos – no small feat, I assure you! But more than that, she brings a warmth and energy that makes working with her an absolute joy. Why not take a peek at Venetia’s beautiful portfolio.
Penny – The Celebrant Extraordinaire
In the world of Celebrants, I tend to be a lone wolf. But Penny (Penelope Jayne Celebrant) is the exception. The moment I first met Penny I knew she was going to be my type of girl. A wonderful straight talking Yorkshire lass. She’s a former registrar, an outstanding Celebrant and a fountain of wisdom when it comes to wedding ceremony. There’s nothing she doesn’t know about tying the knot, and she’s always so generous with her advice. I have the utmost respect for her.
Laura – The Social Media Lifesaver
Instagram. Love it or loathe it, if you run a business, you can’t ignore it. A couple of years ago, I was completely overwhelmed. That’s where Laura from Introtweet stepped in. She’s been my guiding light in the social media maze, helping me navigate posts, reels, and hashtags with ease. More than that, she’s an absolute gem of a human being.
Heather – The Content Queen
Heather, aka The Content Creator is a master of words. She is a lovely lady with an incredible knack for crafting engaging blog posts that not only capture my voice but also help my business shine online. Her understanding of SEO ensures my content reaches the right audience and performs well in search rankings. Her expertise has been invaluable in making my brand more visible and my messaging more powerful.
Clare – The Ultimate Cheerleader
Everyone needs a Clare in their life. She’s my go-to for encouragement, my personal imposter-syndrome buster, and a constant source of motivation. Whenever self-doubt creeps in, she’s there to remind me why I started and why I should keep going. Thank you Clare.
Victoria – The Spreadsheet Whisperer
Every businesswoman needs a Victoria in their life! Victoria is always there to save the day. Whether it’s creating spreadsheets, offering business advice, or simply being a fantastic sounding board, she’s an absolute rock. I couldn’t do without her!
Lisa & Sara – The Website Wonder Women!
Talking about celebrating amazing women , who could forget these two? A website is the heart of any business, and when mine needs a little TLC, Lisa and Sara from Wonderful World of Websites are the ones I turn to. Their patience, generosity, and expertise never fail to amaze me. Both myself, and my website are eternally grateful for all they do!
Celebrating Amazing Women in Business – A Force to Be Reckoned With
Isn’t it fantastic? We live in a time where women can build empires, support families, and follow their passions – and that is something worth celebrating. Women bring so much to the table: creativity, resilience, empathy, and an innate ability to lift each other up.
We are celebrating amazing women in politics. we’ve seen women rise to the highest positions of power, proving time and again that leadership has no gender. Women like Jacinda Ardern, Ursula von der Leyen, and love her or hate her Margaret Thatcher, all have shown strength, intelligence, and compassion in their leadership, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations.
Likewise, we are celebrating amazing women in business, female entrepreneurs and CEOs are transforming industries. From Sara Blakely, who built Spanx from the ground up, to Whitney Wolfe Herd, the youngest female CEO to take a company public with Bumble, women are proving that they belong at the top. Their success paves the way for more women to enter leadership roles and create businesses that challenge the status quo.
Being a female entrepreneur isn’t always easy. There are challenges, doubts, and days when everything feels impossible. But we keep going. We persevere. And we succeed.
Celebrating Amazing Women in Love
Photo Credit: Simon Hawkins Photography
One of the greatest privileges of my role, as a wedding Celebrant, is meeting strong, independent women who are following their dreams. These women or brides are choosing to celebrate their love on their own terms – wanting their wedding ceremonies to reflect their personalities, values, and relationships. Indeed not only their relationship and love for their partner but also celebrating amazing women in their lives be that their best friends, mothers or grandmothers.
No longer bound by the constraints of traditional legal ceremonies, they are embracing romantic, unique, and deeply personal celebrations. Whether it’s writing their own vows, incorporating meaningful rituals, or simply choosing a location that speaks to their hearts, these women are stamping their individuality onto their wedding ceremonies. And it is truly joyous to witness and share in these special moments.
The Future is Bright: Celebrating Amazing Women!
As I reflect on my journey and the incredible women who have supported me, I feel nothing but gratitude. The women of 1911 fought for us to have choices, and we honour them every time we take a step forward in business, in life, and in lifting up those around us.
So today, on International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating amazing women past and present. I want to say to them all, thank you. Thank you to the trailblazers who paved the way. Thank you to the incredible women I work alongside. And thank you to every woman out there chasing her dreams.
Here’s to us – the women in business, the dreamers, the doers. We’ve come so far, and the best is yet to come!
Happy International Women’s Day!
Photo Credit for Feature Image: Caught The Light Photography
