I’m Mark Hammett, a trained celebrant with a genuine love for people, connection and the meaningful moments that shape our lives. For me, celebrancy is about far more than simply leading a ceremony — it is about listening, understanding and creating something personal, thoughtful and true to the people at the heart of it.
As a celebrant in Wigan, I work with couples, families and individuals across Wigan, Chorley, Leigh, Skelmersdale and the surrounding areas. Whether I am helping a couple celebrate their wedding, supporting a family through a funeral, welcoming a child with a naming ceremony or marking another important life moment, I take the time to understand the people, memories and stories that make it meaningful.
I completed an intensive year-long training programme with Red Heart Ceremonies, including one-to-one mentoring, voice coaching and in-depth ceremony work. That training, combined with a lifetime of working with and supporting people from very different backgrounds, has shaped the calm, considered and compassionate way I approach every ceremony.
Outside of celebrancy, I’m a proud father to two boys, Jack and Ollie, and family is at the centre of who I am. I value connection, community and treating people with kindness and respect — qualities that naturally sit at the heart of the ceremonies I create.
Long before becoming a celebrant, my life had already taught me the importance of listening, communicating clearly and earning the trust of others.
Growing up in North Devon, much of my childhood was spent helping on a working farm. From around the age of 11, I learned to care for animals, work with horses and take responsibility from an early age. Those experiences eventually helped shape the direction my life would take.
In 1976, I joined the British Army and went on to serve with the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry. Following my initial training, I joined the Mounted Division at Knightsbridge and trained as a riding instructor.
My role involved training both horses and soldiers for ceremonial duties, including the King’s Life Guard at Whitehall, Trooping the Colour, the State Opening of Parliament and major royal occasions. I later served in Germany at Detmold Garrison, where I taught soldiers from across the British Army of the Rhine and represented the regiment in equestrian competitions.
Teaching people of different ranks and backgrounds taught me lessons that have stayed with me throughout my life: how to communicate clearly, remain calm, understand the person in front of me and earn their confidence and trust.
My passion for teaching and supporting others continued long after my time in the Army. I went on to teach in Spain and later spent several years in Oman as an instructor, responsible for horses, riders, training and riding displays.
Scuba diving was another major part of my life, and I later became a PADI scuba diving instructor and ran my own diving school. I received three awards for outstanding performance as an instructor — something I believe came from taking the time to understand each person, communicate clearly and help them develop confidence at their own pace.
The settings may have changed considerably over the years, but the qualities required have remained surprisingly consistent: listen carefully, understand what someone needs, communicate with clarity, offer reassurance and always give your best.
Those same qualities are now at the heart of my work as a celebrant.
I am particularly proud that my own military background allows me to bring an additional level of understanding to ceremonies for veterans, serving personnel and military families.
When creating a funeral for someone who has served, understanding the significance of military life, its traditions and the bonds formed through service can make an important difference. It allows me to listen with context, ask the right questions and recognise details that may form an important part of someone’s story.
I recently had the privilege of conducting the funeral of a veteran after being approached specifically because of my own military background. Starting with only a small amount of information, I carefully researched his life and service to build a fuller picture of the man behind the name and create a eulogy that genuinely reflected him.
That experience reinforced something I believe strongly: every life has a story worth taking the time to understand and tell properly.
Every ceremony is created with genuine care, calm guidance and close attention to the people at the heart of it. From the first conversation to the day itself, my aim is to make the process feel personal, reassuring and beautifully considered.
Every ceremony is written around your story, your wishes and the atmosphere you want to create, so it feels authentic, meaningful and true to you.
With a calm, compassionate approach, I help you feel supported, comfortable and at ease throughout the process and on the day itself.
From the wording and structure to the overall flow, every detail is thoughtfully prepared to create a ceremony that feels heartfelt and memorable.
Working as a celebrant in Wigan, I support couples, families and individuals across Wigan, Chorley, Leigh, Skelmersdale and the surrounding areas, creating ceremonies that feel meaningful, heartfelt and true to the moment. Whether you are planning something joyful, reflective or deeply personal, I am here to help make the process feel calm, supported and thoughtfully guided.