About Us
Our Founding Story
Our founder and lead celebrant, Paul J. Abbott is a creative through and through. He has been on stage as a musician since he was four years old. He earned a PhD in digital composition in music, having specialised in classical voice and improvisation at undergraduate level. He has built a career in events management spanning 25 years, planning concerts, conferences, festivals and all sorts in between. He managed a commercial music and conference venue for ten years, working with all kinds of people from local kids and community groups to household names. He wrote Events Are Easy… the book he wished he had read at the start of his career, sharing his expertise in planning and delivering excellent events. He is in demand as a public speaker, known for his fun and accessible style on a range of topics. He even did a bit of stand-up comedy for a couple of years, and he brings what he learned about engaging with the audience, and delivering funny material.
When he is not working, Paul is a keen artist, painting and drawing landscapes and portraits. He is also well known for spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking, even if nobody else is there to eat it!
Paul wanted a new challenge which would bring together his broad range of skills, and which would allow him to work with people at the important moments in their lives. He decided to train as an independent celebrant obtaining the NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Celebrancy: Naming and Couples, studying with the highly respected team at Civil Ceremonies Ltd.
Paul says: “I love talking to people and finding out what makes you tick. Formality has its place and I will always pay attention to make sure we are capturing the solemn moments, and giving your ceremony the gravitas which it expects. That doesn’t mean it has to be stuffy or inaccessible. We should be having fun when we are planning for your ceremony, and I will always have the experience that you and your guests are going to have at the forefront of my mind.
I have always enjoyed the poise and elegance of ceremonial details when they are purposeful and carefully considered. From the order that people move in a space to the choice of words for specific actions, I get excited about the magical essence of each moment; but it also has to make sense. When I am writing a ceremony I am thinking about the mechanics of the script in three dimensions, as much as I am focussing on the meaning of the words themselves.
Most importantly, you will be at the heart of everything I create for you, and I will put my heart and soul into creating a memorable experience you will cherish.
Whether you are just making your first enquiries or you have a solid idea of what you are looking for, get in touch and let's see if we are a good fit.'‘
Our Mission
Seratoner Celebrations Ltd provides Independent Celebrant Services in West Yorkshire and beyond. We are passionate about helping others to celebrate the special moments in their lives as individuals, couples and families.
Informed by our rich background in the arts and event design, our ceremonies are thoughtfully curated, combining creativity, elegance, and emotional depth to tell your story with authenticity and style.
We are guided by our core values of trust, honesty, integrity, and kindness, and we are committed to delivering a high-quality service marked by respect, dignity, and genuine human connection.
We are committed to playing our part in promoting a fairer and more equitable world, and we believe that celebrating our love, our culture, and our identity is a universal right. Through each ceremony, we honour that belief and invite you to celebrate your life on your own terms, with elegance, authenticity, and joy.
Our values
We have built our business on the values which we hold dear. These are trust, honesty, integrity, and kindness above all things.