Meet Debbie – The Heart Behind Dragonfly Ceremonies
Hey there! I'm Debbie Reynolds, the celebrant behind Dragonfly Ceremonies, and I'm so glad you've stopped by to find out a bit more about me and what makes me tick.
Guided by Listening
Honouring Every Story
How I Found My Calling
What's my story? Well, where do I begin? I'm married, a mum and grandma and we have a 10 year old pug called Lollie. My life has always revolved around connecting with people. My mum used to laugh and say that as a small child, if I ever went missing, they'd find me chatting away to anyone and everyone – whether I knew them or not. That hasn't changed one bit.
My working life has always centred on meaningful connection. I've worked in the NHS with end-of-life teams, heart failure services and adult mental health. I've worked in the care sector, supporting, mentoring and guiding people through various stages of their lives. Every role has strengthened my commitment to being there for people when they need someone who truly listens and cares.
But it was seven years ago, when my mum passed away, that the seeds of becoming a celebrant were truly planted.
Before she died, my mum and I had those important mother-daughter conversations about life, death and what she wanted for her ceremony. I wrote it all down – the music choices, the stories about her life, the funny anecdotes she wanted included. When the celebrant delivered her service, it was done with such compassion, feeling and genuine thought that I was absolutely blown away. It felt like they'd known her as a dear friend, and not just met the family a few weeks before.
That's when I knew. I wanted to make every family I work with feel the way I felt that day – truly seen, truly heard, and confident that their loved one was being honoured with the care and respect they deserved.
The Journey to Dragonfly Ceremonies
Time passed, and the pull towards celebrancy never far away in my thoughts. When my friend in Northumberland began her training with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, it felt like the universe was giving me a gentle nudge. I reached out to her and found out everything I needed to know, and threw myself into training as a Master Celebrant.
For me, the role of a celebrant is an incredible opportunity to be part of the most important moments in people's lives. Through all my experiences – from supporting families at the end of life to helping people navigate their mental health challenges – I've developed the empathetic, caring skills that I bring to every ceremony. These experiences have forged in me a deep desire to create profoundly meaningful, personal and authentic celebrations during the most significant times in life.
Supporting Life’s Most Significant Moments
What I Believe In
Celebrating Connections, Stories, and Meaningful Moments
As a celebrant, building those strong connections with my couples are imperative, I want to truly engage with my couples and families. I have a strong passion for storytelling, being creative, showing empathy, and helping people celebrate love or navigate grief. This role brings out the absolute best in me and enables me to serve my clients to the very best of my ability.
I believe that lots of people could deliver a ceremony, but to truly honour someone – to create an experience that people remember with fondness years later – that takes genuine connection, care, warmth and a deep understanding for their stories, values and individuality.
I create every ceremony with you at the heart of everything I do. I never forget that ceremonies aren't just events – they're milestones, memories and moments that will be cherished forever. Delivering your ceremony with honour, respect and sincerity is the most important part of all.
My Approach & Style
My ceremony style is modern and alternative – I'm all about creating relaxed celebrations filled with magic that feel like joyful gatherings rather than formal occasions. I love crafting ceremonies full of warmth, meaningful moments and stories that truly showcase what makes you unique.
What makes my approach different is my ability to strike that perfect blend between making ceremonies feel special and significant while helping them flow naturally. I love helping couples and families think outside the box, exploring the endless possibilities of what their ceremony can be.
My fun personality and colourful, positive outlook on life definitely spill into my scripts. I genuinely enjoy spending time with people, hearing their stories, learning what makes them laugh, what matters most to them. That's what makes this role so perfect for me.
As a follower of Buddhist practices who loves meditation, I have a strong connection to nature and the outdoors. This instills a calmness in my approach to both my work and personal life, and I believe it gives clients reassurance that they'll feel supported, understood and gently guided – not just on the day of their ceremony, but throughout the entire journey from start to finish and beyond.
Your Story
Your Voice
The Values That Guide My Work
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Connection-Focused
I'm here to really get to know you, understand what matters, and forge a genuine connection that makes you feel comfortable sharing your story with me.
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Empathy & Support
Whether you're planning the happiest day of your life or saying goodbye to someone you love, I'll be there with compassion, patience and understanding at every step.
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Inclusivity & Respect
I embrace everyone's uniqueness, backgrounds, values and beliefs. I celebrate diversity in all its beautiful forms.
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Authentic Storytelling
Your ceremony should sound like you, not like a template. I'm passionate about capturing the real essence of your story and weaving it into every word I write.
What Keeps Me Grounded
Family, Friends & Connection
You'll usually find me spending time with my family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, and practicing meditation. My connection to nature runs deep – I believe the natural world has a way of bringing clarity, peace and perspective to life's biggest moments and I love the magic of outside ceremonies,
I love the idea of ceremonies in woodland clearings where sunlight filters through the leaves, wildflower meadows buzzing with life, beaches where the sound of waves becomes part of your vows. There's something so honest and grounding about celebrating life's important moments surrounded by nature.
Guiding Through Joy, Grief & Connection
My Role as 'Keeper of Stories'
All in all, for me the celebrant role is a calling to serve during key moments – the privilege of connection, the desire to work intimately during both vulnerable and ecstatic times. Whether I'm uniting couples in love or guiding families through bereavement and honouring lives and legacies, I want to ensure that stories are told with care, compassion and creativity.
I see the role of a celebrant as a "Keeper of Stories" – and what a wonderful thing that is.
When you work with me, you're not just getting someone to stand up front and read words. You're getting someone who genuinely cares about your story, who'll laugh with you during the fun parts and sit quietly with you during the harder moments, who'll craft something so personal that your guests will say "that was SO them" – and mean it.