Aled Jones: Welsh singer’s joy and nerves as wedding celebrant

The UK Society of Celebrants describes the role, external as someone “who performs and officiates formal wedding ceremonies” and can also conduct others, such as vow renewals, baby naming, commitments and divorce ceremonies.

“I was told during filming session for Songs of Praise that my version of You Raise Me Up is the most requested piece in British crematoriums,” said the singer.

“I couldn’t quite believe that people choose my voice for something that’s just so important. And so I sort of felt like I should learn how to do it, to learn more about it.

“So I learned more about funerals first, and then the weddings and the christenings and everything came afterwards.”

The 53-year-old from Llandegfan, Anglesey, has not performed any funerals yet, but conducting his first weddings was “joyous” and nerve-wracking.

“It was awful, honestly, I had the shakes. I’m used to singing in front of thousands of people, but standing there, I think there was only about 26 people there, and you know, all eyes were on me, until the bride arrived, thank goodness, and then I just did my bit.”