SICA member Rich Gordon

Rich Gordon‘s biography

Who I am

I’m something of a polymath; an artist with a penchant for science.

I’ve had a varied career prior to becoming a celebrant. Despite my education being in Scottish History, for many years I worked in the higher and further education sector in predominantly IT-based roles, branching out into teaching and lecturing along the way.

Eventually I decided to pursue my musical interests as a bagpiper, guitarist and saxophonist, and in the many years of doing that I’ve performed at nearly two thousand weddings of all types; religious, secular, etc.

In addition, I’ve also performed at countless funerals, and other ceremonies such as christenings, naming ceremonies, vow renewals, etc. I’ve also climbed mountains and sailed on old ships to perform!

Why I became a celebrant

I decided to train to become a celebrant to explore the other side of my vocational skills; public speaking, and working with people to help them to realise a particular vision. These are skills I honed during my time running workshops, lecturing and delivering private tuition.

Part of this motivation was also witnessing others perform funeral ceremonies for loved ones I lost, and not feeling entirely satisfied with the resulting deliveries. In my time as a musician I have also found many other ceremonies to be lacking in personalisation.

What I do for you

I provide services for funerals and commemorations, vow renewals, symbolic marriages and elopements and naming ceremonies.

I’m an excellent listener with a keen eye and ear for detail.

The ceremonies I craft are about the people they are for, not me. I work hard to ensure that every thread is pulled and every stone is turned to ensure that the script I produce is most representative of the person(s) about whom they are written.

This is true in both content and tone.

I have a vast amount of experience in all manner of services, and can provide a great deal of advice based on real experience on what to expect, or what to choose.

Added bonus

I’m also a professional musician, predominantly playing bagpipes, but can also provide saxophone and guitar/singing for ceremonies.

Whether your ceremony is indoors or somewhere half/all the way up a mountain, I am more than happy to help.