A Sandbach nurse who has begun a new chapter as a celebrant after 42 years of caring for others is to be given the greatest honour of all - that of marrying her own daughter.

Lesley Shipley, 63, has spent 42 years in nursing – working across paediatrics, surgery, spinal injuries, care of older people and end-of-life care. For the past 25 years, she has specialised in drug and alcohol services.

But now she is bringing the compassion, empathy and listening skills she developed throughout her nursing career to her new role – supporting couples and families through life's most meaningful milestones.

And next year Lesley, who conducted her first wedding in the Cotswolds this summer, is set to marry her own daughter, Alice, at Sandbach Town Hall in May next year.

She said: "I qualified as a celebrant last September and now offer my services at weddings, vow renewals, naming days, funerals and memorial services.

"I've been a nurse all my life but also wanted to be a florist or a wedding planner but this is in between all those.

"Looking back, each area of nursing has taught me something different about people, communication and compassion," said Lesley, who established As Unique As You Celebrancy Services in April this year.

"Throughout my career, I've supported families through joy, uncertainty, change and loss, and it has always been those human stories that have stayed with me. I wanted to continue helping people, but in a way that allowed me to focus on celebration, connection and creating lasting memories.

"As a celebrant, I have the privilege of creating ceremonies that feel authentic, personal and as unique as the people at the heart of them."

After passing her professional celebrant diploma with a Distinction, Lesley now offers personalised wedding ceremonies, vow renewals, naming ceremonies and funeral services.

Her first bespoke wedding ceremony was extra-special, as she had the honour of marrying two of her friends at Curradine Barns in Worcester.

And next year she will carry out what must be the biggest honour of any mum - to marry her own daughter.

"It's going to be a Norse-themed wedding," said Lesley. "They will get married at a register office the week before then I will conduct a ceremony at the town hall."

Since launching As Unique As You, Lesley has focused on establishing the business as a trusted celebrant service across Cheshire and surrounding areas.

She has built strong relationships with local venues, wedding suppliers and funeral professionals, while attending wedding fairs and networking events to connect with prospective clients and industry partners.

While continuing to explore ways to support her local community and collaborate with other independent businesses, Lesley is passionate about raising awareness of the value of personalised, celebrant-led ceremonies – an option that one in five couples are now choosing across the UK.

"Rather than taking a 'one size fits all' approach in nursing, we embrace patient-centred care – putting people's specific needs and desired outcomes at the heart of decision-making," said Lesley, who still nurses part-time while growing her business.

"Part of my mission now is to help people understand that, while weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies have followed traditional formats for generations, they can also have a service written entirely from scratch – one that reflects their unique story, values and personalities."

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