Carol - Acorn to Oak Ceremonies: Signature Storytelling - Heartfelt Officiating
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Carol Ludwick - Chicago Celebrant

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At heart, I'm a storyteller.
I’m a late blooming, former girl next door who grew up believing in the magic of a good story. Winne the Pooh introduced me to his friends in The Hundred Acre Wood, Ookpik the owl took me on his travels , and I helped Nancy Drew solve mysteries on summer vacations. (I was the girl who carried a notebook on the beach, questioning folks as I searched for clues.)

Professionally,  I've been at it for nearly 20 years, honing my craft through writing, acting and photography. But what brought me here was the passing of my mother. Our family was not affiliated with any organized religion and I didn't know who would lead the funeral. A friend suggested that I be the one to "hold the space" for the ceremony. I knew I'd write and deliver the eulogy, but lead the ceremony? Anything for my beloved mama, so I jumped in. One of the best leaps I've ever made. I didn't know it at the time that the role I was actually filling was that of a celebrant. Heck, I'd never even heard the term.

 But I knew in my heart that I wanted to help people tell their stories and that the ritual element I so loved would enrich and deepen the experience. When I found The Celebrant Foundation and Institute, I was in disbelief. Wait, there's a school that teaches about the history and practice of ceremony, ritual and rites of passage?  I could weave my skills with my passion? I had come home. 
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And when I'm not doing this work? You might find me happily curled up with one or both of my sweet tabby cats, Merlin and Arthur, out sailing on Lake Michigan with my husband David or playing one of my many drums. ( Eight frame drums, one djembe and counting...) 
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In my happy place on this lake that thinks it's an ocean.

Let me bring your story to life... 

You can reach out via text, call or email.
​I look forward to connecting!
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773-852-8575
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[email protected]
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Locations Served:
North Shore Chicago:
Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Glencoe, Northfield, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook, Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove
Chicago Downtown:
Gold Coast, Magnificent Mile, River North, Streeterville
Chicago North Side:
Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Roscoe Village, North Center, Ravenswood, Buena Park, Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville, Rogers Park
Chicago West:
West Loop, West Town, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square
​Chicago Northwest:
Logan Square, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Avondale, Irving Park, Jefferson Park, Pulaski Park, Old Irving Park, Sauganash, Edgebrook, O'Hare, Portage Park Edison Park
Chicago South:
Pilsen, Bridgeport, University Village, Little Village, Chinatown, Back of the Yards
Western Suburbs:
Oak Park, Park Ridge, Arlington Heights, Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Naperville, Itasca, Palatine, Lake Zurich 
Destination Wedding
Anywhere outside of the Chicagoland Area

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