- What is a Wedding Celebrant?Wedding Celebrants write and conduct wedding ceremonies, adding all those elements that are meaningful to you, such as a spiritual ritual such as Hand Fasting.
- What do you exactly?As your Wedding Celebrant, I get to know you both, find out all about how you met, what your dream day looks like and pull all the information together to craft a personal script. I advise on the different choices of content, whether religious or not, suggest extra touches that are unique to you as a couple, tell the story of how you met. We can include your dog or horse, your children, your close friends, your family in any way you want to involve them. We can talk about spiritual elements, such as rituals and/or religious content if that’s what you would like. We can stage a flash bomb, have you both walk down the aisle together, read your vows privately if you prefer. So just about anything your hearts’ desire! I create a first draft and you decide how much you would like to see before the day and then we adjust as there will always be some minor changes. I can also help you with your vows if needed and have a rehearsal too!
- What’s different about a celebrant-led wedding?Anytime! Any place! Anywhere! Any format! Any content! Imagine bringing your dream wedding to life. With my help and my imagination, we can create the most stunning and memorable wedding ceremony.
- Do we need to get a marriage certificate before we have a celebrant-led ceremony?Wedding celebrants can not legally marry couples at the moment, though a reform has been given the go ahead by the government. If you follow the steps, then you will find it’s quite straightforward and you get to have a mini event PLUS your special ceremony day. What’s better than that!? You can do the legal bit BEFORE or AFTER your Celebrant-led ceremony. The step-by-step process can be found here.
- Can a celebrant-led ceremony be held both indoors and outdoors?Absolutely!
- Are there any restrictions on where, when and what time a wedding celebrant-led ceremony can take place?Celebrants can officiate your ceremony at any venue, even if it is licensed, or anywhere you have permission and can conduct your wedding ceremony at sunrise, sunset and anytime in between.
- How long does a celebrant-led ceremony take?It depends on the content you would like but as a rough guide, between 20 and 40 minutes.
- Can my family or guests do readings or a poem?Absolutely, it is so lovely when family or friends read a piece of writing or a poem.
- Can any type of music be played during a celebrant wedding ceremony?The music is entirely your choice. Some couples have a romantic piece/song to walk down the aisle whether together or the bride walking down the aisle to her partner, some quiet background music but then ramp it up for the pronouncement at the end!
- How much does a celebrant wedding ceremony cost?Wedding Celebrant fees do vary from £550 right up to £1100. See more information about pricing here.
- Will I see the wedding ceremony script before the day?If you wish to see your script, then I will send to you (minus the vows as these will be placed in the script when they are finalised). The script can be adjusted and changed up to the last 10 days.
- Will I be able to keep my wedding ceremony script?I will present your ceremony script, including your vows, to you after your ceremony.
- What is the usual order in terms of stages of the ceremony?There are NO rules here. Many couples, however, use this sort of format:
- Wedding Celebrant introduction to guests
- Bride / Bride and Groom walk down the aisle.
- Welcome to your wedding ceremony!
- Reading/Poem/Song
- Your love story
- A fun element, perhaps a game (always warms your guests up)
- Ritual if required
- Reading/Poem/Song
- Your vows
- Ring exchange and promises
- Congratulations announcement
- Cheering, laughter, confetti, bubbles or even a cheeky shot!!
- Can I include a symbolic ceremony?Yes, absolutely!
- Which symbolic ceremonies can you include?Handfasting Originally a Scottish tradition / Ancient Celtic Ritual. Often was associated in Wiccan and Pagan but is widely The couple join hands and then link hands to form an infinite circle and the couple’s hands are bound together with light rope or a braid, symbolizing the binding together of their two lives into one. Figure 8 to symbolise eternity. Looped in particular order whilst or before they make their vows. Unity Candles symbolises the joining of their two families and merging of two individuals and altogether the creation of a blended family. Each partner blows out the other’s taper candle kissing goodbye to unmarried life goodbye and bonding them forever. Sand Ceremonies The sand symbolises the contributors’ life and couples pick colours of the sand. Vows can be done first or the sand, either is fine. Each couple adds sand to a vessel and any family members can be invited to also add sand. As an additional part of this ceremony your guests can be asked to add a pre-handed out gem stone or pebble. Ring Blessing Believed to be an Irish tradition, where your wedding bands are passed around your guests. Your loved ones can hold and make a wish for your successful and long-lasting marriage by ‘warming’ your rings. They can add a prayer or happy thoughts, and your rings will be returned, saturated with the love of your friends and family. Gemstones Harness the power and effects of Gemstones as part of your ceremony, for example the emerald is a powerful love gemstone, symbolises loyalty, new beginnings, peace and security. Before or during the vows the Unity Water Ceremony Traditionally conducted in Buddist cultures, including Thai weddings, it uses coloured water (see Sand Ceremonies) Rose Ceremony Roses are considered a symbol of love, meaning I love you, couples give each other a rose, just before the end of the ceremony. Can also give guests a rose. (beautiful wording…eg….give you this rose as a symbol of my love, which began as a tiny bud and blossomed into this beautiful rose, which opened in the warmth of the sun, just as my love for you has grown in the warmth of your love.) Including your Pets Pets can bear rings or walk you down the Aisle. Most venues are open to having dogs on site but it is best to check! Memory Boxes A kind of memory capsule, involve placing of objects to symbolise the important parts of the ceremony, day and marriage Ceremony involving planting flowers or trees Enjoy the union of family and friends as you plant a tree or plant to signify new beginnings. Jumping the Broom An old tradition that marks the sweeping away of the past to make way for a new beginning. Your preferred Ritual not mentioned? Any other ritual you would like can be talked through
- We live abroad, but we’re planning our ceremony in the UK. Will you work with us?Yes! I am happy to help international couples and families to help plan their ceremony here in the UK whilst based oversees, and is happy to arrange a meeting over Zoom, Skype or FaceTime at a time convenient to you.
- We’re getting married abroad, will you be our Celebrant at our destination wedding?
- Can I include a family pet at my ceremony?Yes! As long as the venue allows it, so do I! (Although I would draw the line at the 8-legged creatures!)
- Can I include readings and poems in my ceremony?You can include as many readings as you wish – whether religious or non-religious, silly or sentimental. You can even invite a guest to read one out for you, or to write something personal.
- Can I include music and/or hymns?You can include as many songs, music or hymns you like, and can choose to play these either on a PA System or have live musicians, it’s up to you! Please note though that you are responsible for providing your own PA System and music, and for the booking of any live musicians on the day.
- Should I write my own wedding vows?Yes! I can help you. Your vows can be as sweet, silly or sentimental as you wish. You will have unlimited contact and guidance from I throughout the whole process to offer help if you need it.
- Do we have to write our own wedding vows?Not if you don’t want to. You’re welcome to use traditional recognised wedding vows if you prefer, or simply have no vows at all – it’s your wedding, your way!
- I’m very shy and hate public speaking, will I be able to get through the ceremony ok?Of course. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible on your wedding day. You can read the vows yourself, or repeat them line by line after me, or simply say “I do” – whatever you prefer. We can talk through lots of alternatives.
- A family member or friend has passed away, can we remember them in our ceremony?I will ask you if there is anyone you would like to give a mention to on the day, and you may wish to include a photo or keepsake on a nearby table or ask me to light a candle for you.
- I want to keep my ceremony short, simple and traditional, is that OK?Absolutely. Your wedding, your way! No fuss, no fluff. Your ceremony can be as simple as you want it to be
- I want my ceremony to be alternative, extraordinary, and elaborate, is that OK?Your ceremony is about you and your personal style. I pride myself in being open minded to your ideas, no matter how crazy, quirky, or unusual they may seem!
- What should we wear for our ceremony?You can wear whatever you like! Most brides choose to wear a traditional white wedding dress for a wedding ceremony, but there are certainly no rules. Whether you choose to wear something traditional, or something more informal is up to you.
- What will I wear at the ceremony?Whatever suits the style and approach you want I will typically wear something smart and comfortable, and appropriate for the occasion. If you are working to a very specific theme for your wedding, I will be happy to consider alternative options to meet your requirements. I am not a minister, though, so there is no chance of me wearing religious robes or a dog collar!
- Will we meet you before the ceremony?Yes. For all marriage and commitment ceremonies, I will meet with you a few weeks before the day to discuss your plans in full. If you cannot meet in person, we can chat over Zoom, Skype or FaceTime instead.
- Will we be able to have a rehearsal before the ceremony?Yes if that’s what you want. For all weddings, I will offer to hold a rehearsal/run through with you either a few days before the wedding, or on the day itself. We can do this via Zoom or in person.
- How far are you willing to travel to assist with our ceremony?I mainly work in the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire/Leicestershire areas However, I am always willing to conduct weddings from further afield, although please note that there may be an additional fee for travel.
- Can you include some religious content?Yes, absolutely I can. It is entirely your choice as to the content and this will be discussed in more detail throughout the entire process.
- Can you marry me and my partner if we have different faiths?Yes, a blended ceremony with elements from both faiths can be worked out during the planning process.
- We don’t want to read our vows out in public is that ok?This is your choice, and you can read them before or after in private or on another day. We can write no vows for your ceremony, or you could choose short vows that you can read out and I can announce to your family and guests before you arrive that you will be making your vows in private.
- How big can my ceremony party be?As small or as big as you would like and as the venue or space allows.
- Do I need a wedding celebrant for an elopement?If you decide to use a registrar at a licensed venue, then that is one option. The ceremony is generic (the same script is used for all couples), or you could choose a special space outdoors or indoors, seeking permission if it is needed.
- What is better, a celebrant-led wedding or a registrar-led wedding?I’m not going to lie – a celebrant-led wedding, in my humble opinion is far better for lots of reasons:
- Completely unique
- Can include content you prefer
- Can be part faith-based
- Can include elements from 2 different faiths
- You can have your family or friends read or sing a song
- You can add your own personalities
- Rituals can be included, such as Hand Fasting
- The options are endless!
- Can I book a wedding celebrant at short notice?You can book me at short notice, as for most other celebrants but the ceremony script does take time to put together. Please get in touch, letting me know your date and what content you would like, and I can let you know if it is doable (I would do my utmost to help).
- Can I book a wedding celebrant 2 years ahead?Lots of couples book their wedding day a year or two in advance and it is best to secure your celebrant as soon as possible.
- Our wedding is late at night, is that ok?I would need all of the details but in principle it is fine. Sounds exciting too and I do love something completely different!
- Our wedding is in the week, can we still book you?I am flexible as I do not ‘work’ and so yes, I can officiate your wedding on any day of the week that I’m available.
- What happens if you can’t officiate on the day due to illness?In the rare event that something happens, and I were too ill to attend I would find an alternative celebrant. The script I will write will have a planner sheet attached, which will give details of who everyone is, venue info, your supplier’s contacts, etc and they will be able to take over seamlessly with the script I write for you.
- Do I need to pay a deposit?
- Can I have my dog or pet attend my wedding?They say ‘never work with children or animals’ but having your cherished ones take a key role at your wedding makes for a precious and memorable. So much more fun!
- Can I book a wedding celebrant at short notice?Please get in touch to see if I am free for your wedding date. I am happy to write and conduct a wedding at shorter notice but it’s best for us to have a chat first to see what you had in mind.
The following is intended as a helpful guide but I do recommend that you check through the processes yourself.
~ How much does the legal bit cost? ~
Cost of the Basic Registry Office (around £50)
Arrange ‘The Legal Bit’ at your choice of Register Offices (this does not have to be in your area) You will need the date and register office before moving to the next step.
~ When do we need to give notice? ~
Make an appointment (at least 29 days before your ceremony) for both of you to ‘Give Notice’ at a local registry office where at least one of you lives.
