You’re engaged? Congratulations!!
Now comes the fun bit… planning the wedding of your dreams!
Many couples gloss over the ceremony as they are just not aware of all the options available. Gone are the days when your only options were a religious wedding (e.g. church) or a registry office.
With an independent wedding celebrant you can have exactly the ceremony you want, how you want it - perhaps in ways and places you haven’t even dreamt of yet! You are not bound by registered venues or their limited availability. You can get married anywhere…yes, anywhere! Hot air balloon? Sure! Bottom of the ocean? Why not! The back garden of your family home? Absolutely! On a beach in Barbados? Yes, please! The possibilities really are endless..!
With a celebrant led ceremony you are also not confined by a format or script you are not comfortable with. It is your day, so you get to do it how you want. Don’t want a religious wedding but want to find a way to include a traditional element or a nod to a specific culture or heritage? Together, we can find a way to beautifully weave, blend and combine different ideas to create a ceremony totally unique and personal to you.
One thing I am absolutely passionate about…
The ceremony should NEVER be the boring bit!!
**COVID-19**
Wedding 2.0 - Did you decide to go ahead with a micro wedding due to government restrictions? Are you planning a celebration with friends and family as soon as restrictions allow?
Including a renewal of vows or an additional ceremomy is a great way to relive your special day with loved ones who couldn’t be there the first time round…plus, who wouldn’t want to do it twice?!
Why not book a no-obligation chat with me to discuss.
How does it work?
Let’s chat!
Why not book in a no-obligation chat to with me so we can talk about what you are looking for and I can answer any questions you may have about celebrant led ceremonies. This is a great way to see if we click and whether you would like me to be involved in your big day (always trust your gut!).
You want me to be your celebrant?! YAY!
Amazing! Once you have decided I am the celebrant for you, I’ll send you a contract so we have an agreement in writing and I’ll take a booking deposit to secure your date. I only ever book one ceremony a day, so from this point on, that date is all yours!
Here’s where the fun starts…let’s get planning!
Once booked we can book in an initial planning chat. We can discuss any ideas you may have had, or any areas you want to explore. Think of our chat like a creative brainstorm or Pinterest board; an opportunity to bounce some ideas about, however formed these may be and get you excited about what your ceremony could look like. No idea is off limits here!
Let’s get personal…!
Between 6 months and 4 months before the wedding, I will send you over a questionnaire to be completed both separately and together. This gives me an opportunity to find out about you as individuals as well as a couple and will inspire your ceremony format and script.
If you want to include additional elements to your ceremony such as performers or musicians (or anything else!) then this is when I will start reaching out to check availability and costs. I have a (not so) Little Black Book of creative contacts, so whether you want an opera singer or a 12 piece orchestra, a gospel choir or a flashmob - I can absolutely make that happen!
* This is also the time to let me know if you would like to employ the Secret Service…(if you know, you know) *
Your love story
3 months before the ceremony we will get together to plan your ceremony in detail. I will already have your questionnaires, but this is an opportunity for you to tell me in your own words about your story, your views on marriage and the reasons you’ve decided to say ‘I do’!
Sit back and relax
Once I have all the information I need, then I will get to work writing your ceremony including all the elements we have spoken about.
Let’s make it perfect
With every ceremony I write, I’m aiming for perfection first time! But if there are things you want to add, change or re-work, that’s absolutely fine - we will tweak until is it 100% perfect!
Every couple is as unique as their ceremony, so whether you would feel more comfortable knowing exactly what will be said on the day, word for word, or whether you would rather embrace an element of surprise along with your guests - it is your special day, so you call the shots!
The final countdown…
The week before the wedding we will have a call to run through the final logistics for the day and tie up any final loose ends. The aim is that the call will put your mind at rest - the lead up to a wedding can be very busy - but rest assured, your ceremony is in very safe hands!
Your big day!
IT’S HERE!!! How exciting. I’ll always arrive at least an hour before the ceremony to ensure everything is set up and ready to go. All you need to do is enjoy!
Today will be a magical day in so many ways and your ceremony will be something you and your guests will think back to for years to come, as something unique and perfectly fitting to you as a couple.
Wedding gift
As a special keepsake, I will send you a printed copy of your ceremony so you can treasure the words and memories forever.
…any more questions?
I am always happy to answer any other questions or queries you may have - however here are some FAQs
Do we need to write our own vows?
This is totally up to you. The beauty of a celebrant led ceremony is that you are not limited to any script! I have a series of example vows, ranging from traditional through to more contemporary. I really encourage my couples to at least give it a go, and I am always there to offer a helping hand along the way. This is your wedding and your declaration of love and commitment to each other so all your need to do it speak from the heart. Trust me - it’s one of the greatest pleasures of celebrant led wedding ceremonies!
Are you able to attend the rehearsal?
If you are having one - then absolutely! With my history as a theatre director, I know how helpful rehearsals can be. However, wedding rehearsals are not always necessary or possible - but rest assured I will be well practiced for the big day! There is no additional cost to attend the rehearsal itself, but if this means an additional overnight stay then this may need to be factored into costings - each situation is unique.
How do we stay in touch?
That is totally up to you! Call, email, text - all absolutely fine! There is even the option to set up a WhatsApp group so we can share ideas and questions at any time. Just remember, I am your celebrant - If you need me, I am only ever at the end of the phone or screen.
We are getting married abroad - can you still be our celebrant?
Absolutely! My standard fee stays the same for destination weddings, however travel and accommodation would need to be factored into costs.
Is the ceremony legal?
Independent celebrant led weddings are not currently legal in the UK, however we are campaigning hard to change that, and we are almost there…! We passionately believe that couples should have a greater choice and be able to have weddings that are not only meaningful to them, but also legally recognised. You can read about the latest developments with the Law Commission here - fingers crossed for 2023!
As the law currently stands, you will need to have a separate civil service, in addition to your celebrant wedding. Many couples do ‘the legal bit’ at their local Registry Office a couple of days before their big day (this costs under £50 for a basic service). All you need are two witnesses and you don’t even need to exchange rings or vows so you can save all the ‘fun stuff’ for your ACTUAL wedding. Your celebrant-led ceremony (with me!) is a fully bespoke and personalised celebration of love and commitment witnessed by your friends and family and it is this date that will signify the anniversary of your wedding.
Is it not more expensive to have two ceremonies?
Not necessarily! Having a basic legal service at a Registry Office followed by a celebrant led wedding ceremony need not cost much more and in some cases may even be less expensive! I am obviously bias, but I truly believe the unique value of a bespoke and personalised ceremony, done exactly how you want, is well worth the extra pennies.
For example, the cost of a Registrar-led ceremony at one of the Registry Offices or Town Halls in London are as follows:
from £290 to £550* Monday – Friday
from £400 to £900* Weekends and Public Holidays
For a Registrar to lead a ceremony at an approved premises, the costs are:
from £585 to £600 Monday to Friday
from £665 to £900 Weekends and Public Holidays
This does not include any fees charged by the venue and the cost of giving notice.
Approved and licensed wedding venues charge a premium for weddings, often charging per guest with a considerable mark up. So by having a basic legal ceremony at a Registry Office a couple of days before (under £50 on a weekday) and then the main event with a celebrant led-ceremony in a venue of your choosing (not restricted by licences and approved suppliers) - then you are much more likely to be able to control costs and have complete ownership over your big day.
By choosing a celebrant led wedding ceremony you are able to experience a personalised, bespoke and flexible ceremony that exactly meets your wants and needs without the restrictions of time, venue and suppliers.
*information from RBKC website for ceremonies taking place 2020 - 2022 and excludes the cost of giving notice.