Please take a look at some of my frequently asked questions below. Hopefully they are helpful but if there’s anything else you need to know just get in touch.
What is a celebrant?
Simply put, a celebrant conducts a ceremony, celebrating a life event such as a wedding. I am an independent celebrant and so not affiliated to any religious or civic organisation. As such, I am completely free to work with individuals, couples and families to create the ceremonies they want, to mark life’s precious moments.
Are celebrant wedding ceremonies legally binding?
No, not under current UK law. This means you will need to legally register your wedding with your local council, either before or after your celebrant wedding (or not at all, if you would prefer). Sometimes, people struggle with the idea of a celebrant wedding, and assume it’s not ‘real’ due to what they might have experience traditionally. However, in many other countries outside of the UK, weddings are registered and then celebrated separately, in the same way you celebrate your birthday the day you were born, not the day your birth was registered.
What can I have in my ceremony?
You can include any elements you like in a celebrant wedding, that’s the joy of it! Perhaps you would like a movie inspired ceremony due to your shared love of film, or include religious rites of passage from Christianity, Paganism or other faiths. If you would prefer a ceremony that celebrates the joining together of two families that can also be done. Basically, the world’s your oyster, so start imagining!
What is included in your fee?
If you are interested in booking me as your celebrant, I offer a free of charge, online meeting, so we can chat more and you can decide if you’d like to work with me.
After that my fee includes the following:
- Planning meeting to discuss the ceremony and what you would like
- Ceremony and script creation (including unlimited redrafts)
- Performance of the ceremony
- Copy of your ceremony afterwards that you can keep.
I will be available to you throughout the run up to the ceremony, and if needed I can visit your venue if it’s not one I am familiar with. I’m also happy to liaise with any wedding planners or events managers you might be working with, to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.
What isn’t included in your fee?
- I don’t charge for travel within 40 miles of my home location of Brentwood, Essex. Beyond that I charge petrol costs after 40 miles.
- Any props for your ceremony such as candles or hand fasting ribbons, you will need to provide these yourself.
- Master of Ceremonies duties after the ceremony. I am able to perform MC duties throughout the day for an additional cost of £150.
Is there an age limit for naming ceremonies?
Absolutely not. Children can come into a family at any age and I can work with you to create a ceremony which reflects this and is tailor made for your family.
Where do you work?
I am based in Essex and work all over the South East including London, Kent, Suffolk and Hertfordshire. I am also happy to travel nationally and internationally.
I’m not sure if a celebrant is for me, but I’d like to find out some more information
Yes of course, let’s talk! Please drop me a line via my enquiry form here. There’s also more information at www.professionalcelebrants.org.uk and www.thecelebrantdirectory.com
Are there any wedding vendors whose services you would recommend?
Yes! Please see my recommended suppliers page here.
Was that you on Married At First Sight?
Yes, indeed it was, well spotted! You can see the ceremony I performed here