My Services

An Independent Celebrant does more than write the ceremony.

They assist the couple to ensure the day runs smoothly. Unlike a wedding planner, who handles the whole event, the Celebrant makes the ceremony unique and memorable.

Guests at your wedding might view the celebrant as having a minor role. However, the celebrant does not just attend for a brief ceremony and leave; significant effort goes into preparation. Therefore, while guests may see the celebrant for less than an hour, extensive work ahead of time explains the expense.

My services include:

  • Support to ensure all the documents are in place and advise on what happens at the registrar interview - this can be overwhelming for many.

  • Checks that all the legal stuff is complete, such as the Registrar interview, signing the wedding schedule and obtaining the wedding certificate. Not everyone is fluent in wedding UK law.

  • Detailing and confirming the Wedding Ceremony outline - The Celebrant acts as the Master of Ceremonies, helping the wedding party stay organised, managing the music, and calming the couple.

  • Civil Partnership / Commitment Ceremony outline

  • Renewal of Vows Ceremony outline

  • Ceremony Enhancements (Handfasting, Unity Rituals, Scrolls etc)

  • Working with & Choosing Venues - This ensures the venue can meet the couple's requests for their special day. If they want dogs, is the venue pet-friendly? Can it support their chosen theme? For a Rave Festival, check that neighbours won't be disturbed and that there is a power supply. A wedding planner might also review these details if one is involved.

  • Ceremony Planning & Communications: It's never assumed that everything discussed has been completed. To clarify the day's activities, a list of all items discussed is kept and confirmed in writing.

  • Using Music / Video - assisting with options and providing ideas and inspiration when requested.

To note:

Same-sex couples can convert a civil partnership into a marriage in England or Wales.

There are different rules if you want to get married or form a civil partnership:

Further details can be read here regarding the legal stuff.

What is a celebrant? 

Independent Celebrants like myself play a vital role in acknowledging and celebrating our communities' rich tapestry of cultures and traditions. Each ceremony, whether a wedding or a memorial, can be tailored to reflect those involved's values, beliefs, and customs. This personalisation enhances the event's significance and fosters a sense of belonging and pride in one's heritage.

One of the beautiful aspects of being a celebrant is learning about various cultural practices and rituals and their meanings. For instance, incorporating traditional rituals such as handfasting at weddings or unique ways of honouring loved ones at funerals allows celebrants to create authentic experiences that resonate with individuals and families.

Celebrants can also serve as a bridge between cultures, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to honour their shared humanity. By weaving together different customs, a celebrant can create a ceremony that respects and acknowledges these differences while celebrating our unity.

An independent Celebrant can only officiate a ceremony; it is not legally binding. But they give you the freedom to have your ceremony anywhere of your choice once the wedding schedule has been signed by a registrar at a registrar's office or premises approved by the local authority.