Choosing a civil celebrant to conduct your wedding means that you will have a much more personalised and bespoke ceremony. It does mean, however, that you will need to complete the legal paperwork separately at the registry office to make the marriage legally binding. This is relatively easy to do, just contact your local register office for guidance.

A ceremony typically takes between 40 minutes to an hour, but timings should be a guide and not there to limit what you hope to include, or how you choose to do so.

Absolutely anywhere! You do need to consider practicalities such as how to get your guests there, and do you need a land owner’s permission. You may have already engaged a wedding planner or even booked a venue already but if not, I will help and advise as much as you need. Just remember, for a celebrant wedding, you cannot use a house of worship or religion.

There are so many different rituals that can be used to make your wedding day special. Some of the more well-known options are; the Native American Blanket Wrap, Celtic Hand Fasting, the Judeo-Christian tradition of lighting a unity candle, the Scottish tradition of placing hands on an oathing stone as you say your vows and the Quaich or Love Cup, where sips of a drink are shared between the couple, from the Quaich cup. Whatever you choose, we can include it (as long as it’s legal!)

Yes, absolutely! This is an element which makes a celebrant-led ceremony so special and personal. I encourage couples to write their own vows, which they will share with their betrothed at the service. I can help with vow writing advice and guidance, should you so wish.

Yes, you most certainly can. Whilst choosing a place or house of worship is not permitted when choosing a celebrant wedding, you can add whatever readings and music you choose, from favourite childhood story excerpts to prayers and traditional wedding marches to rock and pop anthems! There are wide-ranging spiritual and symbolic rituals which can be added to your wedding celebration too, just ask!

Yes, of course! Family members can take on many roles, from being a ring bearer or flower girl to walking you down the aisle, or from sharing a reading to witnessing the signing of the wedding certificates.

Once you have decided on a celebrant-led wedding, it is wise to start your research into celebrants in your area. Once you have the wedding date, you can then contact your chosen celebrant, or possible celebrants, with the first question being to check availability on your chosen date!

Yes, I can indeed help with writing vows, should you so wish. From suggesting topics for content, style options, delivery and length, to crafting your vows in partnerships with you, and anything in between!

When planning an outdoor ceremony, it is always wise to have a ‘Plan B’! This doesn’t mean you need to have an alternative venue set up and ready, but considering what might happen or need to change should the weather be inclement is wise. From having a selection of clear or colourful umbrellas to hand, to incorporating a gazebo to house the happy couple and celebrant, there are creative ways to ensure you enjoy your outdoor wedding, even if it pours with rain!

This depends, but there will be an initial meeting in the early stages of planning and a follow up meeting closer to the day, but still with plenty of time for making adjustments to the ceremony. In between, there may well be email and/or telephone contact, as your celebrant begins to craft your unique ceremony. A rehearsal, usually the day before, is an important part of the process, which helps to settle any nerves.

Definitely! Again, there are no rules as to how your ceremony should go! If you want your dog to be the ring bearer, looked after by your matron of honour, go for it! Flower girls and Paige boys beautifully dressed always add the ‘ahhhh’ factor! Family friends can also be involved in your ceremony.

One of the biggest benefits of a celebrant led funeral is their openness and inclusivity. They allow you to create a ceremony that is a true reflection of the deceased.

Many feel that typical funerals don’t offer any kind of emotional weight or psychological transformation, despite this being a huge part of the grieving process.

However, a funeral celebrant will try to bring a sense of light to the ceremony, reminding the mourners that the individual lived a beautiful, meaningful life.

It also gives you the flexibility to factor in different beliefs and wishes, without being tied to a specific structure.

This will be included as part of the costs you pay to the Funeral Director.

As part of the service I will carry out a home visit where I will ask questions to attain information, stories and memories. Some areas you may wish to think about include,

-Where the deceased was born and grew up
-Siblings and family members they grew up with
-School days and childhood stories
-Partners, children, grandchildren and other family members
-Closest friends
-Armed forces/National Service
-Career plans and places of work
-Groups and societies belonged to
-Interests and achievements
-Favourite memories
-Musical tastes
-Significant events
-Sayings and stories
-What will you most remember them for?
-Did the deceased make any personal requests about their own funeral?
-Will anybody else be speaking at/participating in the service?

It’s your choice. Many people will leave the bulk of the funeral to the Celebrant, which is perfectly normal and understandable given the circumstance.

However, should you wish for a family member or friend to speak, carry out a reading or maybe recite a poem that is perfectly fine and will be discussed as part of my home visit and our time working together.

Should you wish for hymns or a prayer to be included in the ceremony, I can also easily accommodate.

Naturally there is an order to the day, however it is completely up to you should you wish to devise a printed order of service to support mourners to follow and participate in proceedings.

Yes, I can hold a service or celebration of life wherever you wish it to be.