FAQ

Below are answers to some common questions you may have about your ceremony.

What are your fees?

It depends upon location, duration of ceremony and the number of meetings you wish to have in preparation but starting at £550.
How far would you be prepared to travel?

I am based in Kent and will happlily cover southern England, though would consider travelling further afield, if required.
Do you perform ceremonies for same-sex couples?

Of course!
Do you perform renewal of vows ceremonies?

Yes, these are generally very happy family occasions and can be made very special.
What is a wedding celebrant?

A wedding celebrant is a professionally trained and fully insured officiant, with the skills to create completely bespoke and personalised ceremonies in a variety of locations. A celebrant is guided by the wishes of the couple so that it is their day their way.
How does a ceremony with a wedding celebrant differ from a civil wedding ceremony?

A celebrant has no restrictions in terms of the location, time, content, format or style of your wedding, and therefore it can be completely personalised. It may have many of the elements that you and your guests would expect to see at a wedding but can also include treasured memories for the couple and their story together, guest participation and symbolic actions such as handfasting, a sand ceremony or candle lighting. This ensures it is warm, friendly and relaxed, and creates wonderful lasting memories for everyone attending.
Do we need to get legally married before we have a celebrant ceremony?

Yes, weddings with a celebrant will require a couple to arrange their legal paperwork separately from their actual ceremony. Some couples choose to have a legal "marriage" with just close friends and family which takes place at their local registry office. They may choose to save their vows and exchange of rings until their actual "wedding" day ceremony, perfomed by the celebrant.
Can a ceremony with a wedding celebrant be held both indoors and outdoors?

It certainly can as celebrant ceremonies are not required to take place underneath a permanent licensed structure. Why not take advantage of fantastic views at a venue and have these as the backdrop to your day? Explore all the possibilities for ceremony settings at your venue or even your garden! It would be prudent to have an indoor alternative given the variety of British weather but I have written scripts for clifftop weddings!
Are there specifications in terms of where, when and what time a wedding celebrant ceremony can take place?"

Not at all, you can select the time you want, without restriction on time slots or location. Some couples still choose an early afternoon ceremony time but others prefer a different plan for their celebrations and, for example, will choose to have a roof terrace ceremony under the stars followed by cocktails and dinner. A celebrant wedding ceremony offers couples complete flexibility so the options are only limited by your imagination and wishes!
How long does a ceremony with a wedding celebrant take?

This will vary, depending on the content of your ceremony. Most ceremonies last between 20 to 35 minutes. The celebrant will weave the script around your requirements for readings, music, symbolic actions and vows or promises. The ceremony will be a lovely experience for both the couple and guests rather than someone just standing and reading the tradtional and inflexible script which can feel quite impersonal and solemn. Your wedding should be fun for everyone!
Can music be played during a celebrant ceremony?

Yes, absolutely. Your celebrant can talk you through various music options. Why not walk down the aisle to a favourite tune or sign your certificate with live music playing? There are no restrictions when it comes to music during your celebrant ceremony so you can choose something that you both love and your guests will enjoy too.
If one or both of us have been married before, can we still have a ceremony with a wedding celebrant?"

Yes, of course. I will happily work with couples and families with varying circumstances and proudly embrace diversity.
Will we need to sign any documentation during our celebrant ceremony?

Signing documentation during the ceremony is not obligatory at all but many couples choose to sign a commemorative certificate which can then be presented to them in a beautiful keepsake folder. You can also choose to have ‘witnesses’ to join you to complete the signing, if you so wish.
How long before we choose to get married do we need to hire a wedding celebrant?

As for everything to do with weddings and to make sure you get your first choice, the earlier the better as it means your date is secured. Do remember though that there are some legal requirements for the paperwork for your legal "marriage" that you will need to bear in mind.
Would we get to write our own vows or would the wedding celebrant read them to us?

This is a truly personal part of the ceremony where many couples have clear ideas about what they want. Generally, there are three styles that can be used, the response “I do” that many people expect to hear, the ‘repeat after me’ vows and of course, personal vows written by the couple and then read to one another during the ceremony. Some couples choose to do a combination of these including both vows and promises. This would form part of the discussion about your ceremony and the choices are all up to you. You will have a beautifully bespoke ceremony, created just for you. Lasting and wonderful memories of your day, your way.