Frequently Asked Questions

Firstly, a celebrant is an independent business, whereas registrars are employed by a local authority (for example a City, Town or County Council.) 

Next there's the legal difference: A registrar can conduct a legally-binding wedding or civil partnership ceremony; a celebrant cannot. (See below for more information about legalities.)

The difference between a celebrant-led ceremony and a registrar ceremony is the level of personalisation a celebrant can bring.  A celebrant will work closely with couples and families and build a special lasting relationship. It's this relationship that allows the celebrant to create a unique, personalised ceremony, full of depth and meaning. With a registrar wedding you don't get to choose who conducts your ceremony.

With a registrar ceremony you're limited in the content you can include, such as readings, vows and music. With a celebrant ceremony there are no restrictions, so you're free to choose whatever content you like.

Under English law, the answer  is no.  But there's an easy way to have your marriage or Civil Partnership legally recognised: A statutory ceremony at your local register office.

See the Legal Stuff  page for more information on statutory ceremonies.

Once you've done this, you're free to celebrate your marriage or Civil Partnership, wherever and however you like!  

One great thing about a celebrant-led ceremony is the freedom it offers in choosing a location. Your venue doesn't have to be licensed for weddings and can be indoors or outdoors.  I can help you to choose a venue and ensure that it is safe and suitable for your special day.  

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a venue, apart from cost and availability:

• How many people do you want at your ceremony? Will the venue safely accommodate that number?
• Is the venue easy to access? If any guests have mobility issues or sensory impairments, we may need to make extra provision for them. 
• If the venue is a family home, consider the time and cost involved in setting up. You may need to hire  seating, tables, tableware, glassware and so on. Think about who will set up and clear up afterwards. 
• If you're thinking of using a public outdoor space such as a park or woodland: If you're not providing seating, you'll need to be clear to your guests what they need to bring, such as chairs and/or blankets. Bear in mind that your ceremony will be on show to the public, and you could risk your event being 'gatecrashed.' There's also the weather to consider!
• Your venue should have somewhere to shelter from the elements - British weather is notoriously unpredictable! We could have snow in May, thunderstorms in July, and baking sunshine in October!  For everyone's comfort and safety, you need to have somewhere that provides shelter and shade. This could be a temporary structure such as a gazebo, marquee or tepee. 

You'll need to check with your venue about their alcohol licence. For a licensed premises, there are no restrictions on having alcohol before or during a celebrant-led ceremony, so you can have pre-ceremony drinks and a toast  during the ceremony if you want to. 

For outdoor public spaces, check that  it's not subject to a Public  Spaces Protection Order which  bans alcohol consumption. You don't want your big day ruined by a confrontation with the law! Your local council will have more information. Click here for information about Birmingham. 

I will only ever conduct one ceremony on one day (barring exceptional circumstances.) When you book me, you have me for as long as you want me on your big day. I'll get there nice and early to check the venue and make sure everything is in place. After your ceremony I won't be dashing off to another ceremony; you've got my full attention for the whole day if you want it!

If you want them to, absolutely! Involving friends and family  can help make for a really poignant, personal and memorable ceremony. They can perform readings, music, even a dance if you fancy it! And if you want your pooch to play a part, I'll positively encourage it. In fact I've heard of all sorts of animals being involved in ceremonies - sheep, donkeys, owls  - even alpacas! I draw the line at cats though; they're notoriously unreliable. 

Yes if you want one.  I'll present you with a commemorative certificate and script after the ceremony.  (Please note that the certificate has no legal status.) 

Yes,  I will be offering handfasting once I've completed the specialist training. It's a skilled process that takes time to master! In the meantime I can offer a simpler 'joining of hands' ritual ceremony.

You can say whatever you like! I can write as much or as little of the script as you want, and can help you write your vows if you want me to. One of the great things about a celebrant-led ceremony is the freedom of expression it offers you.

Of course, if you want me to! And who wouldn't want to?! 

Mind you, to keep things simple and inclusive, I'll say "You may now kiss." 

As well as baby naming ceremonies, I offer renaming ceremonies for adults who have changed their name, for example after gender transition or affirmation surgery.

I also offer welcome ceremonies for adopted children and blended families. 

No, the training I've undergone with Civil Ceremonies is specialised around couples and naming ceremonies. 

Absolutely not! The whole point of what I do is to make it about you. I'm all about celebrating human interaction and relationships. You're entrusting me with a significant event in your life and I will honour that personally. I'm a big believer in natural human intelligence, not the artificial stuff!

No amount of technology can replicate the thought process and skill involved in crafting a ceremony. I might ask a human to proof-read my script or to listen to me rehearse, but I will never go down the robot route! 

A minimum deposit of £200 is needed to secure your booking.

I'll agree a date with you to make the final payment, normally 2 months before the ceremony. 

After you've made the final payment I'll send you my draft ceremony script.

I can take payment through the following means:

• Bank transfer
• Debit or credit card
• PayPal

If you'd like to set up a payment plan to pay in monthly installments, I can arrange this. 

Ceremony fees include planning meetings, unlimited revisions of the ceremony script, email and phone support, as well as the delivery of the ceremony itself. Your ceremony can include a symbolic ritual such as a unity candle or sand ceremony.  You can provide your own materials for this, or if  you prefer I can supply them at cost price. After the ceremony you'll receive a  commemorative certificate and ceremony script. 

If you'd like to rehearse your ceremony before the big day, there is an extra fee of £100.

I can also act as MC after your ceremony, introducing your speeches, first dance etc. This is an additional cost of £100.

Travel outside of a 30 mile radius of my home will incur a mileage charge. For more details see the Prices page.