You may well have questions about what a Celebrant can and cannot do, as well as certain questions about different types of ceremonies.
The FAQ below are designed to try to answer the most popular questions, but if you have anything you would like to ask please do get in touch, more than happy to answer them.
General FAQ
Wedding & Vow Renewal FAQ
Funeral & Memorial FAQ
Naming Ceremony FAQ
Pet Ceremony FAQ
Whatever you want it to.
Celebrants are not bound or constricted in any way, so can include or exclude religion, spirituality and humanist beliefs all in one service, if that is what you want. Alternatively it can include none of these. Your service is your service. Our job is to pull together your stories, memories, hopes, dreams and wishes and create a customised ceremony created entirely for you.
Primarily weddings, vow renewals, funerals, memorials and naming ceremonies.
For non humans, pet ceremonies too.
This is not to say I don’t like to think outside the box with you – there may be other ideas you have that would include a ceremony and celebration.
Check out the Other CeremoniesOther Ceremonies page for ideas.
Based in the South-East of England, this is where we mainly work. This does not restrict me though. If I am right for you, I am more than happy to travel. I have attended ceremonies in Newcastle, Wales, Manchester, USA and Spain.
One of our favourite places in the world is Menorca, in particular Fornells.
My parents bought a property back in early 80’s and it has been my second home since.
The quieter of the Balerics, it offers cool bright blue seas on warm sunny days, and some cracking local gin with the offering from Gin Xoriguer (we bought many bottles to the UK for our wedding reception cocktail, the infamous Pomada).
Therefore, we are more than happy to work on destination weddings to the island, and this would be one international venue that would not need accommodation catered for (out of school holidays).
This depends on the ceremony we are working on together.
I tend to be more hands on for a funeral or memorial as during this time it is likely you will need quite a bit of support and guidance. For weddings, vow renewals and naming ceremonies you will guide the way and I will pull everything together for you. For pet services, our “clients” tend to be children, so I am very gentle in how I work with little clients.
If we have learnt anything recently, it is that video calls can work, and we all now know where the mute button is!
However, we need to know if we click and it is important that you think I am right for your ceremony. I think it best that after initial emails or calls we meet for a virtual or in-person cuppa. Our first brief cuppa is “No obligation”, I just want you to feel comfy with me. Cake is not a problem either!
To start off with, I will ask you a lot of questions. Sorry about that! However, your answers really dictate what I include in the ceremony. I pull your words together to tell your story and include relevant elements that reflect who the ceremony is about. It requires some chat, but isn’t all in one go.
What is your tradition? In short…you set the tone and I follow suit.
This goes for my attire too. Suit & Boot or Fancy Dress – happy either way.
If you would like religion included in your service that is not a problem. Perhaps you would like a member of your family or friend to read a religious piece of prose as part of your ceremony.
Ooh, you like me? Great! Sorry to be a bore but I do have to send you a booking form to sign, then once you autograph it, the date is yours. I will not work on any other ceremony for that date. We will then arrange a series of meetings to ensure we have plenty of time to get things just right for you.
Your ceremony is written for you and you only. I do not copy and paste, so there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. Whilst I would love to do my job for the satisfaction alone, the dog needs a constant supply of toys as she gets through them at a rate of knots!
Once you know what you want included in your ceremony we send an invoice with 50% payable within 2 weeks of the invoice date. This secures the date for you. We will not take any other booking on the same date as yours, which means that you have our total attention. The balance is due 4 weeks before your ceremony date.
Should your ceremony be booked for a date less than 4 weeks away, 100% will be invoiced.
When you look through all of the pricing, and we pull in any elements that you would like in your ceremony, you will have a total cost.
On top of this there will be mileage (‘Mileage Allowance Payments’ ) of 45p per mile for travel over 60miles.
Ceremonies within a 60 mile radius do not require an overnight stay. Ceremonies 60-90 miles may need accommodation. Ceremonies over 90miles will need accommodation the night before. We can’t have the celebrant running late 
A wedding ceremony is about love and is the most beautiful and amazing day a couple can have. Not a legal contract.
In short, a celebrant is a (formally trained) person who performs and officiates wedding and vow ceremonies and being independent of faith, religion and have total versatility to help couples create customised, unique ceremonies that reflect each person and their love for each other.
Currently celebrants in England and Wales do not have legal authority to conduct marriage ceremonies but this is in review.
Many couples will have a short and simple registry office service a few days prior to, or after, their wedding (think Don’t tell the Bride). Alternatively we can work alongside a registrar, or religious leader so that you get the full package in one day.
Maybe you have already done the legal bit and snuck off and got married abroad or in a small ceremony and now want to celebrate with you family and friends and include them in a fun, lively or intimately personal ceremony.
Literally anywhere you like. I must insist that you have landowners permission though, (otherwise that could make for awkward bit of entertainment for your guests). Other than permission you can have a ceremony wherever works for you.
We offer freedom! Your ceremony does not have to be in a licensed venue with a roof. You could choose your garden, a beach party, festival in woodland, your first date location, a place you both love. The choices are limitless.
Sure! This is your day after all. However, if you get stuck I can help you write them (or write them for you, I promise not to tell!)
I am totally independent, so offer multi-or-no faith ceremonies. I can also blend both of your beliefs into your ceremony using symbolic rituals and elements.
Elements are parts of the ceremony that you choose to add in, often representing rituals and traditional acts. For example handfasting, unity candles, blessings. Our best elements are the ones we create with you in mind. We can discuss suitable options once we start planning conversations.
Remember, this day is about you.
As long as it is legal and ticks H&S boxes, I am 100% supportive of thinking outside of the box ideas!
Love is Love. I do indeed.
The role of a civil celebrant with regards to funerals and memorials is to meet the family and friends of the person who has passed away, to gather information and details to create a truly unique ceremony for your loved one.
I also work with End of Life planning with clients direct to ensure their last party is how they planned it.
We will have to confirm funeral or memorial logistics first, but then we will go on to discuss your loved one.
I do have to ask a lot of questions about them but will be very gentle and patient, there is no rush.
I often find it helps if you are able to share a few photos of your love one with us before we meet to discuss the order of service and ceremony.
In a location that is comfortable to you, it is ideal that we meet with anyone who was particularly close to your loved one and is playing an active role in arranging the ceremony and reception.
Factor in a couple of hours for this meeting.
If you can have the details of significant events (birth, marriage, children, employment, keen interests) this will help guide our conversations.
Some recent photos always help to remember humorous stories or anecdotes that we can include in the ceremony.
Have a think on whether they had a favourite writer / poet / singer, and whether they had any beliefs or opinions on life and death.
By choosing a civil ceremony, you limit your restrictions, so I encourage you to be as creative and personal as possible. If you struggle with this, I can help you with ideas.
We can talk you through any elements that we think may fit.
Elements are parts of the ceremony that you choose to add in, often representing the beliefs of your loved one and to support the grieving of family and friends. For example, tree planting, lighting a candle etc. Our best elements are the ones we create with you in mind.
We can discuss suitable options with you once we start planning conversations.
Yes, there are no restrictions here. I encourage you to include family and friends if they are able to speak, and can advise of suggestions should you not have ideas to mind. Feel free to think outside the box, does their favourite song have lyrics that reflect them? Did they wrote anything themselves?
We are more limited with Funerals (burial grounds or crematoriums), but memorials can be held anywhere you like. I must insist that you have landowners permission though.
Your ceremony does not have to a licensed and could be your garden, a beach, a park, woodland, the place a deceased person loved. The choices are limitless. Also, your ceremony can be as long or short as you like.
I am able to offer script writing services as a standalone option should you wish to arrange your own funeral celebration.
The role of a civil celebrant with regards to naming ceremonies is to help you celebrate! I chat to you about the reason behind the ceremony and ask lots of questions to ensure we capture the spirit of the person to be named.
Literally anywhere you like. I must insist that you have landowners permission though. The beauty of a civil naming ceremony is that we offer freedom!
Your ceremony does not have to be in a licensed venue, you can choose your garden, a venue, a hotel etc. The choices are limitless.
This is quite common, and I think it is a great idea!
The first year of a child’s life whooshes round, so it is quite popular to combine a naming ceremony with a 1st birthday.
For older children and adults, having a ceremony on your birthday is an excuse for a double celebration!
It is unsual for people who choose a civil ceremony to adopt the term “God Parent” but in all honesty, the title you wish to give those you want included in your child’s life is totally up to you.
Most popular terms are “Guide Parents”, “Fairy GodMother”, “Honorary Auntie/Uncle” and “Odd Parents”.
What would you like to include? Most things are fine, I have few restrictions.
We can talk about various elements that we can include, and suitable readings to reflect the nature of the ceremony.
Elements are parts of the ceremony that you choose to add in, often representing two families, or symbolism reflecting the name change.
For example tree planting, canvas art, sand blending.
We will work closely to see if I can suggest something that suits your ceremony perfectly.
Gosh yes!
Many people see their pets as a family member, and as such we encourage celebrating the good times, as well as their lives when they leave us.
Pet Ceremonies are particularly ideal to get children involved in.
Normally tied into birthdays or gotcha days, celebrations tend to include your family and friends coming together with your pets family and friends.
Pets show us so much unconditional love, support and sloppy kisses, why not give them some presents and yummy treats in return?
I offer an opportunity to include a dedicated section of the celebration to your beloved pet.
I will meet with you beforehand and ask quite a few questions about your pet so that we can create a thanksgiving ceremony and bespoke poetry for your pet.
Hey, we all deserve love right?
If your pet has a special friend I work with all humans to pull together a short but very sweet wedding ceremony.
Ideal for lobsters!
Losing a pet can be a very upsetting experience.
You must follow the law with regards to death procedures, so I do perform more memorials than funerals.
I will work with you to gain an insight into your pets life, loves and friends, to pull together a ceremony that will support those who are grieving.
Pet funerals are particularly helpful for children and I encourage them being involved in the planning, perhaps with a reading, or a symbolic element during the ceremony.
For other ceremony ideas you would like to discuss, please get in touch for further information.