What is a Celebrant?

A celebrant is a person who performs personalised, flexible and creative ceremonies marking some of life's biggest milestones. As well as officiating at weddings, celebrants often perform vow renewals, baby naming ceremonies, funerals and other special occasions. Independent celebrants conduct ceremonies independently from any belief system incorporating religious and spiritual elements into the ceremony but only if the couple or family wish it.

At weddings, a celebrant will create a bespoke, meaningful ceremony. They do not have to follow templates or 'tick boxes' meaning couples will have complete creative freedom to make their day how they want it to be. A Certificate of Marriage is required from a Registrar before a wedding ceremony can take place.

For funerals, a celebrant host’s the funeral or celebration of life and officiates at the service. They help you plan an order of service to ensure it reflects how you want the person to be remembered. It might include poems, readings, tributes, eulogy, hymns and/or blessings, as well as how friends and family can play a part.

 

Can You Marry Me/Us?

As I’m already spoken for, then ‘no’ sorry (ha, ha!). Seriously though, if you want a legalised marriage you need to obtain this from a Registrar before a wedding ceremony can take place. It is possible for a Registrar to do the legal bits on the same day as your Celebrant-led wedding ceremony, if they are happy for that to happen. Either way, UK law dictates that the legal bit must be performed in a ‘licenced’ venue such as a Register Office. You need to check your local area to identify where else is licenced to perform marriages such as hotels, barns and golf clubs. After the legal bits are done, then you can choose wherever you would like your wedding ceremony to be carried out – the world’s your oyster on that one for example a beach in Barbados, back garden, on a boat or in a pub – your choice.

According to the Law Commission, the way in which marriages can be legalised is changing such that instead of the ‘location’ being the ‘licenced’ venue, it is the person (Celebrant) who will be licenced to marry and deliver the wedding ceremony. It is currently being discussed in Parliament so until the law comes into force, we still must comply with the existing UK law.

 

Who is the Guest of Honour at a Funeral?

The ‘Guest of Honour’ (GOH) is the person who has passed away. Celebrants tend to call them this because it focuses on the life that lived rather than using the term ‘deceased’, which other officiants tend to use that focuses more on the death of that person. Using the term GOH is in essence more of an endearing term as it pays respect to the life lived and gives the GOH passing, dignity.

 

What is the Difference between Essential, Classic and Select Wedding Packages?

'Essential' Wedding Package:

I will design and deliver a bespoke wedding ceremony for you to include:

  • Initial Consultation (via phone/video call/in person)
  • Questionnaire Completion (to gain couple’s love story/preferences)
  • Support with sourcing your poems, readings and music as appropriate
  • Drafts of Ceremony Script (up to maximum two)
  • Vows and Promises Template provided
  • Officiate at the Wedding Ceremony
  • Commemorative Signed Presentation Certificate
  • Follow up email with Digital Ceremony Script Copy

'Classic' Wedding Package:

I will design and deliver a bespoke wedding ceremony for you as ‘Essential’ above with enhancements of:

  • Pre-Wedding Rehearsal with Couple x 1 OR Pre-Wedding Venue Visit with Couple
  • Symbolic Unity Ritual x 1 (eg ring warming, handfasting, sand ceremony)
  • Assistance with Personalised Vows and Promises
  • Drafts of Ceremony Script (up to maximum three)
  • Framed Commemorative Signed Presentation Certificate
  • Follow up Keepsake Booklet of Ceremony Script

'Select' Wedding Package:

I will design and deliver a bespoke wedding ceremony as 'Essential' and ‘Classic’ with enhancements of:

  • Pre-Wedding Venue Visit with Couple
  • Pre-Wedding Rehearsals x 2 (including with involved family and/or friends)
  • Symbolic Unity Ritual x 2 or 3 max (eg wine ceremony, time capsule, custom rituals with props)
  • Unlimited Consultations
  • Collaboration with Wedding Vendors/Planners (for rehearsal and ceremony flow)
  • Personalised ‘Thank You’ Gift for Couple

Please Note:

More expensive items such as butterflies or dove releases, firework displays, bubble machines incur additional charges.

 

Are You Insured?:

Believe it or not, yes I am! It is with the Specialist Celebrant Insurance Brokers 'BALENS' of Malvern, Worcestershire and covers Professional, Public and Products Liability. Current policy runs from 29th July 2024 until 28th July 2025.