FAQs
Who can have a vow renewal ceremony?
Anyone that has gone through a Wedding Ceremony, or commitment ceremony, a civil ceremony or has exchanged vows can decide to renew their vows.
What qualifications do you have?
A good celebrant will naturally have the skills, personality and attributes to ensure a relaxed and heartfelt ceremony, I have also trained with the Fellowship of Independent Celebrants (FOIC) gaining certification in the delivering of bespoke ceremonies to a competent standard.
Will I be legally married if I use a Celebrant?
A Celebrant is there to create a special and bespoke ceremony that is personal to them. You would still need to complete the ‘legal’ part of the marriage with the registrar.
Can I choose to go to a Registry office before our celebrant led ceremony?
Yes, absolutely, they will require you to speak the 32 word declaration and sign the documentation in front of your two witnesses, and you can save all the personal content such as the exchanging of the rings and saying your personal vows to each other in front of your guests for the Celebrant led ceremony. Many couples don’t tell family and friends that they have been to the registry office and the guests are none the wiser.
Do I still pay a fee at the Registry office?
Yes, but depending on your area this can be done for a basic registrar service, again saving all the personal content for in front of your guests.
What are the advantages of a celebrant led wedding against having a Registrar?
A registrar has to stick to an inflexible script and, whilst you may be able to include readings, you will not be permitted to have anything with any religious or spiritual content. You generally will meet the registrar for the first time on the day with the ceremony typically being around 20 minutes plus one of many on the same day. As a celebrant I devote time to get to know you and hear all about your dreams for your perfect service, I will only ever commit to one service per day to ensure smooth running of your ceremony.
How does that work for venues, do you need a licence?
A Celebrant can conduct ceremonies at any time of the day from dusk to dawn and at any venue even in your garden. When using a celebrant, your venue choice does not need to have a licence, so the options are truly endless. A Registrar cannot perform the ceremony outdoors (unless under a licensed structure) and is not able to offer rituals like a Unity Candle Ceremony, a love storey or a Ring Warming Ceremony.
Can I include my dog in the ceremony?
Totally, you can include your family, your children, your friends or your pets, a lot of dogs make great ring bearers.
What is the usual length of your ceremonies?
There is no time limit, a celebrant is there for you and you only, it can depend upon the number of readings and if you choose to include any extras such as ‘jumping the broom’ or a ‘sand ceremony’ but a typical service with exchange of vows and rings will average at about 30 mins but there is no rush and no deadlines.
Are you a Humanist?
No, but people do often get confused about the differences! Being completely independent, I can blend religious, secular, modern or traditional content reflecting your personalities and background.
Do you offer Symbolic Ceremonies?
Yes, these are hugely popular! Hand-fasting, the loving cup, unity candles and sand ceremonies are just some ideas for you to think about but there are many more that I can advise you on.
Do you offer Celebrant-led ceremonies abroad?
Yes no problem*, destination weddings are hugely popular, you can complete your legalities at a Register Office in the UK and then go abroad (without any responsibility of dealing with local legal requirements) to have the wedding you’ve always dreamt about. Get in touch and we can discuss plenty of options.
*This will incur extra costs, to be discussed at the time of booking.
How would you describe your style as a celebrant?
Potentially all my ceremonies could be described as ‘traditional but with a modern twist’, be it a wedding, naming ceremony or celebration of life they all can include familiar elements but every ceremony is created to reflect your beliefs, values and wishes.
I have written my own tribute for my loved one’s funeral; can I use it?
Absolutely, my role is to help you create a celebration of life and to honour your late loved one, you can read or ask me to recite for you but either way it’s important ‘your’ words are shared.
We would like a naming ceremony but can it include a prayer that means a lot to us?
Yes, a naming ceremony gives you the option to either include or omit religious content or a mix of both.
Why have a memorial service?
It could be you are approaching an anniversary or just something feels unfinished and although a direct cremation or funeral has taken place previously arranging a memorial service could be just the solution required to change that missed opportunity to pay tribute and truly celebrate a life.