A celebrant registrar or registrar works for the council and provides the service where your marriage is legally registered (everyone needs to do this). You’ll select your date and time slot and choose from the set words available. You can select what’s called a ‘2 plus 2’ (you two plus two witnesses) and attend the registry office for this. (You do not have to exchange your rings at this point and can save this part for your celebrant led wedding if you prefer).

You’re unlikely to be able to choose your registrar and may not meet them until the day of the service. It will cost somewhere between £50 and £100 depending on when you live (in Norfolk, Monday morning is the cheapest but you’ll need to book it well in advance!).

If you choose to have your legal marriage at your venue, two registrars will attend and the fee will be different depending on the day, time and where it is so you should check the details about this with them. It’s unlikely you will be offered support regarding your vows or other elements you want to include so be mindful that you’ll need to do those bits yourselves. Yours won’t be the only ceremony in their diaries that day so you’ll need to stick to time!

A celebrant is someone you will choose, possibly months before your wedding, who will get to know you both to create your ceremony, tell your love story and include any personal elements you like. I will arrive at your venue an hour or so beforehand to check in with you and any other people involved, including your photographer for those perfect photos you’ve planned to have captured. I will create a bespoke ceremony, reflecting everything you want, with the romance, the laughter and the memories you want included. With the freedom to create any type of ceremony you’ve imagined, a celebrant can make your day the most memorable one to cherish.

You can have this ceremony wherever and whenever you like (provided you have the landowner’s permission) so if a field or some woodland is what you’d really like, you just need to ask them to get the go ahead! Regardless of the time you want to hold your ceremony, there will be no constraints with a celebrant so you won’t have to pick a time slot-you can have your wedding whenever you like! I won’t have another ceremony on the same day either-if you engage me, I will be entirely focused on yours!

There are a huge number of celebrants to choose from…you’ll only know if you like them by getting in touch with them and seeing if they float your boat. You’ll be under no obligation until you decide to engage them. If you’d like to get to know me as your potential celebrant, please do get in touch; let’s book a call and take things from there.

Yes I am. Whilst I identify as she/her, regardless of how you identify, who you choose as your partner or what your religious persuasion is, I will respect your views and ensure whatever your chosen ceremony is, it’s a reflection of you.

Well, anywhere! Although I’m based near Norwich in Norfolk, your ceremony could be anywhere in this country or abroad. Mileage is free within a 15 mile radius; further than this will be charged at 45p per mile. (I’ll ensure you are clear about any mileage or travel costs beforehand).

Absolutely! There would be additional travel and overnight expenses for any ceremony held abroad and I would need to set aside 2 or 3 days depending on where it is and how long the travel time is so I am at your venue in plenty of time. All this would be made clear in my fee which will be bespoke based on the location.

A humanist celebrant is entirely non-religious so will not incorporate any form of religion in your ceremony. A celebrant will include anything you wish in your service (at least, I will!)

Regardless of my religious views, whatever yours are, I am happy to include any aspect of them in your ceremony, even if it there are more than one!

There are different options, depending on your preferences. You can have a church service which will be mostly led by the relevant religious leader, with either a burial in the grounds there, or be taken to a crematorium after the service. Your family/friends can either accompany you to the crem or you’re taken just by the funeral director (the FD). Don’t worry, the team there and the team at the crem will look after you beautifully.

You can have a celebrant led service and whilst these are usually held at the crematorium or at a burial site, actually, provided you have the landowner’s permission, you can have it wherever you like! If you’re a farmer and want it in one of your sheds or on one of the fields, well ok! You’d still then have to go to the crematorium or to a burial site (there are certain legalities about burials on private land so you’d need to think carefully about that choice!)

You might want an ‘unattended’ funeral (sometimes called a direct cremation). Whilst there are companies who promote this, by choosing a local funeral director, you can meet them, discuss everything and be clear about what is or isn’t involved and you’ll be taken to a local crematorium which often isn’t the case with some companies that promote direct cremations as you’re taken to a particular crematorium which could be miles away from your home.

If you want something similar to an unattended service but not quite as low key, still with little fuss and maybe one or two (or even no mourners), you can have a service with a religious person or a celebrant to say a few words so you know you’re getting a bit more of a personal service. You could have a favourite poem read or song played. Again, speak to a local FD or contact me and find out what’s involved.

You might prefer an ‘attended’ service and these can range from a private service where it’s by invitation only. (The funeral service won’t be announced in the paper or appear on the FD or crematorium websites or show in the list of services for that day) or you can have one where family, friends and work colleagues can attend.

You can have a live stream of the service (this means it’s online and accessed on your laptop/computer or phone) for anyone who can’t attend in person to join at the same time, or watch it later (it’s usually 2 or 3 days after the service itself before this is available to watch online).

A celebrant will work with you (if you’re looking to plan something whilst you’re still with us-there’s no limit to how soon you can do this) or with your family/friend to guide you through what’s involved. You can have music, poems, prayers, readings, blessings…the list is endless!

The only thing to be mindful of is the time. A service is often about 30 minutes so planning things you’d like to include might need to be considered carefully to fit things in (that’s not set in stone but it is a guide to give you an idea). If you think a service is going to take much longer because of the amount of elements you want to include or due to the number of people who might attend, a double service might be appropriate but this is something I can talk through with you. If you think it’s going to be a large service, it’s better to have a bit of time spare than need to rush. Remember, it takes time for people to take their seats then leave at the end and you want the majority of the time to be the service itself, not mourners leaving and all waiting their turn to touch the coffin, have a think about either reducing the elements or increasing the time!

Cremation or burial?

You can have either. There maybe a particular crematorium you like and would prefer the service there or, if you’re choosing a burial, either in the church or at a woodland burial site. The funeral director or I can talk these options through with you if you haven’t thought about it or made a decision yet. It’s worth going to have a look at some to see where you think you’d like to go-you don’t have to go to the one which is nearest to you. It’s entirely up to you.

Oh yes I am! I’m both…I trained with the International College of Professional Celebrants and I also have the NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Civil Celebrancy in the UK.

Weddings start at £725 for my Ivory Package which includes:

· Our initial meeting where I’ll be getting to know the two of you, your love story and what you’d like your wedding to look and feel like.

· 2 further meetings which can be in person, in a coffee shop or somewhere you feel comfortable, or over zoom/google meets (particularly if one or both of you are currently overseas).

· Support with creating your vows so you can exchange exactly what you want to say to each other, with printed keep sake vow cards for the ceremony.

· Creating a bespoke and personal wedding ceremony.

· Changes to your script that you may want to make so you’re completely happy with the final version.

· Online rehearsal

· Liaising with your wedding coordinator, venue and photographer, making sure we’re all on the same page for your special day.

· Early arrival at your venue to check in with you and introduce myself to any other key people.

· Ensure everyone is settled and welcome your guests (with any key instructions you want shared) before you both take your places.

Silver package £770 is everything in the ivory package but including:

· A commemorative certificate to be signed during your ceremony

· A symbolic ritual such as a handfasting ceremony, (this does not include the silks or cords) a sand unity (this does not include the sand and vessel) or a ring warming/blessing.

· A rehearsal at your venue.

Funerals are £275. Ash scattering/interment is £120 (or £80 if I have conducted the service).

Naming ceremonies start from £350

Vow renewals start from 650

Other ceremonies can be quoted for on an individual basis (for example, pet funerals, business openings or anything else you’d like to celebrate!)

Frequently Asked Questions