burning questions
FAQs
What is an independent celebrant?
The best thing about being an independent celebrant is that there truly are no rules! Unlike a Humanist celebrant, we are completely unrestricted, and free to include spiritual or religious content in our ceremonies - something I'm always happy to do.
In 2020, I gained my Level 3 Diploma in Naming and Couples Celebrancy with Civil Ceremonies Ltd, so I can meet people, be nosey with impunity, and create beautiful things for beautiful people!
Find out more here!
how do we book with you?
Hooray! I'd love to work with you, and hope you think I'm the right celebrant for you.
First, ping me an email and we'll arrange a time to chat and find out if we have that all-important chemistry! If we do, I'll take a deposit and the fun starts. I'll send you some questions to work through together or as a family, and then we'll meet in person to work out all the dream elements of your day.
what's included in the price?
I'm so pleased you asked...
Your ceremony needs to be perfect, so you'll receive script revisions as we work together to bring everything to life. You'll receive my support via phone, text, email, or in person throughout the whole process, and - if you'd like one - a rehearsal is included too. If you choose to have a certificate signing during your ceremony, this will be covered by the cost.
After your ceremony, you'll receive a presentation copy of your ceremony script for you to treasure forever!
what's not included in the price?
Depending on what you'd like to include in your ceremony, there may be a few add-ons, but don't panic! Everything will be discussed and clarified before booking, so you'll have no surprises.
Travel outside of a 45 mile radius of YO30 is charged at 45p per mile, and accommodation expenses may also need to be paid, but we'll discuss this ahead of time.
How does payment work?
For all ceremonies and services, I take 50% of the total booking fee (including any travel and accommodation costs), which will secure the date for you - I won't take any other bookings for that day!
The final balance is due at least eight weeks before the ceremony, and I'm more than happy to talk about payment plans.
Where are you based? will you travel to our ceremony?
YAS! I'm based in York in beautiful North Yorkshire, but will travel far and wide in pursuit of a good love story!
Travel outside of a 45 mile radius of my home address in York (YO30) is charged at 45p per mile, and for venues over 2.5 hours away, an accommodation fee may be charged. We'll chat about all this though, don't worry!
your ceremony
will our ceremony feel like a real wedding?
Yes! Surrounded by your loved ones, running away into the woods, or chilling out in your back garden, your ceremony will be a declaration of your love, in whatever way is most meaningful to you. Every step of the way, it’s all about celebrating you in the most authentic and personal way possible.
Can you include spiritual or religious elements in our ceremony?
As a trained independent civil celebrant, I’m not restricted in the elements I can include, and we’re free to weave spiritual meaning into your ceremony if that’s what’s important to you!
so if you can't legally marry us, what do we do?
When you're looking at doing something new, it can feel like a bit of a minefield - don't worry, I've got you.
As much as Registrars will tell you otherwise, you won't get the freedom and flexibility to be your wonderful selves with anything other than a celebrant-led ceremony. Every element can be of your choosing, and can be meaningful and joyful, without compromise! As such, a lot of couples choose to have their legal ceremony ahead of time at their local Registry Office - an elegant way of saving all the fun for your wedding ceremony! You can even mark the two anniversaries - keep the party going.
Find your local Registry Office here.
is it more expensive to have two ceremonies?
It really doesn't have to be!
Having your legal ceremony at a Registry Office with two witnesses costs around £50 (£46 at York Registry Office for example), leaving you free to save the rest of your pennies for your beautiful, genuine, joyful, celebrant-led wedding day!
