If you use a Wedding Celebrant to conduct your ceremony it gives you the freedom to have a ceremony which is totally personalised to your own life story, journey and togetherness, and to look to the wonderful future ahead of you.

There are restrictions placed on ceremonies taking place in a church, register office and licensed venues that use a Registrar, but if you use an independent celebrant you can do things your way.

You can write your own vows to each other, and exchange rings, encourage family participation. Choose memorable music and poems. It is your special day - create your memories with your family and friends, in a romantic location personal to you. We will ensure that your bespoke ceremony will be one to remember.

You may be non-religious, or perhaps were religious in the past, so we could incorporate a spiritual approach if you wish to have one.

You may have your own ideas of incorporating rituals and symbolism into your ceremony, but if required, (we can discuss in more detail), you could include the following if you feel you would like something different:

If you choose to use a celebrant, you will have a very personal ceremony.

However, to make the marriage legal you will also have a wedding ceremony at your Register Office. You will have a short official ceremony which will be conducted by a Superintendent Registrar, and the Deputy Registrar will register your wedding making it official and legal, which will include:

1. The "Declaratory words" - I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment, why I (your name) may not be joined in matrimony, to (partners name).
2. The "Contractual words" - I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I (your name), do take thee (partners name), to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband).
3. You will be required to sign the Register.
4. You will also need two witnesses at the service.
5. You will then be issued you with your Wedding Certificate.

To legally be married, you will have to give notice at the Register Office. Notice for all marriages must be given in the 12 month period prior to the date of the marriage. You must submit your notice early enough to allow the registrar to make sure both parties are free to marry one another.

Normally, notices should be with the registrar about eight weeks before the marriage, but if either of you have been married before, the notices should be with the registrar ten weeks before.

The minimum period is 28 days before the date of the proposed marriage, but if you leave things as late as this you could be faced with the need to postpone your marriage.

Why choose a celebrant and not a local authority registrar?

• Your perfect venue may not have a civil marriage license, so council registrars would not be able to perform a ceremony there.
• Many couples are now choosing alternative, unusual places to exchange vows – their own gardens, woodlands, outdoor spaces – so their only option is personal ceremony with a celebrant!

Is the ceremony the same?

• A celebrant will write a bespoke ceremony script just for you – no two ceremonies will be the same.
• A personal wedding ceremony includes many different elements – your love story is told, you can choose symbolism.
• You’ll have the opportunity to write your own wedding vows to each other – I can help if required.
• Your celebrant gets to know you as they plan your ceremony, and you’ll feel comfortable and prepared on the day itself.
• A rehearsal close to the wedding day is included in our service – well, how else would we practise it.
• Every celebrant tailors their ceremonies to each individual couple, producing a very meaningful script. Some are intimate and brief, others longer and more complex but all will be personal.
• One of the main differences is that you can hold your wedding ceremony wherever you like and at whatever time you like.

Is the wedding legal?

• A celebrant-led wedding ceremony is not legal and binding – another way to describe it is your wedding blessing. But your guests will not know any different - unless you tell them!
• UK-based couples make their declaratory and contracting words at a register office before the big day with two witnesses and receive a marriage certificate.
• The ceremony that I create for you will be forever remembered as your wedding day, and personal wedding ceremonies often touch your family and friends very deeply.