Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT CELEBRANT? An independent celebrant is a person chosen by a couple or a family, to create and perform their wedding, vow renewal, naming, transition, funeral or celebration of life ceremony. As an independent wedding celebrant I create a unique ceremony, that is full of the love and joy you share as a couple. Heartfelt and meaningful, it will be totally tailored to you and your wishes, making your Big Day super special and memorable.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INDEPENDENT CELEBRANT AND A REGISTRAR? As a wedding celebrant I get to know you as a couple, listen to your lovestory and deliver a ceremony that is bespoke to you. Your wedding ceremony can be held wherever you want, at a time of your choosing and in a style that suits you, giving you flexibility and freedom of choice. A Registrar will legally register your marriage and carry out your service in a more formal, less personal and standardised way, with restrictions on location, time, duration and content of ceremony.
IS MY CELEBRANT LED CEREMONY LEGALLY BINDING? Unfortunately not! Hopefully, this might change soon... However, most couples register their marriage by signing the legal paperwork at a Register Office before (or after) their celebrant led wedding ceremony. There are a few options around when and where you can legalise your marriage with a Registrar and how you would like to do it. For example, if your wedding is held at a licensed venue, you can sign the marriage register immediately after your celebrant-led wedding ceremony in a private room with a Registrar, whilst your guests are having their reception drink.
HOW DO I LEGALISE MY MARRIAGE? First you make an appointment with your local Register Office and 'give notice'. Thereafter, you can choose what works for you. The simplest and most cost effective way is to do, what some refer to as, a 'short-signing' and attend your local Register Office with two witness at the appointed time. I would say that most couples feel happier doing this before their celebrant led wedding ceremony and celebration. Another option is, if you are having your celebrant led wedding ceremony at a licensed venue, you can arrange to sign the marriage register in the presence of a Registrar immediately after your ceremony in a private room, whilst your guests are enjoying their reception drink.
WHERE CAN WE HOLD OUR WEDDING CEREMONY? You can choose anywhere you like... be it your garden at home, a field with a lovely view, a magical woodland or your favourie beach. Or, how about, somewhere with character, like a converted barn or mill, perhaps an elegant manor house or a historical castle, why not your local hall or pub?!
HOW LONG DOES A WEDDING CEREMONY LAST? On average, your wedding ceremony will take 30-40 minutes.
DO YOU HELP US WITH OUR PERSONAL VOWS? Yes, I do... sometimes a tweak here and there is enough, and I do offer you guidance and inspiration on how to write your own. But if you would prefer that I write them for you, I am happy to do so.
DO YOU INCLUDE RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS, CULTURAL TRADITIONS AND SYMBOLIC RITUALS? I will include any chosen element, tradition or ritual that holds meaning to you, and I will place it appropriately within the ceremony.
DO YOU DO SAME SEX WEDDINGS? Yes. My ceremonies are inclusive and engaging to all.
DO YOU DO DESTINATION WEDDINGS? I would love to do your destination wedding... if my diary permits! It will be priced accordingly.
WHERE IS YOUR BASE IN WEST WALES? It is on the border of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, close to the town of Cardigan. For ceremonies in the vicinity, I do not charge for my accommodation whilst there. However, all travel time and travel expenses from Nottingham to Cardigan and back, and to and from the wedding venue will be charged.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A WELSH SPEAKING CELEBRANT TO PERFORM A BILINGUAL WEDDING CEREMONY? Well, I fit that bill(!), and if you need me to travel further afield so you can say your 'I dos' in welsh, please do get in touch - diolch yn fawr.