What is a wedding celebrant?

A wedding celebrant leads your ceremony. As your celebrant I will help you plan and prepare a ceremony that is totally personalised and tailored to you. It comes with complete flexibility and freedom in terms of location, structure and content.

What’s the main difference between a celebrant and a registrar?

A registrar is a government authorised official who can legally marry a couple. They will conduct a ceremony that conforms to stringent framework and guidelines, with specific legal wording and a strict time limit.

A celebrant-led ceremony provides a more fun, meaningful, and original wedding for you and your guests.

Are you more or less expensive than a registrar?

The cost of booking a registrar varies, depending on your local council, the day of the week, and your chosen venue. My fee is in line with the average UK cost of a registrar-led ceremony at an approved venue. The difference? You get so much more - a completely bespoke, personal, and meaningful ceremony created just for you!

Is a celebrant-led wedding ceremony legally binding?

In short - no, not on its own. If you wish to be legally married, you will still need to take care of the paperwork (signing the marriage register) at your local registry office.

The best option is a ‘you and two’ ceremony, where you and your two witnesses sign your marriage documents. It’s a quick and inexpensive process (my local registry office charges £68.50) and can be done in the weeks or days leading up to your wedding. Some couples choose to make a day of it by getting dressed up and having food and drinks to celebrate afterward, whilst others keep it low-key, signing on the dotted line and saving all the celebrations for the big day - totally up to you!

We want you as our celebrant but still want to get legally married on the same day, is this possible?

In theory yes, but it will cost! It also depends on your registry office and their flexibility of working with a celebrant. If this is a must, the most common scenario is a full celebrant-led ceremony at your venue, followed by signing your marriage documents with a registrar (usually during your guests’ drinks & canapés). Keep in mind, this means paying for both a celebrant and a registar, which is why most opt to handle the legalities at their local registry office ahead of their big day.

Where and when can we get married?

Any place, any time! That’s the beauty of a celebrant-led ceremony. Unlike registrar weddings (which are restricted to a licensed venue and very specific time slots), you can have your wedding whenever and wherever you’d like. You can stick with a regular wedding venue or perhaps go for something a little more unique - a garden, a beach, a woodland, a rooftop… as long as you have access/permission, I’m on board!

How long does a celebrant-led ceremony typically last?

This is totally up to you and what we decide to include in your ceremony, but in my experience, the sweet spot is usually around 35 minutes.

Do you officiate LGBTQIA+ ceremonies?

Absolutely! Love is love (and I love love!)

Can we include some religious aspects?

Yes (I love being able to say yes!) Another major benefit of a celebrant-led ceremony is that there are no limitations when it comes to what we can and can’t say. If religion is important to you or a family member, we can look at different ways to incorporate those beliefs, perhaps through readings or music.

What about writing our own vows?

Go for it! This is something I actively encourage couples to have a go at. Even if you're not up for reading them out in the ceremony (I can always do this on your behalf), writing your own vows comes straight from the heart, and nothing can capture how you feel more than you. I’m very happy to lend a hand with constructing vows (no additional charge).

Where are you based and what areas do you cover?

I’m based in Manchester but more than happy to travel - you’ll often find me in and around London. For ceremonies over 40 miles from my home (M32 0PR), travel expenses are charged at 45p per mile each way. If an overnight stay is needed, this cost would also need to be covered by you.

Are you insured?

Yes - I have full public liability insurance.