FAQs
What's the difference between a Celebrant and a Registrar?
Registrars are employed by the local authority and are authorised to conduct legally binding marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. They are also responsible for the administration of registering births, marriages and deaths. Celebrants are self-employed and conduct non-legally binding celebration ceremonies.
The most important difference is that with a celebrant you will have a ceremony that is unique and personal to you. A celebrant will get to know you in advance and work closely with you on the script. A registrar usually has a standard script and it is unlikely you would meet them before the ceremony day.
Can I include any religious or spiritual content in my ceremony?
Yes, you can. The beauty of having a celebrant-led ceremony is that you can have any combination of religious, spiritual and secular content that you want. We can work together on the script and the choices of readings, music or family traditions to ensure we get the right balance.
How do we choose readings and music for our ceremony?
I can help you! If you need inspiration I have a large selection of resources including readings, poems and music.
Is a celebrant-led marriage legal?
In England, a celebrant-led ceremony is not a legal marriage. However, many couples choose to separate the legal registration of marriage from their wedding ceremony, this allows them to have a ceremony that is unique to them. The legal marriage involves a short civil ceremony at a registry office where you will make your declarations in front of two witnesses and receive a marriage contract. Most couples do this during the week before their wedding celebration.
Will a celebrant wedding feel 'less real' because it is not legally recognised?
Definitely not, celebrant-led weddings are becoming increasingly popular as people want a service that is personal and truly reflects them as a couple. The legal part involves the formal process of signing a register and confirming your commitment in front of two witnesses. The ceremony itself is what makes your wedding so special.
Can we write our own vows?
Absolutely, many couples choose to do this as it adds a real sense of meaning to the ceremony. I can provide you with resources to assist you and if you need inspiration I am more than happy to help or make suggestions. You can provide me with copies of your vows so I can include them in the script and print copies onto cards for you to read during the ceremony. If you would like the vows to be left out of the draft script, so that they remain a surprise for the day, just let me know.
Can I have a celebratory ceremony at anytime?
Yes, you can have your celebratory ceremony at any time, certain times may incur an extra payment. Always ensure you have the permission of the venue beforehand
Can we exchange rings?
Yes, you can exchange rings during the celebratory ceremony. Or you may exchange different gifts instead, it's up to you.
Do we get a certificate?
You will receive a commemorative certificate, which will be presented to you at the end of the ceremony. This is not a legal certificate.
What is a Civil Funeral Ceremony?
A Civil Funeral Ceremony is about celebrating the life of a loved one and often takes place at a crematorium or burial site. You can also have a memorial ceremony, or burial of ashes after a funeral. The ceremony can be non-religious or contain religious elements such as hymns, readings or prayers. It can also include elements of different faiths.
How creative can we be with the funeral service?
There are very few restrictions on what you can have at a civil funeral, so I would advise you to be as creative as possible. Sometimes it is the additional touches at a funeral that create the most memories, and they mean you give your loved one the very best final farewell that they would have wanted.
Can we have Readings, Hymns, Music or Prayers at a funeral service?
Yes - there are no restrictions on a civil ceremony, and you can have as little or as much as you want.
What happens on the day of the funeral?
I will be at the venue waiting for you, and will have already liaised with you and your funeral director about the how we shall enter. The service, which has been agreed in advance, will then take place. After the service, I will be close by with your funeral director for a short while should you have any questions.
We are having a set colour for the service, is this something you can work with?
I would be honoured to incorporate any specific colours you would like, and would generally do this by way of a tie or top pocket handkerchief.
Is a Naming Ceremony a legal ceremony?
No, the naming ceremony has no legal status.
Can we include more than one child in the Naming Ceremony?
Yes, you can, and they can be natural, adopted or stepchildren.
Do we need designated people to act as Godparents?
It is your choice who you want to include in your naming ceremony, and whether you wish to include other people.
Does a Naming Ceremony have to be for a baby, or can it be for anyone of any age?
A Naming Ceremony can be for anyone of any age.
Registrars are employed by the local authority and are authorised to conduct legally binding marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. They are also responsible for the administration of registering births, marriages and deaths. Celebrants are self-employed and conduct non-legally binding celebration ceremonies.
The most important difference is that with a celebrant you will have a ceremony that is unique and personal to you. A celebrant will get to know you in advance and work closely with you on the script. A registrar usually has a standard script and it is unlikely you would meet them before the ceremony day.
Can I include any religious or spiritual content in my ceremony?
Yes, you can. The beauty of having a celebrant-led ceremony is that you can have any combination of religious, spiritual and secular content that you want. We can work together on the script and the choices of readings, music or family traditions to ensure we get the right balance.
How do we choose readings and music for our ceremony?
I can help you! If you need inspiration I have a large selection of resources including readings, poems and music.
Is a celebrant-led marriage legal?
In England, a celebrant-led ceremony is not a legal marriage. However, many couples choose to separate the legal registration of marriage from their wedding ceremony, this allows them to have a ceremony that is unique to them. The legal marriage involves a short civil ceremony at a registry office where you will make your declarations in front of two witnesses and receive a marriage contract. Most couples do this during the week before their wedding celebration.
Will a celebrant wedding feel 'less real' because it is not legally recognised?
Definitely not, celebrant-led weddings are becoming increasingly popular as people want a service that is personal and truly reflects them as a couple. The legal part involves the formal process of signing a register and confirming your commitment in front of two witnesses. The ceremony itself is what makes your wedding so special.
Can we write our own vows?
Absolutely, many couples choose to do this as it adds a real sense of meaning to the ceremony. I can provide you with resources to assist you and if you need inspiration I am more than happy to help or make suggestions. You can provide me with copies of your vows so I can include them in the script and print copies onto cards for you to read during the ceremony. If you would like the vows to be left out of the draft script, so that they remain a surprise for the day, just let me know.
Can I have a celebratory ceremony at anytime?
Yes, you can have your celebratory ceremony at any time, certain times may incur an extra payment. Always ensure you have the permission of the venue beforehand
Can we exchange rings?
Yes, you can exchange rings during the celebratory ceremony. Or you may exchange different gifts instead, it's up to you.
Do we get a certificate?
You will receive a commemorative certificate, which will be presented to you at the end of the ceremony. This is not a legal certificate.
What is a Civil Funeral Ceremony?
A Civil Funeral Ceremony is about celebrating the life of a loved one and often takes place at a crematorium or burial site. You can also have a memorial ceremony, or burial of ashes after a funeral. The ceremony can be non-religious or contain religious elements such as hymns, readings or prayers. It can also include elements of different faiths.
How creative can we be with the funeral service?
There are very few restrictions on what you can have at a civil funeral, so I would advise you to be as creative as possible. Sometimes it is the additional touches at a funeral that create the most memories, and they mean you give your loved one the very best final farewell that they would have wanted.
Can we have Readings, Hymns, Music or Prayers at a funeral service?
Yes - there are no restrictions on a civil ceremony, and you can have as little or as much as you want.
What happens on the day of the funeral?
I will be at the venue waiting for you, and will have already liaised with you and your funeral director about the how we shall enter. The service, which has been agreed in advance, will then take place. After the service, I will be close by with your funeral director for a short while should you have any questions.
We are having a set colour for the service, is this something you can work with?
I would be honoured to incorporate any specific colours you would like, and would generally do this by way of a tie or top pocket handkerchief.
Is a Naming Ceremony a legal ceremony?
No, the naming ceremony has no legal status.
Can we include more than one child in the Naming Ceremony?
Yes, you can, and they can be natural, adopted or stepchildren.
Do we need designated people to act as Godparents?
It is your choice who you want to include in your naming ceremony, and whether you wish to include other people.
Does a Naming Ceremony have to be for a baby, or can it be for anyone of any age?
A Naming Ceremony can be for anyone of any age.