You've made the decision to use a Celebrant, now what? You're bound to have lots of questions. Here's some suggestions to get the conversation going:
Will you help us write our wedding vows?
Of course. If you need my help or some prompts from me, I’m more than happy to help. Writing your own wedding vows brings a whole new level to the ceremony. Publicly declaring your love for one another in front of your family and friends is a beautiful experience you will remember forever.
What kind of wedding ceremony can we expect?
Every ceremony I write is unique to the couple. We can follow a traditional structure or create something completely different. I spend as much time as needed with a couple in order to really understand them, their story and what type of ceremony they are after.
Can you include cultural rituals, symbolic rituals or traditions?
There are many options available to couples now and I am happy to work with you if there is a particular ritual or tradition that you’d like to include in your ceremony. Among others, rituals include hand-fasting, the sand ceremony, ring warming, unity candle and the rose ceremony.
Can we include loved ones in our ceremony?
Yes! Restrictions on who you can include in your ceremony have changed hugely in recent years. The old tradition of the bride walking down the aisle on her fathers arm is no longer a requirement. Families and couples are all different and the most important thing is that you include who you want in your ceremony. If you’re a blended family you might want to include children in a ritual to symbolise two families uniting, or you may prefer to be walked down the aisle by a sibling, or friend or alone!
Will we see a draft of our ceremony script?
Absolutely. We can either meet to go over it or I can send it through to you to proof and approve. Some couples like to be surprised by the ceremony which I am happy to do, although I will confirm any specific details so there are no errors or unexpected surprises. Everything is planned, agreed and signed off long before the big day.
It’s very important to me to get things right and I take the research part of the journey very seriously. That begins with my initial meeting with the couple when we will get an idea of one another and I will ask questions relevant to what type of service you’re after etc.
Next I will send over some questions for both in the couple to answer separately – this is really helpful and will form the foundation of your ceremony.
A month or so before the wedding date, I will send a provisional plan of the ceremony for review. We can make any last minute changes and finalise any decisions based on anyone participating in the ceremony.
What are your fees and what do they include?
Fees can vary depending on what’s involved, but as a general rule, my fees start at £850 for a full wedding ceremony. This includes all meetings and consultations, questionnaires, unlimited contact with me in the lead up to the wedding, help writing vows, and full script writing and approval.
Additional costs can include:
* Travel to the venue
* Rehearsal
* Use of a PA system
What happens if we cancel or postpone our wedding?
I take a 50% non refundable deposit upon booking and the final 50% is due approximately three months before the wedding, at the same time as you see your script. All details are in the contract and on my website.
When will you arrive at the venue?
I will be at the venue about one hour before guests are due to arrive. This is so that I have time to familiarise myself with the venue, go through the service and set up a PA system and any other props being used.
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