Wedding FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below some commonly asked questions:

In short, no (although watch this space!).  Currently, a wedding or civil partnership ceremony conducted by an independent celebrant has no legal standing in England and Wales. However, what many couples who want the freedom to choose decide to do is to attend a short, formal service at a local registry office to take care of this legal aspect.  This can be done either before, or after, the wedding ceremony itself.  This process is not costly, approximately £50, requires two witnesses, and can be arranged with your local council.  No dressing-up required!  This then leaves you entirely free for the most important part – what and how you want your friends and family to witness when you ‘tie the knot’.  You can find more details here:  https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships

Not unless it is your wish to tell them!  If we get the content right then it’ll feel like it’s your ‘proper’ wedding both to you and to your guests too.

Unlike a registrar (who has to be ‘all things to all people’ and follow a legal script), or a Humanist (who won’t include anything spiritual or religious), an independent civil celebrant has no such limitations.  The wording of your vows (the most important bit!), all content, format, duration, style, participation of others, music, religious aspects (if required) etc. are all yours to control.  In short, anything you want can be facilitated (within reason and if it’s legal!). 

With the permission of the owner of the land or venue – practically anywhere!

Absolutely!  I want you to feel that I am the right celebrant to officiate on your big day so I would positively encourage you to contact me via the Email ‘envelope’ link on the home page or call me on 01244 649000 to arrange.  There is no charge for the initial meeting within fifty miles of Chester or if it is conducted via the internet.

It’s your big day and I know you’ll have a date in mind pretty early on and the more notice I can have the better!  That being said, please contact me regardless of the time frame and if I’m available I’ll work very hard to facilitate your dream day.

I believe that I charge a reasonable fee for my professional skills, and it is therefore not possible to lessen this worth and devalue the services that I offer.

Please see below some commonly asked questions:

Most celebration of life and funeral ceremonies (and burials) are organised through a funeral director and are conventionally conducted in a council-owned crematorium chapel and grounds.  Other alternatives are possible (such as at a family home, ‘green’ burial sites, at sea) and I am happy to discuss these with you.  

Memorial services (that can offer different emphases on the life of the deceased) can be held at a venue of your choice. 

This is certainly possible and is a special way to personalise the proceedings and bring comfort.

Crematoria have allocated time slots for each ceremony and are usually thirty minutes.  All my ceremonies are scripted to ensure that they are conducted with dignity and respect within prescribed time frames.  ‘Double time slots’ can be booked in order to allow for more time.  The funeral director will be able to advise you on availability of these.

Of course.  Doing so can actually help to alleviate the pressure and stress that is sometimes felt by your loved ones at the time of your passing.  I can work with you to put together a ceremony that reflects your wishes at any time.

I can arrange to conduct a scattering or interment of ashes ceremony in any location (subject to the approvals of the owner of the land or venue).  Fees for this start from £50.

There is no fee charged for an initial consultation meeting held within an hour's drive of Chester or via the internet or phone.  Fees for pet funeral ceremonies start from £150.