Frequently asked questions
Everything couples and families usually ask me, gathered in one place. If your question isn't here, just ask. Or book a free consultation and let’s have a chat.
Celebrant ceremonies, explained
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What exactly does a celebrant do?
A celebrant creates and leads personalised ceremonies: weddings, vow renewals, elopements, funerals and namings. I get to know you, gather your stories, write a completely bespoke ceremony script and deliver it on the day with warmth, care and confidence.
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What’s the difference between a celebrant and a registrar?
A registrar performs the legal registration of a marriage using a standard script at a licensed venue, with limited personalisation and no religious content allowed. A celebrant writes your ceremony from scratch, includes anything you like, holds it anywhere you like and is with you for the whole planning journey.
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Can we include religious or cultural elements?
Yes, absolutely. As an independent celebrant I can include hymns, prayers, blessings and cultural traditions from any background, or none at all. Blended ceremonies that honour two cultures can also be created.
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What training do you have?
I trained with the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, mentored by the wonderful Arabella Wilde, and my background as a writer and communications professional runs through everything I create.
The legal bit
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Can a celebrant legally marry us?
In England and Wales, not yet. You complete a simple statutory signing at the register office, often on a quiet weekday for around £60, and then your celebrant ceremony is the real celebration: the vows, the meaning, the moment.
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Do we do the legal bit before or after our ceremony?
Most couples do it a few days before, so the celebrant ceremony feels like the true wedding day. There's no rule though. Some do it after, the order is entirely up to you.
Planning and booking
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How far in advance should we book?
As soon as you have a date in mind. Summer weekends book up well in advance and more lead time means more scope for weaving in the special touches.
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How much does a ceremony cost?
Weddings start from £800 and vow renewals and elopement ceremonies from £650, with a 50% deposit to secure your date. Full details are on each ceremony page, presented openly because you shouldn't have to ask.
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Do you travel?
Yes. Travel within 20 miles of South Molton is included, then 55p per mile. I’m very happy to travel beyond North Devon with reasonable expenses covered.
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What happens at the free consultation?
We meet on a video call, share thoughts and ideas about your ceremony and ask each other plenty of questions. There's no obligation at all. It's simply a chance to see if we're excited to work together.
On the day
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Where can we hold our ceremony?
Anywhere. Barns, manor houses, gardens, private estates, beaches, moorland, your own home. Celebrant ceremonies don't need a licensed venue, which opens up the whole of the West Country to you.
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What if it rains?
We plan for it. Outdoor ceremonies in Devon deserve a beautiful plan B, so it’s best to always agree a wet-weather option with your venue in advance. Some of the most atmospheric ceremonies happen under cover with the rain providing the sound effects.
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Can friends and family be involved?
Of course. Readings, music, rituals and moments of participation make a ceremony feel like it belongs to everyone present. My Families Woven Together ritual was invented for exactly this.
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Will we get to see our ceremony before the day?
Every word of it. You get final sign-off on the full script, so the only surprises on the day are the happy kind.
Let’s find your golden threads
The first step is a free, no-obligation video call. We'll ask each other lots of questions, we'll share ideas and we'll see if we're excited to work together.
