Ceremonies
crafted for every season

Ceremonies
crafted for every season

Ceremonies
crafted for every season

Ceremonies
crafted for every season

Whatever the season, Civil Weddings offers personally designed ceremonies across Essex and Suffolk — from spring vows to winter blessings, always delivered with care.
At Civil Weddings, we offer both bespoke and pre-written ceremonies — personally designed to reflect your story, your style, and your preferences. Whether you’re planning a joyful summer wedding or a cosy winter celebration, we’ll guide you with warmth and professionalism every step of the way. Based in Essex and serving Suffolk too, we’re here to help make your day truly yours
Welcome to Civil Weddings
Welcome to Civil Weddings — where heartfelt civil ceremonies are crafted by an Independent Celebrant serving Essex and Suffolk. Every Civil Wedding ceremony is designed with care, warmth, and personal meaning, ensuring your special day reflects who you truly are.
Hello, my name is Chris Champion, Founder of Civil Weddings and a former Registrar.
I design and deliver ceremonies across Essex and Suffolk with a relaxed yet professional style — blending lighthearted joy with heartfelt sincerity. Couples often describe me as calm, reassuring, and attentive, and I take pride in creating occasions that feel authentic and memorable.
Whatever type of ceremony you’re planning, I will guide you with clarity and care. On the day itself, I liaise directly with your venue and key suppliers to ensure everything runs smoothly, so you can relax and enjoy the occasion knowing it is in safe hands.
Beyond my personal role as your celebrant, Civil Weddings is built on the belief that every ceremony should feel truly yours — a celebration of your values, your story, and your vision.
Celebrant vs Registrar:
Your Ceremony, Your Way
Planning a non religious wedding in England or Wales? You’ll need to decide who leads your ceremony. Registrars provide the legal formality, but their ceremonies are fixed and limited. Celebrants, by contrast, offer freedom, personalisation, and connection — helping you craft a ceremony that truly reflects you. Many couples choose to complete the short legal process at a register office, then celebrate with a personally designed, heartfelt ceremony led by a celebrant.
Your ceremony should be the heart of your wedding day — not just a legal formality. Make it personal. Make it memorable. Make it yours.
Our Ceremonies
A Ceremony with a Difference…
A Lifetime of Memories…
Your Story, Your Celebration…
Every ceremony tells a story – and at Civil Weddings, we help you share yours with warmth and meaning. Whether you’re celebrating love, family, or commitment, we’ll work with you to create the ceremony you’ve always dreamed of – one that reflects your values, your story, and your vision, so you can relax and enjoy the occasion knowing it is in safe hands.
Explore our Wedding and Partnership Ceremonies, Commitment Ceremonies, Naming Ceremonies, and Renewal of Vows Ceremonies to see how we can help bring your vision to life.
Personalised Celebrant-Led Ceremonies
in Essex and Suffolk
As Independent Celebrants, we offer flexibility and care in every detail — from the wording of your ceremony to the way it unfolds on the day. Our role is to make the process simple and stress‑free, ensuring your celebration runs seamlessly and feels authentic to you.
Learn more about our celebrant-led ceremonies in Essex & Suffolk and the heart behind Civil Weddings.
Why Choose Civil Weddings?
At Civil Weddings, we believe every ceremony should feel personal, heartfelt, and truly yours. Whether you’re celebrating love, family, or commitment, we offer a flexible, thoughtful approach that puts your story at the centre. Learn more about our wedding and partnership ceremonies and how we tailor each one to reflect you.
We’re trained to the highest standards as Independent Celebrants, trusted by couples and families across Essex and Suffolk. Our pricing is flexible to suit your plans and priorities — always delivered with warmth, professionalism, and care.
Based near Maldon, Essex, we proudly serve the region — creating ceremonies that are thoughtfully crafted, personal, and tailored to your story. At Civil Weddings, we’re here to make your special day feel seamless, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Ceremonies
Civil Weddings deliver heartfelt ceremonies across Essex and Suffolk — creating treasured memories with an Independent Celebrant you can trust.
Some Kind Words from Couples
Every wedding and partnership ceremony we create is unique — and so are the memories it inspires. Here’s what couples and families have shared about their experience with Civil Weddings.
“Chris was the best celebrant — on the run-up to the wedding we had multiple calls and he was always so understanding. He took on board our concerns and reassured us for the big day. On the day itself, it was like seeing a friend — he made us feel so at ease. You won’t be disappointed to book Chris!”
Lucy & Harley, married at High House, Althorne, Essex | 19 October 2025
“Chris is a wonderful person with a heart of gold and a passion for what he does. His regular Zoom calls kept us excited and reassured during a stressful time, and on the day he put us completely at ease. Our guests loved how sentimental and personal the ceremony felt. We’re so glad we chose Chris.”
Milly & Seb, married at The Coach House, Markshall, Essex | 22 August 2025
“Chris helped us craft the ceremony we wanted, blending formal elements with personal touches. He guided us through our vows, provided a full script for our translator, and even had backups ready when we needed them. On the day, he was warm, organised, and made our guests laugh — we got so many compliments.
We’re so glad we chose him.”
Alexander & Mingzhen, married at The Lawn, Rochford, Essex | 26 July 2025
“Chris offered the professionalism of a legal ceremony with the warmth and flexibility we hoped for. He met us for coffee, helped shape our vows, and even took photos on the day. We felt truly looked after — he put us at ease and made our ceremony personal and memorable. We’d recommend him to every couple.”
Michelle & Jamie, married at High House, Althorne, Essex | 23 September 2024
“Chris went above and beyond for us — always in touch, incredibly patient, and genuinely felt more like family than a service. The extra photos were a lovely surprise, and the whole experience was exceptional. Highly recommend!”
Eve & Andrew, married at Villiers Barn, Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex | 7 September 2024
“Chris was incredibly helpful throughout the planning process, offering advice and suggestions to shape our ceremony. Even with a last-minute location change due to weather, he handled everything with calm professionalism. We’d definitely recommend Civil Weddings!”
Hannah & Thomas, married at Captains Wood Barn, Essex | 6 July 2024
Video Gallery
A glimpse into real ceremonies, real moments, and real connections. These short videos offer a window into the care, warmth, and professionalism that define every Civil Wedding ceremony. From heartfelt vows to joyful celebrations, each clip reflects the personal touch that makes Civil Weddings truly unique. Watch more wedding and partnership ceremony highlights and Essex venue clips on our YouTube channel.
Would you like to find out more?
Let’s Start Planning
Whether you’re planning a winter ceremony or a summer celebration, we’d love to hear your ideas.
Get in touch to explore how we can help create a wedding or partnership ceremony that’s personal, memorable, and tailored to your story — and book your free Zoom consultation to start planning with an Independent Celebrant serving Essex and Suffolk.





