Celebration Ceremony

What is a Celebration Ceremony?
A Celebration Ceremony is a crafted ceremony for couples of any gender. The ceremony usually follows your legal marriage or partnership formalities, either the same day or sometime afterwards. It can also take place before your legal ceremony if you wish.

With a Celebration Ceremony, you have complete flexibility to hold your ceremony anytime, anyplace, anywhere. For example, at a meaningful location, on a private estate or in beautiful outdoor locations.

In essence, this is a solution to many dilemmas, allowing you to plan your day the way you want it. A ceremony you always dreamed of to share your love for each other with your family and friends.

Are Celebrant-led ceremonies legal?
Sadly, no. Under the current Law, celebrant-led ceremonies have no legal status. The legal part of proceedings must remain separate from your Wedding or Civil Partnership Celebration Ceremony. A report has been submitted by the Law Commission recommending changes, and this is currently being reviewed by the Government.

Where can we have our celebration ceremony?
You can have your ceremony wherever you wish. There are no legal restrictions for this type of ceremony. You have complete freedom to choose your venue. The venue does not have to be licensed and does not have to be local to you.

If you choose to hold your ceremony outside, we suggest you have a backup plan in case of bad weather. Have an alternative location prepared under cover readily available to move to.

Your options are endless; if you don’t know where to start, we can help guide you.

Will we meet our Celebrant before the ceremony?
Yes, you will. The Celebrant will make a point of seeing you before your ceremony starts. We also like to meet couples for an initial free consultation, preferably via video phone (e.g., Google Duo, Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams or Zoom) with no obligation to continue, allowing couples to decide whether we are the ‘someone’ they wish to design and perform their ceremony.

Will my Celebrant help plan what vows the ceremony will include?
Yes, they will. Your Celebrant will talk you through all the options to personalise your service from start to finish through ongoing, regular communication. You can ask them to include important aspects to you or remove others from the ceremony script. You have total freedom with a Celebrant to ensure the words spoken on the day are what you wanted.

Will our Celebrant help with the ceremony planning, sorting the venue or the food?
No, we are only there to ensure your ceremony is delivered per your wishes and ensure the content you have chosen to incorporate into your ceremony script is correct. We do not participate in any other planning or preparation for your ceremony day.

Will our Celebrant stay with us for the whole ceremony day?
From a booking point of view, our Celebrants are booked for one ceremony per day, and you will receive their full attention. They will stay for a while after your ceremony to ensure everything goes smoothly. If you wish the Celebrant to arrive sooner and/or stay longer, this must be agreed with them before your ceremony day. The only exception would be if a Celebrant has been asked to cover for a fellow Celebrant who has been taken ill or for unforeseen circumstances beyond their control and is no longer able to officiate at a ceremony on the same day.

What are the legal requirements for getting married?
Under the current Law for civil marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales, celebrant-led ceremonies have no legal status. To be legally married or to form a civil partnership, couples must have a separate civil ceremony in the presence of 2 witnesses and 1 or 2 registrars’ depending on whether they are getting married or forming a civil partnership.

Further information can be found on our legal requirements page.

What is an approved premises?
An approved premises is a licensed venue registered with a local authority that is allowed legally to hold marriages and civil partnerships.

How long are ceremonies at a Register Office?
Ceremonies at a local Register Office usually take approximately 10-15 minutes. There is a set procedure with no room for any flexibility.

Do we have to exchange rings at our ceremony held in a Register Office?
No, the exchanging of rings is a symbolic gesture and does not form part of the legal proceedings. Couples often prefer to save exchanging rings for their celebration ceremony.

Do we have to write our own vows?
No, you do not have to. We can help you by supplying some suggestions for you to select from. If you have a change of heart and decide you do wish to try and write your own vows, we can provide some guidance on how to go about writing your own vows.

Do you allow religious and/or symbolic content in your ceremonies?
Yes, we are happy to include religious and/or symbolic content that has a special meaning to you in your ceremony.

What happens if there is no Registrar available for the date we have chosen, can you replicate a civil service?
Yes, we can, but you will not be legally married. Under the current Marriage Laws for England and Wales, a Celebrant cannot legally marry you.

Are we allowed to have two ceremonies?
Yes, you are allowed to have two ceremonies. Many couples opt for the cheap standard ceremony (‘statutory ceremony’) at their local register office. They prefer to splash out on their celebrant-led celebration ceremony, which can be held anytime, anywhere (except bungee jumping, skydiving, underwater, or on top of a volcano!).

How long are your ceremonies?
It depends on the content you wish to have in your ceremony. Some couples feel uncomfortable being the centre of attention and wish to have a short ceremony, while others may want more content. Hence, the actual ceremony could be anything between 15 to 45 minutes long.

We would like to have an evening (twilight) ceremony, is that okay?
Yes, we are happy to conduct an evening (twilight) ceremony.

Are animals or birds of prey allowed to be used to deliver our rings?
Yes, they are, providing a handler is nearby to deal with any issues.

Do you offer a Ceremony Rehearsal?
Yes, we do. If you wish to have a pre-ceremony rehearsal at your chosen venue, an additional fee of £50.00, plus mileage and accommodation costs (if required), will be charged for attending.

Why have a Celebration Ceremony at an unlicensed venue?
Having a celebration ceremony at an unlicensed venue gives you the freedom to move away from traditional restrictions for the following reasons:

• • • You want your ceremony in a private estate, or private garden, or on a farm.
    • You want the ceremony outside, on grounds overlooking a lake, in woodlands, by the sea, or maybe on a hill or a mountain.
    • You want to get married abroad but also want to share your wedding celebration with friends and family when you return.
    • You want your ceremony held at a particular venue, one that is not licensed for marriages or civil partnerships.
    • You want religious and/or symbolic rituals included that are not allowed by law in a civil wedding held at a Register Office or in an approved licensed venue.
    • You want to include spiritual, religious, or symbolic elements in your ceremony which have special meaning to you.
    • You want to invite more guests than can be accommodated in a register office or approved licensed venue.

What does a Celebration Ceremony typically include?
It depends on the type of ceremony you select. We offer two options:

A prewritten ceremony which only includes –

• • • Announcement of the arrival of the couple (individually or together).
    • Celebrant welcome and introduction.
    • Celebrant opening words.
    • One reading. For example, a poem, a popular reading, or a religious extract.
    • Exchange of rings and marriage vows (NB You may add your own vows if you do not like the vows included within the prewritten script).
    • Pronouncement of your commitment to one another.
    • Signing of a commemorative certificate (additional extra cost if desired).
    • Closing words.

Also included are the following:

• • • Pre-ceremony checks on the day – 10 minutes with each partner.
    • Conducting your ceremony on the day.

The bespoke ceremony includes –

• • • Working closely with you to create a unique and meaningful ceremony which has special meaning for you.
    • Preparation and writing of ceremony script.
    • Guidance on promises, readings, vows, exchange of ring words and symbolic rituals.
    • First draft review of ceremony script via email or video phone (if desired).
    • Amend ceremony script based on first draft review feedback.
    • Final proofread of the ceremony script via email or video phone (if desired).
    • A commemorative certificate (if desired).
    • Pre-ceremony checks on the day – 10 minutes with each partner.
    • Conducting your ceremony on the day.

The ceremony comprises:

• • • Announcement of the arrival of the couple (individually or together).
    • Welcome, and acknowledgement of any children (optional choice).
    • Celebrant welcome and introduction.
    • Celebrant opening words.
    • First reading. For example, a poem, a popular reading, or a religious extract.
    • Your story (optional choice) about how you met, your shared values and hopes for the future.
    • Second reading.
    • Exchange of rings and marriage vows (optional choice).
    • Additional promises and/or meaningful symbolic ritual (optional choice).
    • Pronouncement of your commitment to one another.
    • The signing of a commemorative certificate (if desired).
    • Closing words.

Optional extras –

• • • For an additional commemorative certificate – £5 each.
    • Pre-ceremony rehearsal in your home or at your chosen venue – £50 plus travel and accommodation (if applicable).