Celebrant Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married abroad?
Absolutely! In fact there are many organisations around the world specialising in organising weddings abroad. I can supply some names to you if you like.

We don’t like to wear rings. Do we have to exchange them?
Not at all. The exchanging of rings is a purely ceremonial act, resulting in an outward physical sign that you are married. I can arrange a number of lovely alternatives based on your lifestyles IE sand pouring, balloon/dove releases, fireworks and many more!

Do we have to wear wedding dresses or suits?
You wear what you are most comfortable in! It’s your day, nobody else’s. Although I wouldn't suggest wearing swimwear in December!

How much does a civil marriage cost?
The cost of your civil marriage will depend in your choice of venue, how far you need to travel to get there and whether you are having guests attend the ceremony. The fee for my services is £350 and includes as many consultations as you feel you need, certainly with at least one face to face meeting, 24/7 telephone support and guidance as well as the actual ceremony on the day.

This also includes travel anywhere in the UK. If I am required to travel abroad, there will normally be a surcharge based on where it is. Oddly, the ceremony can often be the smallest part of the job!

How long does the civil ceremony last?
The ceremony usually lasts 15-20 minutes with the exchange of vows and you may wish to exchange rings. If you wanted to introduce other aspects to the ceremony, such as poetry, readings or a special piece of music then that is absolutely fine.

Why do we need to have another ceremony elsewhere?
This is to ensure that the marriage is 100% legal. You can say to the Registrar that you are having your own Celebrant, but they have the power to refuse this. Equally, you will have to have the ceremony in a legally recognised venue, and this may not be where you want it to be.

Most couples tend to go off quietly with a couple of friends as witnesses and then have the special ceremony at another time

During the ceremony the minimum vows required to make the marriage legal are detailed below.
In England and Wales the statutory declaration is:

" I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, [your name], may not be joined in matrimony to [your partner's name]." followed by these contracting words:

" I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, [your name], do take thee [your partner's name] to be my lawful wedded husband [or wife]."

Everything else is ceremonial.

This just goes to show how much of today’s wedding ceremonies are prescribed according to the tastes of the governing body, rather than the couple getting married. So long as you have said the above words in a recognised venue in front of witnesses, you can do exactly as you want afterwards.

If there are any other questions you have, please don’t hesitate to ask!