Frequently Asked Questions

I am a former primary school teacher with 30 years of experience. I am now an independent wedding celebrant. I use the skills I developed during my teaching career - empathy, compassion, unflappability, adaptability, attention to detail and inclusivity to craft a script from your unique story and to deliver it composedly and confidently.

I live near Cambridge which makes it really easy to travel within Cambridgeshire. I am happy to travel within an hour or so from Cambridge which includes the border areas of the surrounding counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. I charge £1 per mile for venues outside a 20 mile radius from Cambridge.

A celebrant is an alternative to a marriage registrar or a vicar or other faith leader. We can conduct any ceremony you like, anywhere you like and at any time. We do not do the legal bits – those are arranged separately. (See below)

The least expensive way is to do something called a Statutory Declaration. This is the two of you and two witnesses in an office (not a ceremony room) saying your vows and signing the register. Job done. In Cambridgeshire, this is £62 plus £93 to give Notice to Marry. Other counties may vary slightly.

You may also choose the more expensive option of a ceremony in one of the Registration Service’s ceremony rooms.

Just think of it as doing the paperwork and then it’s over to me for your beautiful, bespoke wedding in any location you choose! 

This is the civil equivalent of having your banns read. It’s an appointment with the Registrar to show ID to prove you are who you say you are and that you are legally free to marry (e.g. if you’ve been married before you need to show your Decree Absolute). You can Give Notice up to a year before your legal ceremony and as little as a month and a half before. We recommend Giving Notice to Marry at least three months before your legal ceremony. You give Notice to Marry at the Register Office that is nearest to where you live.

Anywhere you like. Because it’s not a legal ceremony, there are no restrictions. So, in a premise that is licensed for weddings, or one that isn’t – how about a lovely barn, village hall or your own back garden… anything goes!

Yes. From a Bible reading to a Buddhist chant, I’m happy to facilitate.

Yes, whatever you would like you can have. Musical choices can include live music e.g. string quartet, acoustic guitar, live singer; recorded tracks from your favourite artists or even a sing-a-long with your guests!

Yes, again you have free choice. Readings can include poems, prayers, song lyrics, prose, etc.

Yes, you are encouraged to write your own vows. The vows are one of the key components of the ceremony because it’s all about what you are promising to each other in your marriage. There are different options for how to do these:

1. Written by you and spoken by you, and kept secret from each other until the big day,

2. Personalised statements to respond ‘I do’ to,

3. Personalised statements to say ‘repeat after me’ style,

4. A selection of the above.