How it all works for weddings:
Get in touch!
If you’re interested in talking to me, please contact me here and I’ll get back to you to arrange a Zoom call or a phone chat, or we can meet in person – whichever suits you better.
After that initial chat, you might utterly hate me and want to find another celebrant – that’s fine (I’m just saying that; it’s not fine at all, but what can I do?). If on the other hand you’d like me to conduct your wedding then you can secure my services with a non-refundable deposit of £250 (the remainder of the fee is payable 1 week before the wedding date).
Questions, questions, questions…
Once the deposit is paid I will send you a questionnaire designed to get all the important bits of information out of the way, as well as finding out what you might want to incorporate in your wedding – who you would like to do the readings, for example, and any symbolic gestures you want to incorporate.
Writing your story
The next phase involves us meeting up again, in person or via Zoom, so you can tell me your love story. It’s always better if both of you are there and involved in telling your stories – particularly if you each have different versions! – but if that’s impossible to arrange then I can meet with you individually. If there are people that you are happy for me to contact, in order for them to add some ‘contextual background to your story’, let’s say (yes, I absolutely mean for them to tell tales on you), then here’s when you identify them and hand over their contact details.
Then I hide away and write your love story, while you choose your readings and music and write your vows. All of which sounds easy but can be quite daunting for some, so I’m more than happy to provide suggestions for the readings and music. I’m also happy to help you with your vows, if you can’t find the right words.
Script approval
Eventually I’ll produce a script for the wedding which you’ll be sent for approval. I’m really not precious about my work so if there are things you want to add or amend then I’ll do my absolute best to incorporate them, although if it’s less than a month before the wedding day I can’t promise anything. Once the script is signed off by you, it’s put to one side whilst you concentrate on everything else!
Rehearsal
I always recommend a rehearsal just before the day itself, to calm the nerves and help the key people get a good sense of what they are going to be doing on the day. We go through the ceremony from start to finish and read everything out loud (EXCEPT THE VOWS! They are secret until The Big Day!). The best rehearsals take place at the venue itself, ideally the day beforehand, because most of the key people will be available and the venue might already be set up. It’s also a great way of practicing any symbolic gestures you might be incorporating. We can also do the rehearsal by Zoom if things get in the way of a rehearsal at the location. The odd last-minute tweak frequently crops up – it doesn’t matter, the point is to make everything perfect for you both.
NB: I should point out that if you’re shy and find the concept of saying your vows out loud in front of others to be too terrifying for words, then we can easily accommodate that and turn your vows into statements or questions for me (or someone else) to read out, with you responding appropriately. The last thing anyone wants is for either of you to be dreading any part of your wedding day – we can work around anything that gets in our way!
The Big Day
On The Big Day (and yes, it deserves capital letters), I’ll arrive early to make sure your ceremony runs as smoothly as possible. I’ll coordinate with the venue, the photographer, the wedding planner, the readers (for whom I will bring printed copies of their chosen piece) and the musicians (or whoever is co-ordinating the music). Of course I’ll be on hand to support everyone in the wedding party and – very importantly! – to reassure you both! And finally, we’ll all take part in your beautiful and unique wedding ceremony, one which will perfectly set the tone for the rest of your Big Happy Day…and your Big Happy Marriage!