Nicki the Celebrant

Celebrants are not currently able to perform a legal marriage, and although the Marriage Act 2013 is currently under review, the quickest and easiest way to legally marry is by a 2+2 wedding at a Register Office.

You have a legal right to a 2+2 wedding, whereby you and your partner take two witnesses to the Register Office for a short (approximately 6 minutes!) service to perform the legal registration of your marriage. 

If this is a strange concept for you, then think about registering the birth of a baby - it would be somewhat odd to take 150 people along to watch, and it's quite normal to celebrate the birth at a separate ceremony.

Well, you could if that's what's right for you. A Registrar led ceremony is essentially a set script. You are then bound to get married either at the Register Office, or at a licenced premisis. They are not able to include any religious aspects, and you will not be able to include any rituals, such as handfasting. 

The benefit of a Celebrant wedding is that there is no rule book. We can do whatever you like, wherever you like, and take as long as you like!

With a Celebrant ceremony, we can include religious aspects and traditions, and blend different religions to represent both partners/their families. We can include a whole host of fabulous rituals, and really tailor the day to make it truly unique. There are no carbon copies with a Celebrant ceremony!

The short answer is no, although it is preferable that you are, and I would always strongly encourage this. 

If you are not yet legally married, the wording of your Celebrant ceremony will alter slightly, and although you can still say vows and exchange rings, I would not be able to pronounce you as a married couple, and I would only be able to declare your commitment to each other. 

If you are legally married first, we can include the whole shebang!

On the flip side - you are absolutely able to have a commitment ceremony without the legal marriage aspect if this is what you would prefer. 

Love between couples and families is love, no matter your age, sex, gender, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation. 

Your ceremony should be a reflection of the love between the individuals involved, and I would be honoured to help you declare that amongst your families and friends. 

Absolutely! For parents who have no religious affinity, many choose to call them Guide Parents, or Supporting Adults. You can choose whatever title you like, and we can include grandparents, siblings, step siblings, friends - whoever is important in your childs' life.

This is also a fabulous way for blended families to be involved, and we can include symbolic rituals to make it even more special too. 

Yes! The benefit of having a Celebrant led ceremony is that we can include whatever religious, spiritual or secular content you like. We can blend religions and beliefs to truly reflect your heritage. 

Of course! Whether you're planning a wedding, a naming or funeral ceremony, you can write as little or as much of the ceremony as you like.

I will be completely led by you as to whether you would like me to read it out on your behalf, or if you'd like to do this yourselves. We can build in contingency plans in case it all gets a bit much on the day too.

If you do want to write parts of your own ceremony, you will not have to do this unsupported, and I can help you along the way. 

No! As long as your original marriage was legally registered, then there is no need for a Registrar.

If you are not legally married, we can plan a commitment ceremony instead. 

Who doesn't love the opportunity to visit new parts of the country, or the world!? 

Yes, I will travel. Drop me an email or call me, and we can chat through your ideas.

The main difference are the parameters within which a Humanist will work. Humanist Celebrants will only offer secular or non-religious ceremonies. They have no religious beliefs, do not believe in an afterlife, and will generally not include any acts of worship, such as prayers, religious poems, readings or hyms. 

Civil Celebrants have more freedom to include religious or spiritual aspects. A Civil Celebrant may, or may not, have their own religious beliefs, but this is not expressed in the ceremony. Instead, the beliefs and values of the person or people involved in the ceremony will be represented in whichever manner they choose. A Civil Celebrant can include acts of worship, or equally can deliver a completely secular service. 

Once you are happy to go ahead with me as your chosen Celebrant, I will request a non-refundable booking fee.

This will secure your date, and I will decline any other enquiries for your chosen date. You then won't need to worry about me being booked up by other people and you can continue to plan your day with peace of mind. 

Yes, of course. The choice is absolutely yours.

Just let your Funeral Director know, and provide me with their contact details, and I will call them to advise that I will be taking the service. I will then continue to work closely with your Funeral Director to ensure your service goes smoothly and to plan. 

My fee for a funeral service is usually taken from the overall cost of the funeral, which you pay to your Funeral Director. Your Funeral Director will then arrange payment to me.

For any other memorial, interment or scattering or ashes ceremonies, contact me for a no obligation discussion and individual price.