FAQs
It’s hugely important that you feel confident your celebrant shares your values and vision. I’ll invest time getting to know you so I can make your celebration significant, joyful and memorable. But first things first – let’s arrange a chat to help you decide if I could be right for you. This is free, and there’s no obligation.
I’m accredited by Humanists UK. That means I’ve undergone 3 months of training, passed the course and been observed at work by an accreditor. In addition, I am regularly peer assessed and have ongoing Continuing Professional Development to maintain my accreditation. I am fully DBS checked and have full Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance via Humanists UK.
A humanist ceremony is meaningful, non-religious and fully inclusive. It gives you the freedom to write your own content, whether that’s vows and promises, tributes, stories or poems. A humanist ceremony is always personal, and tailormade for you.
Not at all. Humanist UK-accredited celebrants offer non-religious and fully inclusive ceremonies – they’re for everyone!
Weddings
A humanist wedding is an opportunity to celebrate your love with your friends and family in ways that are meaningful to you. You can customise the event to your hearts’ content; hold your celebration wherever you like; write your own vows and promises; choose your favourite music; and include symbolic actions such as handfasting, ring warming, drinking from a quaich … the possibilities are endless.
Above all, a humanist ceremony will be written just for you – one that is personal, poignant and unique.
Not yet (although Humanists UK are working on it). As it stands, couples need to book a civil ceremony at their local registry office for their marriage to be legally recognised. The cost of this varies from council to council, although all offer statutory legal registration for less than £100.
No. A registrar is a government-authorised official who can legally marry a couple. A registrar’s ceremony conforms to strict guidelines, with specific legal wording and a strict time limit.
A humanist celebrant, on the other hand, can create a ceremony that caters to exactly who you are as a couple and include everything you want to share.
100%! Many of my couples choose a traditional ceremony that has a modern feel to it. You can include as much tradition as you like, and break from it wherever you choose. There’s no need to include extra activities or symbolic elements in your ceremony unless these have special meaning for you.
Absolutely, and if you like I can work on them with you – individually and together – to help you create something truly special.
For many people, the traditional Signing of the Register is an important part of the ceremony, not to mention a good photo opportunity. While there is no formal registry, if you’d like a signing, I can provide a certificate for you and your wedding party to sign on the day.
On average, my ceremonies for weddings are around 30 minutes, but this varies depending on the level of detail, the length of readings, symbolic elements, etc.
I charge a flat fee of £800. This includes all our meetings, my time to plan and write your bespoke ceremony, a full rehearsal in advance of your ceremony and, of course, my time on the day of your celebration.
I’m always happy to travel further afield to conduct ceremonies, but I may need to charge travel expenses. If this is the case, I’ll let you know before you book, so there are no unexpected additional costs.
Renewal of Vows
A renewal of vows is a ceremony to celebrate and affirm an existing marriage or commitment.
This could be for any number of reasons, but most commonly couples renew their vows to mark a milestone anniversary; to recognise challenges they have overcome in their journey together, or to reaffirm their commitment to one another.
No, it is purely symbolic and personal.
Often there is a re-exchanging of rings, a re-reading of former vows, or a reading of new ones that better reflect the couple’s shared journey. Nothing is prescribed, but if this is something you’d like, I will work with you to create a ceremony that is a true reflection of your love.
A renewal of vows can be very private, involving just the two of you; it can include family and close friends; or be a big and grand affair. It is entirely up to you.
I charge a flat fee of £800. This includes all our meetings, my time to plan and write your bespoke ceremony, a full rehearsal in advance of your ceremony and, of course, my time on the day of your celebration.
I’m always delighted to travel further afield to conduct ceremonies, but I may need to charge travel expenses. I’ll discuss this with you before we work together so that you can accurately budget for my services.
Wedding
‘We’ve had comments from people saying it was the best ceremony they’ve ever been to …’
Renewal of Vows
‘You were a joy to work with and we are delighted we found you’
Memorial
‘Thank you for making sure everything ran smoothly … and for the beautiful way you wrote about mum, so many people commented that it is exactly what she would have wanted’
Script Writing
‘We LOVE the script for our ceremony, it’s fantastic, made us quite emotional …’
Wedding
‘LYNN!!! We had such a wonderful day. It was exactly what we’d hoped it would be!’
Renewal of Vows
‘You captured the sentiment of our relationship so well’
Memorial
‘You have been terrific to work with over these past few weeks and we appreciate the way you helped us through the process in such a sympathetic and supportive manner’
Script Writing
‘We are in awe of how you wrote such a wonderful script for us! Thank you!’
Wedding
‘We feel so lucky to have had the day we did, thank you SO much for leading our perfect ceremony …’
Renewal of Vows
‘You made it so easy and such fun for us, thank you!’
Memorial
‘I was dreading having to deal with all this but your guidance and patience made the whole process so easy … it soon became a celebration of life we will never forget’
Script Writing
‘Thank you for the beautiful way you wrote about mum … it is exactly what she would have wanted’
Funerals & Memorials
I’ll support and guide you throughout the process, from planning and preparing to leading the ceremony on the day.
Together we will explore options for music, readings, tributes and poetry. I will then create a ceremony that is a true reflection of your loved one: respectful, warm, loving and poignant.
If the ceremony involves your funeral director, I will work with them to ensure seamless organisation of the day so that you can focus on the important things.
Most of my work is in the Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire areas, but I am happy to travel further afield.
A humanist funeral can be held in crematoria, cemeteries or burial sites. Memorials can take place in a more personal location, for example, your home or garden, a public space, a hotel or a village hall.
Yes. I always like to meet families face to face. If you’re in my area, I’ll come to you.
My fee for writing and leading a cremation or burial ceremony starts from £270. For writing and leading a memorial ceremony, it starts from £350.
Writing & Coaching
Absolutely. If you already have someone in mind to conduct your ceremony, I can work with you to plan the entire service, and create your perfect, personalised script for them to work from.
Yes, in my script-writing package, I include a session of one-to-one coaching with the person you have chosen. This is to familiarise them with the script, advise them on delivery and help them to be as prepared and as professional as possible on the day.
Certainly. I can work on them with you – individually and together – to help you create something truly special.
That is always my preference. I like to get to know my clients as well as I can because this helps me to create ceremonies that ring true to them and are deeply personal. It is not imperative, however. If it’s not practical to meet face to face, I’ll happily work with you through online meetings and phone calls.
I charge a flat fee of £600. This includes all our meetings or conversations, my time to plan and write your bespoke ceremony (vows included), and one coaching session.