CONGRATULATIONS!
You have given your day some thought and are now looking for a personal and completely bespoke ceremony to be at the very heart of that day. A celebrant led ceremony can give you that. You are in the right place! What can I do for you?
Go through options around the ceremony itself, helping you refine a structure
Enable you to showcase your love for each other through my story telling
Enhance the guest experience through my professional delivery and ease of communication
Help you see who you can involve maybe through some of the symbolic rituals
Direct you towards suitable readings and music if you need the help
Share drafts of my writing at every stage so you can comment and edit to make it perfect for you
Help you write your personal vows and check they are about equal in length. I act as custodian of your vows so they are a surprise on the day
On the day itself I arrive early in order to make sure everything is set up and you feel comfortable. I am used to calming nerves and I keep everything relaxed and informal. Guests and couples alike comment upon my calming presence and my smile and infectious humour.
Don’t take my word for it, check out the reviews!
CHOICE: Your ceremony can be in any venue you like; whether it is in a licensed venue, in your garden, in woodland or on the beach
TIME: We spend time getting to know each other and, on the day, it is me who turns up, so you can relax knowing you are in good hands. I am not required to be elsewhere later.
PERSONAL VOWS: I encourage all my couples to write their own vows, this way they are utterly unique and inspirational. They can be touching and funny; they can have a spiritual element or be a simple declaration of promises. I help when you are stuck for what to say and guide you through any suggested alterations, until they are perfect for you.
HONOURING DIFFERENT FAITHS: I love learning more about different Faiths and finding ways to weave in the essential elements of each one for my interfaith couples. It has a wonderful synergy.
MUSIC & READING CHOICES: You can choose any style reading or any kind of music. If you want an ‘Ave Maria’ or a spiritual reading you are able to include it, or you can be completely secular. The point is, the choice is yours.
SPECIAL RITUAL ELEMENTS: Many couples and guests delight in seeing a handfasting ceremony, a quaich ritual or a sand element within the ceremony structure. It can add possibilities for guests to be included in a different way. I explain more on my wedding extras page.
UNIQUE QUALITY: As a celebrant I have been trained to deliver at an elite level. I am a published author and love crafting with words. I bring my skills from my background as a teacher and professional performer who has sung in many highly pressured situations, whether for members of the Royal Family or live broadcasts on radio and TV. In short, I have lived experience of delivering at the highest possible level. That kind of professional polish is tangible.
Please be aware that celebrants are not currently able to marry couples legally.
You will need to organise your legal requirements through the registry office of your choice. There is a statutory simple ceremony which may be hard to find, but which is required to be offered by law. You can do this either before or after your celebrant ceremony (most couples do it before, however make sure you give plenty of notice).
A registrar is not a celebrant and by law, they have limited options for you on the day. It saddens me to say that, recently, many councils have taken to suggesting that they offer the same service as a celebrant, with the added bonus of it being legal of course.
Quite simply there are restrictions imposed which means they cannot offer any elements that are deemed spiritual or religious and there are time limitations. On the day, you are not guaranteed your choice of officiant and not all registrars are comfortable speaking in public. It is not a requirement of their office based role, neither is thinking creatively or around a situation.
Your last minute celebrant!
I have sometimes been contacted by couples who, for various reasons, find themselves with their date and venue fixed and no officiant. I have calmed distraught brides and disappointed grooms. I am fortunate to be able to write with some speed and on each occasion have turned around the situation to save the day. While it is not ideal, it can be done, so if you are panicking, it is worth reaching out to me and seeing if I am available to help. The quickest turnaround has been 10 days! (That is not an invitation to beat the record by the way!).
LGTBQ+ friendly
“Thank you for the WONDERFUL ceremony that you conducted for us. It was a hugely special moment for us and very personally significant and meaningful. We really appreciate it, especially with you stepping in at such short notice.The ceremony text and delivery was perfect! Thank you! We had lots of people telling us that it was the most romantic/best wedding ceremony they’d been to”
“So I called Janet after a few issues with my wedding notice, and all I can say is wow. I was in such a state thinking my ceremony wasn’t going to go ahead, and she dealt with me in the most timely and professional manner, that all I can say is my day went more than perfect. Janet took time out of her busy day to make sure we spoke that evening, and she promised me she would make my ceremony amazing. She did more than that. She helped me with my vows, and pushed through a ceremony which normally takes months.”
“You really did an amazing job of celebrating our wedding at virtually zero hours notice. We loved how you managed to draw together all the elements of our lives in the service. It felt so personal and heartfelt. It was perfect! Many of our guests commented on how personal the service was and how special that made it.”
Janet is a three times Award Winner on Hitched
Janet is also a recommended supplier with these venues
