I often get asked how this all works, so here is my particular way of working:

1: CONTACT ME

Obviously the first step is to get in touch! This must be why you are here! Maybe you were browsing, or found me on one of the industry websites for weddings. So step one is done!

2: ASK FOR INFORMATION

Usually I will email you back or we might meet at a wedding fair in which case we will have spent some time chatting. At this point you decide whether you are interested in taking things further, so we get to step 3.

3: ARRANGE A MEETING

This is often done online to fit in with everybody’s diaries. (My preferred medium is through Zoom so we can see each other, and I can share things). This way we can have a chat and I can show some examples of my writing and talk everybody through the rest of the process. You may then prefer to work with somebody else in which case, we part company.

4: BOOK ME

You decide we are a good fit and book me. I send you a contract setting out our agreement and ask for a 40% deposit (of the final fee). I am flexible about payments and we agree how that is paid. In this day and age, we all need that flexibility and understanding. If for any reason the ceremony has to be cancelled, I will return the majority of your deposit, although I ask for a small portion of it for having saved the date and any work already done. (Usually about £125). You now get access to files about the structure of the ceremony, options and tips for outdoor ceremonies, sample vows, poetry and reading ideas, symbolic rituals – these are all stored on my Dropbox account. I send you my questionnnaire and set some deadlines

5: QUESTIONNAIRE RETURN AND DRAFTS

You will have some time to fill in my questionnaire which allows me to get to know you better and then you send it back to me either by the deadline, or earlier if you wish. I then begin the process of writing a draft script so you can see what I am going to include and how I style it. Early on, I send you an idea of my work in progress. Some couples like to see every word I am writing, others prefer to see the outline and trust me to provide some spontaneous additional wording. From now on we communicate regarding the ‘script’ and you have input and decisions on content.

A word of advice here. When we write something to be read in our head we actually write one way; when we write something to be read out loud, we write differently. If you have ever tried to make something flow when it is written for the former, you will know what I am talking about! My writing is meant to be read aloud and so will be less formal than here for example.

6: MUSIC, READINGS AND CERTIFICATE CHOICES

There will be decisions to be made about what music and when and who will read the poems/readings. I will always have a copy within my script so that if somebody turns up on the day having forgotten theirs, I have one available. (It happens and then people try and read tiny writing off phones in a pressured situation. There is no need!). Athough there is nothing legal to sign, some couples like a commemorative certificate and this moment of signing can be photographed (unlike the legal document). It makes for a nice picture and is another opportunity which allows important people to be included.

7: SIGN OFF CEREMONY

Once you are happy with the ceremony, I ask you to sign it off and this will be maybe 2-3 weeks before the day. At this stage I will also, where possible, have visited the wedding venue (if it is a public hotel/club etc), introduced myself to the team and had a look at the ceremony space. I work in a wide area, so that is not always possible, but I do my utmost to be familiar with your choice.

8: SEND ME YOUR VOWS

About 10 days before your ceremony, I ask you to send me your vows individually so I can keep them for you. I will check them over so they correspond in length and often couples ask my advice on how they sound. One groom asked further advice on how to speak his vows and how to make them flow better. He had in fact written wonderful words and we had an extra online session where I helped him speak more confidently and gave some tips on being loud enough. He also then asked me to look over his wedding speech and I suggested a couple of adjustments which went down well on the day apparently.

9: FINAL PAYMENT

I accept final payment up to the day before the event. I don’t want to hassle you with requests for money, so I send out my final invoice and trust you to pay it. I do not withold the script before payment. I do ask you to communicate with me. There are solutions for everything and I am always happy to work with a series of payment in installments. I do ask however, that our business is concluded before the dawn of your most special day.

10: THE DAY ARRIVES!

On the day, I arrive about an hour before your ceremony and check in with the team for the day and let you know I am here. I will have with me the all important script and also printed copies of your vows and brought along the certificate if desired. Of all the things that couples don’t process, it is that I will bring along the vows. I get panicky last minute emails about memorising the vows. Do not worry! I create a little booklet for you to read from! Some couples do like to get their own vows printed into a booklet with their colours, so it is your choice.

if you are having a handfasting, sand ceremony, quaich etc (see wedding extras), I will check the items are there and I also check in with the groom and best man to see if the rings are there. Yes, I have turned up once, and between them, the best man and groom left the rings in the hotel room, and not where the ceremony was being held. Fortunately it was just down the road and a crisis was averted.

I check the music set up with the venue or whoever is designated DJ or the musicians and then we are ready for your perfect day.