Liz Phelps – Humanist Celebrant

Weddings

A Humanist Wedding

“Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being the most wonderful celebrant and making our wedding day so special. We had many, many comments from our guests expressing the beauty of the ceremony, and it was hailed by most as the best they’d seen. You were a dream to work with from start to finish – thank you, thank you, thank you!”

One of the many lovely things about a humanist wedding is how personal and individual it is. It can take place in almost any location, daytime or evening, indoors or outdoors. It can be as dignified and serious, as romantic and light-hearted as you wish. You can write your own promises and vows; you can symbolize your partnership in whatever way would be right for you.

The choices are entirely yours.

My role will be to work with you to create and conduct a ceremony that expresses your love and commitment to each other in the way that suits your particular style and beliefs. Typically this might include: welcoming the guests; some background to your relationship; thoughts on marriage; friends or family reading texts or poems; your vows/promises/commitments; an exchange of rings and/or other symbolic acts; good wishes for the future.

How I will work with you

It is important that you feel comfortable with the person who will be conducting the ceremony, so I suggest that we talk first or meet briefly face-to-face, with no obligation, before you decide whether you want to go ahead with me as your celebrant.

My fee for 2024 will be £600 and this will include: a full meeting for us to get to know each other better and discuss in detail what kind of ceremony you have in mind; writing the script for your ceremony and editing it as many times as it takes to get it right; a rehearsal at the venue; conducting the ceremony; a presentation copy of the script and certificate. It may be necessary to charge travelling expenses if the wedding is more than 10 miles from my home address. These expenses are added to the final bill at 45 pence per mile. Throughout the planning and preparation I will remain in close contact with you by email and phone. Once you have confirmed that you would like me to be your celebrant I will ask for a deposit of £200 to confirm the booking and secure the date.

The Law

Humanist weddings are not yet recognised in law outside Scotland (although we are hoping this will change before too long), so you will need to go to a Register Office in the days before your wedding to deal with the legal formalities.

Renewing your vows

If you are already married but would like a special occasion to renew your vows to each other, all the benefits of a humanist wedding apply, giving you the flexibility to design a ceremony exactly the way you would like it.

Get in touch!

Do email or give me a call for a chat if you’d like to know more.

Where I work

I am based in Salisbury and work across Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset including: Amesbury, Andover, Basingstoke, Blandford Forum, Calne, Chieveley, Chippenham, Cholderton, Christchurch, Codford, Collingbourne, Combe, Devizes, Dinton, Downtown, Durrington, Eastleigh, Fordingbridge, Frome, Gillingham, Grateley, Hungerford, Kintbury, Litchfield, Lymington, Malmesbury, Market Lavington, Marlborough, Melksham, Mere, Netheravon, Newbury, New Forest, Old Sarum, Overton, Pewsey, Porton, Reading, Ringwood, Romsey, Salisbury, Shaftesbury, Shrewton, Southampton, Stockbridge, Sturminster Newton, Swindon, Thatcham, Tidworth, Tisbury, Trowbridge, Upavon, Warminster, Westbury, Whitchurch, Wilton, Winchester, Winterbornes, Winterslows, Woodfords, Wylye Valley and many other locations.
Local Colleagues

Ailsa Davies – Basingstoke Kate Domaille – Southampton Louise Jopling – Amesbury David Hewitt - Christchurch
Contact Liz

Tel: 01722 413741 / 07793 614508 Email: liz.phelps@humanistceremonies.org.uk
Who we are

HUMANIST CEREMONIES™ is a network of humanist celebrants trained and accredited by Humanists UK. We offer humanist naming, wedding or partnership, and funeral and memorial ceremonies for non-religious people. Each ceremony is unique, appropriate, and personal. Our skilled celebrants come from all walks of life and have great integrity, sensitivity and experience. Their ceremonies reflect these personal qualities and the excellence of our training.

Feedback

Feedback forms show that 97% of clients rate our celebrants' performance as 5/5 or 'excellent'. To leave feedback after a ceremony, click here.

Where are we?

Humanist Ceremonies™ offers non-religious ceremonies throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. In Scotland, these ceremonies are offered by Humanist Society Scotland.