WHAT DOES A WEDDING CEREMONY INCLUDE?

A ceremony is usually built around an exchange of promises or vows between partners, made in front of witnesses.

It might also include any of the following;

• Staged entrance of the couple
• Use of and inclusion of supporters e.g. family, bridesmaids, best man.
• Music – live or recorded
• Readings – poetry, prose
• The couple’s story.
• Symbolic acts – e.g. exchange of rings/tokens, lighting of candles
• Contracting vows/promises
• Public witnessing by the gathering
• Presentation of the married couple
• Staged exit of the couple

ARE HUMANIST WEDDING CEREMONIES LEGALLY BINDING?

In England and Wales, at present humanist ceremonies carry no legal status and you would need also to engage the services of a registrar to legally certify the marriage.   Most people do this in advance of the big day, and it can cost as little as £56.  in LIVERPOOL, the cheapest statutory ceremony at the registry office is before 11am Mon – Thurs and currently costs £68.50

WHY CHOOSE A HUMANIST CEREMONY THEN?

Almost all couples choose to have a humanist ceremony because they have the opportunity to create a unique and memorable ceremony that is personalized and specific to their story and family.  A registrar ceremony at a licensed venue in LIVERPOOL right now costs as much as £565 at peak times with little or no time taken to make the ceremony personalised.  Put bluntly a humanist ceremony gives you far more for your comparative buck!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

My fee for weddings is currently set at £650.

This is for a personal ceremony (lasting between 20 and 40 minutes) and delivered at a venue within a 30-mile radius of the city centre.   [Ceremonies further afield may be subject to a negotiated additional travel or accommodation cost but this will be discussed at and then included in a final fixed quote following a first meeting.]

A deposit of £200 is required on mutual agreement to proceed which secures your chosen date in my ceremonies calendar.

The balance is due three weeks before the ceremony date.

WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE?

This includes:

• A first no-fee, no commitment meeting (usually online) to discuss your requirements.
• A subsequent final fixed quote on agreement to proceed.
• Securing of your chosen date exclusively in my calendar.
• An extended first meeting (live or online) to discuss content and shape of the ceremony.
• Experienced advice on suggestions for music and readings.
• Consultation process and design of ceremony.
• Drafting and re-drafting of script by e-mail as many times as necessary.
• Rehearsal with key participants, if deemed necessary.
• Live delivery of ceremony by highly experienced and skilled celebrant.
• Copy of presentation script following the ceremony itself.
• Assurance of quality through accreditation status, including public liability and indemnity insurance plus a network of celebrants able to stand-in in the event of my sudden incapacity.

WHAT NEXT?

Please contact me asap to arrange the first no-fee, no obligation meeting to discuss your requirements.   nickpcelebrant@gmail.com