Yes I am a reputable business, fully insured with public liability insurance.

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As a Celebrant, I write and conduct any ceremony personalised to clients’ needs.  

As a Wedding Planner I plan, design, obtain suppliers etc and co-ordinate your wedding day or event from when you wish me to start - that can be from the beginning, half way through your planning journey or booked for on the day only to coordinate everything.

As a Master of Ceremonies (or Toastmaster), I provide compere event host duties at a wedding, or reception, or other event ensuring everything goes to plan and timing, whilst ensuring everyone has a good time, knows what coming up, making announcements, so there is a smooth flow.    

Clients are free to book 1 of my services or more.

With my words I’ll help you make memories!  

Im creative, imaginative, emphatic, acknowledge traditions or devise new ones to retell your stories with flair.  Our journey together will be filled with laughter no doubt (and perhaps some happy tears).  I’ll help you write your special words with imagination, intuition that shows your sparks with such passion, where you’ll see I so love my job (which I believe is second to none!)

I champion equality, diversity, sexuality, honour all religions and celebrate every heritage and mixed couple beliefs.   Im trained by Institute of Professional Celebrants (now called ICPC) and am associated with them and The Celebrant Circle.  I’m award winning, and work to set of professional codes of conduct and ethics.  To read more about me behind the brand, please go to my About Me page.

Nowadays there are so many options available to you, it can be daunting, so I understand it can be difficult to decide when there is so much choice.  I can help you explore all possibilities clearly, so that you have a ceremony just right for you.

Yes of course. Choosing an Independent Celebrant means you can write all or as little of the ceremony as you like.  I offer to guide you when writing your own personal vows, or I can write them for you as many couples tell me they are unable to express their words or feelings onto paper. Our time together and my unique questionnaires, enables me to understand you as a couple, and write your words you want to express from getting to know you both.

Even those who are experienced in speaking in public, get nervous when it comes to their wedding – after all its emotional.   I can put your vows onto cards so that you read from them, and I break down those magical words when I ask you to repeat after me.  And rest assured, we will have built up great rapport together, and I will be by your side, reassuring you and calming any nerves or tension if they arise.

For those who dread giving a speech at the wedding reception, I offer 1:1 coaching to bring you confidence as well as help writing your speech.

No, you can have our ceremony together in licensed or unlicensed rooms for hire.  This includes hotels, museums, zoos, galleries, or somewhere special to you.

As long or as short as you want, as there are no set rules as I write it from scratch, so you wont feel rushed or bored. I am often asked to write a wedding ceremony lasting around 30 mins, but it can be shorter or longer.

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I love learning about different cultures and traditions.  Ive worked with couples from many faiths and ethnicities.  Ive incorporated Muslim beliefs, Greek traditions, Celtic rituals, Christian, Catholic, Turkish and Jewish to name but a few. We can do this in words or blessings from all religions or beliefs, and incorporate a range of cultural wedding traditions; from English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish and from international countries. I will talk through how to bring in whats important to you into your wedding ceremony.

If you wish to include any, I recommend up to 3 within a 30-minute wedding ceremony.  Read my blog with over 200 to choose from (from romantic, funny,child-friendly, about marriage, friendship, from literature and films) or ask me for my latest discoveries.  Or let me know if you have your own favourites, we can include during your wedding ceremony.

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I do not have any restrictions of any kind, however, its worth checking with your venue.   I work well with other suppliers, and happy for them to move freely wherever to get the best shots of your happy occasion.  And I aim not to photo bomb your kiss photograph!  

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Yes I love this ritual!  I like to use ribbons, rather than cords, as they hang better.  This special element is where ‘tying of the knot’ phrase comes from, and likely your ancestors took part in handtying before exchanging rings became popular, as a sign of their bond together.  And that’s what it is,tying of ribbons around your hands or wrists (along with some special words)and when you step back, the ribbons have tied and your guests clap!

Handfasting is one of the special elements I can incorporate into your wedding ceremony. Ask me about the others – Ive got traditional, and modern ones too.

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I usually arrive one hour before the ceremony starts and introduce myself to your guests, and the key people involved in your ceremony. I will check all our plans are in order.

I aim to say hello and dispel any nerves or tension and give you words of encouragement. You wont need to worry about where to stand, or what to say during the wedding, as I guide you throughout. Please be ready say 30 minutes before the wedding ceremony starts.

I will be suitably dressed to match your occasion, ensuring the attention is on you and not my attire. My wardrobe consists of formal, elegant, smart to casual in a range of colours. If you wish me to coordinate with your colours or themes, or you wish to see what I will be wearing, please speak with me.

I recommend you book me as soon as you know the date of your wedding to ensure my availability. Many of my clients book 18 months to 6 months in advance. But its always worth checking first about availability.

Occasionally and is dependent upon availability, so worth checking. I have cleared my entire diary before and written from scratch a wedding within one week, working a multitude of hours in those 7 days! However to be sure you have the date of your dreams, I recommend booking me in advance.

I believe with great quality, standards and the value I bring from my wealth of experience, expertise, and time I provide reflects and warrants the fees that I charge.  Being self-employed, I have business overheads and must pay tax and national insurance too.    

I can offer suggestions how to create a magical day that doesn’t break the bank.

As I’m a reputable wedding supplier offering more than one element (Celebrant, Independent Wedding Planner (from full planning to ‘On the day coordination’), Toastmaster/MC and Wedding Dog Chaperone Service), I will work with you to bring extra value, as my overheads will be less if you book more than one element.

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Church is religious ceremony, and often in traditional buildings.

Registry Office is non religious, often shorter more simplicity ceremony of pre-written script, do not get to meet Registrar beforehand or have rehearsal.

Celebrant ceremony can be religious or not as 100% bespoke - anything goes giving you freedom how you want it. If want to be legally married, just book to obtain certificate at Registry Office 2+2 meeting (around £57 takes up to 10 mins just repeat set legal words, no need to dress up or exchange rings or vows - its a way to separate the legal side) then have personalised wedding ceremony with celebrant - anywhere outside or inside, 365 days a year.

Humanist ceremony as celebrant but do not provide any religion.

Read my blog for further explanation

The law in the UK states the legal requirements can only be performed (currently) by a Religious Minister in a church or by a Registrar in an approved licensed wedding venue or government registry office. However, you can organise to complete the legal requirements in your local registry office before or after your Celebrant-led wedding. That way, you will have the freedom to create a modern, personalised wedding how you want it, rather than being told how to have it.

NB - Currently the Government are considering updating the Marriage Law Act, so legislation may change in the future. Hopefully they will look how other countries successfully have Celebrants performing the legal aspects, without having to separate the process.

Certainly not! Signing the register is simply signing the legal paperwork. In my opinion, the most meaningful part of your wedding day is the words and rituals you pledge to each other, declaring your love and commitment in front of your family and friends.

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No. A celebrant-led wedding ceremony celebrates your love and relationship, there is no need to legalise it if you do not wish to.

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Usually for most marriages or civil partnerships you have to give at least 28 days notice at your local registry office. You will pay them a small fee to do this, and they display your intention notice publicly in their offices for 28 days. To keep it simple and cost effective, opt for the Registry's basic ceremony (sometimes called 2+2) and pay another small fee - this is a simple way to obtain your marriage certificate. In this booked appointment, the Registrar will ask you to enter into your marriage contract by asking you to repeat a few legal words in the presence of your two chosen witnesses who have accompanied you, you do not have to exchange rings or vows if you do not want to. Many couples choose not to dress up to attend (its up to you), but opting for jeans and t-shirt is fine thus saving the dressing up to your actual wedding ceremony with your celebrant.

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Naturally the Registry Office will sell up on all their range of government services but to obtain the marriage certificate you do not need their full wedding ceremony, just the basic one. Even their enhanced full ceremony does not offer 100% bespoke personalised wedding ceremony, the Registrar and other staff are government employees and do not have the flexibility to write wedding ceremonies from scratch, unlike an Independent Celebrant who often will work with their couples over months, and really get to know them. Couples do not meet the Registrar beforehand, or even have ability for a rehearsal. Whatever enhanced ceremony you have at the Registry Office, the content is generic - you will be able to choose from their pre-written paragraphs to mix it up somewhat, and choose music, but this doesnt mean its a bespoke wedding. Your Independent Celebrant wedding can involve any of your friends or family within your ceremony, (or dogs!) include any rituals (modern or traditional) and include words about you and your love story, all of which a Registrar enhanced service cannot provide. Plus an Independent Celebrant can include any religion(s) or beliefs, where a Registrar cannot. Ultimately all Registrar weddings will have been heard before, which boils down to choice for all couples on how they dream their wedding ceremony will look, sound and feel.

Any postponement of the event will be honoured providing there is availability to do so.  Please discuss with me at the earliest opportunity if you are thinking of postponing your event, so that I can honour the request; otherwise cancellation charges may apply. If you wish to move the date beyond a 12 month period, may incur an additional fee due to reflect price increases.

If you cancel after 14 days of making your booking, you will not be entitled to receive a refund of the non-refundable booking fee. The contract is transparent which shows the cancellation terms. From 14 days of booking to the day of the event, there is a sliding percentage scale of charges from 25 to 100% which includes a pro-rata payment for work done including time, correspondence, administration, and for holding the date (ie turning down other bookings).

Not in the sense of what an Independent Celebrant can.  Many Registrars offer either their traditional wedding ceremony or their “bespoke” one.   Typically a Registrar's enhanced ceremony or bespoke package offers 30 minutes of:- 

• Vows (from chosen resource)
• Up to 4 pieces of music – 2 of those will be used for signing of the register.
• Exchange of rings

• Can be conducted anywhere ie inside and outdoors in licensed or un-licensed wedding venues, any public spaces such as beaches, parks, mountains, gardens in hotels, your own home, on a boat, in fact anywhere!
• Any time day or night, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Can include any religion(s), spirituality, other beliefs, or none at all
• Any music (and amount) and include sing-a-longs
• Any style ie traditional, celtic/spiritual/pagan, humour etc, wording, content (its all about you two, and your love story)
• Include any poems, references, blessings, stories.
• Any rituals*
• Vows (written from scratch by Celebrant, or couple)
• Signing of bespoke wedding ceremony certificate, including witnesses
• Include any guests or children or pets within the ceremony itself (if desired)
• Anything goes how you want it to look, feel and include!

These all point to forever love and harmony together, some celtic, some modern and can all be personalised to the couple and ceremony style. Please contact me for the full list

• Handfasting
• Unity Sand
• Rose
• Signing of certificate
• Exchanging rings
• Exchange of Vows
• Cutting Ribbon
• Jumping the broom
• Honey & Walnut
• Blending of Drinks
• Last Kiss, First Kiss
• Chinese Tea
• Unity Candle
• Ring Warming
• Quaich or Loving Cup
• Breaking the Glass
• Wine Box
• Oath Stone
• Bread, Salt & Wine
• Wish Tree
• Message in a Bottle
• Wedding/golden crowns ‘stegona’

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Yes, together we will create a wedding ceremony that is perfect for you both. We will talk about options how to make it different. Im experienced at involving children or other family or friends into a ceremony, so that everyone can feel involved. We can do this by inviting them to read a poem or reading, to being involved in a special element which is heartfelt and sentimental - plus great for photos too! Ive even written content so that blended families have become 'one' family unit within the wedding service of the couple.

Yes, all my services have terms and conditions and agreement, which gives you security of booking, and data protection.  

Each element will have its own agreement/contract. Its shows Im a sole trader, registered with Inland Revenue.  

At present I am not VAT registered.

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It’s very much like a wedding ceremony but it has no legal standing.  

Sometimes a couple will choose to have a commitment ceremony if one (or both) are still legally married and going through a lengthy divorce, but they want to make a spiritual commitment to their new partner.

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Absolutely Yes! I pride myself of my inclusive approach, and would be delighted to work with you to create your perfect day.

I live in Somerset, near Devon and work across the UK

Contact me urgently to discuss.  

Absolutely Yes but without the ‘cheese’.

If you want the truest spiritual pagan wedding, I will recommend you to a fabulous Celebrant who specialises in that field.

I can create any ceremony appropriate as you journey through life, for example baby naming, birthdays, weddings, blessings, pagan rituals such as handfasting, wedding vow renewals, anniversaries, moving home, coming of age, gender, change of name, divorce, funerals, memorials, pet funerals and officiating opening of new buildings/businesses to name but a few!

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Please contact me to arrange a free 30 minute consultation.  

Call – 07879-220046  OR email  

‍hello@alkcelebrant.co.uk

If you wish to book me, then I will send you a booking form, contract and invoice for small fee to complete the booking.