Frequently asked questions
Find below some considerations for your ceremony planning, however, not to be taken as legal advice
1.
What is the difference between a registrar and a celebrant-led wedding ceremony?
​​​In the UK, current law states that a couple can only be legally married by a minister of a recognised faith, or a registrar. Since 1995, venues can also be licensed for a registrar to perform a legal marriage service outside of a council's registry office. There are many to choose from.
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A registrar-led ceremony is generally short
(15 mins), low-cost, and straightforward. It's relatively formal as a legally binding event and requires a minimum of two registrars and two witnesses to oversee the delivery of the 'declaratory' and 'contracting' words for legal marriage and the signing of the marriage register.​​
SANDRA COLLINS | Celebrant
For many, a registrar-led wedding is an automatic choice and can also include vows, readings, and music. However, these ceremonies are constrained by time and, as an legal process, typically use the same scripted ceremony for every couple, (strictly excluding religious and cultural content).
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Alternatively, couples have the option to attend a registry office with their witnesses (known as a 2+2 appointment) before or after their celebrant-led ceremony to tick the all important box of legally registering their marriage as a part of their marriage planning.
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The advantages of a celebrant-led ceremony include having no time constraints. The day is booked for the couple to enjoy a personally curated ceremony with full control, making it entirely unique, bespoke, meaningful, and special to them - and with the freedom to include anything, anyone, and everything!​
An added advantage, is that the ceremony can also take place in a location entirely of the couple's choice, indoor or outdoor, crazy, casual or creative - and regardless of whether the venue is licensed for legal marriage.
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The couple will work with the celebrant to develop the ceremony, building a trusted relationship and ensuring an authentic, enjoyable and supportive experience, making the ceremony memorable for everyone.​​
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To combine both approaches, a registrar will, in some cases, agree to join a celebrant-led wedding (at a licensed venue), therefore incorporating the legal aspect into a broader content wedding ceremony.​​
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If you're uncertain about choosing between a celebrant or registrar-led ceremony, consider the options above and think about the content and location that you require for your ceremony, and the memories that will matter most from your wedding or vow renewal.
2.
Tell me more about my wedding celebrant choices.
An independent celebrant can include religious texts for readings and music as part of the ceremony content.
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A humanist celebrant follows strict protocols and cannot include any religious elements in the ceremony.
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Celebrant-led ceremonies can include traditional and ritual elements which maybe meaningful to a couple or just to add fun or participation for family and friends. For example handfasting, jumping the broom, sand rituals and spice ceremonies.
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Unlike a civil registrar service, which operates on an allocation basis, couples can choose their own independent or humanist celebrant, resulting in a much more personal and intimate ceremony experience.
3.
How long should we allow to plan a ceremony?
For funeral ceremonies the lead times tend to be short and are generally led by the funeral directors, crematoriums, burial grounds or circumstance. These can be anything from one to many weeks.
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For memorials, life celebrations and the interment of ashes (a specific memorial site where family and friends can visit and pay their respects) - there is no fixed time and families decide for themselves when the time is right. For the celebrant it's useful to allow three - four weeks or so to meet the family and have time to work with them to generate a meaningful ceremony.
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For weddings, vow renewals and other life celebrations, the ideal celebrant preparation window is three - four months.
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4.
How to book and confirm?
I dedicate a full day to each ceremony. Once the contract is signed and your deposit paid, the date is all yours.
5.
Are you qualified?
I am a professionally trained Independent Celebrant and a member of the International College of Professional Celebrants (ICPC). I maintain my continued personal development training and I am fully supported by this organisation. I also practise within the operating standards of the 'Funeral Celebrancy Accord' set out by Funeral Celebrancy Council.
6.
Are you insured?
Yes, as a member of the ICPC, I have public liability insurance through this organisation.​
7.
What happens to the ceremony if you are unable to be there due to unforseen circumstances?
This is an important part of my being able to provide a service where you can feel safe and secure that your ceremony will take place. I am part of a larger community of local celebrants and will always ensure I have a back-up professional in place for you.
8.
What are my ceremony choices after a death?
There are many options to honour life after death. Some approaches focus on concluding a life quickly, while others are more staged or long-term, allowing family and friends to grieve and take their time in deciding how best to memorialise and create a meaningful tribute.
All ceremonies can be led by a celebrant, clergy member, religious leader, or even friends and family.
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Here are a few thoughts to consider. With the support of a celebrant, each of these options can be personalised to reflect the wishes and beliefs of the deceased and their family and friends.
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Immediate:
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If the wish is to cremate the deceased. A funeral or memorial service can be held at a crematorium chapel relatively soon after the death and is typically arranged by a funeral director. Ceremonies can be booked for 30 or 60 minutes. Religious elements included in ceremony are optional.
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A direct cremation is when the deceased is cremated with no funeral or memorial service in the crematorium chapel and without an audience - though this can be arranged to allow family members to attend for a few minutes to view the coffin ahead of the cremation. Typically family and friends gather in an alternative location for a memorial service or life celebration at another time.
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A church offers a funeral service, followed by cremation at the crematorium as follow on, or burial at the church.
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A memorial service can be offered by a burial ground followed by a cremation at the crematorium as follow on, or burial committal at the graveside.
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With the assistance of a Funeral Director, families can choose to have the ceremony at their home or other location, such as a community hall, outside location or meaningful location, and some Funeral Directors can offer a ceremonial space at their funeral homes.​
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Staged or longer term:
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A memorial service or ceremony celebrating the life of the deceased can be held at any time after the death, allowing for more consideration and flexibility.
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Ash Interment is a staged choice for those who choose cremation, the ashes can be buried in a cemetery, or scattered in a meaningful location at a later date with or without ceremony.
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A living funeral:
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This is arranged as a celebration of someone's life with their involvement before their death. It is most commonly requested when a person is terminally ill, allowing them to participate in how they wish to say goodbye.
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The following two websites provide excellent insight and resources around life's end:
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'White Balloon'
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​'The Good Funeral Guide'
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