Hello, I'm Emma and I live here in West Sussex with my husband, our two kids and (hopefully!) soon a puppy.
I am passionate about everyone being able to celebrate their Marriage or child's Naming in whatever way they wish.
I'm a former teacher with experience of working in parliament, retail and the youth service.
A collection of jobs that means I love working with people, I'm a great public speaker and I'm up for anything!
I will arrive a short time before the ceremony start time, to make sure that you are comfortable with the arrangements for the ceremony.
After the ceremony finishes you will be eager to start the celebrations so I will check that you have been happy with the ceremony and say my goodbyes before discreetly leaving.
It is really nice to grab a quick photo with the couple or family, or the decorations / cake and (with permission) share them on my blog or social media feeds. If this is something you are not comfortable with then of course I won't intrude on your day.
Gone are the days of a one size fits all ceremony, and many couples are choosing to break with tradition and have a truly personal ceremony.
By using a Celebrant you are able to have a ceremony that truly reflects you, your family and your lives together.
Short answer: no it is not!
Long answer: You will need to do the "legal bit" with a certified registrar. There are certain legal requirements in the United Kingdom that need to be performed in a Registry Office or licensed venue, so that a marriage certificate can be issued.
Other aspects of the ceremony, such as exchanging of rings and saying of vows is purely ceremonial and can take place anywhere you would like, at any time you would like! The only limit is what you and your partner or family have in mind!
I am a Civil Celebrant, a member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants. We differ slightly from a Humanist Celebrant.
It is important that you choose a Celebrant that you feel comfotable with and who you feel will deliver a ceremony that reflects your story.
Anything and everything - as long as it is important to you! That's the beauty of using a Celebrant - total flexibility and a very open mind.
After we meet and you decide to use me for your ceremony I'll ask that you complete a questionnaire. It's not as formal as it sounds! It's a way for you to get down on paper exactly what you would like from your ceremony.
Once the booking is secured I can use our meeting and the questionnaire to craft your perfect ceremony, then on the date itself I will conduct the ceremony in front of your friends and family.
You will then have a presentation copy of the ceremony to keep as a remembrance of your day.
With a Celebrant led ceremony you get a ceremony that is completely tailored to you, your story and your life.
Maybe you feel that the traditional route doesn't suit you? Maybe you are die hard Star Wars fans and want a day that reflects that?
Maybe you come from different cultures or religions and want a ceremony that mixes the two sides of your heritages...you get all this and more with a Celebrant!
Dates can get booked up quickly so I would advise getting in touch to discuss dates as soon as you have decided when you want your ceremony to be.
Occasionally I have late availabilty so do get in touch to see if I am free on the dates you require!
Of course! It is essential to meet your Celebrant to find out if they are the right "fit" for you and your ceremony.
It is so important that you feel happy and comfortable with the person who is writing and leading your ceremony.
On booking I will require a non-refundable deposit of £100, which will secure the date and time of the ceremony.
If you decide to change the date after this it will be subject to my availability as dates for ceremonies do get booked up quickly.
That is absolutely fine! It is very important that you feel comfortable with your ceremony. Some couples like photos from their ceremonies shared on the blog, others do not.
The important thing with a Celebrant led ceremony is that you feel comfortable with all aspects of the service you are receiving.
Once you have decided to book your ceremony with me I ask for a non-refundable deposit of £100. This secures the date and time of the ceremony.
I ask that the balance is paid no less that 14 days before the ceremony.