FAQS
What makes you the celebrant for us?
My background is as a theatre director but I have also worked as a creative project manager, a party and events planner and ran the front of house at a swanky London restaurant, very popular with celebs - oh the stories I could tell…! I am absolutely in-love with love and storytelling and truly believe that life’s special milestones should be celebrated in style, and exactly how YOU want to celebrate them! I come with a wealth of experience, ideas, buckets of enthusiasm and a (not so) little black book of creative contacts to make your day as wonderful and unique as you. Whether you want a modern twist on a traditional ceremony or a total reinvention (or anything in-between) - with me as your celebrant, there are no limitations or rules! I am young, fun and vibrant and full of energy and personality. I bring a sense of creativity, reinvention and a sprinkling of magic to all my ceremonies as well as lots of ideas and enthusiasm.
Can we really get married anywhere?!
Yes!! The beauty of a celebrant led wedding is you can have exactly the ceremony you want, how you want it - perhaps in ways and in places you haven’t even dreamt of yet! You are not bound by registered venues or their limited availability. You can get married anywhere…yes, anywhere! Hot air balloon? Sure! Bottom of the ocean? Why not! The back garden of your family home? Absolutely! On a beach in Barbados? Yes, please! The possibilities really are endless..!
Why choose a celebrant over a registrar or civil officiant?
Over the years I have attended so many weddings, namings and vow renewals – and they were, more often than not, officiated by an older lady (usually dressed in a grey suit and called Susan/Gwenda/Shiela). They conduct the same ‘one size fits all’ ceremony, with the same scripted jokes about the ‘woman really wearing the trousers’ which always seem to raise a polite chuckle from the crowd. Getting a wonderful Registrar can really be pot-luck and you often won't get to meet them until the day - and then you are stuck with them! As your celebrant, I will spend time getting to know you and your story to ensure your ceremony reflects who you as a couple and your unique personalities. Unlike with a Registrar, choosing a a celebrant led ceremony means you not confined by a set format or script you are not comfortable with or a strict time limit. It is your day, so you get to do it how you want. If you don't want a religious wedding but want to find a way to include a traditional element or a nod to a specific culture or heritage, then together we can find a way to beautifully weave, blend and combine different ideas to create a ceremony totally unique and personal to you. I want you to have the best day and for your ceremony to be remembered by you and all your guests for years to come. I want your guests to leave the ceremony thinking ‘Wow that ceremony was so special – and just soooo them!’ One thing I am absolutely passionate about…The ceremony should NEVER be the boring bit!!
Is the ceremony legal?
Celebrant led weddings are not currently legal in the UK, however we are campaigning hard to change that, and we are almost there…! We passionately believe that couples should have a greater choice and be able to have weddings that are not only meaningful to them, but also legally recognised. You can read about the latest developments with the Law Commission - fingers crossed for 2021! As the law currently stands, you will need to have a separate civil service, in addition to your celebrant wedding. Many couples do ‘the legal bit’ at their local Registry Office a couple of days before their big day (this costs under £50 for a basic service). All you need are two witnesses and you don’t even need to exchange rings or vows so you can save all the ‘fun stuff’ for your ACTUAL wedding. Your celebrant-led ceremony (with me!) is a fully bespoke and personalised celebration of love and commitment witnessed by your friends and family and it is this date that will signify the anniversary of your wedding.
Is it not more expensive to have two ceremonies?
Not necessarily! Having a basic legal service at a Registry Office followed by a celebrant led wedding ceremony need not cost much more and in some cases may even be less expensive! I am obviously bias, but I truly believe the unique value of a bespoke and personalised ceremony, done exactly how you want, is well worth the extra pennies. For example, the cost of a Registrar-led ceremony at one of the Registry Offices or Town Halls in London are as follows: from £290 to £550* Monday – Friday from £400 to £900* Weekends and Public Holidays For a Registrar to lead a ceremony at an approved premises, the costs are: from £585 to £600 Monday to Friday from £665 to £900 Weekends and Public Holidays This does not include any fees charged by the venue and the cost of giving notice. Approved and licensed wedding venues charge a premium for weddings, often charging per guest with a considerable mark up. So by having a basic legal ceremony at a Registry Office a couple of days before (under £50 on a weekday) and then the main event with a celebrant led-ceremony in a venue of your choosing (not restricted by licences and approved suppliers) - then you are much more likely to be able to control costs and have complete ownership over your big day. By choosing a celebrant led wedding ceremony you are able to experience a personalised, bespoke and flexible ceremony that exactly meets your wants and needs without the restrictions of time, venue and suppliers. *information from RBKC website for ceremonies taking place 2020 - 2022 and excludes the cost of giving notice.
We are getting married abroad - can you still be our celebrant?
Absolutely! My standard fee stays the same for destination weddings, however travel and accommodation would need to be factored into costs.
Do you do LGBTQ+ weddings too?
Absolutely! Love is love! x
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