FAQ's
Yes of course. Many couples wish to personalise, write, and read their own vows to each other on the day. Doing so further helps to set the tone you wish, to best represent you as a couple. Romantic, or light-hearted and funny, it’s totally your choice. You’re also welcome to use traditional wedding vows. If you would like to write your own vows, it’s good to discuss this together first so you both have an idea as to how this should go.
No, remember this is not a legal ceremony; most couples do the ‘legal bit’ either before or after the main event, as mentioned above.
1. Get in touch with me asap, so I can confirm my availability for your wedding date. 2. We meet or video call to discuss your unique ceremony requirements. 3. Confirm the date and pay your deposit. 4. I will send you sample vows and readings and any other relevant information. Once you have decided which ones you would like to include, I will start on a draft of service and a script. 5. I send you a draft of the ceremony by email for your approval. We make any necessary changes. 6. I conduct the ceremony for your big day.
You have a couple of choices available. Either you can choose to officially contract your marriage in your home country first and then elope with me to enjoy a beautiful ceremony in the Andalusian and Mediterranean sunshine, or you can come into Gibraltar and complete the legalities there too and then simply hop, skip and jump across the border into Spain. From Gibraltar it takes less than an hour to drive up to Marbella and if you want to travel even further into the Costa, most places you can easily get to within a 2-hour drive. You also have the Gibraltar and Malaga airport which are easy airports to fly to and from.
Don’t worry – I’ve got you. I know it can be so overwhelming, but I promise to take out all that stress and noise and help you instead to plan your ceremony in a calm and enjoyable way. I will spend the time talking with you, getting to know you, making some suggestions that you can give some thought to, (you might not know right away and that’s totally fine)! This really is all about what you want. I just help you to make that happen. Your journey, Your day. Your way! Nothing is written without your seal of approval, and you make all the decisions. I just help you to piece it all together, the way you want it.
1. After our first meet/video call to discuss your unique ceremony requirements, pay your deposit (£165), securing your booking. 2. Four weeks prior to your wedding ceremony date, pay the remaining balance (£335).
Absolutely. A lot of preparation will take place, so that a memorable wedding service can happen. There is no rush, I am not on a tight deadline, and there is no one else out in the corridor waiting his or her turn. I’m there for you and you only.
Not at all. It really doesn’t matter to a Celebrant how many times someone has been married. Neither does it matter what the specifics were of that prior marriage and how it came to an end. A Celebrant only cares about your wedding, your new journey, your day, your way, and will be committed to delivering something memorable.
During one of the first in-depth conversations, you have with me, I will offer you the opportunity to include these and more. I will make you aware of what choices you have, including any number of old traditions. If you know of a tradition that I have never heard of, don’t worry, if you want it and it is possible, I will research it and build it into your ceremony.
Of course, yes! You can have whatever you want in your ceremony. Put simply, it is ‘your journey, your day, your way!’. The same would apply for couples who want no reference to religion, or for those that are far more likely to want to do away with any level of tradition and have more of a ‘bespoke’ ceremony instead. If you would like to also include a cultural or religious tradition into your ceremony, you absolutely can.
I’ll be there 1 hour before the ceremony starts. I’ll come and say hi to you both and chat with others like the groomsman and your wedding planner, musicians, and anyone else that may also be a key part of your ceremony.
Any venue that gives you permission (you just need to ask first). This could include a hotel, manor house, or castle, a national park, a field, a lake, a beach, the countryside, on a boat, the place where you first met, wherever you wish. You can book any venue that hires out rooms for social events or gives you permission to do so.
Absolutely nothing at all. There is no right or wrong about the choices you make. You might prefer a unique ceremony, that will give you more control, freedom and flexibility to do your day, your way, no rush, no time or other restrictions that may otherwise be the case for a registry office wedding that are more structured and capped at a set time. It is entirely your choice.
In a nutshell, as a celebrant, I have the flexibility and freedom to make your ceremony as personalised, and as unique as you would like it. As a celebrant I can work more closely with you, often taking the time to get to know you on a more personal level, which in turn enables me to deliver your ceremony your way and through a uniquely formed and better-established relationship. A registrar, like a church, will have a limited choice of what can be included in your ceremony, and where the ceremony can take place. You can ask for selected words, poems, and readings to be included, but often they are restricted on time and around what can be said.
No, the legal bit can be done in a registry office. Many couples do this in jeans and t-shirts, or they literally step out of work, sign the papers, and then go straight back to business, deciding to save the excitement, opting instead to jump on a plane with their nearest and dearest, eloping abroad, to have their magical day and ceremony in the beautiful sunshine country of Spain.
Absolutely if this is possible. However, this isn’t always possible if you are in a different country and not here until just before the big day. Fortunately, we are now in a very competently adjusted virtual world so if we cannot meet in person, we will meet over Zoom, Skype or FaceTime instead. Don’t worry, you will feel like you know me before the big day.
I am open to consider enquiries for other destinations on request. I am also frequently back in the UK and will consider bookings here also. Travel expenses will be charged for travel over one hour and excessive distances may incur travel and accommodation costs.
