Weddings

Wedding Celebrant

Welcome to my wedding page! I’ve had the pleasure of officiating weddings, internationally, for 27 gorgeous years! What does that mean? YOU’RE IN SAFE HANDS when you choose me as your celebrant.

Weddings | Handfasting Ceremonies | Vow Renewals

In my capacity as an independent celebrant, I have officiated ceremonies in all manner of places, such as a Maori Marae in New Zealand, public gardens in New Zealand and Australia, Iron-age replica roundhouse, bushlands, meadows, castles, canal boats, private gardens, by rivers, on beaches, in barns, and Druid Stone Circles.

Why a Celebrant-led Ceremony?

Did you know that in the UK there are other options for your wedding ceremony besides a church wedding or registry office?

By choosing an independent wedding celebrant, you can pick the right wedding venue for you regardless of whether you want to include religious, spiritual or civil elements in your ceremony.

An Autumnal Wedding at Askham Hall

Lyndsay and I wanted to say a HUGE thank you!

The ceremony you put together was nothing short of spectacular. It really was.

You captured the essence of Lyndsay and I beautifully and your words were so moving. …

I don’t think I have ever laughed and cried so much in such a short space of time.

We’ve had numerous friends and family tell us it was the best ceremony they have ever witnessed. Even religious family members commented on how moving and special they found it.

So, thank you SO much for all your hard work. You smashed it out of the park!!

Love, Jake and Lyndsay X

Officiating Your Wedding

As an independent celebrant, I am free to officiate your wedding in your favourite place or somewhere that is particularly special to you, such as a beach or on top of a mountain.

Some people choose to marry in a wildflower meadow or the privacy of their own garden, while others prefer the indoors. Wherever you want to marry, I am happy to officiate there, be it a cherry orchard, beach, upland meadow, woodland or candlelit labyrinth.

Choosing an independent celebrant means that you are not limited to licensed venues, and have the freedom of enjoying your ceremony in the place you desire, including the outdoors. You also have the choice of who to use for flowers, catering, etc. Some registered venues insist you use suppliers of their choice.

Askham Hall Wedding

Thank you so much, Veronika! The ceremony was amazing and just perfect for us. Take care and thank you again for making our wedding day so special xx

Meghann Jackson

My Promise

THE LEGAL BIT

As an independent celebrant, I can help you create your dream wedding ceremony wherever you like. You will, however, have to register your marriage by completing the legalities at a Register Office. This will require two witnesses. Until the law changes in England, Scotland and Wales, an independent celebrant can NOT officiate ‘legally binding’ ceremonies. You will need to do the legal service with the registrar. This is a separate event to your celebrant-led ceremony and there is no connection between them.

A Local Authority Registrar doesn’t get to know you well before the ceremony in the way a celebrant does. They are also restricted as to what they can offer you in your ceremony.

My promise: I will create, write and deliver a bespoke wedding ceremony with a script that is unique to you. At all times, you will have the freedom of making your ceremony religious, spiritual or secular. You can have *ANY words, readings, music, or symbolism that is meaningful to you and your partner. (So long that those words/actions are not discriminatory)

As an independent celebrant, I write individualised ceremonies and take time to really get to know my couples.

I do not rush proceedings, and unlike those in register offices, you will not be confined to having your ceremony during business hours.

As part of my fee, I am available via phone, email and face-to-face as often as you like. I do not work office hours, so if you fancy being married beneath the moonlight on New Year’s Eve or at sunrise on the Summer Solstice, I’ll be there.

In many ways, the legal part (Registration Service) of getting married is like signing the papers or contract when buying a house, but you really feel like it’s your home when you’ve got the keys and you open the front door! (celebrant-led ceremony)

You can choose to have a ‘registration-only’ service if you don’t wish to exchange vows or rings in front of the Registrar. You will need to inform them that you want this option. This service is short, and is a matter of repeating the declaratory and contracting words in front of the Registrar and two witnesses.

Penny & Freddie’s Wedding Ceremony at Askham Hall

Photography by Hannah Hall. hannahhallphotography.co.uk

Askham Hall Autumnal Wedding

I just wanted to say a huge “thank you” for the most perfect wedding ceremony. It was exactly how we had imagined it and we were so delighted with it. Definitely one of the best moments in my life! Was a pleasure to meet you too and I hope our paths will cross again some day.

Take care,
Penelope (and Freddie!) xxxx

Fiona and Boulie’s Wedding

Wedding in the Barn

Askham Hall

Veronika! Wow wow wow! What a ceremony! We absolutely loved it

& so did our guests. So many people have commented on how lovely it

was and how amazing you are. It was everything we hoped it would be and

more. We cannot thank you enough!

We’re off on our honeymoon now but we will be in touch properly when we

get back! Xx

My Fee

The officiating of a ceremony is just a small part of a celebrant’s work. In fact, most of the work happens far away from the ceremony day. There are an average of 20 plus hours which go into each wedding/handfasting/vow renewal ceremony. It’s not dissimilar to when you watch a movie. The screen time might be 90 minutes but the movie probably took four years to make.

My fee includes unlimited contact and meetings (in person or by Zoom), replying promptly to all emails/phone calls, writing the full script (including personal vows and your love story), narrating rituals, and any revision to drafts as requested; and the rehearsal day where we go through all the choreography.

It takes many hours for me to get to know you better, and create a script that is unique to you.

I have a high-quality amplifier and microphone, so you can be assured your guests will hear the ceremony.

My promise to you: I do not book more than one ceremony per day. If you need to delay the start of the ceremony for any reason, you can be assured that I’ll still be on the premises.

Wedding or Handfasting Fee £600

Renewal of Vows £550

50% non-refundable deposit payable to secure the date, and for me to commence work on your ceremony.

Balance due by BACS one month before the wedding day. Upon receipt of the balance, your script will be sent through for approval.

Watch “Fiona & Paul’s Wedding Preview – Askham Hall” on Vimeo

Cherry and Johnathan Franks
Autumnal Barn Wedding at Askham Hall

Well Veronika, what can we say? The ceremony was absolutely FANTASTIC.

You really knew us, and everyone has said how amazing you were. Thank you so so much. It was so beautiful and amazing. Thank you for sharing the day with us. You are truly amazing and we are blessed to have found you.

The tears and laughter were flowing. Thank you so much. All the best xx

Mrs Franks

Brian and Mary’s Wedding Ceremony
Garden at Eden, Crosby on Eden, Carlisle

We loved the day, and each time this video is played we well up with emotion.

We will remember this day forever. Everyone loved you, and said how wonderful you are. I’m a bit biased. I have to agree. You truly made our day, and we feel blessed that you chose to be our lovely celebrant. We couldn’t have had anyone better.
x

Mrs Flannery

These photographs are by CPD film (www.cpdfilm.co.uk)

Sunrise Wedding Ceremony
Glenridding, Cumbria

Had the most amazing day! It truly ended up being a magical day. Everyone commented on the amazing service and how fitting it was. Thank you so so much!

Jacq and Terry

Katie and Loz’s Wedding and Handfasting
Keld, North Yorkshire

Thank you soooooo much for our beautiful day. Everything was simply perfect.

Mr and Mrs Johnston

Gift of a Wedding

I am delighted to be a supplier for Gift of a Wedding (www.giftofawedding.org), a distinctive UK charity which provides free weddings to people with a terminal illness, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

No Obligation Enquiry

If you’d like to make a no-obligation enquiry to check on my availability, please get in touch, with your details, such as ceremony date, location, venue and if you have a particular theme in mind.

Contact Me