Questions to ask before hiring a celebrant

Q – We’re thinking of hiring a celebrant for our upcoming wedding. What should we take into consideration before booking?

"Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and deciding on a type of ceremony is an essential part of this. A celebrant led service will give you freedom of choice, and most suppliers will be delighted to accommodate your wishes and preferences. Consider the following:

"Make sure they have availability on your chosen date and will travel to your area.

"Always meet your celebrant face-to-face to make sure that you connect and feel confident that they understand your style and approach.

"Ask how many ceremonies they conduct in one day. Most commit to only one service a day, guaranteeing you their full attention. If not, be sure to agree on extended timing to avoid feeling rushed.

"Check out if they’re happy to have your friends and family involved in the service.

"Ask if they offer any additional services and if you’re thinking about something bespoke, see if they can help.

"Be clear about any parts of the ceremony that you want to write yourself such as your vows and mention if you need help doing so.

"Find out what’s included in the price and what costs extra.

"Make sure that you have the final sign off on the ceremony plan.

"Ask if they’ve been trained or are professionally qualified.

"Ensure they will provide you with a contract that incorporates full details of what’s included, along with costs and any cancellation arrangements."

Carol Gunter 
Celebrant
www.yourspecialcelebration.co.uk