Yes, it will absolutely 100% be a real wedding!
Not only will it be a real wedding, it will be a perfect wedding because it is yours and no one else will ever have one like it! Every Celebrant wedding is unique, just as every person, relationship, and love story, is unique.
Your wedding ceremony is a celebration of your marriage. An opportunity to share one of the most important moments of your lives. A day to create happy memories that you, and your guests, can look back on forever - so why would you want it to be the same as anyone else's?
Unlike a registrar, I won't be a stranger who just turns up on the day with a generic script and your names on Post-it notes! I am passionate about what I do. I love listening to the stories of 'you'. I will take a lot of time finding out about you both: what makes you tick, what made you click (and even what gets on your wick - if you want to tell me!)
When we are getting to know each other, I will ask you what the commitment that you are making means to you. I will ask you about what sort of ceremony that you would like and what you want to include (and exclude!). One of the things that it's really good to know is what you want your guests to remember about your wedding day (by the way, you don't have to answer everything - or even anything - but the more I know, the more I can tailor your ceremony for you)
Many couples want at least some traditional elements. At your wedding, if you want to, you can walk down the aisle, say personal vows, exchange wedding rings and sign a commemorative certificate - and it's also absolutely fine if you don't want to do any of these things.
If you want to, you can add other special touches to make your ceremony completely personal to you - including your love story can be a great addition, but there are many others. I can help with ideas and suggestions, should you wish me to.
Above and below are just a few of the weddings that I have led. I loved getting know each of these couples and crafting every element of their ceremonies. Every single one of these weddings was not only real, it was unique and amazing because it was a one-off bespoke ceremony, created just for them.
On one of the most special days of your life, making the biggest commitment possible, why would you want to have the same as everyone else when you can have something designed, curated and conducted just for you...
You won't be completing the marriage registration, that will need to be done separately (if you are based in England or Wales please see here for more information on this).
Here's a quick guide to the difference between a few terms:
Marry: a couple 'marry' each other by making vows. They aren't married by a registrar, priest, vicar or celebrant - that person is simply conducting the ceremony. This is something that pre-dates the registration of marriages (which began in 1837, in England and Wales). It may be semantics, but it is also true!
Registration: a marriage needs to be recorded by an official person in order for it to be recognised as a legal entity. In England and Wales, this is usually done by a registrar (employed by the local council, acting as a record keeper for the Government) or at a place of worship by an authorised person (a person undertaking a similar role to a registrar).
Registrar: someone employed by the local authority to record all births, marriages and deaths in their council area. They fulfil an important role in creating and keeping the official records, on behalf of the Government. They are allocated a number of registrations per day - in 'slots'. Registrar wedding ceremonies have generic scripts with prescribed wording and very limited scope for personalisation. There is nothing wrong with these ceremonies but, generally: if you've been to one, you've been to them all. They can only take place in places approved by the council, outside ceremonies, if allowed, tend to have significant restrictions.
Celebrant: a professional chosen by a couple (or family, in the case of naming and funeral ceremonies) who is an expert in creating and conducting bespoke ceremonies. They, generally, will only conduct one ceremony a day, at a time requested by whoever has chosen them. They work tirelessly for, and with, whoever has entrusted them with the celebration of one of life's important life events, to ensure that whatever ceremony they are performing is perfect for them and that it is in safe hands. It is rare for a Celebrant to ever place restrictions on what can be included, or where a ceremony may take place (I have never done either).
If you haven't already, I would love you to get in touch and tell me about you, and your story.
I would love to create your perfect ceremony.
To check my availability, or for more information,
please email:lorraine@liverpoolcelebrant.co.uk or call: 0744 932 3988
Hi, I am Lorraine Hull, an award-winning Celebrant, based in Liverpool.
I am most usually asked to conduct ceremonies in North-West England and North Wales but I am happy to travel anywhere within the U.K. or abroad.
At the risk of shouting (and sounding extremely cheesy) "I LOVE MY JOB!".
I really love getting to know the couples and families that ask me to be part of their special celebration, whether that is for a Wedding/Civil Partnership, Renewal/Reaffirmation of Vows, Naming/Welcoming, or Celebration of Life/Funeral
I love hearing, writing and telling love and life stories (and also finding out about hopes and dreams - which are the stories of the future!)
I love to create and conduct unique, meaningful ceremonies that are perfect for each couple, individual, and/or family.
I love helping to create and celebrate happy and poignant moments, which form memories that will last a lifetime (that also includes the memories that I get to keep too - what's not to love?)
I believe that ALL people (and animals) should all be treated kindly, fairly and with respect.
I think for myself and act for others. I advocate anti-racism, the appreciation and celebration of diversity, dignity, justice, equity and equality for ALL through everything that I say and do: Love is Love, Family is Family, Life is Life.
You may like to know that I was trained to the highest level as a Celebrant and have continued my professional development. I hold Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance. I adhere to a strict code of conduct and I am committed to identifying, developing and sharing best practice with my Celebrant colleagues, so that we can all be the best Celebrants that we can possibly be.
To contact me please email: lorraine@liverpoolcelebrant.co.uk or call: 0744 932 3988