After your initial contact with Michael, you will normally be invited to meet up or have a Skype call. This will probably last up to an hour and is complimentary. It’s worth having pen and paper at hand, and be ready to ask your questions.

Michael will send you his terms and conditions, and will keep your date free for one week. When you sign and return the form and make a deposit, your date will be reserved and Michael will start work. Late bookings (ie a month or less before the event) require full payment in advance.

Once the booking has been made, Michael will e-mail a draft ceremony. You will be free to comment on this, and then Michael will send you an updated, adjusted version. Again, you will be invited to comment.

The fee includes two redrafts (plus minor tweaking).

Once the final version has been agreed, you will have a chance to check it, and you can rest assured that there will be no nasty surprises on the day!

The actual cost will be confirmed when Michael follows up with the booking form after your initial chat. The fee will be all-inclusive (unless extras are involved – such as additional equipment for a ritual – and you will always be informed in advance of these). Costs will vary according to the complexity of the event, the research involved and travel.

As a general guide, a wedding will cost between £425 and £775; a handfasting from £395; other commitment ceremonies (such as Vow Renewals) from £375; a baby blessing from £250.

Normally, an immediate deposit of £100 is required, with the balance payable up to 30 days before the ceremony. BACS is the preferred method.

The fee quoted covers the initial conversation, all Michael’s research and work involved in compiling a bespoke ceremony, a reasonable amount of e-mails and/or telephone or skype calls, Michael’s time and travel on the day, and the conducting of the ceremony.

Michael is a member of AOIC (Association of Independent Celebrants) and is thus bound by its code of ethics. He has a diploma in both Wedding Celebrancy and Funeral Celebrancy.

Michael has been compiling and conducting ceremonies full-time since early 2013. He was previously a teacher and also a lay preacher for many years, which gave him considerable experience both in writing and also in conducting ceremonies. A reader of Hebrew, he can offer an extra element to any Jewish-based rituals. A linguist, he may be able to conduct parts of the ceremony in a foreign language.

Michael is approachable, passionate, humorous (where appropriate!) and professional. He is dedicated to making your big day special and superb, and delights in turning dreams into reality.