by Michael | Feb 23, 2021 | Blog
When you choose a celebrant, you know you’re going to be paying anything from a few hundred pounds to a four-figure sum. Whether you ultimately receive the value of that expenditure, or not, it’s still a significant amount of money to spend.
It therefore pays to do some homework before you commit.
Of course, you may know somebody who has seen the celebrant in action (or you have yourself). In that case, you have a good idea what to expect, if you engage them. However, that doesn’t tend to be the rule.
More commonly, people will have to choose from a blank page. More precisely, from a website and reviews. These may well give you a feel for your supplier. Then you look at a competitor’s page, and that seems very attractive too!
So my advice is to meet a couple, so you can compare like-for-like. (In these days of social distancing, you “meet”, of course, via Zoom, Skype or phone).
Not the first question
People assume that the price is the deciding factor, and, therefore, it’s the first question to be asked.
Of course, you are likely to be budget-dependent. But don’t forget that you may also be able to juggle your outlay so that you save somewhere else the extra you may spend to secure the celebrant you want.
Remember that you will be working with a celebrant over months, probably. You’ll be discussing intimate feelings with them. You’ll need to like and trust them. You’ll need to be sure they’ll do what you – not what they – want.
They’ll need to be able to write well and to present beautifully.
Does talking with them leave you feeling excited? Do you actually want to be married by that person?
It’s worth paying a little extra, if you’re assured of getting the right choice.
The real first question
So your priority is the celebrant’s availability.
Almost as important is whether your celebrant responds to your vision for the day with flexibility or with arrogance. Can they deliver what you want?
Then reassure yourself that they are experienced and have proven success in their field.
Do you sense that they are just doing a job, or will they go the extra mile?
The answers to these questions should indicate to you who to go with.
Boring bits
Make sure you read their Terms & Conditions before you commit. Not that they are likely to be shafting you! However, you may assume something is included that turns out to cost extra. You want to avoid misunderstandings. What happens if you have to cancel or postpone?
I believe that you can feel confident if the celebrant belongs to a relevant association. There are minimum standards to be observed. So I am a member of the Association of Civil Celebrants (AOIC) and the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP).
A celebrant is no different from any other supplier. You’re paying for a particular service. You want to be sure that you are getting value for your outlay. You deserve to know that satisfaction – if not delight – is virtually guaranteed.
Michael has been conducting ceremonies since early 2013, and would love to discuss this further with you. Just give him a call.
by Michael | Jan 18, 2021 | Blog
When you choose a celebrant, you know you’re going to be paying anything from a few hundred pounds to a four-figure sum. Whether you ultimately receive the value of that expenditure, or not, it’s still a significant amount of money to spend.
It therefore pays to do some homework before you commit.
Of course, you may know somebody who has seen the celebrant in action (or you have yourself). In that case, you have a good idea what to expect, if you engage them. However, that doesn’t tend to be the rule.
More commonly, people will have to choose from a blank page. More precisely, from a website and reviews. These may well give you a feel for your supplier. Then you look at a competitor’s page, and that seems very attractive too!
So my advice is to meet a couple so you can compare like-for-like. (In these days of social distancing, you “meet”, of course, via Zoom, Skype or phone).
The last thing you want
People assume that the price is the deciding factor, and, therefore, it’s the first question to be asked.
I accept that you are likely to be budget-dependent. But don’t forget that you may also be able to juggle your outlay so that you save somewhere else the extra you may spend to secure the celebrant you want.
Remember that you will be working with a celebrant over months, probably. You’ll be discussing intimate feelings with them. You’ll need to like and trust them. You’ll need to be sure they’ll do what you – not what they – want.
They’ll need to be able to write well and to present beautifully.
Does talking with them leave you feeling excited? Do you actually want to be married by that person?
It’s worth paying a little extra, if you’re assured of getting the right person.
The real first question
So your priority is the celebrant’s availability.
Almost as important is whether your celebrant responds to your vision for the day with flexibility or with arrogance. Can they deliver what you want?
Then reassure yourself that they are experienced and have proven success in their field.
Do you sense that they are just doing a job, or will they go the extra mile?
The answers to these questions should indicate to you who to go with.
Boring bits
Make sure you read their Terms & Conditions before you commit. Not that they are likely to be shafting you! However, you may assume something is included that turns out to cost extra. You want to avoid misunderstandings.
I believe that you can feel confident if the celebrant belongs to a relevant association. There are minimum standards to be observed. So I am a member of the Association of Civil Celebrants (AOIC) and the UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP).
A celebrant is no different from any other supplier. They’re supplying a particular professional service. You want to be sure that you are getting value for your outlay. You deserve to know that satisfaction – if not delight – is virtually guaranteed.
Michael has been conducting ceremonies since late 2012, and would love to discuss this further with you. Just give him a call.
by Michael | Nov 11, 2019 | Blog
People sometimes think the civil celebrant cost for a ceremony is not justified. Uncle John can do that just as well – and for free!
But will Uncle John be able to put together – let alone present – a ceremony that is memorable (for the right reasons)? Does he have the writing and presentation skills, for example?
A lot of people think that all a civil celebrant has to do is to rock up at the ‘gig’ and deliver a few well-chosen words and then go home. Money for old rope, as they say.
However, it’s actually a lot more than that for me.
The ideal
My mission
is to cultivate a relationship between myself and the client. I want them to
trust me and feel there’s rapport. That’s especially important if I’m going to
be conducting their ceremony on the most important day of their lives!
I make it my goal when we meet to ask the right questions and actually listen to the responses. Then I can understand the clients’ vision and be in a position to help them realise it.
I compile a ceremony that reflects their personalities and beliefs and which is everything they want.
I take pride
in conducting an impeccable ceremony.
Finally, I appreciate that I am privileged to be part of the couple’s excitement and joy.
How do I achieve that?
Firstly,
cultivating a close relationship takes time, as well as patience and tact. (I
do not end up working with every person who enquires about my services.)
I don’t
assume I know the clients’ wishes better than they do. I will advise them, if I
feel, from my considerable experience, that something might, or might not,
work; however, it is their big day, and I never forget that.
I am happy
to give advice, if the clients are unsure what to do. The goal is to draw up a unique,
personalised ceremony that fulfils the clients’ dreams.
Either way,
we normally exchange drafts until the clients are happy with every word.
I always bear in mind that it’s not about me, but the clients. I present clearly and beautifully. I won’t accept second best.
The bottom line
I trained
both as a funeral celebrant and as a celebratory celebrant, and that training
was not cheap.
I have considerable experience – I graduated as a celebrant in late 2012 and have now conducted over 150 ceremonies (including weddings (same-sex and heterosexual), vow renewals, handfastings, namings and funerals). It’s difficult to put a price on such experience.
My many
testimonials demonstrate that I am professional but friendly, and focussed on achieving
my clients’ goals.
On the day,
I will normally arrive an hour early. I check everything is in place at the
venue and reassure the groom! I am a calming influence at a frenetic time.
When I
conduct the ceremony, I use my considerable presentation skills. I foster a
warm atmosphere and make the guests feel included too. Such skills come at a
price.
All this is why I charge a fee. if you try me, I hope you’ll agree that I do earn it!
