How do I book you to conduct my wedding?
You can contact me in either of the following ways -
Email - laura@caledonian-celebrant.co.uk
Telephone - 07917 325995.
It’s helpful if you have your date and venue booked so I can confirm my availability.
If for any reason I can’t manage your date then I have a few trusted and experienced celebrant colleagues that I can recommend.
Who are you and what is your experience?
I have been a celebrant since 2012 and I believe that every life celebration should be just that; a celebration of love and marriage, welcoming a much loved and cherished child or a life well lived.
I ensure every wedding ceremony is conducted professionally and is tailored to your exact requirements as no two people, children or couples are the same.
I love ceremonies with a wee bit of humour and a touch of romance. However, I did once have a bride who openly admitted that her husband to be’s snoring had her planning his demise on a daily basis!
I am a celebrant who conducts life ceremonies without restrictions and in keeping with your beliefs and wishes you can have a non-religious or religious ceremony. In fact, the easiest way to say it is that I just do as I’m told and include what you want to include in your ceremony.
Your ceremony, your way!
I am authorised to conduct legal marriages in Scotland and I can conduct ceremonies in other parts of the UK too, but they wouldn’t be legally binding.
Do I still need to apply through the local registrar office for my wedding?
Yes you do. Although I am authorised to conduct the legal ceremony, you still need to apply to the local Registrar using the Marriage Application (M10 Form) and submit your identification documents so your marriage schedule can be issued (the bit of paper you sign on the day to make things legal, which is important!).
The local registrars are lovely people so they’ll keep you right, I promise!
How much is the legal bit?
Example of statutory fees for a religious/belief marriage
Marriage Notice – Party One £45
Marriage Notice – Party Two £45
First Marriage Certificate £10
Total £100
These fees are compulsory, or you’re not getting married!
What is a Marriage Application?
This is your proclamation of intention to marry, or in olden day terms - posting your wedding banns.
It’s you proving to the Registrar by showing ID that you are who you say you are and, that you are legally free to marry, for example - if you’ve been married before you’ll need to prove you have your Decree Absolute and prove you are legally divorced.
Your Marriage Application should be handed in to the local registrar office 8-10 weeks before your marriage is set to take place.
If either party has been married before, or if any of the parties are a non-UK national, the notices should be with the registrar 10 weeks beforehand.
The minimum period is 29 days before the date of the proposed marriage, but if you leave it as late as this you run the risk of needing to postpone your marriage.
Only in exceptional circumstances will the Registrar General authorise a marriage to take place when less than 29 days notice has been given.
Notice forms cannot be submitted any earlier than 3 months before your proposed date of marriage.
What do I need to pay you for the ceremony?
My fee for wedding ceremonies is £590 (which is all inclusive of travel, unless it’s an extensive distance or involves an overnight stay and I love a destination wedding, so please pick me!).
I ask for a £200 booking fee to secure your date and get your ceremony put in my diary. (£100 is non-refundable, £100 is refundable up to 90 days before the ceremony date and non-refundable thereafter). The remain balance is to be paid no later than 90 days before the ceremony takes place, which is also a good reminder for us both about your M10 Marriage Application!
Where can I have my marriage celebration?
Anywhere you like, because in Scotland there are no restrictions. Beach, loch, field, hotel, home are all permitted, so choose your perfect venue and go for it!
Do you conduct non-religious wedding ceremonies?
Yes.
Do you allow religious content in wedding ceremonies?
Yes.
Can I have music and/or hymns?
Yes, you can have anything you like (but please don’t expect me to sing because I’m like the cat’s choir!)
Can I include readings and poems?
Yes.
Can I write/say my own vows?
Yes.
Can you write/say my vows?
Yes. You can just say “I do” if you don’t want to read out anything yourself.
Will you conduct ceremonies anywhere in the country?
I am based in the “North East Riviera”, or Moray if we’re being less exotic, but I’m happy to travel all over the country and can come to an agreement on costs if extensive travel is required or perhaps an overnight stay (I’m always up for a wee adventure).
Can we meet up with you before we book you?
Yes, I’m often out and about at wedding fairs and would be more than happy to arrange a telephone call or video call too. Why not follow me on Facebook and Instagram to find out where I’ll be next, and I can be contacted through Messenger too.
I’ll get in touch in plenty of time to give you options your ceremony and to get additional information from you, but I’m happy to chat through any questions and ideas you may have at any time.
Email - laura@caledonian-celebrant.co.uk
Telephone - 07917 325995