Frequently Asked Questions

I am based in Greater Manchester, but love gallivanting up and down the country. I trained as a celebrant in Brighton, and I’m currently studying in Aberdeen – as long as there is coffee, I’m there. 

Ceremonies outside of Greater Manchester will include reasonable travel and/or accommodation fees, depending on location.

I drive, but I'm also more than happy to use public transport if this is possible and more cost effective – we can discuss this during our discovery call 😊

How exciting!  ♡ 

You can get in touch using the contact page, emailing me at lauren@thespiritualcelebrant.com, or sending me a little DM on Instagram.

We’ll arrange an intro chat, and if you decide that I’m a good fit for your special day, you pay a booking fee to secure your date (this is a portion of the overall cost)… and then I get started on writing your ceremony ♡

Absolutely not!

Intro calls are completely free, and are a chance for us to meet each other (virtually on Google Meet) to make sure that I am the right fit for your ceremony.

They usually last between 10 and 20 minutes, and are a chance for you to ask me any questions that you have about your ceremony, the booking process, or about me and how I work.

Grab yourself a coffee and log onto the call, and we can natter away  ♡ 

I trained, and I am accredited by, the fabulous Celebrant Circle. Their comprehensive training included all the tools I need to write and deliver beautiful weddings, funerals and baby naming ceremonies. As part of the Celebrant Circle, I participate in frequent CPD sessions to update my knowledge and skills, so that your ceremonies can be as lovely as possible.

I also have a BA, PGCE and PGCert in Religious Studies (with a focus on fabulous alternative spiritualities), as well as an NPQ in Leading Teacher Development, and professional certificates in Team Leading and Customer Service.

I am currently studying for a MSc in Mindfulness, and I am also a qualified Reiki and Crystal Healing practitioner, to bring all the good vibes your way  ✨ 

Unfortunately, celebrant-led ceremonies are not yet recognised in law in England or Wales. People who choose a celebrant-led wedding usually arrange their legal marriage at a register office in the lead up to their celebrant-led ceremony.

Couples can do the legal part in a register office for £56, in the presence of two witnesses – there is no need to build a ceremony around this, unless you would like to.

The process is exactly the same as for couples who have their wedding ceremony abroad and do the legal bit before they head off.

For more information see this helpful page on the government website.

In a nutshell,  a celebrant writes and delivers a personalised ceremony, which feels comfortable for you, while a registrar facilitates the legal marriage, which has set words and actions which cannot be changed, and has to take place in a licensed venue.

Many people choose to build a registrar-led ceremony around the legal process, but these ceremonies are inflexible and cannot be personalised. People often feel that the words, actions and traditions associated with a registrar's ceremony do not feel right for them, or find that they do not want to have their wedding ceremony in a register office or a licensed venue - therefore they may opt for a celebrant-led ceremony.

It is important to note that this explanation applies to England and Wales - the legalities are different in different countries. 

In addition, a couple may only meet their registrar on the day of their wedding, and there is no scope for collaborative process and ceremony-writing as with a celebrant. Your celebrant is a supportive friend, who helps you to create the ceremony which is perfect for you ♡  

I’m an open-minded gal. I’ve spent the last 15 years exploring, studying and teaching about religion and spirituality, but I’m not a lover of labelling things.

I believe in energy, whatever that means, and that nature is beautiful and powerful, just like us humans. I'm more than happy to chat about this, if you have any more questions - just be warned that the conversation may last for days ♡ 

I would always encourage people to look out for local suppliers ♡ 

There are probably loads of brilliant florists, photographers, videographers and so on in your local area, waiting to help you to curate your perfect day.

If you are based in Greater Manchester/West Yorkshire and beyond, Ruth Elizabeth Photography is awesome, and took the photos for N&J and K&N's ceremonies in the 'Gallery' section.

If you're based in or around Skye, Andrew Rae is fantastic, and took the photos on the 'Ceremony' page ♡