A celebrant like love Louise ceremonies, is someone who is dedicated to conducting ceremonies that mark significant milestones in life. Beyond officiating weddings, I also lead vow renewals, elopements, commitments and naming ceremonies. When it comes to weddings, I craft personalised and meaningful ceremonies that are non-religious. Unlike rigid templates, couples enjoy complete creative freedom, catering to diverse beliefs, including mixed faith, no faith, interfaith, humanist, LGBTQ+, traditional, modern, spiritual. For an authentic and heartfelt ceremony, love takes centre stage.
Advantages of Choosing a Celebrant
In contrast to registrar weddings held at licensed venues or registry offices, love Louise ceremonies provides absolute creative freedom. Conversely, I offer personalised attention, taking time to understand you as a couple and guiding you to make authentic choices. I will find ways to include and involve all your favourite people. Your ceremony is written with you and only you in mind. Love Louise ceremonies are free from restrictions, allowing them to take place at any meaningful location- a forest, a garden, a mountain, a narrowboat, a cinema, a museum , embracing individuality, and accommodating unique requests.
Are Celebrant Weddings Legal?
Not yet, but we are hoping that it will all change soon! Currently, celebrant weddings are not legally recognised, but efforts are underway for change. The Law Commission for England and Wales submitted a review to the government in 2022, and it is pending government acceptance. For now, couples need to make standard legal declarations and register their marriage with a registrar. It takes about 15 minutes and can cost from £35 – notice of intent to marry + £46 – statutory ceremony + £11 – marriage certificate (these costs are for Cumbria, check with your local registry office). You will need two witnesses for the marriage ceremony (no witnesses are required for a civil partnership registration) and there is no time limit on when it can be done. There are 6 offices in Cumbria – Carlisle, Wigton, Whitehaven, Penrith, Kendal and Barrow.
What to Expect After Choosing a Celebrant?
After booking me, the journey unfolds over several stages leading up to the ceremony:
Discovering Your Love Story: I will write a script for you about your story – how you met, fell in love, your shared values, and your hopes for the future, this is the first task for me. This will involve face-to-face meetings, phone/zoom calls, and email conversations.
Writing a First Draft: I will draft a personalised script, which you can then review and make adjustments towards a final version.
Preparing for the Ceremony: Once the script is signed off, the celebrant will print a copy for themselves, a keepsake copy for the couple, certificates, vows, readings and anything else that is needed for the ceremony (maybe a little surprise or two!). Most celebrants like to conduct a practice with all the key players so everyone knows their cues and it also helps ramp up the excitement!
Meeting you on the Day: On your wedding day, I will arrive early, meet with guests, ease nerves, and ensure everything is set for the ceremony.
What Happens During a Celebrant-Led Ceremony?
Love Louise ceremonies are highly personalised, with no two being the same. There are common elements such as;
Welcome – the couple's arrival (processional) – introduction – reading or poem – the couple's love story – promises/vows – a symbolic act (e.g., hand-fasting, sand ceremony, memory box, unity candles) – ring exchange – pronouncement of marriage – closing (recessional)
How Much Does a Celebrant Cost?
Love Louise Ceremonies charges £550 for each wedding ceremony, covering all meetings and preparations.
Love Louise naming ceremonies cost £350.
Additional costs include petrol expenses for venues outside Cumbria, such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, and the Scottish Borders.
