A celebrant is an alternative to a marriage registrar or a vicar or other faith leader. I can conduct any ceremony you like, anywhere you like and at any time. I do not do the legal bits – those are arranged separately. (See below)

Because you’ll just pop to the Register Office to get your legal paperwork done before having your amazing ceremony with me!

The least expensive way is to do something called a Statutory Declaration. This is the two of you and two witnesses in an office (not a ceremony room) saying your vows and signing the register. Job done. This is £46 plus £70 to give Notice to Marry.

You may also choose the more expensive option of a ceremony in one of the Registration Service’s ceremony rooms.

You can go to any regional Registration Service to do your statutory declaration. So, if you are marrying in Bournemouth but live in London, you can do the legal bit there if you like. For regional registration services in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and  Poole, you can visit the BCP Council Registration Services offices  located in these cities. These offices are open for appointments and  provide services such as registering births, marriages, and civil partnerships. To make an appointment or  inquire about services, you can  contact the customer service team at 01202 123 777 or the Poole  registration service team at 01202 123 232. You can also choose to go to a register office near where you live/your parents/your Great Aunt Maude.

Just think of it as doing the paperwork and then it’s over to me for your celebrant-led wedding! 

This is the civil equivalent of having your banns read. It’s an appointment with the Registrar to show ID to prove you are who you say you are and that you are legally free to marry (e.g. if you’ve been married before you need to show your Decree Absolute). You can give Notice up to a year before your legal ceremony and as little as a month and a half before. We recommend giving Notice to Marry at least three months before your legal ceremony. You give Notice to Marry at the Register Office that is nearest to where you live.

Anywhere you like! A woodland, a beach, your back garden, a cosy pub, or a grand venue – the choice is yours. The venue does not have to be licensed.

Only if you’d like me to! Your ceremony is about you, so if you’d like prayers, blessings, or rituals from any tradition, I’ll ensure they are included in a way that honours your story. If you prefer a non-religious ceremony, I can do that too!

Of course! Personal vows make a ceremony extra special. I can help you write them if you’d like, or give you a gentle nudge in the right direction if you get stuck. If you'd prefer not to write your own vows, I can write them for you!

I am based in Dorset but am happy to travel given the right circumstances. There are some additional charges to cover my travel time, travel expenses and any accommodation required.

Either email me on elizabeth@thedorsetcelebrant.co.uk or give me a ring on .

You can also contact me here. Alternatively, we can arrange a Zoom or WhatsApp video call with you.

There is a £250 booking fee to secure the date and get you in the diary, in pen, and then I’ll get in touch in plenty of time to plan and prepare your ceremony. (£100 is non-refundable, £150 is refundable up to 6 months before the ceremony date and non-refundable thereafter.)

Prices vary depending on the type of ceremony, location, and what’s involved. Take a look HERE for more details.