Your questions answered…
What areas do you cover?
In broad terms, I cover the areas within Hampshire or a 30 mile radius of Southampton, excluding the Isle of Wight.
The main areas I can travel to are Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Romsey and The New Forest.
I can however, travel further afield when needed at a rate of 45p per additional mile. All additional costs would be discussed upfront prior to any visits being made. There are no surprises or hidden costs incurred in my services.
What is a Welcome Ceremony?
A perfect ceremony for parent(s) who do not wish to have a Naming Ceremony, but would like to mark the importance of the arrival of their child or children. The focal point of the ceremony is on giving thanks for the safe arrival of a child or children to the family. This ceremony is particularly poignant for blended families or if the child or children are adopted.
No, neither have any legal standing. They are both ceremonies that celebrate the arrival of a child or children into your family. However, I do include a certificate to commemorate the occasion if you would like one.
Is a Naming or Welcoming ceremony legal?
Can we have ‘God Parents’?
Yes of course you can. In a Naming ceremony they are generally referred to as ‘Supporting Adults.’ You can appoint as many as you wish, they are usually relative or very close friends and they can make promises to the child or children during the ceremony.
Once you have decided that I’m the celebrant for you. Give me a call or fill in the contact form. I will check that I’m available on the date of your special day. I will then send you a booking form. This forms our contract explains how I work and what you can expect from me as your celebrant.
The booking form will need to be signed and returned as soon as possible. Once I have received the booking form, along with the booking fee; I will make a firm booking for the date of your ceremony in my diary. (The booking fee is deducted from the final invoice amount which is payable, in full, 6 weeks prior to the date of the ceremony.)
How do we book you?
Do we have to include religious elements?
The simple answer is no…not unless you would like to.
Yes of course! I am more than happy to accommodate this and we can discuss your wishes when we meet. If you wish to have a lot of religious content? I would advise that you seek the services of a minister.
Can we include religious elements if we want to?
Absolutely yes! When we meet together to discuss your ideas, I can explain the many ways family members and or siblings can be included in the ceremony. I always like to encourage friends and family to participate as much or as little as they would like.
Can we include family members in the ceremony?
Can we include music, poems or readings?
Yes of course! We will need to discuss the legalities of using music. As long as it is commercially available there should be no problem. You can also have a singer and/or a musician play music if that is what you would like.
I can give you as little or as much help as possible with this as you feel you might need.
My fee for either of the ceremonies start from £350
My fee includes almost everything you need for your perfect ceremony. The exception would be additional items which may be needed for symbolic actions, keepsakes and decorations etc if you are including them in your ceremony.
What are your fees?
Yes, possibly the following…
Additional mileage, may be charged at 45p per when applicable for example; when travelling out of my designated area or when additional meetings are requested by the couple…don’t panic! I will explain everything clearly to you when we speak.
Items required to perform a symbolic action for example; a sand ceremony requires containers of some sort, preferably with a topper. Unity candle or candles etc. see (link to symbolic actions)
(all additional charges if applicable will be made clear to you from the start…trust me! There are no surprises, hidden extras or large bills!)