Getting Married in the UK
To be legally valid, a UK marriage ceremony must be performed by an authorised person (for example, a registrar, a vicar or a priest) and be witnessed by two people. In order to do this it means couples must choose between:
  • an approved religious ceremony
  • a registry office ‘Civil’ ceremony
  • or a registrar who will attend the wedding at a licensed venue
The ceremony is a beautiful sense of occasion and is truly the most important part of the wedding day, and while couples can make the reception as individual as they please, they can’t quite do that for the ceremony itself – there are rules to follow, time restraints and even pre-written vows which are simply repeated by you as a couple.

Restrictions also extend to readings, music, vows and sometimes even photographs and the number of guests who are able to join you on your special day. For example, a Civil Ceremony conducted at a Registry Office or other location by a Registrar will not include anything that’s related to religion, such as hymns (even as quotes), Bible references, or even songs that indirectly refer to religion. In some cases, churches will not allow photos to be taken during the ceremony, or they restrict the photographer’s access.

By utilising the services of a professional Civil Wedding Celebrant, which is where I come in, it gives you the choice and flexibility to create a bespoke ceremony reflecting your wishes, values and beliefs without restrictions.

Partnership & Wedding Celebrations
It’s a big day and probably the most important day of your lives and you’ll want to make sure that you get the ceremony absolutely right. I can help you and we’ll work together to ensure we are creating a unique event that will be memorable for years to come for all the right reasons.  

Woodland Themed Weddings
Woodland weddings have a dreamy, rustic vibe and are guaranteed to amaze your guests, especially into the evening as the sun sets and the woodland comes to life with an abundance of tree lanterns, fairy lights, tea lights in jars for the magical evening look. If you are considering a woodland wedding, Cockley Wood Weddings is the perfect venue. I am both proud and so very fortunate to work in partnership with Jane and her team to provide you with the best possible service and attention to the most minute detail.

​Nestled in beautiful countryside between Huddersfield and Wakefield, Cockley Wood provides idyllic private mature woodlands coupled with far reaching views in the ultimate location. Ample parking for your guests and within easy access to the M1 and M62 motorways.

Wherever you decide to hold your ceremony, be it indoors or outdoors, you will have lots of questions to ask and hopefully I will have answered some of them below.
Weddings led by a Civil Wedding Celebrant are becoming increasingly popular because they exercise choice. A ceremony conducted by a professional celebrant provides you with a blank canvas in which to design your own ceremony at a location and time of your choosing. But there are also other reasons why using a professional Celebrant is the perfect choice for you...


  • You want flexibility to have your wedding during the evening, at sunset, at home in the garden or unlicensed venue of your choice. These are all very personal and romantic.
  • You want a very personal and bespoke ceremony that may, or not, include some religious content (music and religious references). You may wish to incorporate cultural elements into your ceremony which isn’t allowed at a licensed venue. I have a wealth of resources and ideas to guide you through your options.
  • Your partner is religious but you are not. By having a celebrant led wedding we can create a ceremony to reflect the wishes of you both as a couple in keeping with each individual’s own religious, spiritual or cultural beliefs.
  • It’s not your first wedding and you would like to declare your love and commitment amongst loved ones but without the legal bit.
  • You like the idea of a traditional ceremony but your guest list is increasing by the day and you cannot find a suitable licenced venue within your budget.

You may wish to use symbolic gestures or weave spiritual elements into your ceremony.  I have lots of ideas to help you creature your unique ceremony either by way of:

  • Traditional Handfasting
  • Jumping the Broom
  • Unity Candle
  • Unity Sand Ceremony
  • Love Letters & Wine
  • The Marriage Library 
  • and much much more!​
Did you know...
​
A Handfasting Ceremony is an ancient tradition that originated in the British Isles. Originally, this pagan ceremony bound two people for a fixed period of one year and one day, during which time they had to make a child. If this goal was not achieved within the time allowed, the couple separated and resumed their lives on their own!

Today, it is used a symbolic act, between the Bride and Groom. The future spouses cross their hands and one, or several, guests come to tie coloured ribbons or cords around their hands.  Ever wondered where the term "tying the knot" came from?!

Why choose me?
I have a wealth of experience working with a diverse range of people and strive to provide the highest level of service. As a former Celebrant Registrar, I have successfully guided many couples through their big day and fully understand that it’s the little things, the attention to detail and personal touch that makes the whole experience so very memorable, not only for you as a couple but for all your guests making your ceremony an experience to treasure in the years ahead. After all, we cannot go back and do it again and we won’t need to. Like you, I am unique and we will work together to create the ceremony of your dreams.

It is with great pride and honour that I am able to unite couples together in a way that best suits them - a way which is fitting, meaningful and memorable. Afterwards, each couple will receive a beautifully presented keepsake of the ceremony – a treasured reminder of your commitment to one another. If in the years ahead you would like to renew your own personal vows you will be able to refer to your special day once more.

​When you are ready please get in touch and I look forward to hearing from you.

Chloe and Josh
​The Gallery
"We had our blessing in the most amazing location, it couldn’t have been better. Sarah was amazing, the blessing was perfect and so personal to Joshua and myself. Very professional and everyone commented to say they would highly recommend Sarah going forward to friends, family and colleagues. If it’s a first class service you want then look no further."
Images courtesy of Traci Habergham Photography

Karen and Richard
The Arches, Halifax
"Where do we start, what a beautiful ceremony filled with love, laughter and certainly nothing off the peg, so very much about 'us' as a couple and two individuals coming together. It was so very individual, warm and touching, incorporating our story, some poetry and the beautiful hand-fasting ceremony.

We were helped by Sarah to enjoy the wedding we had long hoped for, one full of laughter... A party with friends and a gorgeous ceremony in the middle of it all! Just perfect. Sarah made the difference, brought the sparkle, made us all appreciate the importance of the day and she was a great calmer of nerves and great organiser too! We really can't recommend her professional style and friendly manner enough.​

… So here's a big thank you Sarah you helped to make our day perfect." Karen & Richard
Images courtesy of Darren Pogson Photography

Testimonials
"​Hi Sarah, Oh, oh, oh, it’s perfect in every way, thanks so much for putting this all together, it’s wonderful and has so much meaning, everyone will love it, this is a wedding I would  like to have been a guest at too!!!" K x