An independent wedding celebrant such as myself, can perform wedding ceremonies for couples of any faith or religion or inter-faith weddings. I am not affiliated with any particular religion. That said, I can include some religious content or religious rituals, acts of prayer or acts of worship, as requested by you. I also officiate for non-religious couples and provide ceremonies with no religious content at all. There is no restriction in terms of style and content for an celebrant-led wedding ceremony. I curate bespoke, personalised and completely unique wedding ceremonies for every couple I work with to suit their values, beliefs and interests.

I also provide guidance and support to the couple throughout the wedding planning process, including help with writing and editing vows, selecting readings and music, and coordinating with other wedding vendors.

Gone are the days where weddings have to either take place in a church or register office. That’s right, you no longer have to have a member of the clergy or a registrar officiate your wedding ceremony.

Times are changing! Whether you are a religious couple, non-religious couple or an interfaith couple, it is now possible to celebrate your love outside the realms of a stuffy register office. With an independent wedding celebrant such as myself, you can choose to marry where and whenever suits you and your style. If you want something a bit different, more considered, tailor-made to meet your own visions and values, then a wedding celebrant is for you!

Overall, the benefits include:

Personalisation: I curate a personalised and meaningful ceremony that reflects your values, beliefs, and relationship.

Flexibility: I am not bound by the same legal and religious restrictions as traditional officiants. This means I can perform ceremonies in a wider range of locations and at different times of day, and can work with you to create a ceremony that fits your schedule and preferences.

Inclusivity: I am open and accepting of all couples, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or orientations. This can be particularly important for couples who may not feel comfortable with a traditional religious ceremony, or who come from different cultural or religious backgrounds.

Professionalism: I have experience and training in conducting ceremonies, ensuring that your ceremony runs smoothly and professionally whilst being sympathetic to your individual circumstances and preferences.

Personal connection: When you choose me to officiate your wedding ceremony, you have the opportunity to build a personal connection with someone who will play a meaningful role in your special day. I take the time to get to know my couples and create a ceremony that truly reflects your unique personalities and relationship.

The simple answer is yes! In your favourite stately home, on your favourite beach or even in your back garden. The possibilities are endless. A celebrant-led wedding ceremony can take place wherever feels personal to you. There are no limitations in terms of licensing. The location of your choice does not need a wedding license for my celebrant-led wedding ceremonies to take place there.

The flexibility of using an independent wedding celebrant, such as myself means that you can create a wedding ceremony that is unique and personalised to your tastes and preferences.

The possibilities are endless.

Absolutely!

Your wedding ceremony is completely centred around you and your wishes.

The sole purpose of the wedding ceremony is to fully celebrate you and your love story, in all its glory. I deliver a personalised service through detailed consultations, questionnaires and wedding rehearsals.

As an independent wedding celebrant, I curate one of a kind wedding scripts for each couple I work with which is reflective of their beliefs, views and interests.

I incorporate personal stories and traditions, offering customisation options (such as symbolic rituals, cultural or religious traditions, vows, poetry, readings and music) using personalised language, and creating a unique ceremony structure.

That just depends on you! As an independent wedding celebrant, I can curate quick, no fuss and straight to the point ceremonies. Alternatively, I also offer longer, detailed or more traditional wedding ceremonies with poems, readings, symbolic rituals, music, wedding vows and ring exchange.

That’s the beauty of an independent, celebrant-led wedding ceremony.; with my help you get to design a bespoke service that's right for you.

I offer guidance on timings and what might work best in different circumstances but on your terms.

Ultimately, it’s your choice.

There are several advantages of using a Michelle Park Celebrant rather than your local registrar:

Personalisation: I personalise your wedding ceremony to your unique preferences and beliefs, which is not always possible with a registrar who may have to adhere to a set script and legal formalities.

Flexibility: I can perform your ceremony at any location that is meaningful to you, whereas a registrar can only perform the ceremony at a licensed venue.

Creative input: I offer creative input and ideas to make your ceremony truly special, whereas a registrar may not be able to offer this level of input.

No legal restrictions: I’m not restricted by legal requirements and can include religious or cultural elements in your ceremony that may not be allowed by a registrar.

Personal connection: I love to build a personal connection with you and your partner, which can make the ceremony feel more meaningful and personal.

To find out more, check out my BLOG page where I have written more on this topic: Registrar Vs Wedding Celebant

In the United Kingdom, celebrants can conduct ceremonies that are not legally binding, but they can be conducted alongside a separate legal marriage ceremony that is performed by a registered official.

The good news; it’s a very simple process. I will guide you through the process.

That said, I can still incorporate any of the elements you love from a more traditional, legally-binding wedding into your wedding ceremony. Whether that's a ring exchange, signing of a certificate or more traditional wedding vows-you can design your own bespoke wedding ceremony, adding all the extra details that fit with your vibe as a couple.

There is no strict format. Your ceremony done your way.

Of course, I will gently guide you in terms of a basic format but designing your own bespoke, highly unique wedding ceremony is most definitely a two-way process.

As your wedding celebrant dedicated to your needs, I offer a collaborative and flexible process. So, if boho-festival weddings in a muddy field are more your bag, or you prefer a more formal, traditional approach in a stately home, your wedding will be done your way and to suit you. The wedding ceremony can be long, short, funny, heartfelt, silly or a little bit off the wall; you should always be able to find the right celebrant to deliver this for you.

Your wedding ceremony could include any, all (or none) of the following:

Wedding vows

Ring Exchange

Signing of a celebratory certificate

Readings

Poems

Wedding Script

Symbolic Ritual

Music

In the UK, the legal requirements to be legally married vary depending on whether you are having a civil or religious ceremony. Here are the general requirements for a civil ceremony:

Both parties must be 16 years old or older (if you are under 18, you will need the consent of your parents or legal guardians).

Both parties must be unmarried or not in a civil partnership.

Both parties must give notice of their intention to marry at their local register office at least 29 days before the ceremony.

Both parties must provide proof of their name, age, nationality, and address.

Both parties must have two witnesses present at the ceremony.

It’s always worth checking the latest legal requirements as things can change.

As a general rule, wedding celebrants are not authorized to certify documents. While some celebrants may hold qualifications or certifications in other areas, such as legal or administrative roles, their role as a celebrant is primarily to conduct wedding ceremonies and officiate marriages.

Certifying documents typically requires a different set of qualifications or credentials, such as being a notary public, lawyer, or justice of the peace. These individuals have the authority to certify documents by verifying the authenticity of the signature on the document and attesting to its validity.

Michelle Park Celebrant offers their own wedding certificate as a celebration of the day. This can be incorporated into the service as desired.