What does a Celebrant do?

A celebrant is a professional who helps families celebrate milestone moments - from weddings to naming ceremonies and funerals. Celebrants offer a range of services, and they will write and officiate a bespoke ceremony for you and your family.

Why should I choose a Celebrant?

The best thing about a celebrant-led ceremony is that it is totally bespoke to you. We can pack it chock-full of in-jokes, anecdotes, memories… even your favourite TV show quotes if you want! The sky really is the limit. A celebrant can host your ceremony anywhere you wish, whether this is a licensed room, a garden, or even a woodland. Choosing a celebrant gives you unlimited options and creative choices - it’s really exciting for anyone who wants their day to be personalised.

What’s the difference between a Celebrant and a Registrar?

A registrar is employed by your local authority for the purpose of registering the legal requirements around births, deaths and marriages. Because of this, there are a number of restrictions and formalities that they must follow, for example, a civil marriage ceremony can only take place in a licensed venue and must not contain any religious references.

A celebrant is self-employed and helps couples celebrate these milestone moments in the way they want to celebrate them, free from restrictions around content and location. A celebrant works with you throughout and is by your side crafting a bespoke ceremony so you know that what you get is personal to you, and who you’ll see on your big day. With registrars due to the nature of the work patterns, it’s possible you won’t meet until the day of the ceremony.

Will you conduct a Civil Partnership Ceremony?

I can celebrate anything you like - wedding, civil partnership, commitment ceremony - if it’s about love I am totally there!

Is a celebrant-led wedding or civil partnership legal?

In England, celebrant-led weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are not legally binding. It’s important that you arrange to complete all the paperwork to make it legally recognised - this can be done at your local registry office, and is often called a “2+2 ceremony” with the only people required are the couple and two witnesses. The cost of this is usually around £50.

The paperwork can be done before, or after the ceremony that we celebrate together.

Where can a ceremony be held?

A celebrant-led ceremony is totally free from restrictions, so whether you’re looking to celebrate in a garden, a castle, or a woodland the option is totally yours.

Where are you based?

I currently live in the very lovely market town of Devizes in Wiltshire. My family and friends make the joke that you can’t find a place with more options for really good cake than in Devizes… you might agree if you see the variety of different coffee shops I visit over on my Instagram page!

What area does Sakura Ceremonies cover?

I cover all of Wiltshire. I also grew up in Somerset (Street specifically!) so I’m often in the area visiting family so more than happy to host ceremonies in the region. I also lived in Berkshire for many years, and have lots of recommendations for fabulous venue options there too. I can also travel further at request and for an additional cost.

How much do celebrant-led ceremonies cost?

I think having the option of personalisation and choice makes real magic in a wedding day, and I believe that having the wedding ceremony you dream of should be accessible to everyone, and so I try and keep my prices affordable, and I’m always always transparent with my costs! My prices start from £650 for weddings and vow renewals.

Are you qualified?

Yes! I’m a proud graduate of the Academy of Modern Celebrancy.

Are you a Humanist?

No, I am a super awesome independent celebrant! A lot of people do get the terms muddled or are used interchangeably. As an independent celebrant, I can blend content from any background or style (modern, religious, secular etc.) without imposing my personal views - it’s 100% about the family I am working with and what they want to celebrate. Your story. Your ceremony. Your way.

Why are you called Sakura Ceremonies?

I wrote an Instagram post on this not long after I founded Sakura Ceremonies. Sakura is Japanese for ‘cherry blossom’ - the sakura flower once a year, and sends cascades of pink petals over the landscape. Families and friends gather under the trees and share stories, food, and drink and take the moment to celebrate where they are in life. I worked for Honda for many years, and I always loved my ex-pat colleagues talking about the sakura, and the tips for the best time and location to travel to see them. It’s a real bucket list thing for me.

Sakura represents the fragility of life, a time of transformation and growth. All those important moments that a celebrant can help to bring to life and be by your side.

‘Sakura’ is also a little hat-tip towards my two young daughters - I introduced them to the magic-girl anime ‘Cardcaptor Sakura’ last year, and they are both absolutely in love with Sakura Kinimoto. I’m raising strong, open-minded girls and I love that.

Do you have a Code of Conduct

I am an accredited member of the Academy of Modern Celebrancy - all members agree to abide by their code of conduct which is available for download here

Where can I find your GDPR and Privacy Policy?

I take your data very seriously. Please see my GDPR and Privacy Policy here for more information on how I use your data.