Frequently Asked Questions — Celebrant Services in Northumberland and North East

How much does it cost?

As a guide, reckon on the following costs:

Naming ceremony: £250.-

Wedding ceremony: £500.-

Funeral ceremony: £250.-

Memorial/celebration of life ceremony: £300.-

We would agree a reasonable additional fee in advance for complex or particularly long ceremonies, and those further afield.

What’s the process?

As each ceremony is developed from scratch to meet your unique needs, we need to meet (in person, FaceTime, phone) to agree what you would like. If you are happy to proceed, pay a deposit, and then we get to work. Depending on the ceremony type we would need to spend time to gather information, refine your vision on what you would like, which may also involve contacting other members of your family and friends. You may even get some homework (nice homework at least). I draft the ceremony script and choreography based on this, which you will need to review, and I refine, until we have a final version.

Which areas do I cover?

Northumberland, North East and neighbouring counties are my usual area, including Alnwick, Alnmouth, Amble, Ashington, Bedlington, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Corbridge, Hexham, Morpeth, Newcastle metropolitan, Gateshead, Sunderland … I am happy to travel further afield, too.

What is humanism?

For me it means living well and enjoying life, with respect for other people, living creatures and the environment, using reason, kindness, common-sense and science to define the ‘why?’ rather than religion or superstition. That said, I‘m not a machine: I still avoid walking under ladders, stepping on cracks in the pavement, and smash the bottom out of a boiled egg shell (stops the witches crossing, my mum assured me).

Humanism has a long history of progressive thought, petitioning, and action, for a kinder, fairer and more egalitarian society. Though humanism is not a religious way of life, it lives comfortably beside those with a faith: humanism proudly accepts that people have different beliefs. We are each unique, so lets celebrate that.

Many notable entertainers and intellectuals identify as humanists and are members of Humanists UK, though most humanists are lesser-known folk.

Humanists UK uses the subtitle, “Think for yourself; act for everyone.” You can find out more about Humanists UK, its achievements and priorities, on their website here

Are humanist weddings recognised in law?

As the law currently stands, in England and Wales, only a church wedding or civil wedding are recognised in law. In Scotland and Northern Ireland humanist weddings are legally binding. This means that the wedding of your dreams (the humanist wedding part) would need also need to be preceded or followed by a visit to a registry office for a marriage certificate (typically £55.)

As of October 2025 the government has agreed to recognise humanist weddings, but legislation will drawn up as part of wider You can find the latest on progress in this area on the Humanists UK website here