ABOUT ME
selfie taken the day I passed my AMC Wedding Celebrant Course - you can see how delighted I am (that & I am failing massively at taking a selfie so am laughing at the whole situation)!
Hi, I'm Caroline, The Bristol Celebrant.
An independent celebrant who creates personal, meaningful wedding and vow renewal ceremonies. I'm here to make your day feel genuine, memorable, and just the right amount of emotional - without making things awkward (Well.....unless it's intentionally awkward. I can do that too).
For me, being a celebrant isn’t just about the ceremony — it’s about the people. I take time to get to know you, your story, and the little quirks that make your relationship truly yours.
If we end up laughing, swapping life stories, or discovering a mutual love for cake along the way… well, that’s all part of the magic.
I live in Bristol, but also cover Bath, the Cotswolds, the South West and beyond!
The Bristol Celebrant
How we will get there...
1
Getting to know you
You've booked me - Yay!
I'll set us up a WhatsApp Chat so you can put any ideas and comms in one place.
About 4-6 months before the ceremony, I 'll be in touch and will arrange a meeting (ideally in person or online if not in Bristol).
In readiness for our meeting, there is a questionnaire for you to fill in for me - don't worry, its not a pass or fail, just starts you thinking about what you might like included.
Then we will meet - you with your prepared questionnaire, me with lots of questions and big ears for listening (I've not actually got big ears) .
That meeting will probably last about 2 hours, so lets meet somewhere comfy!
2
Creating your ceremony
After our meeting I will start preparing your ceremony script. Roughly 4 weeks later it will be pretty much good to go and you can choose whether you want to read it, or keep it as a surprise for your big day. Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong in that decision.
At this stage, I’ll touch base with you on the other details, the logistics of your big day, any readings, or rehearsal plans, and whatever else comes up — making sure everything flows without a hitch.
3
Your Big Day
Its The Big Day!!
Don’t panic — I’ll be there an hour before the ceremony, ready to swoop in like your behind‑the‑scenes superhero. I’ll wrangle last‑minute questions, meet your readers, give the music crew their cues, point you to your spot, and smooth out all those little day‑of details so everything feels effortless.
Think of me as your calm anchor — keeping everything flowing while making sure your ceremony is every bit as individual and memorable as you are.
Photo: Guy Hearn
Why me?
The Bristol Celebrant
"Congratulations on passing your final assessment with me in true style, with humour, confidence, and clarity.You had great awareness of engagement with your couple and guests using body language, eye contact and facial expressions. You have the perfect balance of a great script and a fabulous performance"
"you are the complete package. You write wonderfully personal and descriptive scripts and perform them with confidence and warmth. You have a fabulously clear and concise voice which makes it so easy to sit and listen to you. You pack your personality into your writing and performance which I love! I have no doubt couples will be drawn to you...."
"Caroline is calm, caring, funny and simply brilliant - thank you for helping to make our day so wonderful!"
The Bristol Celebrant
FAQs
Do you marry us legally?
In short, no. Right now in England, celebrants aren’t allowed to do the “legal bit.” So most couples pop down to the registry office a few days before or after, sign the papers, and boom — you’re technically married. It’s quick, painless, and costs somewhere between £35 and £70 (Bristol City Council will even let you use their statutory room for the oddly specific price of £68.50). Think of it as the admin version of marriage: no confetti, no tears, just paperwork.
Then comes the fun part. You save the big promises, the dramatic ring exchange, the vows that make everyone cry, and the full-on celebration for your celebrant-led ceremony. In other words, the registry office handles the paperwork, while your celebrant brings the magic.
Can we write our own vows?
Sure thing you can! And don’t worry, I can help too if you need. The vows are one of the most personal and moving parts of the day.
How long does a celebrant ceremony last?
Most ceremonies run about 25–40 minutes — long enough to tell your story, laugh, cry, and celebrate… but short enough that Aunt Linda won’t nod off, Uncle Dave won’t start checking the football scores, and your guests won’t be plotting a sneaky dash to the bar.
What’s the difference between a registrar and a celebrant?
In a nutshell: A registrar is the official who handles the legal side of marriage, making sure all the statutory requirements are ticked off. A celebrant, on the other hand, creates and leads a personalised ceremony — one that reflects your story, values, and style, without the legal paperwork.
How couples usually combine the two:
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Step 1: Take care of the legal paperwork with a registrar at the registry office (quick, straightforward, and typically £35–£70).
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Step 2: Enjoy a bespoke ceremony with a celebrant — complete with vows, rings, storytelling, laughter, and tears.
How much can we personalise our ceremony?
As much as you like. Choose your own readings, music, even a sing‑a‑long song (it’s great fun and doesn’t have to be a hymn). Include something from your religious or cultural background, or weave in symbolic elements like Handfasting, tree planting, or ring warming. Toast yourselves with your favourite tipple. You can also involve children, pets, or family members to make it even more personal.
And don't forget, you can have your ceremony wherever you like (within reason), your local pub, your favourite woodland, the beach, your back garden or Aunty Lynn's barn.
Lets talk about what you’d like, I’m here for it – let’s make this celebration completely and utterly yours!
Do you travel?
Yes! I’m based in Bristol, but I don’t mind stretching my wings (or wheels) to travel further. We’ll chat about any extra travel costs right at the start so there are no surprises. And if you’re planning a destination wedding, even better — just say the word and I’ll happily swap the Brizzle drizzle for a boarding pass to celebrate with you on your big day!
What next? Can we book you?
If you have decided that I am the celebrant for you, we will do the contract, booking form and a deposit to secure your date. After that, we will get back together about 4-6 months before your big day to start the exciting part: crafting a ceremony that’s all about you.
I’ve not got long until my big day – help
No problem, get in touch…..quick! The clock is ticking!
How much does it cost?
Prices from £850 (Mondays-Thursdays) and £975 (Fridays-Sundays)
extra costs such as travel over 10 miles outside Bristol, symbolic ritual items on request.