How much does a wedding celebrant cost?
By Jodie Birch · Independent celebrant · 9 November 2026
What the fee covers, what to budget for separately, and the questions worth asking before you book.
The short answer
Eternal Words wedding ceremonies start from £450. That is the starting fee for Jodie Birch to plan, write and lead your personal ceremony, not the total cost of your wedding or the legal marriage. Tell me your date, venue and the kind of ceremony you have in mind, and I can discuss availability and a quote with you.
You are paying for more than the ceremony itself
The starting service includes an initial planning meeting, in-depth story gathering, a completely personalised script, unlimited revisions and delivery of a bespoke ceremony of around thirty minutes. Much of the work happens before anyone takes their seat.
Our conversations uncover the details that make the ceremony yours: how you met, the people you want to acknowledge, your values and the promises you want to make. You read the words in advance and we refine them together.
Keep the legal marriage in a separate part of your budget
An independent celebrant ceremony like mine does not, by itself, create a legal marriage in England and Wales. Couples arrange the legal ceremony separately with a register office or another authorised route. Budget for the legal ceremony, giving notice and any certificates separately from the celebrant fee.
Ask your local registration service for its current fees and availability. A simple register-office ceremony and a registrar attending an approved venue can have different costs; do not assume a celebrant quote includes either.
Check travel and the details of your day
I work across the North East and Merseyside, including Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, Northumberland and Liverpool. Share the exact venue rather than just the nearest town. Travel, complexity and the writing involved can affect your final quote.
If you are considering a rehearsal, special ritual or an unusually long ceremony, ask whether it is included or needs to be quoted separately. Venue hire, catering, photography and sound arrangements are separate suppliers, not part of a celebrant's fee unless expressly agreed.
Questions to ask when comparing celebrants
Ask: Will you write the ceremony from scratch? Will we see and revise the script? Who will deliver it? What happens if you are unable to attend? What travel costs apply? What are the booking, cancellation and postponement terms? Compare the answers as well as the price.
A first conversation is also a chance to see whether you feel comfortable. You should be able to talk honestly about your family, your beliefs and your budget without feeling pushed to decide.
Ask about your own ceremony
You do not need a finished plan before getting in touch. Your names, a date or approximate month, a venue or area, and a few lines about the atmosphere you would love are enough to begin. If the date is close, ask about availability rather than assuming it is too late.