Terms of Engagement

These Terms of Engagement (“Terms”) apply to all celebrancy, writing and related services provided by Jodie Birch, trading as Eternal Words (“Eternal Words”, “we”, “us”, “our”). By confirming a booking with us, whether by email, message, signed agreement or payment of a booking fee, you (“the Client”) agree to these Terms.

Specific details of your ceremony, fee and dates will be confirmed in writing at the point of booking; those written details take precedence over these Terms where they differ.

Eternal Words provides bespoke ceremony writing and celebrancy services, which may include wedding ceremonies, funeral and memorial ceremonies, renewal of vows, naming ceremonies, vigils, legacy journals, poetry and other personal writing.

Weddings conducted by an independent celebrant in England and Wales are not legally binding. To be legally married, you must also complete the civil formalities at a register office. It is the Client's responsibility to arrange these separately.

• A non-refundable booking fee (usually 25% of the total fee, or as agreed in writing) is required to secure your date. Your booking is confirmed once we have received this fee.
• The remaining balance is payable no later than 14 days before the date of your ceremony, unless we have agreed otherwise in writing. For funeral and vigil ceremonies, the balance is payable within 14 days of the ceremony.
• Payment is by bank transfer to the account details shown on our invoice. All fees are quoted in pounds sterling (GBP).
• Reasonable travel expenses beyond our standard service area may be added to your fee. Any additional travel or overnight accommodation costs will be agreed with you in advance.
• Late payment may result in a delay to preparation of your ceremony script and, in the case of overdue final balances, we reserve the right to withhold delivery of the ceremony.

Cancellation by the Client.

• The booking fee is non-refundable in all circumstances, as it reserves your date and covers preparation work.
• If you cancel more than 60 days before the ceremony, no further fees will be charged.
• If you cancel between 60 and 30 days before the ceremony, 50% of the total fee is payable.
• If you cancel within 30 days of the ceremony, the full fee is payable.

Postponement. Where possible we will transfer your booking to a new mutually agreed date at no additional cost. If we are not available on the new date, the cancellation terms above will apply.

Cancellation by us. In the unlikely event that we are unable to deliver your ceremony (for example due to serious illness), we will do everything we reasonably can to find a suitably qualified replacement celebrant and to hand over your ceremony script. If no replacement can be found, all fees paid (including the booking fee) will be refunded in full. Our liability in these circumstances is limited to a refund of fees paid.

Funerals. Given the sensitive and time-critical nature of funeral ceremonies, cancellation charges apply from the point of instruction. Fees for cancelled funerals will be discussed compassionately on a case-by-case basis.

All ceremony scripts, poems, tributes, blessings and other written work created by Eternal Words remain the intellectual property of Jodie Birch until the full fee has been paid, after which a personal licence is granted to you to keep, share and treasure the words within your family.

You may not reproduce our work commercially, sell it, or pass it off as your own or someone else's. We may, with your permission, share anonymised or edited extracts in our portfolio, on our website or on social media; we will always ask before sharing anything identifiable.

You are welcome to arrange your own photographer, videographer or live stream. By booking, you accept that we cannot be held responsible for the performance of third-party suppliers you have engaged. If our ceremony is recorded, you agree that Eternal Words retains the moral rights in the script and words spoken.

• Providing accurate information, stories and details to inform your ceremony.
• Responding to draft scripts and requests for feedback within the timeframes agreed, so that your ceremony can be finalised without pressure.
• Ensuring the ceremony venue is accessible, safe and suitable, with adequate provision for sound (a microphone is strongly recommended for outdoor or larger ceremonies).
• Arranging any legal or religious formalities separately where required.

We treat everything you share with us in complete confidence. Personal stories, family details and sensitive information will only ever be used to prepare and deliver your ceremony and will not be shared with any third party without your consent, except where required by law. Please see our Privacy Policy for more detail on how we handle personal information.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for any other liability which cannot be lawfully excluded. Subject to that, our total liability to you in connection with your ceremony is limited to the total fee paid for our services. We are not liable for losses that are not a foreseeable consequence of our breach or for the acts or omissions of third-party suppliers.

We hope you will be more than happy with our service. If something is not right, please contact Jodie in the first instance at hello@eternalwordsbyjodie.co.uk so we can try to resolve matters quickly and kindly.

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.