Nicholas Howden - Celebrant for Weddings & Funerals

14/01/2024

Does the venue for my wedding need to be licensed? In a word, “No!” - if you’re happy to complete the legal process at a registry office, then any space or venue that will grant permission is at your disposal. If you want the ceremony and the legal bit performed at the same venue, you will need a registrar and a venue licensed to host a legal wedding ceremony - the registrar may offer to elaborate on the basic formalities, but they may be limited as to what they are at liberty to include. Using someone like me gives you complete freedom to have your wedding your way.
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11/01/2024

What does marriage mean to you? According to traditional vows, “til death do you part, in sickness and in health, etc”. While you may agree with the sentiment, what marriage means to each couple is personal - and so can be very different. It’s good to consider the extent of your commitment to each other and distil these ideas into vows: promises you make to each other, witnessed by your family and friends. Writing is a significant part of my daily work, so I am well placed to offer guidance with this process if help would be useful - particularly with the phrasing and choice of words.

04/01/2024

Celebrant? Registrar? Is there a difference? A registrar is necessary for two people to be legally married. There are restrictions on what can and can’t be said. A vicar or priest is also licensed to legally marry to people - inevitably there will be at least part of the ceremony that is prescribed.
All of which is perfectly valid but somewhat impersonal. A celebrant has complete freedom to create something unique, a ceremony that truly reflects you and the love you have for each other. A ceremony from me will capture the essence of you as individuals and reflect the energy you generate as a couple.

02/01/2024

How long should a wedding ceremony be? Simple answer: long enough to cover all the essential bits, short enough to keep everyone interested - not unlike the proverbial skirt! The priority should be to ensure everything is covered that you feel is important to include - it’s down to me, as your celebrant, to keep it engaging and entertaining!

31/12/2023

You’ve got the date for the wedding, booked the venue, maybe you don’t mind what your guests wear, you just want them to feel relaxed?… Whether your priority is the visual impact of the photos or the comfort of your guests, it’s really helpful for them to be given a pointer, some parameter within which to express themselves sartorially! As your celebrant, not only am I happy to follow a dress code if that is deemed appropriate, but this is another influence on the style of ceremony I write for you.

28/12/2023

What is the most effective way to relieve stress on your wedding day? Humour! It’s an integral part of putting you and everyone else at their ease, one of the few vital elements I include in every ceremony - and there's always smiles and chuckles as I mingle with guests before proceedings begin!

27/12/2023

You’ve decided to get married … but where? There are many factors to consider when choosing a venue. Before thinking about logistics and practicalities, consider what your ideal would be (if you get the legal stuff done at the registry office, you don’t need a licensed venue so you can really can have the ceremony anywhere!): would you prefer somewhere cozy and snug, or a marquee at the foot of a welsh mountain? if you have a connection with a particular place, there may be a suitable space; something modest and beautifully decorated or grand and decadent - wherever you choose will have ‘wow factor’ potential.
The venue is just one of the choices that inform the style and content of the ceremony I write for you.

24/12/2023

What’s the point in getting married?! We’re all just trying to find the person with whom we’ll be content to spend the rest of our days - not just someone to love but the one who makes us cringe the least! When you find that person, you feel compelled to shout it from the rooftops, to tell the world - well, friends and family at least. Your wedding is that public declaration; when you share well-chosen words to express your feelings and commitment; a ceremony led by me will frame that moment in a way that is personal to you both.

06/12/2023

Finally .... a website!! Please share far and wide!!

Personalised ceremonies, capturing the essence of individuals and instinctively finding the balance between humour and reverence.

08/06/2022

Death is sad, remembering is not! Just met with a family - over Whatsapp as was their preference - listening to them recount stories about their Mum, an hour that was as amusing as it was touching. Such a privilege.

03/06/2022

Having been a funeral celebrant for nearly two years, thought it about time I got something on here! Feel free to share with everyone you know.

03/06/2022

02/06/2022