We are qualified Celebrants having undergone large financial investment with training with a recognised training provider (ICPC) and are associated with other training providers for continual development. We have also invested in other areas such as creative writing, presentation skills and public speaking. And with experience having officiated a large quantity of services, all different, enables our creativity to flourish and our own resources to grow. Amanda-Louise now supports other celebrants to gain knowledge.

Whilst there isnt any wedding planner qualifications by an official body in the UK, but we have trained in this area and very experienced.

For our Somerset Wedding Day Dog chaperone service, the team are experienced with dogs of all sizes and behaviours, undergone pet training and first aid.

As an Event Compere, MC or Toastmaster. Amanda-Louise was trained by the BBC and been a public speaker for over 30 years accustomed from small to large audiences over thousand.

No this is your day, and we work with you closely to fully understand your vision.

As a reputable professional and experienced wedding and event specialists, should we need to make decisions on the day, we will consult with you and if thats not a possibility, then of course we will make the right decisions to ensure everything goes smoothly!

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Amanda-Louise is a qualified and highly experienced Celebrant. She founded this business with the desire to support couples offering choice of how to have their wedding day and their ceremony too. She's been a trained public speaker for over 30 years speaking in public from small groups to those over thousand in numbers, so she knows how to engage with audiences. And she's won awards too!

As a seasoned professional. she also coaches other Celebrants and Business leaders in their skill set and business aims.

She's had the honour of writing and conducting ceremonies for couples with different ethnicity to her own, those from a variety of religions, ages, sexual orientation and those who identify with another gender, all going to her wanting a bespoke ceremony that that heartfelt moment in their wedding day, which shines their tone and style.

She uses her creativity, imagination and experience to write and create a celebration for every client. She gets to know her clients, understands their stories, their hopes and dreams for the future and curates words that often guests say 'that was so them'. She's gifted to acknowledge absent family members, and can include family and friends, music, singing, poems, fun, laughter with the right balance of love and seriousness of such an important occasion.

She writes vows and promises that are meaningful just for her clients, and doesnt tell the guests that she has written it for them!

But she doesnt work in isolation. She works with her clients so that the end result is something they are looking forward to.

And she's there throughout guiding couples about weddings if they need help.

As you would expect, her flair delivering the ceremonies is high standard. She is there with smiles and really absorbed into what this moment means to you both, and will support you to know where to stand, when to move so lessen the nerves!

She's experienced of having to think on her feet during weddings when disruptions have occurred unexpectedly, so that it continues with ease and flow.

And for those who want something different, she gives thought to how to make that work. For example she was asked by a couple to incorporate handcuffs in their service, which she was able to do - they were prison officers, or how to have client's favourite tipple in the ceremony where she weaved it in with words about the blending of two different parts becoming one, and often gets asked to incorporate the whole congregation to be involved during the ceremony within a traditional wedding structure.

The planning journey is often filled with laughter, and getting to know her clients. They rely on her reassurance and confidence on the day, so they can enjoy that special moments.

Whilst her preferred style is traditional with modern touches, you wont find her in a pair of wellies in a muddy field, or conducting a very spiritual ceremony; as her strength is in elegant ceremonies with warm personality for those seeking a luxury service.

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..........and for those who feel this isnt the perfect fit for them, we at Amanda-Louise Knight have other team members as celebrants - as we said we adore choice!

To find out more about Amanda-Louise, the team, and the business, hop over to 'Who Are We' on the top navigation bar to catch up on our stories......

Yes of course - Amanda-Louise will guide you when writing your own personal vows, or she can write them for you as many couples tell her they are unable to express their words or feelings onto paper. So she'll gain your information from our branded questionnaires as this gives you to opportunity to share all those memories and what you mean to one another, then Amanda-Louise does her magic and curates them into your vows for you to consider.

Even those who are experienced in speaking in public, get nervous when it comes to their wedding – after all its an emotional day.

Amanda-Louise will have your vows printed card paper, so that you read from them.

She will break own those magical words of wedding intent or exchanging rings, and ask you to repeat after her.

And rest assured, you will have built up a great rapport together, she'll be by your side, reassuring you and calming any nerves or tension if they arise.

For those who dread giving a speech at the wedding reception, Amanda-Louise offers 1:1 coaching to bring you confidence as well as help writing your speech.

No, we can officiate your personalised wedding service in a licensed or non licensed venue, as there are no restrictions placed on us, unlike a Registrar.

This means we often get booked to go to unusual venues such as museums, castles, zoos, galleries, or somewhere special to you such as the beach, a park, a field, in the air, or even your own home for example.

.....so we can be with you anywhere you fancy - even on water if that floats your boat!

As long or as short as you want, as there are no set rules. Amanda-Louise will write it from scratch, so you wont feel rushed or bored. She's often asked to write a wedding ceremony lasting around 30 mins, but it can be shorter or longer. The longest service she has officiated is 60 mins at the request of the couple.

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We love learning about different cultures and traditions.  

Amanda-Louise has been honoured to work with many couples from many faiths and different ethnicities.  

She has incorporated Muslim beliefs, Greek traditions, Celtic rituals, Christian, Catholic, Turkish and Jewish to name but a few. We can do this in words or blessings from all religions or beliefs, and incorporate a range of cultural wedding traditions; from English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish and from international countries. She will talk through how to bring in whats important to you into your wedding ceremony.

If you wish to include any, Amanda-Louise recommends up to 3 within a 30-minute wedding ceremony.  Read her blog with over 200 to choose from (from romantic, funny,child-friendly, about marriage, friendship, from literature and films) or ask me for my latest discoveries.  Or let her know if you have your own favourites.

Readings, poems or blessings are a lovely touch to any ceremony, so its important to ensure that the right ones are chosen to fit the tone and style of your service. Amanda-Louise will advocate for you to ask a guest member to read them, as its always a nice touch to have other involvement in your special moment, or she can read it if you prefer.

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I do not have any restrictions of any kind, however, its worth checking with your venue.   I work well with other suppliers, and happy for them to move freely wherever to get the best shots of your happy occasion.  And I aim not to photo bomb your kiss photograph!  

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Yes I love this ritual!  I like to use ribbons, rather than cords, as they hang better.  This special element is where ‘tying of the knot’ phrase comes from, and likely your ancestors took part in handtying before exchanging rings became popular, as a sign of their bond together.  And that’s what it is,tying of ribbons around your hands or wrists (along with some special words)and when you step back, the ribbons have tied and your guests clap!

Handfasting is one of the special elements I can incorporate into your wedding ceremony. Ask me about the others – Ive got traditional, and modern ones too.

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As your chosen Celebrant, we aim to be there one hour before the ceremony starts. That way we can introduce ourselves to your guests, and the key people involved in your ceremony, plus we carry out checks that all is in order to commence the ceremony.

In our business, we encourage all our team members to be authentic and comfortable. During your wedding day, we will be dressed in smart casual attire, and of course, we are happy to talk to you about this if you wish ie if you have preferred colours or restrictions on clothing items for example.

Our team from our Somerset Wedding Day Dog Chaperone Service, they wear our branded navy polo shirts and often found in jeans as more fitting working with your furry babies; however if you want us to wear trousers then just let us know!

I recommend you book me as soon as you know the date of your wedding to ensure my availability. Many of my clients book 18 months to 6 months in advance. But its always worth checking first about availability.

Occasionally and is dependent upon availability, so worth checking. I have cleared my entire diary before and written from scratch a wedding within one week, working a multitude of hours in those 7 days! However to be sure you have the date of your dreams, I recommend booking me in advance.

Church is religious ceremony, and often in traditional buildings, so the ceremony will have religious context. The CofE Churches can legally marry you (although the paperwork is dealt with by the Registry Service)

Registry Office (or known as Registration Services) is non religious, often shorter more simplicity ceremony of pre-written script, do not get to meet Registrar beforehand or have rehearsal, however they can legally marry the couple (if they meet their criteria). A Registry office wedding is not bespoke or personalised. The Registrar is a staff member of the council. Their ceremonies are often held in the local Registry offices which do vary in building structure. Alternatively you can book a Registrar to go out to your wedding venue, provided that venue holds a licence; but this will elevate their costs somewhat.

Celebrant ceremony is the only truly personalised wedding ceremony, as they are written from scratch for the client. It can include any religions or none at all. Infact it can include any aspect or elements. It can be structured to a 'traditional' format, or a modern one or even a spiritual structure such as a handfasting ceremony. Couples will have spent time with their Celebrant beforehand, getting to know them and an experienced Celebrant will be an artist of story telling ie your story and captured in the tone and style you wish. They will give suggestions and options how to weave in certain elements.

Humanist ceremony is a non religious service. They are similar to an Independent Celebrant but will not add in any religious context or rituals.

Both Celebrants and Humanists can officiate ceremonies in licensed or non licensed wedding venues, including public spaces such as parks or beaches or in your own home. They can conduct during the day or evening 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

To note: Currently (although the Government is looking into this) in England and Wales certain religious leaders such as Muslim or Jewish Leaders etc or Celebrants and Humanists cannot legally marry anyone. Couples will simply book in at their Registry Office the 2+2 basic ceremony (often held on one day a week in slots of 10 minutes) where the couple gain their marriage certificate. It costs around £57. You do not have to exchange rings or say vows if you do not want to, but the Registrar does have to say a few official words out loud. You can do this before or after your Celebrant or Humanist wedding ceremony date.

Or head over to our business You Tube Channel - there are lots of videos and you can subscribe to our Channel too!

Of course!

We are available for you to book a 1:1 online zoom call with us, its free and no obligation to book us after that if you decide we are not your perfect match.

The booking fee covers any administration and guarantees the date for you. When you pay the booking fee you can cancel within 14 days and the booking fee will be returned to you (less any works we have already started on your behalf). After 14 days the booking fee is non refundable.

Please refer to our terms and conditions (found in our 'Policies' page located under our main navigation bar 'Who Are We' or, we now send this document out with our booking form to all our clients who want to book with us so you will have it to hand.

If for any reason you wish to cancel us, please let us know at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

Dates are held on a first come first served basis, and some popular dates can get booked up well in advance. We always recommend to book us asap even if it seems such a long way off as it secure the date.

Our updated procedure is once clients have returned their signed booking form and paid their booking fee, we email confirming the date is still available and secured with us.

No. When we provide you with our quotation, it will include any travel or accommodation costs if applicable. However if our clients want to add on any extra services we supply after they have booked with us, that's fine, as we simply confirm this in writing and update our invoice payment schedule.

These can be found in our terms and conditions (found on our page 'Policies' under 'Who Are We' on the top navigation bar.)

In brief :-

It starts with saying hello booking a 30 minute non obligation free consultation chat with us to discover if we are a perfect match.

We will send you our scope with quotation for you to consider. For our dog chaperone service, you can gain a quotation by using our online form.

If you happy with our quotation, you let us know.

We then send you our terms and conditions document, booking form and invoice for our booking fee.

You read the terms and conditions and if you are happy with those, you complete the booking form and sign it and return that to us. This now becomes your contract in agreement of the terms and conditions. You pay the booking fee.

Then once we have your completed signed booking form and your booking fee received, we email you back to confirm that your booking is secure in our diary, and the contract is "live".

Yes we do, these are found in our Page Called 'Policies' found in the navigation bar 'Who Are We' - these will show our policies and our terms and conditions of booking

The advantage of using a Celebrant for your wedding ceremony, is you can book a licensed or non licensed wedding venue. Plus there are so many alternative places such as zoos, museums, on a boat, on the beach, by a lake or riverside, in the park, at your own home - infact almost nowhere is impossible!

Yes we can do this. We work with you where we professionally design and print orders of service. Just Amanda-Louise for more information.

Yes you can, subject to availability. We have white oval shaped arches (although we can source circular ones too) and these have been professionally decorated in quality faux flowers. Click here for our dedicated page on items that are available to hire from us

Yes we can!

We hire lanterns to decorate your wedding ceremony area, and can provide faux or fresh petals

And we also hire our white wedding arches which have been professionally styled with quality faux flowers.

Ask Amanda-Louise for more details

Yes we can do.

Amanda-Louise will create a personalised certificate of commitment or blessing which you and your two witnesses can sign during your wedding ceremony, which many couples like to have to, with an ideal moment for a photo opportunity or time for a piece of music to be played.

The certificate is not a legal document.

We are happy to support you with this.

Let us know the names of those who wish to have reserved seating for (and we can guide you with the etiquette of who sits where if you need assistance)

Consider if the wedding party wants to sit down during the service, including the couple.

Its your day your way!

You choose how you wish to enter your wedding service. You may wish to walk in alone, or with a family member or friend, or enter as a couple. You can decide if any of your wedding party will walk in before or after you. Alternatively the wedding couple could enter the ceremony space before all of their guests.

During the planning journey, Amanda-Louise will discuss the options with you and listen to your ideas. She will also ask about how you wish to be introduced in terms of content ie 'who gives away', 'who presents...' and so on, or whether you wish to leave that element out altogether.

As Celebrants we do not have the same restrictions upon us as a Registrar does. Amanda-Louise is happy to conduct the ceremony in English and can work with an interpreter who then translates into another language at the same time. Alternatively, we can have your ceremony words translated and shown on a screen so your guests can follow it.

Things happen. As a professional Celebrant, Amanda-Louise will focus her time on you so is flexible. She will be filling time with your guests and will be liaising with your wedding coordinator. She wont leave, and will ensure your beautiful ceremony is officiated as planned when you arrive.

After booking with Amanda-Louise, you will be sent our 2 unique questionnaires for you to complete and return. One is about sharing your special memories (we like to call this your love story questionnaire!) and the other one is about logistics. These help Amanda-Louise to fully understand your desired tone and style, and supports her in her writing curating your ceremony content.

You will also be sent a list of special elements and rituals that you might like to include in your ceremony.

You will be able to choose any music and readings (and you are not restricted on their content) and who will read those.

You can write your own vows, or Amanda-Louise can help you or write them for you. She can also write personal words if you wish to exchange rings. You can also opt to have a certificate to sign.

You can decide how you wish to enter and exit your ceremony, including your guests

You can also choose if you wish the service to be live streamed, photographed or recorded on video.

Amanda-Louise will work in collaboration with you to design your perfect wedding ceremony format, as well as the length of ceremony time you desire.

Once Amanda-Louise has all the information she requires, she will prepare a draft ceremony carefully considering which elements should go where within the ceremony so it flows seamlessly. She aims to send this to you four weeks before the wedding, for you to consider, and she will amend it until its perfect.

Currently the UK Law states that Independent Celebrants cannot yet perform legally binding ceremonies. This means if the couple want to be legally married, they complete the functional aspect of the legal requirement or civil partnership formalities at a Registry Office by simply booking a 2+2 basic ceremony costing about £57 taking 2 witnesses with them. This takes about 10 minutes in time, and you do not have to say vows, but the Registrar will need to say a few legal words. The Registry Office typically runs these types of legal services during one day of the week which you book in advance your slot. Thats it, the legal part is done, leaving you to have your wedding ceremony separately with a Celebrant of your choice who will provide you with a personal ceremony of your choice.

Alternatively you could arrange for the Registrar to come out to your wedding venue (provided it is licensed as the Law currently stands) and they conduct the legal paperwork, then the Celebrant takes over. But this is not as cost effective option.

NB - Currently the Government are considering updating the Marriage Law Act, so legislation may change in the future. Hopefully they will look how other countries successfully have Celebrants performing the legal aspects, without having to separate the process.

No. A celebrant-led wedding ceremony celebrates your love and relationship, there is no need to legalise it if you do not wish to.

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Usually for most marriages or civil partnerships you have to give at least 28 days notice at your local registry office. You will pay them a small fee to do this, and they display your intention notice publicly in their offices for 28 days. To keep it simple and cost effective, opt for the Registry's basic ceremony (sometimes called 2+2) and pay another small fee - this is a simple way to obtain your marriage certificate. In this booked appointment, the Registrar will ask you to enter into your marriage contract by asking you to repeat a few legal words in the presence of your two chosen witnesses who have accompanied you, you do not have to exchange rings or vows if you do not want to. Many couples choose not to dress up to attend (its up to you), but opting for jeans and t-shirt is fine thus saving the dressing up to your actual wedding ceremony with your celebrant.

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No, signing the register at the Registry Office is the functionary aspect of obtaining your marriage licence.*

Many couples choose to have a Celebrant led wedding ceremony as Celebrants do not have the restrictions placed on them, like the Registrars do, and nowadays many couples want to have a wedding ceremony that reflects them. So the most meaningful part of their wedding day is their bespoke wedding ceremony where they say their vows and promises that have been personally written for them, or perhaps with special elements, in front of all of their family and friends in a location thats right for their needs.

Amanda-Louise officiates wedding ceremonies in a traditional tone with modern aspects weaved in, and gives her clients the gift of time, supporting them to have a beautiful service that their guests wont have heard before.

*Often clients book the Registration Service's 2+2 basic ceremony to do this, as only takes around 10 minutes and costs about £57. Some clients see it similar to the meeting when registering a birth or death. During this 2+2 you do not have to exchange rings or say vows and many clients do not put on their wedding attire, saving that for their wedding day celebrations.

These all point to forever love and harmony together, some celtic, some modern and can all be personalised to the couple and ceremony style. Below are some of the rituals that we can incorporate (but Amanda-Louise will discuss others with her clients, having built up her large pool of resources over the years of special elements)

• Handfasting
• Unity Sand
• Rose
• Signing of certificate
• Exchanging rings
• Exchange of Vows
• Cutting Ribbon
• Jumping the broom
• Honey & Walnut
• Blending of Drinks
• Last Kiss, First Kiss
• Chinese Tea
• Unity Candle
• Ring Warming
• Quaich or Loving Cup
• Breaking the Glass
• Wine Box
• Oath Stone
• Bread, Salt & Wine
• Wish Tree
• Message in a Bottle
• Wedding/golden crowns ‘stegona’

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Yes, together we will create a wedding ceremony that is perfect for you both. We will talk about options how to make it different.

We are experienced at involving children or other family or friends into a ceremony, so that everyone can feel involved. We can do this by inviting them to read a poem or reading, to being involved in a special element such as sand blending, which is heartfelt and sentimental - plus great for photos too! I

Amanda-Louise has written content so that blended families have become 'one' family unit within the wedding service of the couple.

It’s very much like a wedding ceremony but it has no legal standing.  

Sometimes a couple will choose to have a commitment ceremony if one (or both) are still legally married and going through a lengthy divorce, but they want to make a spiritual commitment to their new partner.

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Absolutely Yes! I pride myself of my inclusive approach, and would be delighted to work with you to create your perfect day.

We are based in the heart of Somerset. Typically our clients book us for their weddings and events in Somerset, Devon, Bristol or North Somerset, Cotswolds and Dorset, but we can travel further.

For our Somerset Wedding Day Dog Chaperone Service, we tend to support clients in Somerset and Devon areas.

Naturally we have to charge for our mileage but we keep to the government recommended rate of 45p per mile.

Our terms and conditions show how we calculate our fees should anyone wish to cancel our services after 14 days of booking. This is calculated on a time basis as well as the work we have already carried out plus loss of earnings, so its important to let us know as soon as possible. This information can be found in our 'Policies' page under 'Who Are We' on the top navigation tab. We also send this to all our clients who book our services.

If you wish to reschedule your date, then providing we are available on your new date, we simply change the date. In some circumstances there may be an increase in our costs too, but we will discuss this with you.

Absolutely Yes but without the ‘cheese’.

If you want the truest spiritual pagan wedding, we will recommend you to a fabulous Celebrant who specialises in that field.

We offer the following Celebrant Ceremonies:

Wedding

Renewal of Vows

Baby Naming

Handfasting

Building Openings

Coming of Age

Gender Identity

Divorce

Funeral, Celebration of Life, Memorials, Living Eulogies

Pet Funeral

Ask us for a quotation or more information!

If Amanda-Louise is not available on your chosen date, then Amanda-Louise will talk to you about other Celebrants who work within her team. Everyone in our circle here at Amanda-Louise Knight Weddings, Proposals & Events works to our set of high standards standards, values and ethics and experienced in their specialist field within the business.