Commitment Ceremonies

Many people do not wish to formally marry, either for reasons of belief or law, yet they still wish to make a public declaration of their love for one another and their intention to live together in a committed relationship.

A commitment ceremony is similar in form and content to a marriage ceremony (usually). Terminology will be different, depending on the couple. You can have a ceremony that follows a traditional marriage ceremony closely or one that is very different to honour your beliefs as a couple. For example, a handfasting ceremony for a pagan couple may nominate a number of years for the commitment rather than for the traditional period of "life". For a same sex couple, I word the ceremony in terms that the couple are comfortable with.

As a civil marriage celebrant as well as a general celebrant, I am required to make it known to your guests that this is not a legal ceremony of marriage. I will do this in a way that does not detract from the commitment you are making.

As with a wedding ceremony, I work with you as a couple to craft a ceremony that is reflective of your beliefs and ideals and your intentions. The promises or vows you make to each other will be those you are comfortable in keeping. This is important as spoken vows are binding on you energetically, whether or not they are legally binding.

As your celebrant, you have unlimited consultation time with me up to the date of the ceremony, in person, by telephone or email. I work with you, the couple, to make the ceremony meaningful and heartful for you. You receive a certificate for the commitment ceremony and a copy of the ceremony when the ceremony is performed. Same sex couples may like to register their ceremony with the ICCR register International Commitment Ceremonies Register.

Before you decide to choose me as your celebrant, you may like to call me for an obligation-free discussion, to see if I am the right celebrant for you.