Q. Can we meet you before making our decision? 
A. It is customary for my clients to speak with me online via Skype or Zoom before an agreement is made to proceed with the planning of a service. This allows me to learn more about you both and therefore helps me to design a highly personalised ceremony.

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Q. Do we need to write our own script?

A. This is totally up to you. The beauty of a celebrant-led ceremony is that you are not limited to any script! I have a series of example vows, ranging from traditional through to more contemporary. I really encourage my clients to at least give it a go, and I am always there to offer a helping hand along the way. This is your wedding and your declaration of love and commitment to each other so all you need to do is speak from the heart. Trust me - it’s one of the greatest pleasures of celebrant-led celebrations!

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Q. Our ceremony is abroad - can you still be our celebrant?

A. Absolutely! My standard fee stays the same for destination occasions, however travel and accommodation would need to be factored into costs.

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Q. What about the Legal aspect in the UK?

• Currently in England and Wales only Registrars and designated religious clergy & officiants can legally complete the paperwork for the marriage documents. This means that (for the time being) this part remains separate to your Partnership or Wedding Celebration Ceremony. You can arrange to visit the Register Office to formalise the paperwork at a time convenient to you - which may be on the morning of your partnership or wedding or a day or two before. We suggest you don't exchange rings before the Registrar.

• I do not need to see any documentation in order to conduct your partnership or wedding celebration, it is entirely up to you when you hold your legal marriage. Most of my couples make the arrangements a day or two before and attend wearing 'jeans and T shirts' without any guests.

• Your guests need not know your Creative Partnership or Wedding Celebration Ceremony doesn't include the legal documentation. This is not a problem. I deliver a ceremony which is very similar to that of a Civil Registrar led partnership or wedding. Most guests at weddings don't even realise it doesn't include the legal aspect, they are always pleasantly surprised at how personal it is!

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Q. How do we arrange the Legal Registration in the UK?

1. Give notice of your partnership or marriage at your local Register Office. This costs approximately £35 per person.

2. An authority for the marriage is issued by the Superintendant Registrar, and you are free to get married in any district by submitting your completed marriage notice forms to the Registrar of Marriages or Partnership in the area of your choice for marriage or partnership.

3. Arrange your legal marriage ceremony whenever you want - before or after your wedding ceremony – on the day itself, or a day or two before. You can literally go in your jeans!

4. The marriage ceremony at the Register Office will take approximately 10-15 minutes.

5. A short statement about marriage will be given and you will be required to repeat a legal declaration.

6. You do not exchange rings. This will be done after saying your vows at the Partnership or Wedding Celebration Ceremony.

7. The partnership or marriage register is signed by you both and your two witnesses.

8. A partnership or marriage at the Register Office will cost £40.00 plus £3.50 for the certificate. Including the notice it will cost just over £100.

9. You are then free to enjoy your Partnership or Wedding Celebration Ceremony without any restriction on content.

Q. Where can the ceremony be held?
A. I will work with you to create a uniquely personalised partnership or wedding ceremony - and that includes location.  I officiate partnership and weddings on the beach, or in gardens, in a park or by a pool, in your home or on a houseboat, in barns and on bridges, in churches and chapels, mansions and museums, hotels and halls, coffee shops and castles, at a B&B or a football field, in a tent or in a tree house!

In fact, any place that has special meaning for you. You are only restricted by your imagination.

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Q: Does it matter what religion we practice?
A: Not at all. I serve you in a way that brings joy to your day. I am just comfortable serving you in the manner that helps you live out your own spiritual experience, whether devoutly Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or purely metaphysical. It is common for couples coming to see me to be from different religious traditions. Together we work to ensure that both are represented as much as practical.

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Q: Can we include elements of different religions and traditions in our ceremony?
A: Of course! These make for interesting, rich, meaningful ceremonies. I work with you and your various traditions to put together a ceremony that truly reflects your wishes.

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Q: Do you perform Same Sex Marriage Ceremonies?
A: Absolutely! As a gay man myself, I am known as the LGBTQIA+ friendly celebrant.

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Q: Are you able to attend the rehearsal?
A: If you are having one - then absolutely! With my history as a theatre director, I know how helpful rehearsals can be. However, wedding rehearsals are not always necessary or possible - but rest assured I will be well practiced for the big day! There is no additional cost to attend the rehearsal itself, but if this means an additional overnight stay then this may need to be factored into costings - each situation is unique. 

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Q: On our Partnership or Wedding day, what time will you arrive at the location?
A. Usually, I arrive 24 hours before the Partnership or Wedding Day, allowing plenty of time for last-minute discussion and a rehearsal

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Q: How is booking handled?
Your Wedding Planner or Agency will take care of all financial concerns.

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Q. Why should we choose David William Parry to perform our Partnership or Wedding Ceremony?
A. There are many excellent Officiants around the world. although it's difficult to answer this question, I'll try to offer some points that distinguish me from other Marriage Officiants:

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• I specialise in, concentrate on, and am dedicated to, just one thing - your Partnership or Wedding Ceremony.

• Automatic back-up! I have trained a number of Officiants, so in the unlikely circumstances I am unable to conduct your ceremony, any one of my qualified officiants can preside over your Ceremony.

• I am the Founding Clergy Celebrant of Valentines Hall, South London's only Valentinian Gnostic Sanctuary of Love and Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Oasis.

• My professional fees are realistic. Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. Couples wanting the best come to me.

• I am a very involved Partnership and Wedding Officiant. I believe my role involves more than just conducting the ceremony.

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As soon as I arrive my work starts :

- Before the Ceremony begins, I inform your Musician(s) know all of their cues, and

- I review the Ceremony with your Photographer so he/she/they can get the best shots possible.
- I make sure the Best Man, Maid of Honour, and anyone else who has a role to play knows what they need to do and when.
- I'll answer any last minute questions you have. Basically, I help in any and every way I can.

- Your Partnership or Wedding Planner and I will work very closely together, guaranteeing a superb Ceremony.

 

• Laid Back! Although it may not seem like a big point, my couples like the fact I don't rush through the Ceremony. My style is more laid back - I take my time, and let you know what to do and say every step of the way. This enables you to relax and enjoy every minute of your Wedding.

• Peace of Mind. Knowing you have an experienced, professional Wedding Officiant who is enthusiastic about what he does, whose main goal is to make your partnership or wedding day enjoyable for you, and with whom you can feel relaxed, while this event is worth its weight in gold. 

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Is it not more expensive to have two ceremonies?
Not necessarily! Having a basic legal service at a Registry Office followed by a celebrant led wedding ceremony need not cost much more and in some cases may even be less expensive! I am obviously bias, but I truly believe the unique value of a bespoke and personalised ceremony, done exactly how you want, is well worth the extra pennies. 

For example, the cost of a Registrar-led ceremony at one of the Registry Offices or Town Halls in London are as follows:

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from £290 to £550*  Monday – Friday
from £400 to £900*  Weekends and Public Holidays

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For a Registrar to lead a ceremony at an approved premises, the costs are:

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from £585 to £600  Monday to Friday
from £665 to £900 Weekends and Public Holidays

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This does not include any fees charged by the venue and the cost of giving notice.

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Approved and licensed wedding venues charge a premium for weddings, often charging per guest with a considerable mark up.  So by having a basic legal ceremony at a Registry Office a couple of days before (under £50 on a weekday) and then the main event with a celebrant led-ceremony in a venue of your choosing (not restricted by licences and approved suppliers) - then you are much more likely to be able to control costs and have complete ownership over your big day. 

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By choosing a celebrant led wedding ceremony you are able to experience a personalised, bespoke and flexible ceremony that exactly meets your wants and needs without the restrictions of time, venue and suppliers.

 

What happens next?
After your Partnership or Wedding Planner has booked my services:

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• You will have unlimited e-mail & telephone support.

• I will work with you to customise your ceremony until it's exactly the way you want it.

• You will have your choice of vows, readings, type of service, and many options.

• You are welcome to provide me with your own ideas!

• You can have complete access to my extensive resources of ceremony ideas.

• I will send you your finished personalised partnership or wedding ceremony script to review.

• (It's not the final draft until you say "It's perfect... We love it!")

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Q. WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL FEES?
A. Every couple is unique. I offer everything you desire for your dream partnership or wedding ceremony. I pride myself on being able to create the ceremony that is perfect for my clients!

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My Professional Fee for Partnership and Wedding Celebrations is £700.

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This is what you will receive ...

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• Unlimited e-mail, text, telephone, Skype or Zoom conference calls and even a WhatsApp group

• A Consultation Meeting at any location of your choice in the world (£350 deposit/consultation fee - deductable from final balance)

• Travel to your location anywhere in the world

• Arriving at your chosen location two days prior to your ceremony, for unlimited meetings and a rehearsal

• A bespoke ceremony created by me, individual to you

• Freedom to include religious, spiritual and/or indigenous traditions from around the globe

• A Commemorative certificate, to be signed by the principle agents and their witnesses

• A beautiful keepsake copy of your ceremony script

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STONEHENGE, AVEBURY and ROLLRIGHT STONES
David offers a reduced fee for ceremonies at Rollright Stones.
For Stonehenge & Avebury, please request a quotation.
Please, don't be reluctant to ask for details.

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Thank you for considering my services! 

I look forward to participating in your unique and special day!

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Blessings,

David