Frequently Asked Questions
Your journey in planning a ceremony should be a smooth and well-informed process. I hope these Frequently Asked Questions are helpful and if you have any other questions please get in touch.
What types of ceremonies do you officiate?
Weddings, vow renewals, funerals, memorials, interment of ashes, living wakes, pet funerals, naming ceremonies, change of name, gender transitions, separation ceremonies, adoption celebration, blessing-ways, menarche, menopause, miscarriage memorials, conscious conception, milestone anniversaries and any other significant life marker you may wish to celebrate.
How far in advance should we book your services?
It's best to book as early as possible to ensure availability, ideally several months in advance for weddings and a few months for other ceremonies.
Where do you work?
I live in Stroud, Gloucestershire so cover the whole county plus surrounding areas; Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and South Wales. I am happy to travel further afield.
Are you insured?
Absolutely! I hold full Public Liability Insurance & in the unfortunate event of illness/emergency I have a network of fabulous, friendly and professional celebrants, who would be briefed in full and step into my best ceremony shoes!
How do we get started with planning our ceremony?
You can contact me to schedule an initial consultation where we can discuss your vision, requirements and any specific details for your ceremony. I work on the basis that there is no such thing as a silly question, so get in touch and let’s get started!
What are your fees?
My fees are listed but some ceremonies vary depending on your specific requirements. I can provide a detailed quote after fully discussing your needs. I am always happy to provide a free, no-obligation quote for you.
Is a celebrant wedding legally recognised?
In one word - No! A Celebrant Wedding Ceremony is not a legally binding ceremony. A trip to the Registry Office is required to get the ‘legal bit’ completed. There is a small fee for this and you will need two witnesses. A Tall Trees Celebrant wedding ceremony will be unique, joyfully bespoke and will truly celebrate your love and relationship in a way that is special to you. If you wish to confirm your commitment to each other without legal ties, then that's not a problem.
How do you personalise a wedding ceremony?
Every ceremony I create is unique. I work closely with couples to understand their story, passions and incorporate any special rituals or traditions they wish to include. Individual desires and dreams all the way!
Can you perform non-religious or interfaith ceremonies?
Yes, I am happy to conduct non-religious, interfaith or spiritual ceremonies based on your preferences and values. The freedoms and possibilities with a celebrant are a joy. It’s YOUR ceremony and as a celebrant, I can accommodate anything!
Do you help with writing vows?
Absolutely, I can provide guidance, support and encouragement to help you write your vows or create them for you but with you.
What is your approach to creating a funeral service?
I focus on celebrating the life of your loved one, incorporating stories, memories and any specific wishes of the family to create a meaningful and respectful service. I feel strongly about both honouring the individual and comforting family and friends, therefore my ceremonies include personal touches and bespoke rituals to achieve this.
How long are your funeral services?
Crematorium services can be from 20-30 minutes plus and it is sometimes possible to book a double time slot. Services at Burial Grounds or other venues can be longer and arrangements made on an individual basis.
What is the difference between a celebrant and a religious officiant?
A celebrant can perform non-religious, spiritual, personalised ceremonies, whereas a religious officiant typically conducts services according to specific religious traditions and rites.
Reviews
Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jilly was absolutely the best person for our wedding day! She made the day perfect and we wanted her to stay for the ret of the day. From our very first chat we knew she was going to do the best job we could hope for. She got to know us and our interests and no question was to weird or to much. She checked in with us regularly and when we expressed a block on writing out vows she sent over eight different sets she wrote herself for us to choose from (which was actually really difficult). The script she wrote was me and my husband on a page. Jilly did so much research on our interests (anime, viking and celtic law and rituals) as gave us the perfect ceremony. On the day we couldn't have asked for anything more. She made our day so special and all of our guests loved her and it. A number have actually said they are going to do something similar and renew their vows. Ohers said it was the most interesting and entertaining wedding they had ever been to. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Jilly, for making our special day the most special of days. xxxPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you are thinking about Jilly for your wedding celebrant – BOOK HER. She was fantastic at every stage. She was never pushy, giving us the time to decide if she was right for us, and that patience continued as we asked questions and plans evolved. She has as a wonderfully collaborative style, balanced with providing thoughtful, tailored guidance and support. She went above and beyond for us and we ended up with a ceremony perfect for us.
Owner's reply
Lovely Katherine, I loved getting to know you and Joseph. Your wedding was such a bright, joyful and love filled day. Magic! I am touched by your heartfelt review - thank you xxPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jilly led a beautiful naming ceremony for our daughter in September. During the planning process, she took our thoughts and hopes for the ceremony, suggested ideas using her knowledge and made us feel listened to and respected throughout. Jilly wrote a meaningful script which we will treasure forever. She led the ceremony in a professional manner but with a warm, personal touch. Thank you Jilly for leading us in the celebrations for our little girl.
Owner's reply
I had such a lovely time with you all 🩷 Sienna is an absolute joy and it was an honour to conduct and create her naming ceremony with you 🩷 Bright naming blessings xxPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jilly was wonderful to work with, supporting us to bring our ideas for our nature-based wedding ceremony alive, we couldn't have asked for anyone more attentive and caring. Jilly gave us time and space to create our ceremony exactly how we wanted whilst also offering guidance when needed. On the day, Jilly felt so much like part of the family, yet oversaw the ceremony with professionalism. Overall, Jilly made the sometimes bumpy ride of planning our big day, feel so much less stressful and bought a compassionate, warm and knowledgable presence. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for a celebrant.
Owner's reply
Jess and Jim. It was a joy and delight getting to know you both, as was your wedding day. So full of love in a special woodland setting. It will remain in my heart for a long time 💕 Thankyou for such a beautiful review 💕Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Where do I start ? Jilly was our celebrant for a very unconventional union. We both felt she ‘got’ us from the first time we met her. Each meeting was relaxed often when other aspects of the wedding planning were in complete chaos. On the hottest day of the year she was cool and calm throughout the ceremony. Her script was word perfect and nailed the tone that we wanted in the very first draft. Jilly was a joy to work with.
Owner's reply
Where do I start?! A total joy working with you both right from the outset. A total honour to be your celebrant - thankyou XXPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ash scattering ceremony for our mum. Jilly listened intently and asked lots of questions at our meeting. We were pleasingly overwhelmed when we got her first draft to see how much of mum's life and character she had absorbed and voiced so eloquently. On the day, she guided us and performed the celebration with a quiet and loving warmth, reading us well and giving us a pace that allowed reflection and gave us all joy. Mum would have loved it. We can highly recommend Jilly's thoughtful, kind and detailed services. Thank you, Jilly.
Owner's reply
It was such an honour to be in the beautiful woodland setting with you all. Thank you for your kind and appreciative words Shani.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jilly was truly amazing, it was all very last minute with less than 2 weeks notice. The whole process was smooth from start to finish, walking us through everything to make sure we were happy. Our family loved the ceremony and it was so unique we loved it too. Thank you
Owner's reply
Thanks Gem. What a beautiful day we celebrated on. Thanks for this review and for meeting all my deadlines in order to create a special ceremony for you both, in such a ‘snug’ timescale! We did it! 💕 Lovely to work with you both and to hear that your family loved it too 🩷 Happy Anniversary xxPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jilly was brilliant and helped create a bespoke and wonderful wedding renewal for our 10 year anniversary. I would highly recommend her.
Owner's reply
Thankyou Chris. A pleasure to create ceremony and celebration for you and Gem. All the very best and here's to another ten years! xxPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t recommend “The Tall Trees Celebrant” enough. My wife and I weren’t really sure what elements we wanted to include in our wedding ceremony. From our first meeting, Jilly sussed out our vibe and what was important to us in our relationship, and from that, she came up with so many great ideas for rituals that would have special meaning to us. The whole process was delightful. We felt like we were in very safe hands as Jilly took the time to really get to know us and gave us many opportunities to check in while preparing the script for the big day. It was definitely the least stressful of all the wedding planning elements. Thank you so much for a wonderful and unforgettable ceremony.
Owner's reply
Thanks so much Chris. It was a total joy navigating the ceremony design with you both and then experiencing the magic and delight of your wedding day. I feel very fortunate to work with such brilliant beings.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This young lady carried out the service for our silver wedding anniversary on Sunday to renew our vows and I have to say that she did a first class job. Professional from start to finish, would have no hesitation in recommending her in complete confidence
Owner's reply
Oh Les, such a pleasure working with you and Christ. It was a special time and I thank you for your kind words. All the very best to you both and your family xx
Get in Touch
Do you have a question or enquiry? Please don't hesitate to contact me, I am more than happy to answer any queries about my services or prices.
