Weddings

If you're here, Congratulations!

Increasingly, couples get married at a registry office, then have a personalised ceremony to reflect themselves, their interests and their values. This can be as informal and fun as you like, and can be held almost anywhere, perhaps in a place which is personally significant for you. People may choose to be married where they got engaged, where they first went on a date, in a setting that suits their personalities more than a corporate venue, to involve their children or companion animals, or have a ceremony abroad if they have family roots there. All of this and more is possible with Heartfelt!

I am very, very much LGBTQ+ friendly!

I’m Kate Mortimer, Heartfelt’s professionally trained celebrant. I am passionate about what I do and about making your day stress free and magical. Whether you know exactly what you want, or need further expertise and creative input, I would be delighted to meet you. It is my pleasure and privilege that you may choose to make me part of your special day.

My communication, empathy, presentation and organisational skills, from many years as an NHS and independent therapist, allow me, within Heartfelt, to truly understand your hopes and wishes, and make your wedding happen your way.

An MA in Creative Writing means I can enable you to express your emotions, love and dreams, through individually crafted vows and ceremonies written with YOU in mind, as well as conduct your ceremony.

I offer a free, no obligation initial meeting, where we can meet at your home or a venue of your choosing, to get to know each other and so you can decide if I am the right celebrant for you. I am easy going, flexible and creative, as well as being passionate about your ceremony surpassing your expectations. I take pride in getting to know you; in offering a service with integrity; and in my warmth and professionalism, all of which can take some of the organisation pressure and (positive) stress of a wedding away from you.

Heartfelt offers a range of traditional and less conventional ceremonies. Some people just want to write and express their own vows to each other and their hopes for their future – I can provide as much or as little input with this as you like – but others choose a Handfasting Ceremony, Salt or Sand Ceremony, or Jumping the Broomstick. Of course you can have your own unique ceremony – anything from an underwater to a cocktail ceremony! Whether you have a clear vision for how you want your wonderful day to be, or whether you are struggling to envision a structure and content, I would be more than happy to help. (I'm not good with heights... but pretty much anything else goes!)

You are also welcome to involve significant others – for example, if you have children already, you may want to have them involved. Sand or Salt ceremonies, which can represent more than two people joining together, are popular for this and children love to contribute! If you would like somebody close to you to provide a reading or reflection, this is also very welcome.

I also conduct renewal of vows ceremonies. Whether you are demonstrating that you have come through adversity together, want to reaffirm your commitment, or want to celebrate a significant anniversary, I would be delighted to help.

I am based in Bristol and am able to travel throughout the South West (covering as far north as Birmingham and as far east as Surrey, as a guide). By arrangement, I can travel abroad.

I am trained in Stages 1 and 2 of the National Open College Network for Weddings, Namings and Family Celebrancy, and have just submitted coursework for my Level 3 – the highest nationally available award.

I am a member of the Association of Independent Celebrants, through which I hold indemnity and public liability insurance.

My fees are £430 for a standard ceremony in Central Bristol. This includes an initial meeting (which can be by Skype if you are some distance away), writing your ceremony of up to 30 minutes in length, suggesting readings and resources, up to three script revisions, a keepsake script and a marriage certificate on the day, if required. Additional travel is costed at 50p per mile. I confirm the total cost on our first meeting, or in conversation beforehand, – this can of course be reviewed, should you choose to add further elements to your ceremony, although I do not make additional charges for special ceremony elements, such as handfasting, unless this takes the ceremony length to over 30 minutes. I ask for a deposit of £180 to ‘save the date’ for your ceremony, and for full payment 28 days before the ceremony.

If I can help as a therapist with anxiety, confidence or weight loss before the ceremony also, please do let me know.