We are South Downs Celebrants
Thank you for taking the time to read all about us – we would love to get to know you!
Here at Field Place Manor House & Barns we have two professional, in-house, civil celebrants. Two – because life is about choices, which is a mantra we will follow for the whole of your wedding planning. So with that in mind, our two celebrants, Amanda and Corrine, provide you with choice from the outset. You choose your celebrant, and have your service delivered your way – it really is all about you.
As celebrants, we spend time getting to know you so that, together with you, we write a bespoke, personalised service, that starts your wedding celebrations your way. This also applies for renewal of vows and other family events, to create a day full of memories to last a lifetime.
Why not download our Celebrant information and you can find out all about who we are and what we do.
Two, venue specific, professional Celebrants
Once you’ve met us and decided which one of us fits best with you we will start the process. Firstly, we are contactable at any time. We set up a WhatsApp group for the three of us; both of you and your chosen celebrant, and we are on hand to help with any questions. As time moves along, we meet, have a cuppa and get to know each other. The best relationships build from the outset, and the better we know each other the more personalised your service will be.
We want your ceremony to set the scene for the day ahead and start your celebrations in style with a ceremony that is exclusively written for you. If you and your partner are from different religious beliefs, then we can include elements of both into your ceremony. We can involve all of your favourite people and craft a ceremony which does your love justice.
The Legal Bit
So, let’s start logically with obvious question – Can a professional Celebrant legally marry couples? By law, the marriage must be conducted by a person, or in the presence of a person, authorised to register marriages in the district. The marriage must be entered in the marriage register and signed by both parties, two witnesses, the person who conducts the ceremony and, if that person is not authorised to register marriages, the person who is registering the marriage.
West Sussex Registration service
Before you can marry or enter into a civil partnership, both you and your partner are legally required to give notice of your intention to marry at your local register office. To request a date you would need to call the Ceremonies Team to discuss this on 01243 642122
In West Sussex all standard legal declarations are conducted in Crawley Registry Office, which is in Crawley Library. It has its own separate entrance, and a small room where you and your two witnesses go to partake in the legal declaration. Within this service you are permitted to have minimal vows and promises, and you sign your declaration of marriage. This takes 15 minutes.
Service costs:
- Standard Legal Declaration £68 per couple
- Printed Marriage Certificate £11 each
Handfasting
Handfasting is a celtic ritual symbolising unity.It involves the couples hands being tied together with cords or ribbons. The celebrant will tie them around your hands, tying the knot, if you will. Different coloured ribbons have different meanings which are explained throughout the ceremony. You can include family members if you’s like to to make it more personal. These ceremonies can make for really wonderful pictures.
Unity Sand Ceremony
A unity sand ceremony is a tradition in which the couple pours coloured sand from separate vessels into a unified, central one. The act represents the joining of two individuals and the creation of a new union and family. You can involve family members in the ceremony and end up with a beautiful forever keepsake.
Ringwarming
A really lovely touch in a ceremony is start with a warming of the rings. You would place your rings in a small organza bag on a small pillow or tray and hand them round to all your guests who will warm them with a prayer, good wishes or positive vibes for the couple’s future together. It’s a lovely way to get your guests involved.
Importance of Colours
If you choose handfasting or sand ceremonies the colours are steeped with tradition and meaning. You can choose colours for handfasting that are meaningful to you or even colours that match the theme of the wedding. The choice is yours and you get a beautiful keepsake from your day.
Our Celebrant Team
Having two celebrants that are venue-based means that if you love our venue, and choose to have your wedding at Field Place, you never need worry about finding a celebrant. We only have one wedding day, so we’re here early enough to check in and make sure that you are both OK, we then stay until the confetti has been thrown and you have started your drinks reception. Your wedding is our wedding, and you are really important to us, so we would never rush off as registrars often need to do, as they then move onto their next ceremony of the day. With us, it really is all about you.
Amanda Millis
“I’m Amanda, I’ve been looking after weddings for 30 years. My role as a celebrant brings me so much joy. I love really getting to know every couple and hear their stories and it is my honour and privilege to tell those stories as part of the journey of their wedding day.”
Corrine Samaras
“I’ve worked in Human Resources for over 35 years, I consider myself to be patient, personable and friendly. I come from a fusion of cultures that is free of prejudices and convention and I try to bring that knowledge and sensitivity to all that I do.”
What Next?
If the idea of taking full control of your wedding ceremony appeals to you, then we would love to hear from you to discuss your day. Email us at the below address and one of our lovely team will provide you with all the information you need about celebrant led ceremonies. The options really are limitless!
Email: events@fieldplace.co.uk