An Independent Celebrant in Leicester Who Tells Your Story
Your ceremony is the heart of the day — the part everyone remembers. I’m Hayley, a certified independent celebrant based in Leicestershire, and I write every ceremony from scratch around the people it’s for. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works, what you get, and why it’s worth it.
Free 30 minute video call · No obligation
- AMC certified wedding & funeral celebrant
- Only one wedding per day
- 70 miles travel included
- Free 30 minute consultation
Have you ever been to a ceremony that could have been anyone’s?
Most of us have. The same words, the same readings, an officiant who met the couple for the first time that day, and a service that’s over before it has really begun. It isn’t anyone’s fault. Registrars run many ceremonies a day to a set format, with strict timings and very little room for personality. It does the legal job perfectly well. But it rarely makes anyone laugh, cry, or turn to the person next to them and say “that was so them”.
That’s where an independent celebrant comes in. A celebrant-led ceremony is written for one couple or one family only. It’s built from your story, your words, your people and your traditions. It can be held almost anywhere, at a time that suits you, and last as long as it needs to. And because your celebrant has spent real time getting to know you, it’s delivered by someone who genuinely cares how it feels in the room.
If you’re planning a wedding, a vow renewal, a naming ceremony or a funeral in Leicester or anywhere in Leicestershire, this page will walk you through exactly what I do, what’s included, what it costs, and why so many families now choose a celebrant over a one-size-fits-all service.
Already know you want something personal?Pick a time for a free, no-pressure 30 minute video call.
Book your free consultationWhat is an independent celebrant?
A celebrant is a professional who writes and leads ceremonies. An independent celebrant isn’t tied to any religious organisation, humanist association or council registration service, which means there’s no set script, no approved list of readings and no rules about what you can and can’t say. The only thing that matters is what’s right for you.
I trained with The Academy of Modern Celebrancy and I’m certified as both a wedding celebrant and a funeral celebrant. In practice, my job is a mixture of listener, writer, host and calm presence. I get to know you, I find the stories that matter, I shape them into a ceremony with a beginning, a middle and an end, and then I stand at the front on the day and make sure it all flows — so you can simply be present.
As a modern celebrant I work with non-religious, spiritual and interfaith ceremonies. If you’d like a hymn, a prayer, a reading in another language or a family tradition from either side, it’s welcome. If you’d rather have none of that, that’s welcome too.
The ceremonies I create
Every ceremony starts with a free 30 minute consultation. Fees are for 2026/2027 and include travel up to 70 miles from my base in Leicestershire.
Weddings
From £650A ceremony written around your story, with the promise that yours is my only wedding that day.
Find out more →
Vow Renewals
From £500Celebrate the years you've shared — a milestone anniversary, a fresh start, or a surprise.
Find out more →
Naming Ceremonies
From £300Welcome a new arrival or a new addition to your family, with promises from the people who'll love them.
Find out more →
Celebrations of Life
From £300A funeral or memorial that sounds like the person you've lost — honest, warm and personal.
Find out more →Weddings — from £650
Your love story, told properly: how you met, the moment you knew, the in-jokes your friends will recognise, and the promises you want to make. We can write your own vows (or I’ll help you if the thought fills you with dread), involve children and family, and add a ritual such as handfasting, a unity candle or a ring warming. And I’ll only ever book one wedding ceremony on your day, so there’s no pressure if things run late. More about weddings.
Vow renewals — from £500
A milestone anniversary, the wedding you couldn’t have first time round, or a celebration after a hard few years. Vow renewals have no legal requirements at all, so they can be held anywhere and look however you like — including as a complete surprise for your other half. More about vow renewals.
Naming ceremonies — from £300
A joyful welcome for a new arrival, an adopted child or a blended family coming together. A naming ceremony is a lovely non-religious alternative to a christening, with promises from parents and guideparents and wishes from the people who’ll help your child grow. More about naming ceremonies.
Celebrations of life and memorials — from £300
A funeral that sounds like the person you’ve lost. I’ll sit with you, listen gently and at your pace, and write a ceremony and tribute that honours their life honestly and warmly — at a crematorium, a woodland burial ground, a village hall or anywhere that meant something to them. More about funerals and memorials.
Not sure which ceremony fits?Tell me what you’re planning on a free call and I’ll talk you through the options.
Book your free consultationWhy a celebrant-led ceremony is worth it
Here’s what you get with a celebrant that you won’t get from a standard service.
It’s genuinely about you
No templates and no clichés. Every word is written for you, from the stories and details you share with me. Your guests will hear your story, not a script with the names swapped in.
Your guests feel part of it
A well-written inclusive ceremony draws everyone in: readings from friends, a moment for grandparents, children with a job to do, rituals that involve the whole room.
Any venue you love
Because the ceremony isn’t the legal part, it isn’t tied to a licensed room. Your garden, a barn, a woodland, a hotel lawn, a castle or a beach — with the landowner’s permission.
Often better value overall
Venues without a wedding licence are often cheaper to hire for a ceremony, and you have far more choice of date and time, including off-peak days.
No rushing, ever
I only book one wedding ceremony a day. If the cars are late or the photos overrun, there’s no one waiting to move you on.
Someone who knows you
We’ll have spoken several times before the day. On the day, I’m a friendly, familiar face — not a stranger reading from a folder.
Room for every tradition
Blend two cultures, include a faith element, use more than one language, or leave religion out entirely. It’s your ceremony.
Warmth and a little fun
Couples and families tell me the humour is as memorable as the tears. I’ll read the room and pitch it just right, whether that’s joyful, gentle or a bit of both.
A calm hand to hold
Nerves are normal. I’ll guide you through what happens, prompt you on the day and keep everything flowing, so you can simply enjoy it.
Imagine your guests saying “that was so you”.Let’s start with a free 30 minute chat about what you have in mind.
Book your free consultationCelebrant or registrar: what’s the difference?
| Registrar ceremony | Celebrant-led ceremony | |
|---|---|---|
| Wording | Set format, largely the same for every couple | Written from scratch around your story |
| Meeting beforehand | Usually meet on the day | Consultation and discovery session, plus contact throughout |
| Venue | Register office or a licensed venue | Almost anywhere, with the landowner’s permission |
| Timing | Fixed slots, often several ceremonies a day | Your choice — and I only do one wedding a day |
| Religion & tradition | Must be free of religious content | Non-religious, spiritual or interfaith — your call |
| Rituals & guests | Limited | Handfasting, unity candles, readings, children, family — whatever fits |
| Legally binding | Yes | No — register the marriage separately |
That last row is the important one to understand. In England, celebrants can’t currently perform the legal part of a marriage. The good news is that it’s simple to handle: most couples give notice at their local register office (Leicester City Council if you live in the city, Leicestershire County Council elsewhere in the county) and have a short, simple legal ceremony with two witnesses — often on a quieter weekday — before or after the big day. Then the celebrant ceremony becomes the ceremony — the one with the dress, the vows, the tears and the photos.
Vow renewals, naming ceremonies and funerals have no such requirement, so a celebrant can lead them from start to finish.
How it works, step by step
From first hello to the moment you walk back down the aisle — or the moment your family says goodbye — here’s what to expect.
- 1
Free consultation
Book a 30 minute video call at a time that suits you. We’ll chat about your plans and see if we click — no obligation.
- 2
Booking
Happy to go ahead? I’ll send a booking form and contract. Once they’re back with the booking fee, your date is secured in my diary.
- 3
Preparation
Where needed, I’ll send a questionnaire and we’ll meet for a discovery session — ideally six months or more before the day.
- 4
Your ceremony
On the day I’ll be there to support you and deliver your personalised ceremony, so you can relax and soak it all in.
1. Your free consultation. You book a 30 minute video call at a time that suits you. We chat about what you’re planning, I explain how I work, and you ask me anything. It’s the best way to find out whether we’re a good fit, and there’s no obligation.
2. Booking. If you’d like to go ahead, I’ll send over a booking form and a contract. Once they’re returned with the booking fee, your date is firmly in my diary and nobody else can take it.
3. Getting to know you. Where it’s useful, I’ll send a questionnaire and we’ll arrange a discovery session — ideally at least six months before a wedding. This is where the magic happens: the stories, the memories, the little details that make a ceremony unmistakably yours. Then I write your ceremony and we refine it together until it feels exactly right.
4. The ceremony. On the day I arrive in good time, check in with your venue and make sure everyone knows what’s happening. Then I deliver your ceremony with warmth, care, humour and heart, so you can relax and soak it all in.
Step one takes 30 minutes.Choose a time that suits you from my calendar below.
Book your free consultationWhat’s included
Every standard package includes:
- A free 30 minute video consultation
- A booking form and contract, so everything is clear from the start
- A questionnaire and discovery session to gather your story, where needed
- A completely bespoke ceremony script, written from scratch
- Help with vows, readings, music cues, rituals and anyone who wants to speak
- The chance to read and refine your ceremony before the day
- Liaising with your venue, planner or funeral director where helpful
- Leading your ceremony on the day with calm, care and a little fun
- Travel up to 70 miles from my Leicestershire base
Anything beyond my standard service — a rehearsal, extra travel, something unusual you’ve dreamed up — we’ll discuss and agree before you book, so there are never any surprises.
What people say
We can’t thank Hayley enough for making our wedding day so incredibly special. From our very first meetings, Hayley took the time to truly get to know us as a couple and understand exactly what we envisioned for our ceremony. Her thoughtful advice and suggestions were invaluable in making our day even more meaningful than we could have imagined.
The ceremony itself was absolutely beautiful, and Hayley’s personal touch made it truly unique to us. Her warmth and wonderful sense of humor shone through, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. We received so many compliments from our guests about how personal and beautifully delivered the ceremony was – they all agreed Hayley was fantastic!
We recently celebrated 10 years of marriage. As a surprise and gift to my husband I arranged to renew our vows.
In total secret I approached Hayley, a local Celebrant. After a couple of informal chats and the sharing of what was important to us individually and as a couple, giving Hayley specific personal memories she worked her magic and created a deeply personal and unique ceremony. Hayley exceeded our expectations with such care, warmth and sensitivity, sprinkled with humour too.
She created memories for us to treasure for ever. Hayley even made us our own confetti, bio degradeable of course. She is truly a Celebrant that does go the extra mile. We all need a Hayley in our lives.
Thank you ❤️
This is the most unique and personalised ceremony which focuses on the couples’ story but which allows your own vibrant personality to shine too. There’s a great balance between you and them! I love the drama and theatricality – the way you tell a story is so engaging and you really have comic timing which makes the teasing hilarious and then you naturally slow the pace to refocus on the love and romance and real connection of their union.
Want a ceremony people talk about for years?It starts with a conversation. Book yours below.
Book your free consultation
Hi, I’m Hayley
I’m a certified independent modern celebrant based in Leicestershire. For as long as I can remember I’ve been captivated by the power of words, and becoming a celebrant let me channel that into helping people celebrate their most cherished moments.
I believe every ceremony should be a true reflection of the people involved. I’m committed, I take the time to really listen, and I bring a big dose of warmth and humour — my mentor at The Academy of Modern Celebrancy singled out my humour and comic timing. Then I know exactly when to slow things down and let the love, or the memories, take centre stage.
Outside of ceremonies you’ll find me gardening, walking, reading, exploring nature, listening to music and travelling somewhere new.
What does a celebrant cost — and what are you paying for?
- WeddingsFrom £650
- Vow renewalsFrom £500
- Naming ceremoniesFrom £300
- Celebrations of life & memorialsFrom £300
A celebrant’s fee isn’t just for the twenty or thirty minutes at the front of the room. It covers the conversations, the questionnaire, the discovery session, the research and writing, the rewrites until every line feels right, the coordination with your venue, the travel, and the day itself. A bespoke ceremony takes many hours of listening and writing before anyone sits down in their seat.
It’s also worth looking at the bigger picture. A celebrant-led ceremony frees you from licensed-venue rules, which can open up cheaper venues, quieter dates and more flexible timings. And it gives you the one thing money usually can’t buy on a wedding day: a ceremony that could only ever have been yours.
Fees include 70 miles of travel.Further across the UK? Ask on your free call and we’ll agree any extra before you book.
Book your free consultationWhere can a celebrant-led ceremony take place?
Almost anywhere. Because it’s not the legal part of a marriage, a celebrant ceremony isn’t restricted to licensed rooms. Couples and families in Leicestershire choose:
- Their own garden, or a family member’s
- Barns, farms, orchards and fields
- Woodland clearings and country parks (with permission)
- Hotels and country houses — licensed or not
- A favourite pub, restaurant, sports club or village hall
- Further afield: a beach, a castle, a lakeside or a clifftop anywhere in the UK
I’m based in Leicestershire, so Leicester, the county, Rutland and much of the Midlands are covered within my standard 70 miles of travel. Planning something further away? I conduct ceremonies across the UK by arrangement. More about where I work.
Rituals that make a ceremony unforgettable
A ritual gives your guests something to see as well as hear, and it often becomes the photo everyone shares. Some favourites:
- Handfasting — binding your hands with ribbons or cords, perhaps chosen by your families
- Unity candle or sand ceremony — two become one, beautifully and simply
- Ring warming — your rings travel around the room collecting your guests’ good wishes
- Wine box or love letters — sealed away to open on a future anniversary
- Tree planting — for a wedding, a new baby or a memorial, something that keeps growing
- Something completely new — a ritual built from your hobbies, heritage or shared history
When you need a funeral celebrant
If you’re here because someone you love has died, I’m so sorry. A celebrant-led funeral or celebration of life is shaped entirely around the person you’ve lost. I’ll talk with you and anyone else who’d like to be involved, gather the memories you want shared, write the ceremony and tribute, and send it to you to read and change before the day. I’ll work with your funeral director on the arrangements and lead the service with calm and care. If you’ve chosen a direct cremation, I can also create a memorial or ash-scattering ceremony weeks or months later, when everyone can gather.
Funerals often need to be arranged quickly. Please get in touch by email or WhatsApp as soon as you’re ready and I’ll let you know my availability.
Your questions, answered
What does a celebrant actually do?
A celebrant gets to know you, writes a ceremony from scratch around your story, helps you with vows, readings and rituals, and then leads the ceremony on the day. Think of me as part storyteller, part host and part calm presence at the front of the room, making sure everything flows and everyone feels part of it.
Is a celebrant wedding legally binding in England?
Not on its own. In England the legal part of a marriage is still done by a registrar (or an authorised religious minister). Most couples do a short, simple legal registration separately, before or after the day, and have the ceremony they actually want with me. The Government consulted on changing this in 2026, but the law hasn’t changed yet.
How much does a celebrant cost in Leicester?
My 2026/2027 fees start from £650 for weddings, £500 for vow renewals, and £300 for naming ceremonies and celebrations of life. Travel up to 70 miles from my Leicestershire base is included, and any extras are agreed with you before you book.
What happens on the free consultation call?
It’s a relaxed 30 minute video call. You tell me a bit about yourselves and what you’re planning, I explain how I work and answer your questions, and we see whether we click. There’s no obligation to book and no hard sell.
How far in advance should we book?
For weddings, as soon as you have a date — I only take one wedding a day, so popular weekends go early. Where possible we’ll meet for a discovery session at least six months before. For funerals and memorials, get in touch as soon as you can and I’ll tell you my availability.
Can you work with our venue or funeral director?
Yes. I’m happy to liaise with your venue coordinator, planner, photographer or funeral director on timings, layout and sound, so you don’t have to be the go-between.
Can we include religion, culture or family traditions?
Absolutely. As an independent celebrant I’m not tied to any one belief or format. Your ceremony can be entirely non-religious, or include a hymn, a prayer, a reading in another language, or a tradition from either side of the family.
Do you travel outside Leicestershire?
Yes. Travel up to 70 miles is included as standard, which covers Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and much of the Midlands, and I conduct ceremonies further across the UK by arrangement.
Book your free 30 minute consultation
Pick a time that suits you below. We’ll have a relaxed video chat about what you’re planning, I’ll answer your questions, and you can decide — with no pressure at all — whether you’d like me to be part of your day.
Prefer to message first? Email hayley@risingsunceremonies.com or send a WhatsApp.