FAQ
+ What is a Life-Cycle Celebrant?
A Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant® is someone who has received specialized training in the theory, creation and practise of ceremony and ritual. As such, they are ceremonial specialists who design and officiate ceremonies and rituals which assist people in marking life’s important milestones and transitions.
+ Who should choose a Life-Cycle Celebrant?
People who choose to work with a Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant are wanting unique and personalized ceremonies which reflect their own beliefs, philosophy of life and personality. They may be looking to commemorate a milestone that is not traditionally acknowledged by a faith community, or they may just want to honour a particular significant milestone in their life in a meaningful way.
+ What is the process of working together?
We begin by booking a no-obligation meeting. This is a time for us to meet together, to determine if we are a good fit. At this meeting, which is often over the phone or a video call, I listen carefully to your story and what you envision for your special day or service. We discuss your ideas and what your preferences are for the ceremony. We may even brainstorm and explore some initial ideas together. I explain my fees and answer any of your questions.
If we decide we are a good fit, a contract is signed and you pay a retainer fee. At that point your special date is reserved “in ink” into my calendar.
Shortly after we meet I email you a customized questionnaire, which is specifically tailored to your situation. At the heart of every Celebrant ceremony is the story of the person/s being honoured, and so, the questionnaire helps me to discover the important elements of your story which need to be expressed as part of your ceremony. In the case of a funeral, where time is often limited, I gather the information I need through in-depth interviews with family members.
After all this important information is collected I begin the process of writing and designing your personalized ceremony. I will spend many hours researching ideas for rituals, readings and other ceremonial elements in order to best reflect your story, your values and that will capture the ceremonial feel you are envisioning.
After you receive the first draft of your ceremony, we begin the revising and editing process. I collaborate with you via email and phone calls, as often as necessary, until we get your ceremony just right. My goal is for you to absolutely love your personalized ceremony!
If your ceremony is a wedding and requires a rehearsal, I will gladly be there to lead it for you.
On the day of the ceremony, I arrive early and if necessary, coordinate with other professionals to make sure everything runs smoothly. I then officiate your ceremony with warmth, enthusiasm and professionalism.
Shortly afterwards, you will receive a beautiful Keepsake copy of your pesonalized ceremony script as a lifetime reminder of your special day.
+ What are your fees?
Every ceremony is unique and personal to the client and requires a different combination of my skills and time.
That being said, to make things simple, my average fee for a fully personalized wedding or funeral ceremony ranges between $550.00 and $850.00. This includes all the time and resources required in gathering information, researching and writing your one-of-a-kind ceremony, providing unlimited consultations in order to get the ceremony just right, leading a rehearsal if necessary, officiating at the ceremony, and providing you a keepsake copy. Other factors that may either lower or increase the fee are things such as the date and location of the ceremony, the complexity of the ceremony and whether or not a PA system is required.
Other smaller Life Milestone ceremonies begin at $350.00 and range again in price depending on their date, location and complexity.
A 50% retainer is required at the signing of our contract together, and the remaining fee is due the day before the ceremony takes place.
+ What are your credentials?
My Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant training comes from the Celebrant Foundation & Institute (CF&I), which offers the gold standard in Celebrancy education. My training includes certifications in Ceremonies Across the Life-Cycle, Funerals and Weddings.
I am also an ordained Metaphysical Minister with Canadian International Metaphysical Ministries, and as Licensed Ceremony Officiant I am able to legally perform weddings in the province of Alberta.
In addition to these qualifications, I hold a Master of Divinity degree and am a Certified Personal Life Coach. I bring to my work as a Celebrant and Officiant many decades of experience listening to people’s stories, planning and organizing special events, teaching and public speaking in a variety of settings, leading women’s spirituality groups, and, working with diverse groups of people.
+ Do you marry LGBTQ2+ couples?
Yes, I am happy to marry all couples, including couples in the LGBTQ2+ community. No worries there!
+ What is your Commitment to me?
I promise to serve you with respect, sensitivity and professionalism. I promise to provide you with a personalized ceremony based on your needs, beliefs, values and philosophy of life. You will have complete choice and final say over your ceremony.
As a professional, I abide by the Code of Ethics and non-discrimination policy set out by the Celebrant Foundation & Institute. I am committed to creating ceremonies and rituals which will support you, and will become cherished memories on your life’s journey.