Terms and Conditions of Service

1. Booking and Payment

1.1 Invoicing

An invoice will be issued at the point of booking. Payment can be made by bank transfer or via a payment link provided by the Celebrant.

1.2 Funerals and Naming Ceremonies

• Full payment is required within 48 hours of the initial meeting to secure the booking.
• Where a booking is made through a funeral director acting as an intermediary, payment terms will be agreed directly between the Celebrant and the funeral director. These terms do not apply directly to the family in such cases.

1.3 Weddings and Vow Renewals

• A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total agreed fee is required within 48 hours of the initial meeting to secure the booking.
• The remaining balance of 50% is due in full three months before the date of the ceremony.
• Once full payment has been received, no refunds will be offered under any circumstances, including cancellation after the three-month payment date.

2. Cooling-Off Period

A full refund of any money paid will be offered if the booking is cancelled within 14 days of the date of booking, provided that no custom script writing or ceremony preparation has been commenced by the Celebrant.

Once script writing or ceremony preparation has begun, no refund will be issued, regardless of the date of cancellation.

3. Cancellation Policy

3.1 Funerals and Naming Ceremonies

Given the nature of funeral services, all fees paid are non-refundable once ceremony preparation or script writing has commenced. The 14-day cooling-off period applies only where no preparation has taken place.

3.2 Weddings and Vow Renewals

The following cancellation terms apply to weddings and vow renewals, subject to the cooling-off period in clause 2:

Cancellation more than 3 months before the ceremony:

• The 50% deposit is retained by the Celebrant and is non-refundable after the 14-day cooling-off period.
• The remaining balance will not be charged and no further payment is owed.

Cancellation within 3 months of the ceremony:

• Full payment will have been received at this stage. No refund will be offered.
• The Celebrant will have committed significant time and preparation to the ceremony by this point, and the full fee reflects that commitment.

4. Rescheduling

• The Celebrant will always endeavour to accommodate requests to reschedule a ceremony and will do his best to make the new date work.
• However, rescheduling cannot be guaranteed due to existing bookings and other commitments. Availability on a new date is not confirmed until expressly agreed by the Celebrant in writing.
• Where a couple or family request to reschedule their ceremony after the 14-day cooling-off period, and the Celebrant is unable to accommodate the new date, no refund will be offered for any payments already made.
• The Celebrant accepts no liability for loss suffered as a result of his inability to attend a rescheduled date that has not been confirmed.

5. Script Writing and Revisions

• The preparation of a personalised ceremony script is included within the agreed fee for all ceremony types.
• Unlimited revisions to eulogies, speeches, vows, and ceremony scripts are included within the fee, and may be requested at any time up to 48 hours before the ceremony.
• Revision requests received within 48 hours of the ceremony cannot be guaranteed to be incorporated, though the Celebrant will use his reasonable judgement and best efforts where possible, particularly in time-sensitive circumstances such as funerals.

6. Travel

• The Celebrant is based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. All ceremonies taking place within Southend-on-Sea are included within the agreed fee with no additional travel charge.
• For ceremonies taking place outside of Southend-on-Sea, additional travel costs may apply. Any travel charges will always be discussed and agreed with the family or couple in advance and will be clearly set out before any payment is requested.

7. Celebrant Unavailability

• In the unlikely event that the Celebrant is unable to attend a ceremony due to illness, injury, or other emergency beyond his control, he will make every reasonable effort to arrange a suitable and experienced substitute celebrant to lead the ceremony in his place.
• The Celebrant will notify the family or couple as soon as possible in such circumstances and will work to ensure that all preparation and ceremony materials are passed to the substitute celebrant without delay.
• Where a substitute celebrant is arranged, no refund will be offered. The Celebrant's obligation is to ensure the ceremony takes place as planned and is led by a suitably qualified person.

8. Photography, Filming, and Promotional Use

8.1 Photography and Filming

• Families and couples are welcome to photograph and film their ceremony for personal use. The Celebrant respectfully asks that any photography or filming does not disrupt the ceremony or those attending.
• The Celebrant will not share or use any photographs or recordings from a ceremony without the explicit prior permission of the family or couple.

8.2 Testimonials and Promotional Use

• The Celebrant may use anonymised messages, emails, and written feedback received from families and couples for promotional purposes, including on his website and social media. Personal details will always be removed or changed to protect privacy. No identifiable personal information will be shared without express permission.
• Google reviews and testimonials submitted publicly by clients may be shared on the Celebrant's social media platforms. By submitting a public review, you consent to it being shared in this way.

9. General

• These terms constitute the entire agreement between the Celebrant and the client in relation to the services booked. They supersede any prior discussions, representations, or agreements.
• The Celebrant reserves the right to update these terms from time to time. The version in place at the time of booking will apply to that booking.
• These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

If you have any questions about these terms before confirming your booking, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Will Robinson · Will The Celebrant

www.willthecelebrant.co.uk