Weddings

Weddings

Weddings

Every ceremony I write starts from scratch, with the three of us in conversation. We’ll talk about how you met, what you want your guests to feel, and which traditions are staying and which are going. Then I’ll write the script and deliver it on the day, filled with your stories and your humour. Here’s what’s included, and how it all works.

Photo - V&H Wedding Photography Oxford

Photo - V&H Wedding Photography Oxford

What's Included

What’s Included

What's Included

A free discovery call and a questionnaire each, and one more meeting, so I know you both properly before I begin writing.

A script made for the two of you, polished until you’re both happy with it.

Guidance on choosing readings and writing vows, and advice on booking the registry office.

A symbolic ritual, if you want one. Handfasting, candles, trees, whatever suits you. Materials are extra.

Liaising with suppliers to make sure we're all aligned, and officiating your ceremony on the day.

A designed ceremony certificate and a presentation copy of the script.

How it works

How it works

How it works

This is a typical wedding ceremony timeline if you book to work with me.


The timings below work for most clients, but if you're pulling a wedding together in less time, contact me and I'll make it work if I can.

This is a typical wedding ceremony timeline if you book to work with me.


The timings below work for most clients, but if your pulling a wedding together in less time, contact me and I’ll make it work if I can.

01

Discovery Call

6+ months before

A free initial consultation where we’ll talk through your plans, your venue and my fees, and you can ask me anything. I’ll ask you plenty too. Meet in person, on video or over the phone, whichever suits you. It’s how we both find out whether we’re a good fit.

02

Booking

6+ months before

If you’d like to go ahead, you’ll fill in a booking form and pay a 50% deposit to secure your date. The rest is due 12 weeks before the ceremony.

03

Getting to Know You

4+ months before

I’ll send you each a questionnaire to fill in separately. Two versions of the same relationship make for a better ceremony, and they’re usually where the best details turn up. Once you’ve both finished, we’ll meet again to go through your answers. Prefer not to fill in a form? We can just talk.

04

Script Writing

3+ months before

Now I write your ceremony. I'll make sure every line earns its place. I’ll tell you when to expect the first draft, and we can go through it together or I’ll send it over, whichever you prefer. You may even want to be surprised on the day, which is fine too.

05

Final Sign-off

1+ month before

We polish the script until you’re both happy with it. If you’d like any readings included, send them over, and we’ll talk through your vows, with as much or as little help from me as you want.

06

The Big Day

I’ll arrive at the venue an hour before the ceremony to check that everything is ready. I’ll go through the running order with anyone who has a part to play, and have a quiet word with the venue if anything needs sorting. That way you can spend the morning getting ready rather than worrying about logistics. Then it’s the ceremony: you turn up, and I’ll take it from there.

My approach

My approach

My approach

Photo - We the Kasas

Photo - We the Kasas

Written for the two of you, and for the room

I write ceremonies that balance humour with sentimental moments, and I love weaving in the cultural touchstones that are already part of your relationship, whether that’s music, literature, films or a running joke.


Your guests have taken time off, travelled and booked hotels to be with you, and a good ceremony gives them something important. They want to feel the love as much as they want to hit the open bar. Many of them will be strangers, and it’s far easier to start a conversation, or take over the dancefloor, with someone you’ve just laughed and dare I say it cried with.

I write ceremonies that balance humour with sentimental moments, and I love weaving in the cultural touchstones that are already part of your relationship, whether that’s music, literature, films or a running joke.


Your guests have taken time off, travelled and booked hotels to be with you, and a good ceremony gives them something important. They want to feel the love as much as they want to hit the open bar. Many of them will be strangers, and it’s far easier to start a conversation, or take over the dancefloor, with someone you’ve just laughed and dare I say it cried with.

WHAT IT COSTS

WHAT IT COSTS

WHAT IT COSTS

Wedding ceremonies

From £900

Wedding ceremonies

from £900

Wedding ceremonies

from £900

END OF YEAR BOOKING OFFER

Book your 2027 wedding before 31 December 2026 and save 20% on the cost of your ceremony.

Getting to you is on me if you’re within 40 miles of Brighton. Further out, it’s 50p a mile for the round trip, plus a room the night before if needed.

Photo - We the Kasas

Photo - We the Kasas

Phoebe spoke at our ceremony and it was perfect. We loved how it brought us to life and how our guests who might be closer with one of us were left knowing us both. Feeling like everyone understood our love and our journey was important to us and Phoebe's words were meaningful. She managed to strike just the right balance between emotional and funny.

Grace + Elliott

Phoebe spoke at our ceremony and it was perfect. We loved how it brought us to life and how our guests who might be closer with one of us were left knowing us both. Feeling like everyone understood our love and our journey was important to us and Phoebe's words were meaningful. She managed to strike just the right balance between emotional and funny.

Grace + Elliott

Let's talk about your ceremony

Let’s talk about your ceremony

Let's talk about your ceremony

Member of the academy of modern celebrancy
founding member of the celebrant guild
ultimate member of the celebrant guild

Modern Rites · Phoebe Bence · Wedding celebrant in Brighton and the South East

© 2026 Modern Rites · Privacy Policy

Member of the academy of modern celebrancy
founding member of the celebrant guild
ultimate member of the celebrant guild

Modern Rites · Phoebe Bence · Wedding celebrant in Brighton and the South East

© 2026 Modern Rites · Privacy Policy