Constitution for the Wedding Celebrancy Commission
- Name
The name of the organisation shall be the Wedding Celebrancy Commission
- Role
The Wedding Celebrancy Commission (WCC) is the central (over-arching) organisation providing representation and support to wedding and family celebrants in the UK.
- Aims
To represent celebrants in the media, with government and other external organisations.
To further the aim of celebrants being permitted to conduct legal marriage
To inform celebrants of any current matters that may affect their work.
To introduce professional standards for wedding and family celebrants
To obtain celebrants’ opinions and views on celebrancy issues and use these to promote the profession..
To gather current information about wedding and family celebrancy in the UK for research purposes.
- Powers
The WCC Executive Committee, referred to as ‘The Executive’ shall have the following powers to:
a) raise funds and apply for, invite, obtain, collect and receive contributions, grants, subscriptions, fees & otherwise for the WCC.
b) employ any paid worker to assist in the attainment of the aims of the group.
c) rent or own resources necessary to achieve the aims.
d) affiliate to any local or national group or association that the members of the Executive decide is appropriate and disaffiliate from any group or organisation if affiliation is viewed as against the interests of the organisation.
e) undertake all such other lawful actions as shall further the attainment of the aims of the Commission.
5. The Executive Committee of the Commission
a) Membership of the Executive: The Executive is a founder member committee consisting of a maximum of two representatives from the following founding organisations:
- Civil Ceremonies
- UK Society of Celebrants
- International College of Professional Celebrants
- Fellowship of Professional Celebrant
b) There can be up to two representatives of the above organisations who will be required to fulfil the following criteria:
- To have held a position of responsibility within the organisation they represent for at least two years.
- To normally reside in the UK
- To act in a professional manner at all times both during meetings and in email correspondence concerning WCC matters.
These officers of the Commission are the founder members of the Executive and include a Chair and Treasurer. Administrative support can be provided externally if required, and an administrator may attend meetings for the purposes of taking and circulating minutes.
c) The Executive may appoint such people as it thinks fit as advisers, advisers will not have voting rights.
d) The Executive can establish such sub-groups as felt necessary to achieve the aims of the Commission. Any such groups will not enter into legal or financial agreements without the prior authority of the Executive.
6. Executive General Meetings
a) The Executive will meet a minimum of four times per year by conference calls.
b) Minutes will be taken at meetings and circulated within ten working days after the meeting.
c) A quorum (the minimum number of members needed for a meeting to go ahead) is two thirds of the members of the Executive.
d) Decisions requiring a vote at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority.
e) Each organisation will have one vote.
f) If representatives fail to attend three consecutive meetings (in person or by conference call) or sub group meetings, then the organisation they represent will be requested to replace them as they will have been deemed to have left the Executive.
7. Associate Membership – other training and membership organisations
a) Associate membership of WCC can be offered to organisations who are celebrant membership and/or training organisations.
b)There can be up to two representatives for Associate members who will be required to fulfil the following criteria:
- To have held a position of responsibility within the organisation they represent for at least two years
- To normally reside in the UK..
- To act in a professional manner at all times both during meetings and in correspondence concerning WCC matters.
- To train at least 100 wedding celebrants a year and/or have 250 active members. An active member is defined as an individual paying a monthly or annual membership fee to the Associate Member organisation.
- Gain unanimous vote of approval from existing executive members.
Required criteria needs to be met and the applying organisation needs to be assessed as suitable A fee will be payable for assessment.
c) Evaluation following assessment by appointed members of the Executive will be made by the Executive at the first available meeting.
d) The Executive may terminate the Associate Membership of any member bringing the WCC into disrepute or whose standards fall below the assessment criteria. The Associate Member organisation being terminated shall have the right to be heard by the Executive before a final decision is made.
e) Associate Members may use the WCC Associate logo (and promote their membership).
f) Associate members can attend meetings and vote online.
g) Decisions requiring a vote at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority.
h) Each organisation will have one vote.
8. Affiliate Membership – other training and membership organisations
a) Affiliate membership of WCC can be offered to organisations who are celebrant membership and/or training organisations.
b) There can be up to two representatives for Affiliate members who will be required to fulfil the following criteria:
- To have held a position of responsibility within the organisation they represent for at least two years
- To normally reside in the UK.
- To act in a professional manner at all times both during meetings and in correspondence concerning WCC matters.
Required criteria needs to be met and the applying organisation needs to be assessed as suitable.
c) Evaluation following assessment by appointed members of the Executive will be made by the Executive at the first available meeting.
d) The Executive may terminate the Affiliate Membership of any member bringing the WCC into disrepute or whose standards fall below the assessment criteria. The Affiliate Member organisation being terminated shall have the right to be heard by the Executive before a final decision is made.
e) Affiliate members may use the WCC Associate logo and promote their membership.
f) Affiliate members can attend meetings online.
g) Affiliate members do not have voting rights, but will be consulted on decisions.
h) No minimum size of organisation required.
i) Affiliate members can apply to become associate members.
9. Approved Membership.
a) Approved Membership of the WCC is offered to organisations who train celebrants or represent celebrants or are associated with the wedding industry.
b) Available to Celebrant Training Organisations who have been operating for less than 2 years.
c) Available to Celebrant Organisations who do not qualify for 7 and 8 above.
d) Available to all organisations associated with the Wedding Industry.
e) The Executive may terminate the Approved Membership of any member bringing the WCC into disrepute or whose standards fall below the assessment criteria. The Approved Member organisation being terminated shall have the right to be heard by the Executive before a final decision is made.
f) Approved members may use the WCC Associate logo and promote their membership.
g) Approved members can attend open meetings online.
h) Approved members do not have voting rights, but will be consulted on decisions.
i) No minimum size of organisation required.
10. Funds and Finance (from 01/01/2027)
a) A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Commission.
b) A Treasurer will be appointed who will be responsible for the Commission’s bank account, making payments and receiving monies on behalf of the Commission.
c) All funds shall be devoted to the aims of the Commission.
d) The Treasurer will provide the Executive with financial data at every meeting.
e) Signatories for online payments to be decided once terms of bank account are known. More than one member needs to be able to access the account and pay and receive monies.
11. Alterations to the Constitution
Amendments to the constitution may be made by a resolution passed by a simple majority of the members at the Executive or a Special/Emergency General Meeting. Such amendments include, but are not limited to, the removal or addition of members of the Executive Committee.
12.Confidentiality
a) Representatives are required to abide by the Constitution of the WCC and to have signed the Information Sharing Agreement.
b) Representatives are required to comply with GDPR and other relevant legislation.
13. Dissolution
A resolution to dissolve the group must be passed at a General Meeting and carried by a simple majority of those present. Any assets held by the organisation after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to an organisation with similar aims or an agreed charity.
This constitution was adopted on 24 November 2025
Signed: James Convery – Chair
Executive Member organisations to sign below:
- Civil Ceremonies
- Fellowship of Professional Celebrants
- International College of Professional Celebrants
- UK Society of Celebrants