Roxane Bischof

Roxane Bischof is an independent secular celebrant (célébrante indépendante) based in French-speaking Switzerland who writes and conducts personalized wedding ceremonies. Her practice centers on secular ceremonies that honor each couple's own story, values, and the people they hold dear, rather than following a religious script or standard template. The site carries testimonials and a contact form, and the first appointment is free.

A bespoke ceremony built around your story

Unlike a religious officiant or a standardized celebrant service, Bischof's offer starts from your own narrative. She works with couples to extract the moments, values, and relationships that define their partnership, then writes a ceremony script where each word reflects that specific couple's history and beliefs. The website describes her role as putting the couple's story at the center ("mettre votre histoire à l'honneur"), and her process emphasizes listening and exchange before any writing begins. She also offers the same personalized approach for naming ceremonies (secular baptisms) and funerals, tailoring the ritual to honor the person being celebrated or the family's wishes. Under the heading "Sous une autre forme" (in another form), the wedding page also lists elopements, vow renewals and ceremonies to mark a Pacs, the French civil partnership.

A key distinction is her commitment to secular framing: she describes her approach as warm, respectful, and without religious connotation. This appeals to couples who want a meaningful ceremony but don't connect with religious frameworks, as well as mixed-faith couples or those from different cultural backgrounds who want words and rituals that belong to them, not to any tradition.

How Roxane works with couples

Her wedding page sets out 4 steps. First, a meeting where the couple gets to know her and shares their wishes, expectations and the values that matter to them for the ceremony; the site says this first appointment is free ("votre premier rendez-vous est offert"). Second, listening and exchange: she takes time to get to know the couple in depth, asking questions that help her grasp the essence of their story and the moments they want to highlight. Third, writing, reading through and adjusting: they go over every detail together, and the couple is free to ask for changes until each word fits. Fourth, the day itself, when she orchestrates the ceremony and makes sure it runs smoothly and as planned.

The site does not say how many meetings the process involves, or whether they can take place by video. For couples planning from abroad, that is the first practical question to ask.

Her background supports the writing side of the work. She studied French and History in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lausanne, then took a bachelor's in teaching and worked as a teacher, before discovering her path as a celebrant after attending 2 secular ceremonies. She holds a certification from Ceremoniae as an independent celebrant for weddings, welcoming a child and secular funerals, and lists internships with funeral directors among her training. She describes herself as passionate about language and the art of choosing the right words, fond of writing for special occasions and of reading aloud, and curious about human psychology and other people's values and cultures.

What her 4 core values are

Roxane frames her practice around 4 explicit commitments. Authenticity means she aims to illuminate each couple's essence so the ceremony truly resembles them rather than a standard form. Empathy means she takes time to listen and understand, positioning herself as the "cheffe d'orchestre" (conductor) who guides while you remain at the center. Creativity informs the symbolic gestures, guest participation, and ceremony writing that make each one distinct. Integrity means she makes sure the couple's ethics and values are respected and that her own do not interfere, keeping a professional code whatever the request.

The website includes testimonials from past clients. One client, Pascaline Dumuis, praised her pen and the finesse of her organization and wrote: "Merci Roxane, le souvenir de ce moment restera gravé en nous comme une lumière" (thank you Roxane, the memory of that moment will stay engraved in us like a light). Alicia Delamurraz writes that Roxane made their elopement truly intimate and that they felt heard in their wish for simplicity. A third review, from Frédérique Steiner, concerns a funeral: Roxane asked the right questions to understand who the writer's brother was and paid him tribute in delicate words.

Booking and reach

The site says Roxane works in Suisse romande (French-speaking Switzerland) and "france voisine" (neighboring France). To inquire or book, you contact her directly by email at hello@roxanebischof.ch or phone at +41 76 308 14 30. The first meeting is offered free of charge. The site does not publish a price list: the wedding page states "Prix forfaitaires sur demande" (flat-rate prices on request). Her membership of the Celebrys association is noted on the site, with a link to her page there.

What is not settled here

The site gives no figures, only flat-rate prices on request. If you are working to a tight budget, you would want to ask directly about costs. The site does not describe how far Roxane will travel, though she serves French-speaking Switzerland and neighboring France; couples outside that region might inquire whether a trip further afield is feasible. The site does not detail music logistics (whether you source musicians separately, whether Roxane coordinates with musicians, whether she can recommend options), so that is a question for your first conversation. The site is written in French and names no other working language, so ask whether she can deliver all or part of the ceremony in English if many guests do not speak French.

Who this suits and who it does not

Roxane's approach works well for couples who want their ceremony to reflect their own story rather than religious or cultural tradition, including mixed-faith couples, secular couples, and those from different backgrounds who want words that belong to both of them. It is a good fit if you value deeply personalized language and want to spend time in conversation exploring what matters most to you. It suits couples planning a celebration in French-speaking Switzerland or the nearby French border, and it works for both elaborate weddings and very small elopements.

It may not be the right fit if you want a quick, scripted ceremony or if you prefer a religious framework. Couples who are not French speakers should confirm her capacity to work in English or to include English speakers comfortably. The free-of-charge first meeting means you can have a real conversation before committing to anything, which is a low-risk way to see if her approach aligns with yours.