What is a Wedding Celebrant and how is it different from a Registrar?
A Wedding Celebrant is a professional who creates and conducts personalised wedding ceremonies, covering a range of beliefs and backgrounds that reflect the couple’s unique story, values and preferences. Independent Celebrants are free to perform ceremonies in any style or location with no limitation on content or timing.
Registrars, however, are employed by the council and whose ceremonies typically do not exceed 15 minutes. Couples do not get to meet with them beforehand and the wording of the ceremony is not personalised where they, instead, have to stick to a legalised script.
Unlike a Registrar, whose role is to oversee the legal aspects of a marriage, a Celebrant’s focus is entirely on crafting a meaningful and bespoke ceremony tailored directly to the couples preferences.
Why should I choose a Wedding Celebrant over a Registrar in the UK?
- A more personalised and memorable experience without the legal restraints: Unlike Registrars who are required to include specific legal wording and readings in the ceremony, Independent Celebrants are not bound by any legal requirements in terms of content. This means couples have the freedom to express their love in their own words, without being restricted to standard legal phrases or readings. If couples want to create something totally unique whether that’s through poetry, song lyrics, or storytelling, a Celebrant can make it happen. This freedom ensures the ceremony is entirely reflective of the couple’s personality and values.
- Gives couples greater involvement: Choosing an Independent Celebrant allows couples to collaborate more and choose their own content for the ceremony, making it more meaningful which can also cover a whole range of beliefs and backgrounds (which a registrar may not accommodate).
- Greater flexibility: Choosing an Independent Celebrant gives couples greater flexibility with where they would like to have their wedding take place as celebrants are free to perform ceremonies in any style or location they wish, whether this be outdoors or inside a venue of your choice.
- Inclusivity of family and friends: Independent Celebrants often encourage couples to include family and friends in the ceremony in meaningful ways, whether it’s through readings, music or symbolic acts. This inclusive approach helps to make the ceremony more interactive and meaningful. A Celebrant can also incorporate special requests such as having children or pets involved, or allowing friends and family members to play key roles, making the ceremony feel even more intimate and celebratory.
- Financial flexibility: While Registrars typically have set fees based on the venue (especially for civil ceremonies at registry offices or approved venues), Celebrants can be more flexible. They usually have a standard fee regardless of the location or time of day which can make it easier for couples to budget. For example, Celebrants can perform ceremonies in locations including private homes, outdoor settings or even destination weddings, without the additional venue costs that can come with a Registrar-led ceremony.
- Higher satisfaction: From start to finish, couples appreciate the opportunity to work closely with an Independent Celebrant, fostering a personal connection that can enhance the overall experience of the ceremony, helping them feel more relaxed and comfortable on their big day.
If I choose a Wedding Celebrant, will the ceremony be legalised?
Not YET, although there is currently lots of discussion around this, so watch this space…!
How do I ensure my marriage is legalised?
If you choose an Independent Celebrant, you arrange a simple “statutory” service at your local registry office with two witnesses to legally register your marriage when completing the necessary paperwork. Many couples opt to do this either just before or after their wedding day. The timing is flexible and only takes around 15 minutes to complete. This usually costs around £46, plus the marriage certificate fee (usually £11-£12.50).
How far in advance should we book our Celebrant?
As Celebrants can become busy especially around peak wedding seasons, it is recommended that, once your date and venue are confirmed, you make contact with your Celebrant which should ideally be around 12- 18 months before your wedding day.
What does a Celebrant ceremony involve?
Each couple’s wedding ceremony can be adapted and tailored exactly to the couple’s preferences but a typical traditional ceremony features a written piece about the couple’s story, readings/poems/music, commitments, vows and the option of a symbolic ritual.
What rituals could I use in my ceremony?
The list is endless! Here are just a few popular ones…
Rose ceremony – the couple exchange two red roses to symbolise the giving and receiving of their love for each other. The rose can be given to the couple by members of their family or friends.
Handfasting ceremonies – an ancient Celtic tradition referring to the binding of hands using ribbons or cords to symbolise the union of two individuals.
Unity candles – to demonstrate the couple as two separate, unique individuals that are joining together in the eternal bond of marriage. It can also symbolise the blending of two families.
Sand ceremonies – visually symbolises the coming together of two lives or families because when sand is mixed together, it can never be separated again.
Tree planting – planting a tree during the ceremony symbolises growth and the couples commitment to nurturing their relationship over time.
How long does a ceremony last?
A typical ceremony usually lasts around 20-25 minutes but the beauty of choosing a Celebrant-led wedding is that any aspect of your ceremony can be tailored exactly to your preferences.