Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between choosing a celebrant or a registrar for our wedding? 

Congratulations on embarking on the journey of a lifetime! I’m here to guide you through the exciting world of wedding ceremonies. Today, let’s unravel the mystery behind a common question that often swirls in the minds of couples – What is the difference between a celebrant or registrar for our wedding? 

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The Registrar: The Official Maestros 

Think of registrars as the official conductors of the legal symphony that is your wedding. They are appointed by local authorities and are responsible for ensuring all the legal formalities are met. While their role is crucial, registrars often bring a more formal and procedural approach to your ceremony. 

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This means that you don’t have much room for manoeuvre when it comes to personalisation. For instance, the ceremony script will be the same for every couple, timings must be kept (so no fashionably late brides please!), and you are limited with your venue choices. 

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Picture this: a registrar-led ceremony in a licensed venue, a table adorned with official documents, and a concise script that focuses on legalities. It’s like a legal tango – precise, regulated, and essential. 

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The Celebrant: Crafting Your Love Story 

Now, let’s talk about celebrants – the storytellers of your love journey. As a wedding celebrant, my role goes beyond legalities; it’s about crafting a ceremony that reflects your unique love story perfectly! Celebrants bring a personalised touch, tailoring each ceremony to match your personalities, values, and the essence of your relationship. 

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Although celebrants can’t currently legally marry couples in most parts of the UK, the value they bring to your day is priceless! 

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In short, their ceremonies are fun, full of personality, and surprises, and are just so you! There are no rules here, so you are free to make your ceremony your own. 

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Imagine exchanging vows in a breathtaking outdoor setting, surrounded by natural beauty, with a ceremony script that resonates with your love story. A celebrant-led ceremony is like the best kind of emotional roller coaster – joyful, heartfelt, and filled with the warmth of your connection. 

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To better understand the differences, let’s break it down:

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Legal Bits: 

Registrar: Their ceremony is legally binding and results in a couple being legally married. 

Celebrant: Can’t currently legally marry couples in most parts of the UK. This means you are required to book into a registry office before or after your big day to tie up the legal bits. You can request a basic legal service where you are not required to kiss or exchange vows or rings. This means you can save all the special bits for your celebrant ceremony. 

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Venue Freedom: 

Registrar: Limited to licensed venues. 

Celebrant: Flexibility to choose any location, indoor or outdoor, licensed or not. 

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Personalisation: 

Registrar: Follows a standard script with limited room for personal touches. 

Celebrant: Crafts a unique, one-of-a-kind ceremony script tailored to your love story, preferences, and beliefs. No two ceremonies are the same! 

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Ceremony Structure: 

Registrar: Emphasis on legalities, with a formal and concise structure. 

Celebrant: Focus on storytelling, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. You have the option to chop and change the structure to suit you! 

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Symbolic Rituals and Extra Flourishes: 

Registrar: Limited or no inclusion of added extras. 

Celebrant: Can incorporate symbolic rituals such as handfasting, as well as personalised elements and unique spins! Fancy a mid-ceremony sing-a-long to Taylor Swift? Yes, please! Or how about you finish the ceremony with a shot of tequila? 

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Timings: 

Registrar: Usually adheres to a strict schedule, with limited time for personal elements. They will often have multiple ceremonies in a day. 

Celebrant: More flexibility in timing, allowing for a relaxed and meaningful experience. Most celebrants will only book one ceremony per day – hair running behind time? No worries! 

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Finding Your Perfect Fit: 

Both registrars and celebrants play crucial roles in the wedding symphony, and the choice between them depends on your vision for the day. If you prioritise legalities and are content with a more formal setting, a registrar might be your go-to maestro. However, if you crave a ceremony that’s a celebration of your unique love story (and a whole lot of fun!), a celebrant is the storyteller who can bring your dreams to life! 

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Where can a celebrant wedding take place? 

The exciting thing about having a celebrant ceremony is that you can have that ceremony just about anywhere. So you can have a ceremony on the beach, on a boat, in the woodlands, in a smart hotel or perhaps in your garden? You really can have your ceremony just about anywhere before or after a short legal ceremony at the registry office. 

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Can a wedding celebrant marry you? 

Currently, in the UK a marriage has to be registered by an appropriate church representative or a registrar. 

When you choose a celebrant-led service you will have to arrange for a legal marriage certificate signed on a separate day, either before or after the wedding service, at your local registry office. 

What does a wedding celebrant say? 

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We will create a bespoke ceremony and agree on who is speaking or reading at each part. 

I will always welcome your guests and say a little about the service to come. That may include asking for mobile devices to be switched off or advice on your wishes for the ‘little people’ attending if they get a little noisy. 

At the end of your ceremony, I will include words of congratulations and celebration, if you wish, I can let people know what happens next, e.g where to go for the photographs. 

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The rest is your choice. 

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How does a wedding celebrant work? 

Your first consultation – You may come to me with lots of ideas or want help to you start to imagine and create a dream ceremony. Here we will begin to get creative as well as discuss all of the practical aspects like dates, times, T&Cs, and fees. 

Let’s get started – Now we begin to create your ceremony. I will send out a questionnaire to help get you thinking and talking to each other, and your family and friends about what would make a perfect day. 

The creative process – How exciting! You will now have thought about how we will create your unique ceremony.  We will meet and go through your questionnaire and plan. 

The plan – It’s important to know who is doing what and when the dates on which everything has to happen. I will create a plan for everyone so you don’t have to worry about it. If you have a wedding planner, photographer, venue host I will work with them to ensure that everything runs smoothly. 

Delivering the ceremony – I will write the ceremony and the plan. 

On the day – I will be at your venue well ahead of time, to meet your planner and/or host. I will ‘check in’ with you and anyone else who has a part in your ceremony. I will be there to welcome your guests and then we are ready for that exciting moment when the magic begins. 

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What is the main difference between a humanist celebrant and an independent or civil celebrant? 

The main difference is in the level of religious content. A humanist ceremony does not include any religious content at all. With a celebrant you can include or exclude religious elements is entirely your choice. If your wedding is creating a new blended family, you may choose to include traditional elements from both families. 

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What words would be in your dream ceremony? 

Will you choose words remembrance of someone who cannot be with you, a blessing, prayer or poem, words for a mini ceremony, and some words on marriage? 

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You can choose to have friends and/or family deliver some of your services and I will co-ordinate and support them in this. 

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I can help you with your vows. This is a great option if you think you will be too nervous to remember or read them on the day. 

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The words that I use are the words that we have agreed on and will ring true to you, your love, and the atmosphere that you want to create on the day.