In this section

Can we have a Wedding Ceremony outside?

Can we have a Wedding Ceremony outside?

What should I look for when choosing a wedding Celebrant?

What should I look for when choosing a wedding Celebrant?

Can we meet wedding Celebrants before deciding?

Can we meet wedding Celebrants before deciding?

Can we involve our guests in the ceremony?

Can we involve our guests in the ceremony?

What is the difference between a Humanist and a Celebrant?

What is the difference between a Humanist and a Celebrant?

Why would I choose a wedding Celebrant over a Registrar?

Why would I choose a wedding Celebrant over a Registrar?

We married abroad but would like a ceremony in my home town, can this be done?

We married abroad but would like a ceremony in my home town, can this be done?

Should I have a Pagan Wedding Ceremony?

Should I have a Pagan Wedding Ceremony?

What happens during a Celebrant led wedding?

What happens during a Celebrant led wedding?

What is a Wedding Celebrant?

What is a Wedding Celebrant?

The Ultimate Guide to Celebrant Led Weddings

The Ultimate Guide to Celebrant Led Weddings

The Ultimate Guide to Handfasting

The Ultimate Guide to Handfasting

Getting Married in Spain: The ultimate guide to a Spanish destination wedding

Getting Married in Spain: The ultimate guide to a Spanish destination wedding

Getting married in Scotland – The ultimate guide to a Scottish destination wedding

Getting married in Scotland – The ultimate guide to a Scottish destination wedding

Getting married in Greece: The ultimate guide to a Greek destination wedding

Getting married in Greece: The ultimate guide to a Greek destination wedding

Getting married in The Middle East: The ultimate guide to a UAE destination wedding

Getting married in The Middle East: The ultimate guide to a UAE destination wedding

Getting Married in New Zealand – The ultimate guide to a Kiwi destination wedding

Getting Married in New Zealand – The ultimate guide to a Kiwi destination wedding

Getting Married in Edinburgh: Tips for getting married in Scotland’s capital city

Getting Married in Edinburgh: Tips for getting married in Scotland’s capital city

Everything you need to know about a Montenegro destination wedding

Everything you need to know about a Montenegro destination wedding

What happens during a Celebrant led wedding?

Couples who choose Celebrant led weddings often do so to make their wedding ceremony more reflective of who they are, and how they want their union to be. A Celebrant officiating a wedding can lead a vastly different role than what we are used to with priests and registrars.

While your celebrant-wedding will be designed around you, there are some common features that you could expect:

  • The couple will arrive (together or separately)
  • There will be an introduction and welcome speech
  • Script related to love, bonds and commitment (free from religion)
  • A reading or a poem
  • The couple’s unique story
  • How the couple define marriage
  • Another reading, poem, song or hymn
  • The vows / promise
  • A symbolic act
  • The exchange of rings
  • Final wish of happiness
  • The close

Of course, this is not a set in stone structure; that’s the beauty of a Celebrant-led wedding! The choice is entirely in your hands, as the couple have the freedom to select what they want to include and how long they want the ceremony to be.

What is the benefit of having a celebrant-led wedding?

A celebrant-led wedding allows you to overcome the strict, traditional restrictions that are found in religious and civil ceremonies.

They give you the opportunity to inject personality and heart into your special day, creating something that is truly unique and captures the essence and love of your relationship.

Just a few of the reasons couples opt for a celebrant-led ceremony include:

Outdoor wedding ceremonies

Taking the wedding ceremony outdoors is one of the biggest draws for a celebrant-led wedding. Celebrants officiate thousands of ceremonies on beaches, woodlands, open spaces, estate grounds and gardens. As the celebrant doesn’t require a wedding license, there really is no limit to your options.

This means that if you have a significant spot (perhaps the area you first met or somewhere that holds precious memories for your family) you have the freedom to host your ceremony there. The only problem is deciding on the best spot!

Writing your vows

Something that couples love about celebrant-led weddings is that they have the option to write their own vows.

The celebrant will spend time getting to know you so that, if needed, they can help you compose your vows. They will give you advice on readings, music and any other symbolic acts that can shine a light on your love and bond.

They will also create their own ceremony script based entirely around your personalities and hopes for your wedding. You will get the chance to check this before the big day to ensure you adore it.

Flexibility

Because you aren’t tied to any specific requirements, the world is your oyster with a celebrant-led wedding.

Fancy getting married abroad? Do it. Keen to involve your family and friends in the ceremony? You bet.

There are absolutely no restrictions, meaning you have the potential to build a wedding that fulfils every single one of your desires.

Creating the perfect day

Which leads us onto you creating your perfect day.

Your celebrant-led wedding is 100% personalised. They will meet you (either virtually or ‘in real life’) and they’ll get to know you. Then they will create a ceremony from the ground up.

You may be asked to fill in a questionnaire about your history as a couple. What led you here? How did you meet? What do you hope for the future?

Armed with these answers, your celebrant will sculpt your perfect ceremony. It will feel natural and a flawless representation of your relationship.

What venues can I choose to have a celebrant led wedding?

The beauty of a celebrant-led wedding is that you are not limited by location.

Whether you want your ceremony to be indoors or outdoors, it is essentially up to you what you want your backdrop to be. Since a celebrant cannot legally officiate a wedding, the venue doesn’t even require a wedding license. You could choose between:

  • Your favourite beach
  • Gardens
  • Castles
  • Cliff tops
  • A local park
  • By a beautiful lake
  • Along a riverbank

You see? The options are truly endless.

Go take a look at some of the best venues out there that LOVE working with celebrants in our venue directory.

Photographer Credits: Simon Biffen, Ross Hurley