In this section
What should I look for when choosing a wedding 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?
Having a Celebrant led Wedding Ceremony means you have complete flexibility over your venue – anywhere, anytime. With so many hidden gems, stunning private estates, beautiful outdoor locations, unlicensed and licensed venues out there, a Celebrant offers you the chance to have your wedding in any location you find and love. Meaningful spots, settings of unimaginable beauty… this alternative to a civil ceremony opens endless doors.
You will get to know your celebrant while planning your wedding, allowing you to establish a personal and meaningful connection for the most important day of your life.
Your celebrant will:
- personalise your ceremony to suit your style.
- create a unique ceremony from scratch that truly reflects you as a couple.
- perfectly tailor your ceremony to suit you as a couple: It can be light-hearted, humorous, formal, or simple.
- Include unity rituals and symbolism to make your ceremony unique and memorable.
What do Wedding Celebrants Offer?
Aside from writing a service that is purely about you, the couple, a Celebrant-led wedding could include:
Wedding Ceremonies with Spiritual Symbolism
Many couples choose a celebrant wedding as they want to incorporate an element of spiritual symbolism in their wedding: this could include Hand Fasting, candles, crystals, trees… the list goes on!
Traditional and non-traditional Wedding elements
Another way people personalise their ceremony is by tying in relevant traditions (such as a Jewish glass smash or Chinese tea ceremony) or cultural points; this could be something that has been passed through the family or a totally new tradition that they want to set for future generations! Celebrants can include a range of unity rituals to create your perfect ceremony.
Ways to involve guests in the wedding.
With an independent celebrant ceremony, you can involve your guests with special readings, songs, or even playing a part in your tradition. This adds an extra layer of flexibility, meaning you can choose the people who are special to you and give them a key role in your day.
A ceremony abroad and at home
We’ve mentioned the huge plethora of venue options when you have a celebrant-led wedding, including ceremonies abroad. However, a popular aspect of these ceremonies is that they give you the option to have both at home and away.
For those that can’t attend your wedding abroad, you could use a celebrant to renew your vows back home or have a second wedding altogether giving your loved ones an opportunity to share in your joy.
Independent Celebrants vs Registrars explained:
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the wedding industry it can be hard to understand the different roles and ceremonies on offer, we’ve broken it down to the key differences between Independent Celebrants and Registars
| Feature | Independent Celebrants | Registrars |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual or Religious References | Can include spiritual or religious references in vows and ceremony. | Limited to secular or civil ceremonies; No religious or spiritual references. |
| Songs with Spiritual or Religious References | Can include songs with spiritual or religious references. | Secular music only. No religious or spiritual references. |
| Ceremony Tailored to Couple | Fully tailored to the couple’s preferences and beliefs. | Typically follows a standard format with limited personalisation. |
| Indoor Locations | Can conduct ceremonies anywhere, including private venues, homes, unlicensed venues and unique spaces. | Can conduct ceremonies only in licensed premises, such as registry offices or approved venues. |
| Outdoor Locations | Can conduct ceremonies anywhere outside, including parks, beaches, and gardens. | Restricted to licensed outdoor locations only |
| Meets with the Couple Before | Meets with the couple multiple times to discuss and plan the ceremony and collaborates with the couple to create a completely personalised ceremony. | Does not meet with the couple prior to the wedding; arrives on the day of the ceremony. |
| Flexible Hours Offered | Offers flexible scheduling options, including evenings and weekends. | Limited to standard office hours and specific days. |
| Personalised Rituals and Symbols | Can include personalised rituals, symbolic ceremony elements, and cultural elements. | Limited to standard civil rituals, with few options for personalisation. |
| Ceremony Content and Structure | Completely customisable ceremony and structure based on the couple’s preferences. | Follows a rigid structure and content dictated by legal requirements. |
| Who do they work for | Independent/Self-employed | Employed by the Local Council. |
| Conduct Legal Ceremony | No | Yes |
Could a Registrar personalise our wedding?
Civil Ceremonies have strict legal requirements that make personalisation difficult. In the UK, Local Registrars are bound by their legal format, and there are limitations to the content of the service they can provide. They have set times, set locations, and restrictions on what they can and cannot say or do.
Registrars cannot include elements that are spiritual or religious in nature, and the format must follow a legally prescribed format, which makes it feel a bit ‘cookie-cutter’. You may be able to tweak the odd word here or there or add in a reading, but it will always feel like a typical civil ceremony.
Typically, registrars don’t meet the couple before the ceremony, even if you can pay to meet them beforehand, it’s usually a 15 minute meet and greet, rather than a way to get to know you to persoanlise your wedding – so it’s unlikely that you will know the person delivering the most important words to you as a couple.
How much does a wedding celebrant cost?
Celebrant led weddings offer an affordable alternative. You no longer have to search purely for wedding venues that are licensed; you may have a favourite restaurant, farm, beach or even holiday home that hosts large parties, the options are endless with a Celebrant.
In addition, since there is so much variety in what a celebrant can provide (and where they will do so), there is no set fee structure.
As a general rule of thumb, you could expect to pay between £450-£1,500 for a celebrant, with the majority of people paying between £500 and £700.
How much does a wedding cost with a registrar?
The statutory marriage cost for a registrar in the UK is set by the UK government and currently costs £56 if you’re marrying at a registry office, or £104 at a registered religious building. This Statutory fee may differ if you intend on getting married at other approved premises. It’s worth noting that this is the basic cost and many registry offices and councils will try and upsell you to a more expensive wedding package. UK Registry offices are required by law to offer the Statutory Civil Ceremony, so don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t find it clearly listed on their website.
Can I have a ceremony with a celebrant and a registrar?
It’s perfectly possible to combine a wedding ceremony with a celebrant and a registrar, so that you can have the personalisation and ceremony you want with the bonus of being legally married too!
If you want to have your celebrant-led ceremony on the same day, you can book a registrar to carry out the legal aspect of your ceremony (as long as you choose a licensed venue), followed by the personalised and meaningful Celebrant-led celebration in the presence of all your family and friends.
Of course, this is more expensive. However, it’s a popular option for couples who want to tick off the legal side of marriage at the same time as their Celebrant-led ceremony.
Ready to Craft a Unique Wedding Ceremony?
It’s really up to what sort of ceremony you want: An Independent Celebrant offers the personal touch to make your ceremony truly unique and memorable. Unlike a registrar, who typically follows a standard format, a celebrant will work closely with you to tailor every detail to your preferences. From incorporating your favourite music and personal rituals to choosing a stunning location, your celebrant will ensure that your wedding is as special and individual as you are.
Search our Celebrant Directory to find a celebrant who resonates with your style and can help you create a bespoke, heartfelt celebration that you and your guests will cherish forever!
Photographer Credit: Alisa Roberts