Embarking on your wedding planning journey and pondering over the perfect way to say ‘I do’? You’re not alone in this pivotal decision. The choice between a celebrant-led or a registrar-conducted ceremony can shape the entire atmosphere of your special day. In this guide, Roxy Celebrates Love, a renowned humanist wedding celebrant and listed member of our creative Wedding Directory, delves into the nuances of non-religious ceremony options. Discover the path that resonates with your love story, and learn how to craft a ceremony that’s as unique and memorable as your relationship….
ROXY…
We want a non-religious wedding. What are our options?
The first is the traditional route of getting married by a registrar. Registrar ceremonies are likely the kind you’ve seen the most. They are normally a 15 minute long, scripted ceremony, with set legal wording you’re probably familiar with.
Alternatively, you can get married by a celebrant. Celebrants offer a unique, tailor-made service. You can create your own ceremony that sets the tone for the kind of day you want to have.
How do a registrar and a celebrant differ?
Celebrant ceremonies are deeply personalised — they essentially tell the story of “you.” Your celebrant takes time getting to know you so they can write a completely customised wedding script.
Celebrant weddings often include different elements and symbolic touches. Whether writing your own vows, performing a handfasting, a group singalong, or taking a shot of your favourite drink before walking back down the aisle. Once they get to know you, a good celebrant can make lots of wonderful suggestions based on your style and personality.
What are the benefits of having a celebrant?
At a registrar wedding, you meet the person marrying you a few minutes before the wedding starts. A celebrant gets to know you beforehand, so you have a relationship and bond with the person at the end of the aisle. This can be invaluable, particularly when wedding nerves set in.
All wedding celebrants are different, so you can find the right person to tell your story in the way it should be told.
With a celebrant ceremony, you’re not restricted to licensed wedding venues. It can often be a huge cost saving, given unlicensed venues are typically cheaper. You can get married literally anywhere — in a garden, a field, a country house, up a mountain, or indeed in a licensed venue.
Is a celebrant wedding legally binding?
If you’re getting married in Scotland or Northern Ireland, yes. If not, celebrant ceremonies aren’t legally recognised (yet! But should be soon.) So currently you will need to do the legal paperwork separately.
That sounds complicated. How do we do the legal bit?
It isn’t complicated at all, promise! The legal part of getting married consists of signing the register — it’s the equivalent of registering a birth or death.
You can make an appointment at a registry office for about £40, depending on where you live. It’s called a “2+2” ceremony and involves the couple and 2 witnesses.
Then you can save your celebrant-led ceremony for your big wedding day, with all your friends and family watching. Doing the legal part separately in no way takes away from your wedding day.
What are the cost differences?
Depending on where you get married, having a registrar come out to your venue of choice can cost up to about £1100 if you’re getting married in London. It all depends on the location, time of year, and day of the week.
Humanists UK say wedding celebrants cost between £450-£1500. Again, this depends on the celebrant, location etc. Plus, the £40 fee for the legal part.
Given all the added benefits of having a celebrant marry you, it’s a bit of a no brainer.
How do I find a celebrant?
There are so many wonderful celebrants out there, with a style to suit everyone. Do your research until you find someone who fits, and who you trust to tell your story.
A helpful place to start is Instagram, the Humanists UK “find a celebrant” map or somewhere like the Celebrant Directory on Unique Rebels Union.
Roxy, of Roxy Celebrates Love works with couples to create joyful, one-of-a-kind ceremonies that are unique, love and fun filled. She works across London, the south of England and abroad. If you’d like to get in touch with Roxy to find out more about how she works, you can find her at @roxycelebrateslove or you can find her over on our directory here.
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