What is the difference between a Wedding Celebrant and a Registrar?

If you are recently engaged and are embarking on planning your perfect day, CONGRATULATIONS!

Besides all of the considerations you’ll need to think through relating to the ideal venue, catering, flowers, décor and entertainment, it is important to remember that you also have a say in who conducts the most important element of your day.

Just like every other aspect of your perfect day, your wedding ceremony should authentically reflect you – your backgrounds, your story, your values, your beliefs, your style, your personalities and your dreams.  The content should encompass who you are, how you feel and what you want to say. It should be utterly personal, unique and meaningful.

What does a wedding celebrant do?

A wedding celebrant is someone who works with couples who wish to personalize their wedding ceremony by creating and delivering a uniquely personalised script that celebrates their individuality and resonates with them and their wedding guests, with absolutely no restrictions whatsoever in terms of content, location or timing.

Under current UK law, a celebrant led wedding ceremony is not legally binding. It is about celebrating your love and relationship in a way that is special to you. If you wish for your marriage to be recognized in the eyes of the law, you must involve a Registrar in order to carry out the legal aspects.

What does a Registrar do?

A Registrar is somebody employed by the local authority who is responsible for registering births, deaths and marriages. The ceremonies they conduct are legally binding and must take place in a registry office or licensed premises (a venue that is approved by the local council) for example, a stately home or hotel which operates as a wedding venue. If you choose to have your marriage solemnized at a Registry office, the Registrar’s fee is currently around £50.  However, you must pay an additional fee to have a Registrar solemnise your marriage in a venue other than the registry office.

The format and content of a ceremony conducted by a Registrar is restricted by legislation.  It can include readings, songs or music, but must not include anything religious or spiritual (for example hymns, prayers or readings from the Bible).  

Registrars often carry out a number of ceremonies each day. As such, their availability is restricted by a demanding schedule with very little flexibility. They will insist on keeping to the designated time.

Remember – you can have a ceremony with a wedding celebrant and still make your marriage official by a Registrar. Most couples choose to carry out the legal aspects first, before their celebrant led ceremony.

If you are even the slightest bit concerned or confused about this, simply give me a call. I will happily explain the steps to you. It is surprisingly straightforward.

How to complete the legal requirements associated with registering a marriage;

The first step is to choose a registry office or licensed venue.  You must then sign a legal statement at your local register office to say you intend to get married. This is known as ‘giving notice’. You must do this at your local register office whether you plan to marry there or at another licensed and approved venue, even if it is another registry office.

You must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony.  For example, if you give notice on 1 May, the earliest date you can get married or form a civil partnership is 30 May.

You must hold your ceremony within 12 months of ‘giving notice’.

Full details of the legal requirements associated with registering a marriage or civil partnership in the UK can be found here:  Marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Having a celebrant led ceremony allows you the freedom and flexibility to tailor every single aspect of your wedding ceremony and personalize it e.g. the exchange of vows, promises, declarations and rings and will gladly include any prayers, bible readings, hymns or symbolic rituals which are reflective of the your culture, beliefs or faith.   

Each wedding ceremony written and delivered by a wedding celebrant will be unique and can take a while to plan and create. Ultimately, it calls for collaboration between the celebrant and the couple.

Unlike a registrar or religious minister, a wedding celebrant spends an unlimited amount of time with each couple, finding out about them, their personalities and style, their values, what they enjoy and what is important to them.

The work of a celebrant is extremely enriching and rewarding in many ways.  For me, it is more than a job. It is a pleasure and a privilege.

When you choose to work with me, I will listen to your ideas, interpret your style and understand your hopes, wishes and desires.  Together, we will captivate and impress your wedding guests with a ceremony quite unlike anything they have ever witnessed before.

Your love story is one of a kind. I believe your wedding ceremony should be too.   

Get in touch with me on 07561 107888 or e-mail helen@withhelendavies.com