Is a celebrant wedding ceremony legal?
So your imagination has been captured by the exciting options open to you with a celebrant wedding. You’re buzzing with all the options to create something unique that captures your personality, your passions and your life as a couple… It sounds just too good to be true. So is it?
Is a celebrant wedding legal?
Of course it is! In fact, celebrant-led ceremonies are one of the top trends for 2024 weddings. However, in order for your marriage to be legally recognised, you must ensure that you complete the relevant paperwork with your local council via your local registry office. In England Celebrant-led weddings are officiated separately from the legal signing of the register which can be done cheaply and easily in a “2+2 ceremony” at your local registry office. This can be attended by just the couple and two witnesses. This is where you sign your marriage paperwork with a registrar and your union is formally legalised - this can be done before or after your celebrant-led wedding.
Do I need to exchange Vows or Rings?
It’s totally up to you - legally you do not need to exchange vows or rings at your 2+2 ceremony, so you can save this for your Celebrant-led ceremony where pretty much whatever you want goes!
So what do you need to do if you want to legally marry with a Celebrant-led ceremony?
Find your dream venue - whether you want to celebrate in a woodland, a festival site, or your neighbour's garden, there are no restrictions on where you host a celebrant-led ceremony. It doesn’t even need to be licensed for weddings. All that matters is that it is perfect for you - and that you have permission from the owner of course!
Book your officiant - whether you decide to book a registrar or a celebrant this will be your next step. If you choose a celebrant you’ll want to find the right one for you - we’ll be there at the end of the aisle willing you on, so you must find someone you like and trust. Give them a call, book that consultation and start that exciting process of building that ceremony of your dreams!
Sort your legals - once you know when and where you want to celebrate, you must declare your intent to marry with your local registry office - some local councils have different ways of doing this, so double check with your local office, but if you have booked your celebrant for your celebration, then all you need is the simple legal ceremony. You will need to give notice of your intent to marry, and then complete the Statutory Ceremony where you say the required legal wording that formalises the marriage.
Have your dream wedding ceremony! Once your legals are all sorted, you’ve booked your venue and you have your celebrant secured you can jump right into that planning - whether this an intimate affair, or a three-day-circus-themed-spectacular, the choice is totally up to you!
Why not give me a call and we can talk through your options for your special day.
