Working with a Wedding Celebrant: What to Expect
You’ve said yes! Firstly, huge congratulations. You’re now entering that hugely exciting, and sometimes overwhelming phase of wedding planning where you can make all your choices.
At the heart of a wedding day is your wedding ceremony. It is the part of your day where you stand up in front of your friends and family and share all those special things that make you special. It’s the focal point of why you’ve gathered everyone together - and it’s something that is often overlooked by couples in all the decision making about venues, and seating plans and menu choices.
What is a Wedding Celebrant?
A wedding celebrant has a unique role in your wedding day. They are by your side as you share your vows with each other, but they are also there to support you in the run up to your wedding day. A celebrant takes full responsibility for writing and crafting a fully personalised wedding ceremony for you - building in all the special things that make you, you. Whether that’s details about how you met, important anecdotes that have shaped the couple you are, or whether that’s leading your guests in a group sing along of your favourite Beatles number, and peppering your ceremony with quotes from your favourite fantasy author, a celebrant’s job is to make your wedding ceremony 100% about you, and something that your guests will remember!
Registrar vs Celebrant
A celebrant gets to know you before your wedding day. I don’t intrude on my couple’s busy lives, but we chat beforehand, maybe grab the occasional coffee and natter over Whatsapp - I’m delighted that some of my couples now consider me a friend as writing a totally personalised wedding ceremony is a real honour.
A registar is employed by your local council and is responsible for the legal elements of a marriage. Couples must ensure that the paperwork is signed to ensure that they are legally married, and this is done by a registrar. The paperwork exercise can be done either before or after your celebrant ceremony. A registrar can also host your wedding ceremony itself, however due to the volume of weddings they need to deliver in a weekend this is usually based on a standardised template. Unlike the total flexibility offered by wedding celebrants, you are often limited by a registrar’s available timeslot (not great if someone is running late!) and you are also likely to only meet the registrar for the first time on the morning of your wedding day.
Flexible and personalised touches
Weddings happen every single day… but your wedding doesn’t! As a wedding celebrant I write absolutely bespoke, personalised wedding ceremonies for my couples that are all about you. That moment in the ceremony room (or garden, or pasture or treehouse!) should be special, it should make your guests feel your love. It should make them laugh, smile, and cry… It can be where the party starts! I believe it shouldn’t just be a box ticking exercise.
Would you like to find out more about wedding celebrants, how I work and how I would support you to have the wedding ceremony of your dreams? Please do get in touch to discuss your vision for your special wedding day - I can’t wait to hear from you!
