A What-y Now?
If you're planning a wedding and don't know what a celebrant does, you're not alone. So many people ask me what I do, so come along with me for a few minutes while I try to explain.
“So, what is a wedding celebrant then?”
In a nutshell, a celebrant is someone who creates, writes, and delivers personalised non-religious ceremonies. Though it can be hard to define a specific job description for a celebrant, most people agree these are the core responsibilities of the profession.
“So how does a celebrant differ from a registrar?”
Well, for one it’s just as I said before, we craft and deliver personalised ceremonies unique to our couples or families, whether it be for a wedding, naming, or funeral.
For a wedding, in particular, a registrar doesn’t really take the time to get to know you and your story, and they will generally only meet you on the day you’re getting married. They’re also only obliged to have to read a set of wording that legalises the marriage. Quite impersonal, no?
Whereas celebrants like me, start our relationship with you months in advance if it’s a wedding or naming ceremony. We get to know you and your story. We create the best scripts that will engage and bring joy and tears of love and laughter. We’ll make sure it’s light-hearted (even hilarious!), emotional, and memorable. Above all, it’ll be your unique and bespoke story. No one else’s. You get to tell the story of the how and why of your life together.
We can also write vows that are so special and personal to you. Vows that help you show the world your commitment to one another, and they can also include funny bits!
Want music and dancing included, too? Absolutely no problem! Make the day yours. Sing! Dance!
“So, a celebrant can legally marry us?”
Well, at the moment in England and Wales a celebrant isn’t able to perform a ceremony that legally recognises the marriage like a registrar can, but we’re hoping that will change very soon as the Law Commission has recommended much-needed reform to the Marriage Act to allow independent celebrants like me to legalise a marriage.
If you’re interested in their report, take a look here: https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lawcom-prod-storage-11jsxou24uy7q/uploads/2022/07/Report_at_a_glancefinal
Currently, if you do have a celebrant lead your main ceremony, you would still need to have a 5-minute legal ceremony at your local registry office before or afterwards (not on the same day - unless you want to), but all-in, that costs around £127* including the notice of marriage. And you don’t have to exchange rings or say your vows. That can all be kept for the celebrant-led ceremony at your chosen location (which can be wherever you want, by the way. It doesn’t need to be a licenced venue).
“Ok, so why should we have a celebrant then?”
The word "celebrant" means someone who celebrates. So, if you're looking for someone who can get you in the mood for partying, look no further! 🎉🎉🎉
Like many other aspects of planning your wedding, choosing a celebrant can be overwhelming—especially if you don't know much about wedding ceremonies in the first place! But there's no need to worry. Just like with any other aspect of planning your wedding, we're here to help you figure out who will be best for your event.
When you're getting married, it's not just about the two of you. It's also about your friends, your family, and everyone who will be there to celebrate with you on your special day.
And that's where a celebrant comes in. We are trained to help families plan the perfect ceremony for their loved ones' wedding. We work one-on-one with couples to create custom ceremonies that are tailored to your specific needs. We’ll help you decide which traditions to include or leave out, and make sure everything goes smoothly on the big day.
But what really makes us special is that we don't just see ourselves as a supplier on the day – we see ourselves as part of the celebration, too.
We are trained in the art of ceremony design, so we can help you decide what kind of event you want, from simple and intimate to extravagant and elaborate. We also know how to write meaningful speeches and vows, as well as help you choose the most appropriate music for your event. (I trained with the fabulous Academy of Modern Celebrancy.)
So, you see? Having a celebrant is all about having the absolute best start to your wedding day!
We make it fun, beautiful, and memorable.
All for you!
Are you ready to book a celebrant now that you know we can bring so much more to your most special day? Well, what are you waiting for?!
*This is the current combined cost for the Notice of Marriage and the Marriage Ceremony at the Registry Office for Cheshire East.