Celebrants: Legally Binding Marriages Or Just A Ceremony?

A wedding celebrant is a person who officiates at a wedding ceremony. In some countries, including the UK, celebrants cannot perform legally binding marriages. Couples who opt for a celebrant-led ceremony usually go to their local registry office before or after their wedding to complete the legal paperwork. However, in Australia, a registered marriage celebrant can conduct legal marriages.

Wedding celebrants in the UK are not legally binding

Wedding Celebrants in the UK: Not Legally Binding

In the UK, wedding celebrants are unable to perform legally binding marriages in England and Wales. This means that a couple must register their marriage in a Register Office before or after their celebrant-led wedding ceremony to make their union official.

The Legal Options

There are three ways to be legally married in the UK:

• A brief registry office service.
• A civil ceremony at a licensed venue with a registrar.
• A religious ceremony in a church or registered religious building.

The Benefits of a Celebrant

Although celebrants cannot legally marry a couple, they offer a more personalised experience. Celebrants are trained to design ceremonies from scratch, providing advice on how to create a service that matches the couple's personality and beliefs. They can also perform ceremonies outdoors, at any time of the year, and are not restricted by venue.

Combining Legalities and Celebrants

Couples can combine the legal and celebrant-led aspects of marriage by separating the two. They can register their intent to marry at their local registry office and then book a basic statutory ceremony to obtain their marriage certificate. This simple process involves repeating declaratory and contracting words and signing the marriage schedule with two witnesses present.

After the legalities are complete, the couple is free to work with a celebrant to curate their dream wedding ceremony, including exchanging rings, writing their own vows, and including symbolic rituals such as handfasting or unity candles.

The Future of Celebrants

While celebrant-led weddings are not currently legally binding in England and Wales, this may change in the future. The right to be legally wed via celebrant is under review as part of the Law Commission weddings review.

Wedding celebrants can officiate anywhere

Celebrants are trained to write ceremonies from scratch, offering suggestions and advice on how to design a ceremony that matches the couple's personality and beliefs. They can perform ceremonies 365 days a year, at any time of day, and anywhere the couple chooses.

A celebrant-led ceremony can be held absolutely anywhere and is not restricted to a licensed venue. This means that couples can choose a wedding venue that truly reflects who they are, whether that's a themed venue, a historic landmark, or an outdoor location.

The benefit of a celebrant is that they can perform the ceremony at the couple's dream location, whether that's indoors or outdoors. They are not bound by the same restrictions as registrars, who are not allowed to conduct ceremonies outside. Celebrants are also more flexible with timing and are usually only booked for one wedding per day, allowing the couple to choose the best time for them.

By separating the legal registration of the marriage from the wedding ceremony, couples can have a beautifully scripted, tailor-made, and personal ceremony. The legal aspect can be completed with a basic statutory ceremony at a registry office for a small fee. This simple process involves obtaining the marriage certificate and does not include vows or other personal details, which can be saved for the celebrant-led ceremony.

With a celebrant, couples have the freedom to create a unique and memorable ceremony that reflects their love story and includes meaningful traditions, rituals, readings, and songs.

Wedding celebrants are trained to provide a custom-made ceremony

Celebrants have the freedom to conduct weddings anywhere, anytime, without the restrictions faced by registrars. They can perform ceremonies 365 days a year, at any time of day, and in any location the couple chooses, be it indoors or outdoors. Celebrants are not limited to licensed venues, offering couples a wide range of options for their dream wedding.

The process of working with a celebrant usually involves an in-depth questionnaire and a meeting at the venue months before the wedding. This allows the celebrant to truly understand the couple and create a ceremony that reflects their personalities and love story. The ceremony can include symbolic rituals, readings, poems, music, and personalised vows. Couples can choose to include religious or spiritual elements or keep the ceremony entirely non-religious.

While celebrant-led weddings are not legally binding in some countries, such as England and Wales, couples can easily take care of the legal aspect by registering their marriage at a registry office before or after the celebrant-led ceremony. This ensures that the marriage is legally recognised while allowing the couple to enjoy a custom-made ceremony that aligns with their vision.

In other countries, such as Australia, registered marriage celebrants can conduct legal marriages. There are different types of marriage celebrants, including civil marriage celebrants, religious marriage celebrants, and celebrants of independent religions. These celebrants are authorised to marry couples and solemnise marriages under the government's legal framework.

Wedding celebrants can be religious or non-religious

A wedding celebrant is a person who officiates at a wedding ceremony. Wedding celebrants can be religious or non-religious.

Religious Celebrants

Religious weddings are officiated by clergy people. For example, Christian weddings are officiated by a pastor, such as a priest or vicar, while Jewish weddings are presided over by a rabbi, and Islamic weddings by an imam. Religious celebrants are nominated and approved by their religious organisation, not the government. They can only marry people according to the rites and rituals of their particular religion. Their role is to uphold the traditions and beliefs of their faith.

Non-Religious Celebrants

Non-religious celebrants, also known as secular celebrants, can conduct weddings for couples of any (or no) religious faith or background. They are authorised to solemnise legal marriages and specialise in creating civil, humanist, interfaith, or non-religious ceremonies. The focus is on the couple and their values, beliefs, and vision for their marriage. Non-religious celebrants will help couples create a personalised, non-religious ceremony that is unique to them.

Wedding celebrants are cheaper than registrars

Wedding celebrants are a more affordable option than registrars. In Somerset, for example, the Registry Service charges approximately £470-£620 for their wedding ceremony at a licensed venue. There are also additional fees for the registry service, registered building, and any extra certificates needed. In total, this can amount to over £700.

On the other hand, wedding celebrant charges can start from as little as £495 and go up to £1200. The celebrant's fees are typically based on their experience, reputation, quality, and the type of ceremony. By choosing a celebrant, you not only save money but also gain the freedom to have your ceremony anywhere you like, without the restrictions imposed by registrars.

To legally marry with a celebrant-led wedding, you can simply book a basic statutory ceremony at your local Registry Office for a low cost of approximately £45-£50. This separates the legal aspect from your dream wedding ceremony, allowing you to create a personalised and meaningful experience.

Celebrants are trained professionals who specialise in writing ceremonies from scratch, tailoring them to match the couple's personalities and beliefs. They will work with you to craft a ceremony that includes your love story, future goals, and any unique elements you desire.

By choosing a celebrant, you not only benefit from a more affordable option but also gain the flexibility to design your dream wedding without compromising on cost.

Frequently asked questions