What is a Wedding Celebrant: Everything You Need to Know

Planning your big day? It’s useful to know that you’ve got options for who can conduct your ceremony. You might have heard of registrars, who handle legal marriages, but there are also celebrants who can create personalised ceremonies that really reflect you as a couple.

If you want a wedding ceremony that is totally unique, fun and that no one has had or will ever have again, a wedding celebrant could be the right choice for you. Today’s culture of choice, freedom and self-expression has seen many couples move towards alternative wedding celebrations over traditional and religious ceremonies.

If you’re considering hiring a wedding celebrant for your special day, it’s important to understand the role they play in delivering wedding ceremonies. In this blog, we define what a wedding celebrant is, what they do and the key differences and benefits of independent celebrants over registrars and other types of celebrants.

What is a wedding celebrant?

A wedding celebrant is someone who will perform and officiate your wedding ceremony. Unlike a registrar, who is a civil servant focussed on the legal aspects of marriage, a celebrant focuses on creating a unique and meaningful experience for the couple. They are all about making your special day unforgettable, in a way that’s authentic to you.

There are several different types of wedding celebrant to choose from, all performing slightly different roles, including independent celebrants, humanists, interfaith ministers, civil registrars and clergy. Whichever category they fall into, a celebrant should have the background and skills to support couples in the actual creation of their bespoke ceremony as well as leading the ceremony on the day.

What does a wedding celebrant do?

A wedding celebrant’s job starts long before the wedding day. Once you’ve found your celebrant, they’ll meet with you to discuss your story, values, vision for your wedding day and any specific elements you want to include. They’ll then write a bespoke ceremony script, incorporating your personal touches and ensuring it flows perfectly.

On the day, the celebrant will conduct the ceremony, guiding you and your guests through each moment. They will welcome everybody to the ceremony and talk about the couple and there will be opportunity for readings, songs, unity rituals and any other meaningful traditions. Essentially, a celebrant creates a memorable and personalised ceremony that celebrates your unique bond.

Can a celebrant legally marry you?

In England and Wales, independent celebrants are not permitted to carry out legally binding weddings. Couples opting for a celebrant-led wedding usually get the legal bit over and done with beforehand with their local registrar. Sometimes, celebrants attend ceremonies with registrars. The registrar will complete the legal aspect, and the celebrant will officiate the ceremony itself. This way the ceremony can be personalised to the couple.

What happens during a celebrant-led wedding?

By hiring an independent wedding celebrant, you’re signing up to personalise and customise your wedding ceremony. Forget strict, traditional restrictions that are found in religious and civil ceremonies. A celebrant-led wedding gives you the opportunity to inject personality into your special day, creating a day that truly captures your love story.

While your celebrant-led wedding will be designed uniquely around you and your partner, here are some common features that you might expect:

• The couples arrival

• Introduction and welcome speech

• Script related to love and commitment

• A reading or a poem

• How the couple define marriage

• Another reading, poem, song or hymn

• Personal vows

• A symbolic act

• The exchange of rings

• Final wish of happiness

• The close

Of course, this structure is not set in stone. The choice is entirely in your hands and the couple have the freedom to select what to include as well as how long they want the ceremony to take.

What are the benefits of having a celebrant-led wedding?

Outdoor weddings

One of the greatest advantages of choosing a celebrant-led wedding is the freedom to hold your ceremony absolutely anywhere. With an independent wedding celebrant, you can exchange vows at the side of a river, on top of a mountain or in a family garden, so long as you have the official marriage ceremony before or after at a local registry office.

The possibilities are endless, making your special day even more magical and personal.

Writing your own vows

Celebrant-led weddings provide the perfect opportunity to express your deepest feelings through personalised vows. Unlike traditional ceremonies with set scripts, you have the freedom to write your own promises, reflecting your relationship and commitment. This personal touch makes the ceremony more meaningful, intimate and authentic.

Flexibility

Wedding celebrants offer the flexibility to incorporate various elements into your ceremony, allowing for a much more tailored experience. Many celebrants will embrace almost any creative request or wedding theme within reason. A celebrant-led wedding is a true reflection of who you are as a couple, ensuring your special day is as memorable as possible.

Building a relationship with your celebrant

Unlike being assigned a registrar, you can choose your celebrant based on comfort and connection. Working with an independent celebrant means you’ll develop a close, personal relationship as they take the time to get to know you as a couple during the planning process. This allows them to create a ceremony that is heartfelt and intimate.

How much does a wedding celebrant cost?

According to Bridebook’s ultimate wedding budget breakdown 2025, the average amount spent by couples in the UK on a wedding celebrant is £550. The cost of a celebrant can be higher or lower depending on a number of factors including experience, reputation, location, rehearsals and additional services such as asking your celebrant for help with writing your vows.

As we’ve already highlighted, a wedding celebrant will take the time to really get to know your couple. Many celebrants will even send out questionnaires, which they’ll study carefully before they create a script for the big day. So, while your guests might only see your celebrant for less than an hour, it’s important to remember there’s a lot of work involved beforehand that helps to justify the cost.

As a celebrant cannot legally marry you, you’ll also need to factor the cost of a registrar into your overall budget, which averages around £300.

How long before the wedding should you book a wedding celebrant?

It’s recommended that you book a celebrant as early as possible, especially if you’re getting married during peak wedding season. If you find the perfect celebrant who truly understands your vision for your wedding day, the last thing you want is for them to book another wedding on the same day as yours – so get in there quick to avoid disappointment!

Your wedding day is all about you, so be as creative as you wish and have a truly personal day. Using a wedding celebrant means you will have a beautifully bespoke ceremony designed around you and your partner and ensures your celebration is unforgettable. At The Lawrence we love helping couples plan their special day and cater to all types of traditional and alternative wedding requests. If you’re considering The Lawrence as your wedding venue, we would love to hear from you.

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