Image credit: Grace Elizabeth Photography
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If you’re planning your wedding, you’ve probably already discovered just how many choices you have — the venue, the dress, the music, the cake… and now, even how you say “I do.” One of the most exciting (and empowering) shifts in modern weddings is the rise of the wedding celebrant like me. But what exactly is a celebrant, and why are more and more couples choosing to have a celebrant at a wedding.
Unlike a registrar or member of the clergy, a celebrant is a professionally trained individual who crafts and leads a bespoke wedding ceremony tailored completely to you. They’re not bound by legal scripts or religious texts, which means your ceremony can be exactly what you want — heartfelt, warm, modern, romantic and fun, or all of the above.
So if you’re wondering whether or not to have a celebrant for your wedding, here are five brilliant reasons why couples are shifting towards saying yes to celebrant-led weddings.
1. a celebrant FOR your wedding means your ceremony, your way
Let’s be honest — a lot of wedding ceremonies feel… well, a bit impersonal and possibly all the same. You sit through the same script you’ve heard at a dozen other weddings, maybe with a few minor edits. But your love story isn’t generic, so why should your ceremony be?
Having a celebrant for your wedding gives you complete creative freedom. Whether you’re dreaming of something classic and romantic, quirky and fun, or deeply spiritual in a non-religious way, a celebrant can bring your vision to life. A celebrant at a wedding really does mean your ceremony, your way.
More importantly, they take the time to get to know you. Celebrants take the time to meet with you beforehand, ask about your story, your values, your in-jokes, and your vibe, and then craft a ceremony that feels genuinely “you.” It’s the difference between reading lines and telling your story.
2. No rules, no restrictions, total freedom
One of the main reasons to choose to have a celebrant for your wedding is the flexibility they give you. With a registrar or religious officiant, you’re often limited by:
- Venue restrictions (must be licensed for legal marriages)
- Time slots, in other words, fitting in with the registrar’s very busy schedules
- Script limitations not being to include personal vows, religious or spiritual content, etc.)
- Availability on your chosen day and not knowing who the person who will be officiating
When you book a celebrant for your wedding, you can hold your ceremony anywhere — on a beach, in your backyard, in a forest clearing, or even at your favourite pub. You can have it at any time, from sunrise to midnight. And you can say whatever feels right, with no template or rules holding you back.
This freedom opens the door to an experience that feels less like a legal formality, and more like a celebration of your connection.
Image Credit: Story and Colour
3. having a celebrant at your wedding CEREMONY will Make it memorable for you and your guests
Let’s be real — a lot of guests go into a civil ceremony with a feeling of ‘here we go again’ – less so, I think, for a church wedding. I think the surroundings and atmosphere of a church wedding really help – secretly, they could be thinking, though I hope the Vicar’s sermon isn’t too long. But ask someone who’s been to a celebrant-led wedding, and they’ll probably light up.
Why? Because these ceremonies, I’m told by happy clients, are often the most memorable part of the entire day. Not just for the clients but for the guests as well. That’s how it should be. A skilled celebrant knows how to balance emotion with humour, romance with storytelling. They draw your guests in, make them laugh, maybe tear up a little, and leave them talking about your ceremony long after the last dance.
Plus, because it’s so personal, you’ll remember it too. You won’t be zoning out while someone reads a generic script. You’ll be fully present, hearing your story told back to you in a way that feels deeply meaningful.
And the best part? You get a beautiful keepsake script afterward — something you can read again on anniversaries, or even share with future generations.
4. when you book A celebrant for your wedding CEREMONY it will bring, calm, confidence and heart
Weddings can be emotional. Nerves are high, the schedule is tight, and suddenly you’re standing in front of all your loved ones about to make the biggest commitment of your life.
Having a celebrant for your wedding, someone you have chosen, who knows you, knows your story, and knows how to hold the space, can make all the difference. They’re not just reciting words; they’re guiding you through one of the most intimate and public moments of your life.
Celebrants are trained professionals, but they also bring warmth, adaptability, and a genuine passion for people. If anything goes off-script, and sometimes let’s be honest, it can, they’ll handle it with grace and good humour. Only weeks ago, one of my grooms at the very last minute realised that he’d left the rings behind in his lodgings an hour away.
Many couples say their celebrant felt like a friend by the time the wedding came around — someone they trusted to set the tone, make them feel grounded, and ensure the ceremony was everything they’d hoped for.
Image Credit: Lucy James Photography
5. your ceremony is the next chapter in your story – make it count
Here’s the thing: the ceremony is not just the bit you get through before the party starts. It’s the heart and reason for the day the moment you become partners in life, in front of the people who matter most.
Too often, the ceremony gets overlooked in favour of dresses, décor, and dinner. But when done well, it’s the moment that sets the tone for the whole celebration — the one your guests remember, the one that makes you feel something profound.
Choosing a celebrant is a way of saying: This matters to us. You’re not just saying the legal words. You’re making real promises, sharing real feelings, and creating a moment that’s 100% yours.
but wait ……. what about the legal side of your wedding CEREMONY?
You might be wondering: I thought a celebrant-led ceremony isn’t legal, what about that side of things?
Great question! Here in the UK celebrants aren’t allowed to conduct the legal marriage — but that doesn’t mean your wedding isn’t real. A wedding and a marriage are quite different. Do you celebrate a wedding anniversary or marriage anniversary. The former of course. Think of it like buying a house. When is the exciting bit. Signing the contract or getting the keys.
If you choose to have a celebrant for your wedding simply complete the legal paperwork separately — usually at a local registry office, either before or after the big day. It’s a short, low-cost appointment that covers the legal side, freeing you up to create a truly personal ceremony without restrictions.
Think of it like registering a birth — it’s a formality. The real celebration is when you gather your people and tell your story, your way.
Image Credit: Studio Westlake
Final thoughts: having a celebrant for your wedding means you will have a ceremony that’s worth remembering
A wedding celebrant isn’t just someone who stands at the front and talks. They’re your creative collaborator, emotional guide, and storytelling expert. They help you shape the moment you become married into something meaningful, memorable, and totally “you.”
So if you’ve been dreaming of a wedding that feels more personal, more flexible, and way more you, booking a celebrant might just be the best decision you make.
Your wedding ceremony isn’t just the start of the day — it’s the start of your married life. Let it be unforgettable.
Thinking of booking a celebrant for your wedding CEREMONY?
If this sounds like the kind of wedding experience you’re after, do please get in touch and let’s start the ball rolling with a meeting to see if we are a good fit. Remember you’re not just hiring someone to talk. You’re inviting someone to be part of one of the most important moments of your life.
