There’s a lot of planning involved in a wedding. You make so many decisions on so many details. But the one part of the day that most couples have the least say, is the wedding ceremony itself. You either book your registrar or vicar, repeat what they tell you to, and the jobs a good-un.
But what if you don’t want to do it that way? What if you want more say in how your ceremony is conducted, & what is said?
Well, you can, it’s called a celebrant wedding ceremony and could be perfect for you.
Perhaps you’ve never heard of celebrants or have no idea how they differ from Vicars or registrars. Read on to find out who they are, what they do, and whether a celebrant wedding ceremony is just what you’ve been looking for…
WHAT IS A WEDDING CELEBRANT?
A wedding celebrant is someone who conducts various life ceremonies. This includes (but is not limited to) vow renewals, naming ceremonies, funerals, and weddings.
HOW IS A WEDDING CELEBRANT DIFFERENT FROM A REGISTRAR?
Firstly, just as a registrar does, a celebrant conducts the wedding ceremony, oversees the exchange of vows and rings, and finally pronounces the marriage. The main difference between a celebrant and a registrar is that a registrar is an appointed official by the Government. They have the legal authority to make a marriage legally binding in a way a celebrant does not.
Secondly, a registrar’s focus is the legal aspect of the marriage. As a result, the ceremony is standardised. The words spoken by the registrar are scripted, and aside from adding readings, there’s limited personalisation to your ceremony. A celebrant approaches your ceremony quite differently. They are booked directly by you so you know exactly who will be conducting your ceremony, and they take the time to get to know you.
Equally, celebrants are not constrained by the same restrictions as religious officiants. They will customise a wedding ceremony for your personality and preferences. Meaning you get a ceremony that is unique and authentic to you.
In summary, a celebrant is more focused on creating a personalised and meaningful ceremony for you. Whereas a registrar is primarily concerned with the legal aspects of marriage recognised by the government.
THE BENEFITS OF A CELEBRANT WEDDINGS CEREMONY
The main advantage of a celebrant wedding ceremony is the opportunity to tailor your wedding ceremony and make it authentic to you. This includes personal stories, anecdotes, beliefs, and readings. Essentially, anything meaningful to you can be incorporated.
Celebrants are also generally not religious, so a great option if a religious service is not for you.
ARE THERE ANY DOWNSIDES TO A celebrant wedding ceremony
Unfortunately, there is one sticking point, and that is that a celebrant wedding ceremony is not legally binding. For a marriage to be legal it must be conducted by a government-recognised officiant, such as a registrar or Vicar.
But this is easily solved, read on…
HOW CAN I HAVE A LEGALLY RECOGNISED WEDDING?
To tick off the legal bit (if that’s important to you) you will need to have a legally recognised ceremony at some point. The easiest way to do this is to book a ceremony at a local registry office. All you need is yourselves (obviously) and two witnesses to have a legal service and get that all-important paperwork. So, it can be done inexpensively and quickly.
Some couples choose to do it the day before their celebrant wedding and keep it low-key so as not to detract from their ‘proper’ wedding day. Others will make a big occasion of both days. It is completely up to you how you want to recognise the legal process of your wedding.
CELEBRANT WEDDINGS IN HERTFORDSHIRE
Registrars are generally limited to conducting wedding ceremonies in approved venues and registry offices. Whereas celebrant-led ceremonies have much more flexibility in the choice of location and venue.
I have photographed some incredible celebrant wedding ceremonies in Hertfordshire. In having a celebrant wedding your choice of where to get married expands hugely. Whether you want to marry in your back garden or on a mountain top. However, if you would prefer to still have a venue take the logistics of your day, here are a few ideas for local venues in Hertfordshire.
BROOK FARM CUFFLEY
Brook Farm is a blank canvas wedding venue. This picturesque farmland and lake are ideal for a rustic Tipi-style wedding. Take a look at Verity & Sam’s celebrant wedding at Brook Farm wedding venue for inspiration.
PREFER A PUB WEDDING?
There are no shortages of pubs in Hertfordshire! But look for one that can hire exclusively and with a garden space for a marquee or tipi. One of my favourites that I have photographed several weddings & receptions is The Holly Bush Pub in St Albans. Take a look here…
HERTFORDSHIRE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
If you are considering a celebrant wedding, there’s a good chance you are the type of couple who want their wedding photos to be less stuffy too. And this leads me nicely to why you should pick me for your celebrant wedding.
I believe your wedding photos should take you right back to that moment & how you felt. I think that any ‘formal’ photos should be quick and informal. And I don’t want you and your guests to endure endless photos with fixed Chandler grins. So, if you want a photographer who is all about capturing the fun, emotion, and vibrancy of your day, then stop looking and fill out the form below.
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