What is a Celebrant?

What is a celebrant and what do they do?

That is an excellent question. If you haven’t heard of a ‘Celebrant’ before, let alone what they do, read on. A ‘Celebrant’ is a trained professional scriptwriter. Using skills and abilities learnt and developed from their own life experiences, training and gaining professionally assessed accreditation, via numerous celebrant training companies. A celebrant, creates and writes bespoke and uniquely personal and meaningful ceremony scripts, for any occasion you wish to celebrate. Celebrant ceremonies are fast becoming the preferred choice for weddings and vow renewals, because the intimacy, love, emotion, and personalisation of the ceremony, mean so much to everyone involved.

When deciding whether you would like to have a celebrant write and conduct your ceremony, be it for your wedding or vow renewal, the celebrant will undoubtedly suggest you meet them in person, either face to face, or as is more common these days, via a video call, which is often far more convenient for both parties.

It’s important that you feel you connect with your celebrant. You will be opening your hearts and minds to them, telling them things you’ve perhaps never told anyone else, so confidentiality is absolute, and whatever is discussed between you and your celebrant, goes no further, unless, of course, you are happy for certain content to be included in your ceremony script of course.

How much does a wedding celebrant cost?

This can vary quite a lot, depending on many factors, least of all the type of celebrant and service required. Let us take a wedding celebrant for example. A wedding celebrant's cost is perhaps the most varied. Ranging anywhere from a few hundred pounds, to over a thousand pounds plus. It’s important when deciding to research and contact a celebrant, that you are first aware of their costs, and what they provide for their fee. Celebrants with many years of experience will tend to charge more for their services, simply based on reputation and regular clients who are specifically looking for an experienced celebrant.

New celebrants try to place themselves in a very crowded market, at an attractive and usually lower cost than their fellow more experienced professionals, in the hope that they gain clients and therefore experience.

That said, the average cost for a wedding celebrant currently stands at between £500 - £700. Consider the work involved throughout the process, from start to finish. Your celebrant will be with you throughout your big day, not just for 30 minutes, as is the case for registrar wedding ceremonies costing around the same.

Your celebrant will spend hours during the time leading up to your ceremony, getting to know you personally, writing your script, contacting vendors, suppliers, and even family and friends if necessary and providing this is ok to do so. Then the big day itself, your celebrant will arrive at least an hour before the ceremony is due to start. They will check everything is in place, liaise with key individuals, and of course, make sure both the happy couple’s nerves are in check.

There is absolutely no rush with a celebrant ceremony. They do not book any other ceremonies on your day, so you can rest assured that, should you have the jitters and need just a little time to settle, your celebrant will be there, tissues in hand, and with reassuring hugs that they’ve got this, you just need to turn up, to the best, most magical and special day ceremony, all about you and your loved one, like you’ve never heard it before.

Where can we have our wedding ceremony?

You can have your ceremony anywhere but within reason. Anything from a marquee in the garden, a woodland, a hotel, a village hall, a restaurant, a castle or even a boat, the choice is yours.

I recommend that if you are thinking of having your ceremony outside, you need to plan for shelter if the weather conditions are bad. Also, bear in mind locations like pubs or beaches are open to the public and can therefore be rather disruptive and noisy.

So, essentially, you can hold your actual wedding ceremony, in any place you wish. The beauty of this is, that you are not restricted to just licenced venues that you must use to be legally married by a registrar. If you wish to have a big celebration at your home, or in a secluded woodland, or park or on a beach somewhere, you can. The choice is yours, although you would still need the landowner’s permission of course.

Can a Celebrant legally marry us?

Currently, in UK law, a celebrant cannot legally marry you. In England and Wales, the legal requirement for marriage involves getting legally married first, during or after, with a registrar who is licensed to conduct the legal aspects of the marriage ceremony. However, this is under review as we speak, and it is hoped that celebrants will have the right to legally officiate UK weddings.

A celebrant, however, can work alongside cooperative registrars to create a combined ceremony that includes both the legal and personalised elements. Or, once you are ‘legally’ married via a short ceremony in a registrar's office, usually costing around £150, which some couples are fortunate enough to do on the morning of their wedding ceremony.

Most couples opt to get legally married months before, as the process of arranging this varies from county to county and should be the ‘first’ thing couples wishing to have a celebrant wedding ceremony, should arrange and book.

This is due to the lack of days and times made available by councils, for couples not wanting a registrar wedding ceremony, and, in my opinion, the seemingly unwillingness and uncooperative attitude of registrars, willing to work with the couple and celebrant.

As I mentioned earlier, this is going to be reviewed, after it was recommended by the UK Law Commission, that the current UK marriage laws, are no longer fit for today’s multi-diverse population. Therefore a change is needed to meet the wants and needs of today’s modern society, giving couples freedom of choice, as to when, where and by whom, they wish to be ‘legally’ married.

Have some more questions?

Hopefully, these will give you the answers you’re after, If not, just get in touch and ask away!

More frequently asked questions

  • Yes, I am happy to discuss officiating your wedding in other locations and destinations outside of the UK. As an ordained minister of the American Marriage Ministries, I am legally able to marry couples in the USA. You will need to ensure you have made all the necessary arrangements and have all legal paperwork from the country / state you are getting married in. I will need to ensure I have a legal right to conduct your ceremony also.

  • A wedding celebrant differs from a traditional religious officiant in that they are not affiliated with any particular religious institution. Celebrants offer a non-religious or interfaith approach to weddings, allowing couples of different religious or cultural backgrounds to have a ceremony that is inclusive and tailored to their specific preferences. Unlike religious officiants, celebrants are not authorized to perform legal marriages on their own, but they can work alongside a registrar to make the marriage legally binding.

  • A Humanist celebrant believes in a philosophical world that emphasises human values, ethics, and reason. Humanists do not believe in supernatural or religious explanations and focus on the human capacity for knowledge, morality, and compassion. Humanist celebrants often conduct non-religious ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies, tailored to reflect humanist principles and beliefs.

    An independent civil celebrant, on the other hand, can have various belief systems or religious affiliations. They are not necessarily bound by humanist principles and can adapt their services to accommodate different religious, spiritual, or secular preferences. Civil celebrants typically perform non-religious ceremonies that meet legal requirements and can be customised to suit the beliefs and wishes of the individuals involved.

  • The fee for a celebrant typically includes the creation and customisation of the ceremony script, conducting the ceremony itself, and incorporating any symbolic elements you choose, as long as the necessary materials are provided. However, it's essential to confirm the inclusions with the celebrant you hire, as different celebrants may have different packages or additional services available for an extra fee.

  • Absolutely! As a celebrant, I can incorporate symbolic ceremonies like hand fasting, unity candle ceremonies, sand ceremonies, or any other symbolic rituals that hold significance for you and your partner. These symbolic ceremonies can add depth and meaning to your wedding ceremony, and I can guide you in selecting and including them as part of your personalised ceremony.

  • You can be as involved as you want in designing your own ceremony. I encourage couples to have significant input into the ceremony and script, as it should reflect their personalities, values, and preferences. We can work together to create a ceremony that resonates with you, and I will provide guidance and suggestions based on my experience. However, it's important to consider the celebrant's expertise and experience in crafting ceremonies that flow well and maintain a sense of professionalism.

  • There are generally no restrictions on what can be included in your wedding ceremony. As long as the ceremony remains respectful, inclusive, and adheres to legal requirements, you have the freedom to incorporate elements that are meaningful and reflective of your love story. The celebrant will guide you and provide suggestions to ensure the ceremony is well-balanced and represents your values and beliefs.

  • Yes, as a celebrant, I can help with writing your vows or selecting readings if needed. Writing vows can be a deeply personal and meaningful process, and I can offer guidance, examples, and tips to help you express your love and commitment to each other. I can also suggest readings or poems that resonate with you and fit the overall theme and tone of your ceremony.

  • It is advisable to book as early as possible to ensure I have availability for your desired wedding date. Wedding celebrants can be in high demand, especially during peak wedding seasons, so it's recommended to secure their services well in advance. Booking several months to a year ahead of your wedding date is a good rule of thumb, but it's best to contact me as soon as you can, to check my availability, avoid any disappointment and make arrangements as soon as possible.

  • The process for obtaining a marriage license involves giving notice of your intent to marry at the local register office. This notice must be given at least 28 days before the wedding date. You will need to provide certain documents, such as proof of identity, proof of address, and any necessary divorce or death certificates if applicable. It's important to consult with the local register office or a marriage professional to get the most up-to-date information and requirements for obtaining a marriage license.

  • Yes, as a celebrant, I also offer vow renewal ceremonies. Vow renewals are a beautiful way to reaffirm your love and commitment to each other and celebrate your journey together. I can assist you in creating a memorable and meaningful vow renewal ceremony, incorporating elements that reflect your unique love story and the milestones you've reached as a couple.

  • Certainly! As a celebrant, I can provide guidance and suggestions for selecting music, readings, and other elements for your ceremony. Music plays a significant role in setting the tone and atmosphere of your wedding ceremony, and I can help you choose songs that are meaningful to you. I can also provide suggestions for readings, poems, or rituals that resonate with your relationship and the overall theme of the ceremony.

  • Yes, as a North Yorkshire celebrant, I am available to travel outside of North Yorkshire to officiate weddings. If your wedding venue or agreed meeting venue is 10 miles outside of the YO7 area post code, additional fees for travel expenses will apply. These fees typically include the cost of mileage at 45 pence per mile and, if necessary, accommodation expenses. The exact fees can be discussed and agreed upon during the consultation and booking process.

  • Hand fasting is a symbolic ritual where the couple's hands are bound together with cords or ribbons, representing their union and commitment to each other. It is a beautiful and meaningful ceremony that can be incorporated into your wedding ceremony. Unity candle ceremonies involve the couple lighting a central candle together, symbolising the merging of their lives and families. Sand ceremonies involve the blending of different-coloured sands into a single container, representing the unity of the couple. These symbolic ceremonies can add depth and symbolism to your wedding ceremony, and I can guide you in including them if desired.