What's the difference between a Celebrant and a Registrar's Ceremony?
Celebrant ceremonies are identified as a prominent wedding trend by 'Hitched.' The key differences:
Freedom to Choose Your Venue: One of the advantages of a 'Celebrant Style' ceremony is the freedom to select your venue. While Registrars are confined to licensed venues, Celebrants can conduct ceremonies virtually anywhere (including licensed wedding venues). Whether you’d like a ceremony in a luxurious hotel, a majestic manor house, a rustic barn, a quaint village hall, a cosy restaurant, a cherished family home, a picturesque marquee, a private garden, by a serene lakeside, or in the heart of nature within a paddock or woodland setting, a Celebrant can make it happen. Perhaps you’d prefer a twilight ceremony late into the night, or a couples only ceremony at your favourite romantic location?
Registrar Vs Celebrant: Registrar ceremonies can sometimes feel restricted and rushed, mainly because Registrars often officiate multiple weddings during a single day at different locations. Meeting the Registrar for the first time, just minutes before you walk down the aisle, can be quite uncomfortable. The ceremony typically features simple, legal wording, with limited options for personal touches and cannot incorporate symbolic elements.
If you choose a licensed wedding venue, it’s YOUR choice to opt for a Celebrant Style ceremony as an alternative and this choice is entirely acceptable. As a Celebrant, Sue will take time to get to know you several months before the big day so ultimately you'll know WHO will be delivering your ceremony!
If the traditional Registrar’s system leaves you feeling restricted, and you’re looking for creativity, inspiration, and support, then a Celebrant Style ceremony means you have no restrictions or limitations on timing, format, style, content, location, and your ceremony can be tailored to include your own ideas. A Celebrant Style ceremony is TOTALLY UNIQUE and is all about YOU as a couple, sharing a ceremony in ANY location, and in your own STYLE.
During the busy wedding season, Registrars might not always be available to officiate on a date and time that aligns with your venue's availability. However, a Celebrant, will be able to deliver your ceremony and, as Sue is a former Registrar, she can help by providing guidance to navigate the legalities of your marriage. Please note that when you choose a licensed venue, you do NOT pay a Registrar's attendance fee in addition to a Celebrant fee.
See Google 5 ⭐️ Review:
..."We first met Sue at a wedding fayre and after speaking to her, and learning about how a celebrant delivered a wedding ceremony V a registrar, we decided there and then we wanted a celebrant, and Sue, with her knowledge and warmth was the lady to deliver it. From the start Sue kept us informed and upto date with every step, guiding us through the process in a calm, relaxed manner, right up until the rehearsal, which she again made us feel totally at ease and gave invaluable information so we got the best from the day. On the day our ceremony was perfect, relaxed, had some humour and was entertaining it was exactly what we wanted. Sue didn't rush off, she spoke to guests, who have commented on how committed she is and how much she loves what she does ( a guest actually said, she wasn't going to use the word "job", as she felt for Sue, it is far more.) I 100% agree, the time, effort and attention to detail Sue put in to make sure our wedding was personal to us was remarkable. Sue is such a beautiful lady, inside and out. Anyone thinking of having a celebrant to conduct their wedding, rather than a registar, you need to speak to Sue..."
Alison & Dave - Ceremony at Hellaby Hall
Making it Legal: A ceremony is a commitment of love in the presence of your guests. The legal recognition is essentially formal paperwork and costs just £56 (plus £12.50 for legal certificate). While Celebrant Style ceremonies focus on the love and personalisation, there is a straightforward process to complete the legal aspect of your marriage. This process, known as a Statutory Marriage, involves making legal declarations and signing a marriage schedule with two witnesses during a pre-arranged appointment at a register office. See LEGAL WEDDING
It's important to point out it’s not essential that legal paperwork is undertaken on the same day as your ceremony. Just as your birth was legally registered on a different day to the date you were born.
Consider how you mark your birthday each year based on the anniversary of your actual birthdate, not the date your birth was officially registered!
Treating marriage similarly means separating the legal registration (often on a different date) from the actual ceremony.
In future years, you'd celebrate your wedding anniversary on the date of your Celebrant ceremony – the day celebrated with all your family and friends will always be the most memorable day! This date will be printed on your ceremony certificate signed with witnesses during your Celebrant ceremony.
Choosing a Celebrant:
If you're looking for a totally unique, creative, and sincere ceremony, 'Celebrant Style' offers the ideal solution. Sue is an award-winning Celebrant & Wedding Stylist with plenty of creative ideas for symbolic elements to make your ceremony truly memorable. Whether you'd like a unique venue, a customised ceremony, or a more intimate experience, she can help make this happen. When selecting a Celebrant, it's important to choose someone you can connect with - Sue welcomes you to meet her in person or via Zoom, for a friendly chat with absolutely no obligation. While she is located within easy reach of Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire venues, she is happy to travel further afield, and even delivers destination ceremonies overseas!
A Day to Remember: Ceremonies really are Sue's passion, and she genuinely loves being part of a couple's special day. Each ceremony is unique, reflecting the love story of the couple. Your ceremony is just the beginning of your journey together, and Sue will be delighted to help you create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Sue worked as a Registrar for over 15 years' in Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire and has delivered hundreds of wedding ceremonies in a variety of venues at wonderful indoor and outdoor locations. Fortunately, Sue also has the experience to guide you step-by-step regarding the legal aspects of your marriage.
'Celebrant Style' ceremony can help when:
You’d prefer a ceremony that's truly UNIQUE and ultimately you'd like to know WHO is going to deliver your ceremony.
Your preferred venue is not a licensed wedding venue, and you'd like a meaningful ceremony in your chosen location, even at your home or in your garden.
Registrars may not be available on the date or time you prefer at a licensed wedding venue, so you need a flexible alternative.
You've already married abroad but would like to celebrate with a wider circle of friends/family and would like an extended ceremony in the UK. See EXTENDED CEREMONY
You're looking to renew your vows or celebrate a special anniversary with a beautiful and unique ceremony. See RENEWAL OF VOWS
You'd like to celebrate the naming of a child with a heartfelt and meaningful ceremony tailored to your wishes. See NAMING CEREMONY
Additional Special Touch: To add a special touch to your ceremony, consider the services of Colour & Style Analysis Image Consultancy to create colour harmony, ensuring that your bridal party looks their best. Sue has had the privilege of combining both roles, styling bridal parties with appropriate colour schemes, and even "marrying" her styling clients and customers of her daughter's bridal boutique, Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal (Wedding Industry Award National Bridal Retailer).
Sue genuinely LOVES being part of a couple’s special day and to create beautiful memories - no two ceremonies are ever the same!
Take a look at the gallery and feedback received from prevous couples here: Gallery & Reviews and also 'Hitched' & Google 5 Star Reviews.
Ceremonies really are Sue's passion!
Sue Burton
Celebrant Style
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