There is still much confusion surrounding the difference between the two, and the majority of engaged couples have never heard of a wedding celebrant and do not understand the pivotal role they play in a wedding. This sadly means that there are many missed opportunities for couples who are looking for a meaningful and inclusive ceremony.
Registrars are permitted by law to officiate a marriage via a civil ceremony which must be held in a licensed area. The format of the ceremony is dictated by legislation and cannot include any religious or spiritual content. Any reading must be seen and approved before the ceremony.
A registrar is employed by the local authority and may perform up to 4 wedding services in a day, this means you will be given a time slot and it’s unlikely that you’ll meet them before the day. A wedding celebrant can assist and guide a couple in completing the necessary requirements for the marriage license, but they are not able to perform the legal part of the ceremony.
Wedding celebrants are empathetic and creative people who are professionally trained and who specialise in creating and conducting bespoke ceremonies, tailored specifically to a couple’s preferences and beliefs. Their approach is flexible and personalised and they collaborate with a couple to create a ceremony that is true to their personal story. Wedding celebrants come armed with the ability to connect with people and tell a good story. They are skilled at creating a ceremony that will leave a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.
Whether you want a non-religious ceremony, a fusion of different cultural traditions or a ceremony that includes symbolic rituals, wedding celebrants can bring your vision to life.
The other huge benefit of working with a celebrant is the personal touch they bring to the ceremony. They will have spent time with a couple, getting to know and understand them and their journey together. A wedding celebrant will adapt their style to match the desired tone required by each couple, whether that’s lighthearted and humorous, romantic or more solemn.
Using a celebrant brings more flexibility in terms of location and timing. Wedding celebrants can officiate a ceremony anywhere from a private garden to a beach or a stately home. This means the couple can pick somewhere that has special meaning to them.
Some couples choosing a celebrant-led wedding tend to get the legal part out of the way a few days before, leaving them free to enjoy their wedding day as they truly want it. This can give them more days of celebrations.
Other couples want to keep the legal part low key and choose the cheapest option, which is the 2+2 Ceremony.
What is a 2+ 2 Ceremony?
The 2+2 is a short ceremony that includes the legal elements needed to perform a marriage. The only people to attend will be yourselves, your two witnesses and the registrar. It only includes a declaration, contracting words and an optional ring vow, chosen from a short standard selection.
Consider this: when you are born; the birth gets registered, when you die; the death gets registered; and in the same way, when you marry it needs to be registered.
Separating the legal side of your wedding ceremony enables you to have a bespoke ceremony that is truly unique and memorable. A ceremony that truly reflects who you are as a couple and incorporates your ideas, values and personalities.
A celebrant gives you the freedom to hold your ceremony in a place that’s significant to you, whether that’s a beach, a forest, a bluebell glade, or your own garden.
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