In some ways it might be easier to say what a celebrant wedding is not - it is not a legally binding ceremony; to be legally married in England you must be married by a registrar or an ordained minister of the church. However, both these options are generic ceremonies with little or no room for personalisation and this does not feel right for an increasing number of couples. More and more people are choosing to complete the legal necessities simply, cheaply and without fuss perhaps a day or two before what they consider their wedding ‘proper’ - their own occasion that is exactly right for them - a celebrant-led wedding.
Because it has no legal standing a celebrant wedding can literally be anything the couple and celebrant agree. There are no restrictions on where it can be, so if you fancy getting married on a favourite beach, in the office at which you met or in your back garden, you can. Couples can choose from traditional wedding venues to more modern options, from grand and imposing to small and intimate. If you have found the perfect place for your wedding party, why not use that and combine your ceremony with your celebration?
In terms of content, once again anything goes - from Star Wars to Bridgerton, from simple to elaborate you can have any theme, any music and any readings you choose. Unlike civil ceremonies which can contain NO religious material, not even a favourite hymn, or church weddings which are of course wholly religious, a celebrant led wedding can be exactly what you want it to be. For further comparison of registrar versus celebrant weddings see my blog. Usually at the centre of a celebrant-led wedding will be the couple’s ‘love story’. Of course, the details of what you share are up to you but the opportunity to reflect on the journey to this momentous day, to publicly state your intentions for the marriage and to ask for the support of your family and friends as you embark on the journey is truly glorious and invariably becomes the highlight of the day.
Often couples choose to have one or more rituals to symbolise their intentions for marriage - these range from the traditional for example, exchanging rings and vows to the more individual such as jumping the broom or handtying - you can read more about the latter here. Both these rituals have ancient roots and are full of meaning and significance. Different cultures have different rituals associated with marriage and in a celebrant-led wedding you are free to reflect any of these. One of my personal favourites is Baumstamm sägen, a traditional German custom where couples face the first obstacle of married life together by sawing a log in half using a double handed saw. If you have a signature cocktail why not include that? Would you like to light a bonding candle to signify your union? The possibilities for rituals are literally endless and one of the joys of being a celebrant is creating rituals that are meaningful to the couple.
Because each celebrant-led wedding is totally unique and completely bespoke it is of course a deeply personal occasion; it is vital to choose the right celebrant for you. You should work with someone who understands your vision for your ceremony. For more guidance on this, please see my blog.
By Catrina Young, Leicestershire Heart-led celebrant, Marking Life’s Moments.
© Hardingstone Ceremonies, August 2024
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