What's the difference between a celebrant and a registrar?

A celebrant-led wedding ceremony is quite different to a ceremony officiated by a registrar. Quite simply, a registrar completes the legal paperwork required to legalise your marriage, whereas an independent celebrant offers the freedom to celebrate your wedding in a way that suits you.

Why would you choose a celebrant-led ceremony?

There are so many reasons! Take your pick:

• Bespoke ceremony: A celebrant will personalise your wedding ceremony and include elements of your story, symbolic rituals, and anything else that you would like to include. You don't have to stick to any particular wording...you have complete freedom to celebrate in the way that feels right for you. This includes having personal vows and readings and we can make it as light-hearted or heart-warming as you like.

• Skipping traditions: Perhaps there are some wedding traditions which make you feel awkward or that simply don't feel right to you. At your celebrant-led ceremony, we can simply remove them. There are no restrictions, so we design a completely personalised ceremony that works for you.

• Location: Celebrants can host your ceremony anywhere. Celebrants can host your ceremony at a licensed wedding venue, but they can also host your ceremony wherever you like...you could get married in the garden of your childhood home, on a mountainside or a beach. The possibilities are endless.

• Timing and flexibility: On top of that freedom to choose your ideal ceremony space, a celebrant-led ceremony can happen at any time. Sunrise ceremony on a mountainside? Sunset vows on the beach? Dreamy. There are no set times with a celebrant. If something goes wrong and an important guest is running late, your celebrant can be flexible and slow things down to give them enough time to arrive. Your celebrant is there for you for the whole day, no time slots to worry about.

• Getting to know you: A celebrant will get to know you in the run up to your wedding (that's how they write your script). On your wedding day, it's another friendly, familiar face up there during the all-important moments. This is particularly helpful if you're a bit nervous about this part of your big day.

• Symbolic rituals: We can include symbolic rituals such as ring warming, unity candle ceremonies, wine ceremonies, hand-fasting, jumping the broom...you can choose anything that matches your vibe. I can talk you through these options in more detail if they make your ears prick with interest!

What happens at a registry office wedding?

• Ceremony: At many registry office weddings, you choose from one of the set scripts available. You must stick to the legal wording because you are completing the legal paperwork for your marriage. In terms of personalising your registrar's ceremony, you cannot include any religious or spiritual wording. Check with your registrar's office to see if you are allowed to put up any decorations, as this may depend on how many weddings they have booked in that day. Many don't allow decorations due to time constrictions.

• Location: For a registrar to marry you, you must attend either a registry office or have them come out to a licensed venue.

• Timing and flexibility: Registrar's offices are a busy spot; you will book a set time for your ceremony based on the registrar's availability; it's likely that there will be ceremonies happening in there before and after yours. Your slot will usually last around 15 minutes, during which you'll sign your paperwork.

• Meeting the registrar: Usually, you will only meet the registrar at your ceremony on the day of your legal wedding, so you won't know who they are prior to that.

That's why so many couples are choosing to have a celebrant-led wedding for their wedding celebration, and heading to the registry office to get their legal marriage paperwork done on a different day.

For more non-traditional wedding ideas, follow Spellbound Ceremonies on Instagram.

If you like the sound of a celebrant-led wedding, get in touch to enquire about your wedding date. I can't wait to celebrate with you.