What Is A Celebrant?

After decades of very rigid ceremonial status quo in the UK - celebrants are breathing life back into the ceremony space 21st century style. 

But what exactly is a celebrant? Why are they different? And why are they the most important thing you can invest in on your special day? 

Just like a registrar, shaman, vicar or other religious or spiritual leader, celebrants lead and reside over ceremonies - but with the focus on the people/person the ceremony is for, rather than a religious or legal format.

Celebrants write and lead naming ceremonies, funerals, weddings or less well known rituals such as a healing, separation, gender transition or other life milestones that could benefit from some ceremonial magic. 

Celebrants love people, story telling and the privilege of holding space. Today many come from writing and performance backgrounds - as journalists, broadcasters, tv producers, creative writers, voice over coaches, English teachers and other people, performance and writing centred backgrounds.

I'm a former journalist and broadcaster - but today prefer the intimate energy of holding space for a person or couple to mark a major life milestone in a ritual setting than crafting headlines and news hooks. 

What's different - and really magical - about a celebrant is that as we are not tied to the law or a religion, we're free to write completely bespoke ceremonies that reflect a person or couples unique story, belief system and approach to life. 

A Celebrant Makes Sure The Ceremony Is The Best Bit

A celebrant makes sure the ceremony - rather than be the boring bit people "get through" before the party - is the highlight of the occasion.

According to our amazing clients personalities and requirements, we pepper our ceremonies with audience participation (if you're having guests and not doing an elopement), laughs, surprises (if you want some), songs, readings, unity rituals, quizzes, musical interludes and always plenty of whoops, cheers and happy tears. 

In addition to the bespoke ceremony as standard I coach, rehearse and produce if needed, all the good folk participating in your ceremony - whether that be for readings, musical performances, a moment with kids or pets or any other contribution. It's important everyone is prepared, excited and ready to be their best selves on your special day. 

What's also very liberating about a celebrant led ceremony is due to there being no need for a license - you can have it literally anywhere you like - on a canal boat, circus trapeze, cultural venue, in the woods, your favourite nightclub or your own back garden. How wonderful! 

A Celebrant Led Ceremony Can Be As Unconventional & Alternative As You Wish

Ceremonies in the UK are steeped in tradition, many very questionable ones. A modern, progressive and inclusive celebrant will empower you to think through these traditions and their roots - and reimagine, repurpose or completely do away with them to build a ceremony that's fit for these times. And if you want to keep some - that's also fine, it's your day done your way. 

If a particular belief system - religious, cultural or otherwise is important to you - a celebrant can weave this into the ceremony in a way that’s right for you. I personally don’t offer any religious aspects but we could bring in a friend or family member to do so if this was important to you. Likewise if your a person or couple with multiple identities - a celebrant ceremony gives the flexibility and fluidity to reference them all with no binary requirements. Beautiful hey?

A celebrant led wedding is the perfect match for LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming community members. Speaking for myself it is an absolute honour to serve members of these communities and tear down the gender binary, patriarchy and inequality that permeates many mainstream celebrations.

Not all celebrants feel this way so check that you and your unique and beautiful love and story is safe before proceeding with a supplier. It's worth noting that although same and gender-non conforming couples can legally marry in the UK in what's known as a civil partnership - they are still excluded from marrying in most religious venues. Outrageous right! 

Is A Celebrant Led Wedding Ceremony Legal?

A question frequently asked with regards to celebrant led weddings is, is the marriage legal?

For now, no it isn't (the law may soon change though so watch this space), so couples usually do 'legal' part of their union on a different day before or after the celebrant ceremony. Many people today see this as an admin task rather than the momentous coming together of heart and soul before your tribe that your celebrant led ceremony will be. A registrar service at your local town hall will cost you £50 plus depending on what package you book plus £10ish for a marriage certificate. Make sure your details are correct on it as to have it amended usually costs £70 plus.

There can be generational differences of opinion on the importance of the ‘legal’ ceremony (or admin bit) versus the celebrant led ceremony. I offer coaching about the best ways to communicate with loved one’s who may struggle to bend their heads around this new approach - or quite simply may not have encountered it before so need filling in. You can even direct them to this very blog!

Some couples don't want to be legally married so elect to have a celebrant led ceremony as a way to celebrate their love and commit to each other heart to heart - without the 'official' paperwork. But it is worth noting the UKs archaic legal system still affords greater equality rights in the event of a future separation to legally married couples. Eye roll I know, but good to be aware of.  

Not All Celebrant Services Are Created Equal

It’s also important to say not all celebrant services are created equal and this is reflected in the price point. I - as do many of my peers - craft all my ceremonies from scratch - every aspect completely bespoke and created only after multiple meetings with the person/couple, completion of a questionnaire and various iterations of the script later. This is a joy to do and I wouldn't offer my services in any other way.  

No shade here as its a different type of service - but celebrants with a far lower price point often operate an "insert personal bit here" approach working with a template which they roll out for every ceremony. This brings the cost down yes, but you won't get the same level of absolute personalisation and creativity. You essentially pay a day rate and your names and a bit of your love story are popped in the script. 

I could write a book about the joy and utter privilege it is to be a celebrant, but I hope this blog has provided a good jumping off point for you. If you’re thinking of having a celebrant led ceremony, I’d love to chat. Hit me up on the contacts form or drop me a line. As after all, why settle for any old ceremony when you can have the ceremony of your dreams?