Celebrant-Led Weddings: What You Can Do (Not What You Can’t)

If you’re getting married at a licensed venue, you might assume your only option is a registrar ceremony in the licensed barn or hall - at one of the slots your council has available.

But what if you could have your dream ceremony - in the ancient orchard, under the twisted oak, at twilight, with your guests sipping fizz in hand - and still be legally married?

That’s where celebrant-led ceremonies come in. And it’s why so many licensed venues are proudly offering couples more creative, flexible options by working with independent celebrants like me.

*An evening woodland wedding lit by fairy lights*

First things first - what’s a celebrant?

A celebrant is someone who creates and delivers a completely bespoke wedding ceremony that reflects you two - your personalities, your story, your vibe, your hopes for the future.

Unlike a registrar, I’m not bound by legal restrictions. That means:

❤ Your ceremony can take place anywhere at your venue – licensed or not

❤ It can happen at any time of day (including evenings)

❤ You can include personal vows, symbolic rituals, pets, live music, toasts, food, or quiet stillness – whatever feels like you

❤ You’ll meet with me in advance, and I’ll write your ceremony from scratch and be by your side through the whole journey

What can you do with a celebrant that you can’t do with a registrar?

Here are just a few things:

With a Registrar	With me (a Celebrant)
Only in licenced areas	Anywhere on the venue’s grounds
Fixed time slots and fixed ceremony length	Flexible timing - including evenings – and no rush
Strict rules around music (no religious lyrics, limited changes)	Any music – live, acoustic, lyrical – tailormade for you
No food or drink during the ceremony	Snacks, toasts, cocktails – whatever you choose
Pets by permission	Fur family fully welcome
Highly scripted, very little opportunity to bring personal details in	Bespoke mini-ceremony to suit your loves, passions & backgrounds
No personal connection	We’ll meet, chat, plan, laugh and then I’ll write your ceremony & deliver it myself on the Big Day

But what about the legal bit?

Ah yes - important to say: celebrant-led weddings aren’t (yet) legally binding in England and Wales. But the solution is very simple:

You do the legal paperwork separately (most do it before their wedding ceremony) - it’s know as a '2+2 ceremony', and it’s just the signing of the marriage register at your local Register Office with two witnesses (think of it like registering a baby's birth verses having a baby).

Further reading: For the most up-to-date legal information - including giving notice, permitted ceremony locations, and documents required - the RegistryOffice.uk guide is a trustworthy resource

It’s not just about the day - it’s about the journey

When you work with me as your celebrant, we don’t just meet five minutes before you say “I do”. I’ll be with you from the start - getting to know you both, hearing your stories, offering ideas, and helping you shape a ceremony that reflects you in every way.

I’ll ask the questions that no one else is asking: What does ‘together’ look like for you? What would make your ceremony feel unforgettable? What little nods could we include to honour your story, your family, or your future?

We’ll laugh (a lot), possibly cry (a bit), and on the day itself, I won’t be a stranger with a script. I’ll be a familiar, trusted face - someone you’ve built a connection with. Someone who’s as invested in making your ceremony totally memorable as you are.

R.M, one of my brides this summer, messaged me after her wedding to say: “We miss you from our lives now the ceremony’s over!”

Honestly - so did I.

Collaborating with your venue (and everyone else)

I also work directly with your venue team - so no one’s left guessing. We’ll have a proper catch-up and I’ll always make sure we’re using the space in a way that works beautifully with the environment, not against it.

Whether that’s shaping your ceremony around a beloved willow tree, an ivy-wrapped archway, or the shifting golden light of early evening - your setting becomes part of the story we’re telling.

And because no one wants surprises on the day (unless they’re planned ones) - I’ll share an abridged version of the script with your venue, photographer/videographer, and musicians so everyone’s fully prepped, in sync, and confident.

It’s all part of making your ceremony feel effortless, even though everything behind the scenes has been thought through with love and precision.

In summary - it’s not either/or, it’s yes/and…

You can get legally married at the Register Office - and still have the wedding ceremony you’ve always dreamed of - in any part of your venue, written and delivered by someone who’s taken the time to truly know you.

If you’re planning a wedding and want something that feels personal, flexible and truly yours - let’s have a proper natter. I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming of and show you what’s possible.

Want to know more?

You can read more about celebrant-led weddings on my Weddings page, or drop me a line at love@allyourlove.co.uk and let me show you what's possible.

Or just head to my Contact page, and let's talk about what your ceremony could become - creative, heartfelt, one-of-a-kind, and about all your love ❤