How to Use an Independent Celebrant in Your Wedding
Independent vs Humanist - What’s the Difference?
You may have seen the phrases Humanist or Independent Celebrants while you have been doing your wedding research, and wondering what this means.
In simple terms, a Humanist can perform a legal marriage in Scotland (there is no real difference between the two in England and Wales), meaning that after the ceremony, the couple will be joined in legal matrimony. Of course, this is a huge boon for Humanist Celebrants; however they are obligated to have no religious elements at all in their ceremonies, and are obliged to mention in their ceremonies what Humanism is.
An Independent Celebrant, on the other hand, has all the freedom in the world to create your perfect ceremony, word by word. Nothing is added to the ceremony without your direct approval, and you can be safe in the knowledge that your ceremony is 100% yours. And as for the legal part? Well, there are ways to fix that.
Having an Independent Celebrant Wedding
Want to know how to legally marry when having an Independent Celebrant-led wedding in the UK?
You can rest safe in the knowledge that getting the legal part of your marriage complete is very simple and I’m here to guide you through that process with 5 simple steps.
Let’s go…
Step 1 - Find your dream wedding location.
Remember that when you use an Independent Celebrant, it doesn’t need to be a licensed space. If you separate your legal signing, it opens up many different options to you.
If you love a stately home, but want an outdoor wedding, have a wander around the grounds and pick somewhere with great views, or perhaps with the house as a backdrop. If you love nature and want to get married below a willow tree, you can do that too.
There are no restrictions if using a Celebrant when it comes to location, as long you have permission from the land or venue owner, you can get married anywhere that tickles your fancy.
Wedding Celebrants, unlike registrars, will also work outside at any time of the year. With guidelines that state that once the temperature drops below 16 degrees, registrars will automatically move the ceremony inside but celebrants don’t have to.
If you want to do your ceremony halfway up Snowdon, I’ll be there (but I’d wrap up warm!)
When booking your location or going off-piste, consider things like distance to shelter, weather anomalies and access to electricity, some ideas sound cool but we have to make sure it works on the big day.
I cant stress enough that Celebrant led weddings can be officiated anywhere, so pick a venue that suits you as a couple, whether its the location of your first date, dream destination or your own back garden, pick one you truly love!
Step 2 - Book Your Officiant
The next thing should be to research and book your officiant.
If that is to be a Wedding Celebrant, then you will need to check their availability, and of course, have a consultation in order to confirm if they are the right fit for you and your wedding.
You can contact me for a free consultation on my contact page.
The benefit of this is that you can actually choose who conducts your wedding, and build a relationship with them before your big day.
Having a say in your ceremony content, format, and flow is a huge benefit and can mean the difference between a choice of pre-set government scripts and a truly personal and unique one!
Celebrants will only likely conduct one wedding a day, thus making sure you can choose the best time, and one that suits you both, rather than accepting whatever is left.
Step 3 - Intent to Marry
Registration for intent to marry must be done in all cases, whether you choose a registrar or Celebrant, as it enables the registration service to prepare your legal documentation and record the details of your marriage.
You can contact your local office and advise them of this.
This is then booked in on a date nearer your wedding day, usually the day before or day after. You are free however to choose when this takes place so book your legal signing in when it suits you.
Step 4 - Registration Day
With a celebrant led ceremony, you can save your vows and your ring exchanges, along with all other personal details. It is not a legal requirement to do this when you sign your papers. Just inform the registry office that you would like a standard service.
You will be required to take two witnesses to sign your marriage license.
You are then free to hold your ceremony wherever and whenever you like!
NOTE: There is currently Wedding Reform taking place in England and Wales which, if successful, means that Independent Celebrants will also be able to legally marry couples. Until this is in place, however, this plan will definitely help.
Step 5 - The Ceremony
Now that your venue is booked, your Celebrant is secured and your intent to marry logged at the registration service, you can set about planning your big day without restrictions!
The same process applies for destination weddings too. If you are wanting to have your ceremony abroad, why not separate the legal signing and avoid all the red tape at your wedding destination. I have had clients from all over the world who have chosen to do this before their wedding in the UK, so it’s definitely worth considering the other way around!
Upon your arrival abroad you will often have to complete documentation and visit several government offices and associations in order to satisfy their requirements. It’s a lot simpler this way!
It really is a very simple process!