A CELEBRANT WEDDING…
A wedding celebrant creates and leads a completely personalised wedding ceremony that's built around you as a couple.
Unlike a registrar, a celebrant isn't tied to a standard script, which means your ceremony can not only be held ANYWHERE, but also include personal stories, meaningful readings, symbolic rituals, family traditions, your dog walking down the aisle, or just about anything else that reflects who you are.
CAN A CELEBRANT LEGALLY MARRY YOU?
In short, no.
It's worth knowing that, in England and Wales, celebrant ceremonies aren't currently legally binding on their own - but they’re working on it!
Most couples choose to complete the legal paperwork separately at a register office, then enjoy the ceremony they really want with their friends and family.
The difference between a Celebrant and a Registrar…
REGISTRAR
Uses an approved ceremony format
Restricted to licensed venues or approved locations for the legal ceremony
Limited personalisation
More structured
Fixed ceremony times
Legally marries you during the ceremony
WEDDING CELEBRANT
An entire ceremony written just for you
Can hold ceremonies almost anywhere {with permission}
Personal stories and memories
Symbolic rituals are welcome
Flexible timings
Legal ceremony completed separately {in England & Wales}
The verdict?
Neither option is better; it really comes down to the kind of wedding you're planning.
If you're dreaming of something traditional, a registrar ceremony might be exactly what you're after. But if you're picturing an outdoor ceremony, sharing your own vows, involving your children or pets, or telling your story in a way that feels genuinely personal, a celebrant gives you much more freedom.
Some couples even choose both: a simple legal ceremony at the register office followed by a celebrant-led ceremony on their wedding day. That way, you get the legal side taken care of and still have the ceremony you've always imagined.
WHY MORE COUPLES ARE CHOOSING CELEBRANT LED WEDDINGS
Every wedding I photograph is different, and that's exactly why celebrant ceremonies have become so popular. They give couples the freedom to create a ceremony that actually reflects them, rather than squeezing their story into a one-size-fits-all format.
I've seen couples include their children in a family unity ceremony, invite grandparents to share readings, exchange private vows, involve their dogs as ring bearers (always a crowd favourite!), and even hold ceremonies in woodlands, gardens and family homes. Those little personal touches don't just make the ceremony more memorable – they often help everyone relax too.
As a documentary wedding photographer, that's where the magic happens. When people feel comfortable, they laugh more, cry more, hug tighter and forget there's a camera around. Those are the moments that become the photographs you'll treasure for years to come.
Of course, celebrant weddings aren't the right choice for everyone, and that's completely okay. The best ceremony is the one that feels true to you. But if you're looking for flexibility, personality and a ceremony that's every bit as memorable as the party afterwards, it's easy to see why more couples are choosing this route.
Meet Jess May: An Independent Wedding Celebrant
One of the best things about working in the wedding industry is meeting people who genuinely love what they do, and Jess is definitely one of them.
I've had the pleasure of photographing ceremonies led by Jess, and what always stands out is how relaxed everyone feels. She has this lovely way of putting couples at ease, making guests laugh, and creating ceremonies that feel personal rather than scripted.
So, rather than me trying to answer everything, I asked Jess some of the questions couples ask me all the time. If you're wondering whether a celebrant wedding is right for you, hopefully these answers will help.
Why Celebrant Ceremonies Are Brilliant to Photograph
As a documentary wedding photographer, I'm always looking for genuine moments rather than staged ones.
Celebrant ceremonies naturally create lots of them.
People laugh because they're hearing stories they've forgotten about. They cry because someone has shared a memory they weren't expecting. Parents glance at each other with proud smiles, friends wipe away tears, and couples often forget I'm even there because they're completely wrapped up in the moment.
That's why I love photographing them.
The photos aren't memorable because they're perfectly posed, they're memorable because they're real.
Whether your ceremony is in a woodland, a tipi, a family garden or a beautiful wedding venue, those honest little moments are what tell the story of your day.
Planning a Celebrant Wedding?
If you're planning a celebrant wedding anywhere in Leicestershire, the Midlands or beyond, I'd love to hear all about it.
Whether you're getting married in a woodland, a family garden, a tipi or your favourite venue, my job is simply to tell the story of the day exactly as it happened.
No awkward posing.
No forced smiles.
Just photographs that feel like you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Celebrants
-
This is probably the question couples ask most often.
In England and Wales, celebrant ceremonies aren't currently legally binding on their own. Most couples simply complete the legal paperwork at a register office either before or after their wedding day, then enjoy a celebrant-led ceremony with all their friends and family present.
The legal part usually takes just a few minutes. It means your wedding ceremony can then be completely focused on celebrating your relationship, rather than paperwork.
-
If you've ever been to a celebrant ceremony, you'll probably notice one thing straight away – no two are ever the same.
A celebrant gets to know you as a couple and creates a ceremony around your story. That might include how you met, funny memories, family traditions, personal vows, favourite music, symbolic rituals or involving your children (or even your dog!).
Rather than feeling like one part of a busy schedule, your ceremony becomes one of the highlights of the day.
-
Absolutely – and this is one of the biggest reasons couples choose a celebrant.
Whether it's a woodland, your parents' garden, a field with a beautiful view, or somewhere that means something special to you, celebrant ceremonies give you much more flexibility over where your ceremony takes place.
Just remember that, if you're in England or Wales, you'll still need to complete the legal marriage separately.
-
Yes – and I honestly love hearing them.
Some couples write pages, others keep it short and sweet. Some choose private vows before the ceremony, while others say everything in front of everyone they love.
There really isn't a right or wrong way. A celebrant helps guide you through the process so your vows feel natural and personal rather than overwhelming.
-
Definitely.
Some of my favourite wedding photographs have happened because couples made their ceremony their own.
I've photographed children helping with ring warming ceremonies, dogs proudly walking down the aisle, grandparents reading poems, siblings sharing memories, and family members joining symbolic rituals.
Those moments aren't just lovely to witness – they often become the memories everyone talks about long after the wedding.