There are currently two ways to be legally married in the UK: a religious service, typically at a church or, secondly, at a licensed venue such as a registry office which is often within a council building or courtroom.
If you are not religious, the choice is really whether a ceremony at a registry office will suffice or whether you would prefer a more personal celebrant-led ceremony as well.
Celebrants cannot perform legally binding marriages in England and Wales although this may change soon as it is being considered as part of the Law Commission weddings review.
More and more couples are going for a small registry office option followed by a celebrant led ceremony.
As a celebrant I cannot imagine being married by someone I had never met. I would also struggle with the idea of my wedding simply being the next one on a conveyor belt of ceremonies when timings can be pretty rigid.
Most couples who opt for a celebrant tend to go to their local registry office a couple of days before their wedding. This ceremony can be as simple as you like – you are there to sign documents and you don’t even have to exchange rings.
The real celebration, with their family and friends can take place wherever they like and whenever they like.
Whatever you choose – church, registrar or celebrant – it should reflect the style and size of the celebration you want – and feel authentic to you.