Understanding Your Wedding Ceremony Options - Church, Registrar, or Celebrant?

When you start planning your wedding, one of the first and most meaningful choices you’ll make is what kind of ceremony you’d like. Your ceremony is the heart of your day - the moment your marriage truly begins, so it’s worth taking the time to explore the different options available in the UK.

As a wedding planner here in England, I often help couples navigate the differences between a church wedding, a civil ceremony with a registrar, and a celebrant led wedding. Each brings its own beauty, structure, and flexibility - and understanding these options can help you decide what feels most authentic to you.

Church Ceremonies

A church wedding ceremony is a traditional religious service led by a priest, vicar, or minister. It follows a structured order of service and takes place in a consecrated church building.

For couples who share a faith, this type of ceremony can feel deeply spiritual and significant — a way to begin your marriage with blessings, hymns, and prayers that reflect your beliefs.

Why couples choose a church wedding:

• Spiritually meaningful and rooted in faith.

• Beautiful, historic settings with natural grandeur.

• A sense of community and tradition.

  
  

Things to consider:

• Many churches require certain criteria, such as regular attendance or pre-marriage preparation.

• The ceremony wording follows a set liturgy.

• Music and readings must often be approved by the officiant.

  
  

A church ceremony is perfect for couples who want to make their vows within a timeless, sacred tradition.

Registrar Ceremonies

A registrar ceremony (also called a civil wedding) is a non-religious, legally binding ceremony conducted by a local authority registrar. It can take place in a registry office or at a licensed wedding venue such as a hotel, barn, or country house.

These ceremonies are ideal for couples who prefer a simple and straightforward approach to getting married.

Why couples choose a registrar ceremony:

• Legally binding on the day.

• A non-religious alternative to a church service.

• Recognised by law throughout the UK.

  
  

Things to consider:

• The script must follow legal guidelines, with no religious or spiritual references allowed.

• Ceremonies can only take place in licensed venues.

• Personalisation is limited, though you can include approved readings and music.

  
  

Registrar ceremonies are elegant in their simplicity - efficient, formal, and suitable for couples seeking a clear, modern approach.

Celebrant Ceremonies

A celebrant-led wedding ceremony offers complete flexibility. A celebrant is a trained professional who writes and delivers a bespoke ceremony created entirely around you. It’s not legally binding in England or Wales (so most couples complete the legal signing separately at their local registry office), but it allows your wedding day ceremony to be as unique as your love story.

Why couples choose a celebrant wedding:

• You can hold your ceremony anywhere - gardens, beaches, woodlands, or even at home.

• Every word and reading is personal to you.

• You can blend traditions, include symbolic rituals, or celebrate cultural and spiritual elements that matter to you.

  
  

Things to consider:

• Requires a separate legal marriage appointment at the registry office.

• Finding the right celebrant is key - look for someone whose tone and style resonate with you.

  
  

A celebrant wedding ceremony offers a truly bespoke experience - intimate, emotional, and entirely yours.

How They Differ: A Quick Comparison

Choosing the Right Ceremony for You

There’s no single “best” type of wedding ceremony, only the one that feels most authentic to you. Here are a few questions to consider:

• Is faith an important part of your relationship?

• Would you prefer your ceremony to be legally binding on the day?

• How important is creative freedom - being able to choose your own words, readings, or location?

Whether you’re drawn to the timeless beauty of a church, the simplicity of a registrar ceremony, or the creativity of a celebrant, the most important thing is that it feels right for you as a couple.

Why I Encourage Couples to Stay Open to Celebrant Ceremonies

While every ceremony has its charm, I often encourage couples to keep an open mind about celebrant-led weddings. For couples who dream of a deeply personal, story-driven experience, a celebrant ceremony can offer an emotional and flexible alternative.

At Weddings by Holly Rose, I’ve seen first-hand how celebrant-led ceremonies allow couples to create moments that feel truly their own - warm, romantic, and filled with meaning.

Whichever path you choose, make sure your ceremony captures what your love really feels like: timeless, heartfelt, and beautifully you.