Celebrant vs Registrar: What’s the Difference?

If you’re planning a wedding, you’ve probably come across two words that sound a little bit like they belong in a government office:

Registrar.
Celebrant.

And you might be wondering: What’s the difference? Do I need one? Do I need both?

Don’t worry - let’s keep it simple.

The short version

Here’s the easiest way to think about it:

A registrar makes your marriage legal. A celebrant makes your ceremony personal.

One takes care of the legal bits. The other creates a ceremony that is completely you.

And, rather brilliantly, you can have both.

What does a registrar do?

A registrar is authorised to conduct the legal part of your marriage. They make sure the legal requirements are met, say the required legal words and complete the paperwork that makes you officially married.

Important? Absolutely.

Personalised? Not usually.

There are rules around what a registrar can and can’t include in a wedding ceremony, which can mean restrictions around things like wording, readings, music and personalisation.

And that’s where a celebrant wedding really comes into its own.

What does a celebrant do?

A celebrant creates and conducts a wedding ceremony that is completely personal to you.

There’s no standard script and no need to squeeze your love story into a pre-approved box.

Your celebrant gets to know you, your story, your personalities and the people who matter most. Then they turn all of that into a ceremony that feels like your wedding, rather than something that could belong to anyone.

Want to write your own vows? Absolutely.

Want your best mate to tell an embarrassing story? Bring it on.

Want to include your children, your dog, a favourite song or a special ritual? Yes, yes, yes and…yes!

Your ceremony can be romantic, funny, emotional, unconventional or all of the above.

Basically, you make the rules.

Can a celebrant legally marry us?

Here’s the important bit.

In England and Wales, a celebrant-led wedding ceremony isn't currently the legal marriage ceremony.

So, if you want to be legally married, you'll still need to complete the legal formalities with a registrar.

But you don't have to choose between a registrar or a celebrant.

You can have both.

Many couples have a simple legal ceremony at a register office and then have their main wedding ceremony with their celebrant on the big day.

And this can be a brilliant option.

It means your wedding ceremony isn't dictated by legal requirements. Instead, it can focus entirely on you, your story and the people you've invited to celebrate with you.

So, which one should you choose?

If you want the legal side of getting married sorted, you'll need a registrar.

If you want a ceremony that tells your story, makes your guests laugh, gets everyone a little bit emotional and feels unmistakably like you…

You want a celebrant.

And if you want the best of both worlds? Have the legal bit separately and let your celebrant create the wedding ceremony you've actually been dreaming about.

Because your ceremony shouldn't feel like something you have to get through before the champagne.

It should be one of the best parts of your day.

Weddings with Ellis

I believe your wedding ceremony should be about you two - not a generic script, ticking boxes or wondering whether your guests have started eyeing up the canapés.

I'll get to know you, your story and what makes your relationship special, then create a ceremony that's personal, meaningful, fun and completely yours.

Someone else might make you legally married.

I'll make sure your ceremony feels like your wedding.

And really, that's the good bit.