Celebrant vs Registrar vs Humanist: What’s the Difference (and Which One Is Right for You)?
- suzannebrannigan8
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Planning your ceremony and feeling a bit confused about who does what? You’re not alone. Some of the most common questions I hear from couples are:
“Do we need a celebrant and a registrar? What is a celebrant ceremony? Who can actually marry us?”
Let’s break it down - no jargon, no judgement, just a friendly guide to help you figure out what’s right for your day.
What is a Registrar?
A registrar is a government official employed by your local council, who has the legal authority to register marriages and civil partnerships.
Here’s what you need to know:
Registrars conduct legal ceremonies, either at the registry office or at licensed venues
The ceremony tends to follow a standard script with little flexibility
No religious content is allowed (so no hymns, prayers or spiritual references)
You usually won’t meet your registrar before your wedding day
Best for: Couples who want a simple, no-fuss legal ceremony - just the essentials!
Think of a registrar as the person who gets you legally married - like signing the dotted line.
What is a Humanist Celebrant?
A humanist celebrant is trained and accredited by Humanists UK, offering non-religious, personal ceremonies that reflect humanist values (celebrating life and love without religion or spirituality).
The essentials:
Ceremonies are non-religious and meaningful, focused on your story
They’re not legally binding in England or Wales (but are legal in Scotland and Northern Ireland)
You meet your celebrant in advance and work together on the ceremony
Humanist celebrants work within a specific worldview - ideal for those who identify as humanist or atheist
Best for: Couples who want a personal but strictly non-religious ceremony, and share humanist values
Humanist ceremonies are personal and heartfelt, but always non-religious by definition.
What is an Independent Celebrant? (That’s me!)
An independent celebrant offers the most flexibility of all. We’re not tied to a belief system or legal restrictions, which means your ceremony can be exactly what you want it to be.
What that means for you:
Your ceremony is written from scratch, based entirely on your story, values and personalities
You can include anything that feels meaningful - religious or spiritual elements, cultural traditions, humour, tears, even your dog!
The ceremony isn’t legally binding in England or Wales, but I’ll guide you through the simple steps to complete the legal bit separately
You can have your ceremony anywhere - a field, a barn, a beach, your nan’s garden, even your living room
Best for: Couples who want a ceremony that’s creative, deeply personal and completely unique
I don’t work from templates. I work from hearts, stories and what truly matters to you.
So… Who’s Right for You?
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Legally binding?
Registrar - Yes
Humanist Celebrant - Only in Scotland and NI
Independent Celebrant - Only in Scotland and NI (but I'll explain how to do it)
Religious/spiritual content allowed?
Registrar - No
Humanist Celebrant - No
Independent Celebrant - Yes, if you want it
Personalised ceremony?
Registrar - Limited
Humanist Celebrant - Yes
Independent Celebrant - Completely bespoke
Venue restrictions?
Registrar - Licensed venues only
Humanist Celebrant - Anywhere
Independent Celebrant -Anywhere
Tone/style flexibility?
Registrar - Low
Humanist Celebrant - Moderate
Independent Celebrant - 100% your way
Works best for…
Registrar - Quick, legal "I do"
Humanist Celebrant - Non-religious couples
Independent Celebrant -Creative, personalised ceremonies
Still Not Sure? Let’s Chat...
If your head’s spinning a little, I get it! Choosing how to get married (and who leads that moment) is a big decision.
So if you’d like to chat about what a celebrant-led ceremony might look like for you, I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s big and bold, small and simple, or somewhere in between, let’s make it feel like yours from start to finish.
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