Can a wedding celebrant legally marry us in the UK?

In the UK, wedding celebrants do not have the legal authority to marry couples. Instead, marriages in England and Wales must be conducted by a registered and licensed officiant, such as a registrar or religious minister, in a legally recognised venue.

However, wedding celebrants can play a significant role in creating and conducting personalised and meaningful ceremonies for couples. While they cannot legally marry couples, they often work closely with couples to design ceremonies that reflect their beliefs, values, and relationship. These ceremonies can take place before or after the legal marriage ceremony conducted by a registered officiant.

It’s important for couples to understand the legal requirements for marriage in the UK and to ensure that they have a registered officiant to conduct the legal aspects of their marriage ceremony. Wedding celebrants can then complement this by creating a personalised and memorable ceremony that celebrates the couple’s love and commitment.