How to Make Your Marriage Legal When You Have a Celebrant-Led Ceremony

If you're having a celebrant-led ceremony (like the kind I do!), it’s important to know that while your wedding can be magical, emotional, hilarious, and completely you,”... it’s not legally binding unless you do the paperwork too.

But don’t panic — the legal part is way simpler (and cheaper) than you'd think. Let’s break down your options.

Tanya Bogdan

First — Why Separate the Legal Bit?

Honestly? Because you get the best of both worlds. A lot of couples love the freedom of a celebrant-led ceremony because:

• You can get married anywhere — a beach, your garden, a pizza restaurant, in a field ... whatever floats your boat. If you're getting married at a venue, there are no restrictions on where you can get married - inside or outside, whichever room or area you want is free for you to choose.

• You’re not limited by what a registrar allows. Want to write your own vows? Include a handfasting? Have your dog in the ceremony? YES PLEASE.

• You can make your ceremony personal and emotional, not rushed or robotic.

  
  

So you get to have the dreamy, heartfelt, or quirky wedding you actually want, and just tick the legal boxes separately. Easy.

Maxi Photography

So… How Do You Actually Make It Legal?

Here are a few ways to sort the legal bit, without compromising on your dream day:

Pop to the Registry Office

This is the most common route — and the easiest!

You book a simple legal ceremony at your local register office for £56. Turn up with two witnesses and sign the paperwork.

It takes 10 minutes. You don’t even have to exchange rings or say your vows; you can leave that for your ceremony with me on your wedding day.

Make a day of it, wear white, get a small posy and go out for brunch with your nearest and dearest afterwards. Or, turn up in your athleisure wear and sign the marriage certificate. Think of it as when you go to register a birth, and then you may have a Christening, Naming Ceremony or party afterwards to celebrate.

You can do this either before or after your wedding day.

Have a Registrar (as well as me) at a Licensed Venue

This option lets you do the legal part and your celebration on the same day, but it comes with more rules and extra investment.

You’ll need to book a licensed venue and a registrar to come out and legalise your marriage. You will have to sign the legal paperwork in a licensed room or area of the venue. Registars can conduct several ceremonies a day, so they may have time constraints. I think a nice time to have your registrar visit is after your wedding ceremony with me, during cocktail hour, whilst your guests are enjoying canapes. It only takes about 15 minutes and requires you and two witnesses.

I've also had couples do it in the morning before the wedding ceremony so they don't have to rush. I only perform one ceremony a day, so I'll always be as cool as a cucumber with timings.

Do the Legal Bit Abroad

Wanting to tie the knot in Vegas or Cyprus? You might be able to get legally married abroad — just check that the UK will recognise it. You may need to register it or get official translations when you get back. But it’s definitely doable, and can be a fun way to combine the paperwork with a mini getaway. Then you can come home and have your full-on celebration here with friends and family and a beautiful wedding ceremony performed by me.

Laura Rosemary

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, getting legally married is just one piece of your love story. Your actual wedding, the day you say your vows, celebrate with your people, and make your commitment, is whatever you want it to be. So don’t stress about the legal bit. It’s just a short, sweet stop on the way to your real ceremony, the one with laughter, tears and stories you’ll tell for years.

Ready to Plan Your Ceremony?

I’d love to chat about how we can make your wedding totally, unapologetically you.

Drop me a message via my contact form to book in a video call for a chat, or we can meet for a cuppa if you live close to me (I'm in Torquay!). I can't wait to chat with you!

Love Claire xxx