Celebrant Ceremonies – Why We Love Them
And Why It’s Time The Law Caught Up!
Celebrant ceremonies are fast becoming one of the most popular ways for couples in the UK to celebrate their wedding day — and it’s easy to see why. These personalised, flexible, and deeply meaningful ceremonies offer something traditional weddings often can’t: complete creative freedom.
But here’s the thing: in England and Wales, celebrant ceremonies are not yet legally recognised — even though they are in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey.
At Great Betley Farmhouse, we absolutely love celebrants, and we believe it’s time the law reflected modern love stories. Here’s why more couples are choosing this beautiful option — and why it’s time celebrants were given the legal power to do what they already do so well.
Celebrant Ceremonies: Tell Your Story, Your Way
One of the biggest reasons couples are drawn to celebrants is the ability to create a completely bespoke experience. Unlike civil ceremonies, which must follow a fixed format, a celebrant-led ceremony is personalised from beginning to end.
From meaningful readings and personalised vows to rituals that reflect your culture or beliefs, celebrant ceremonies offer total freedom of expression. You’re not bound by scripts or traditions unless you choose to include them.
Choose Any Location for Your Celebrant Ceremony
Another huge benefit of celebrant ceremonies is that they can take place anywhere — a woodland, a barn, a clifftop, a garden, or a meadow.
At Great Betley Farmhouse, we see couples getting married on the lawn by the pond, beside the flower bank, or under the open sky in our beautiful Sussex setting. It’s your day, and your ceremony should happen in the space that means the most to you.
No licence required. No limitations. Just the beauty of nature and the people you love.
Celebrant Ceremonies Are Unrushed and Emotionally Rich
Celebrant-led weddings offer something civil ceremonies often can’t: time. With a celebrant, there’s no back-to-back scheduling or racing against the clock. You can take a breath, feel every word, and connect fully with your partner and your guests.
Many couples tell us their celebrant ceremony was the most emotional, joyful, and memorable part of the entire day — because it felt real, personal, and meaningful.
Celebrate with the People Who Matter
Celebrant ceremonies are incredibly inclusive. Whether you want to involve children, step-parents, pets, or friends in your ceremony, a celebrant will make it happen.
These ceremonies are also ideal for couples from blended families, those with mixed cultural backgrounds, or LGBTQ+ couples who want a ceremony that truly reflects who they are.
The Legal Limitation of Celebrant Ceremonies (For Now)
Despite their popularity and meaning, celebrant ceremonies in England and Wales are not currently legally binding. So this means couples must still complete a legal marriage registration — usually at a registry office — before or after their celebrant-led wedding day. It’s a practical step, but one that many find frustrating or unnecessary, especially when the celebrant ceremony is what feels like the real wedding.
In contrast to England celebrant ceremonies are legally recognised in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Jersey. We believe it’s time for England and Wales to follow suit.
Why We Believe the Law Must Change
In 2022, the Law Commission proposed reforms to modernise wedding law. This included allowing celebrant ceremonies to become legally binding, regardless of venue.
We fully support this. Celebrants already carry out the role of creating and leading meaningful wedding ceremonies. It’s only logical and fair that they should be able to handle the legal side too.
Couples deserve to have their most personal and emotional ceremony recognised by law — not just the quick signing in a government building.
In Summary: Celebrant Ceremonies Deserve Legal Recognition
Celebrant ceremonies allow couples to create heartfelt, bespoke weddings in the places they love — without the limitations of traditional formats. They’re inclusive, flexible, and deeply meaningful.
At Great Betley Farmhouse, we are proud to host and support celebrants and believe passionately that the law needs to change. Every couple deserves the freedom to legally marry in the ceremony that best reflects their relationship.
So, if you’re planning a celebrant-led wedding, we’re here to help you bring it to life. And we’ll keep standing with the many voices calling for change.
