Ask the Expert: A Celebrant's-Eye View of the British Wedding

Q: Q10. Have you conducted ceremonies at unconventional venues – barns, gardens, someone's back field, a hilltop? What should couples think about when picking a setting beyond "does it look nice in photos"?

(C) Nothing to unconventional as yet, but I'm always open to ideas. One of the most memorable so far was a toddler blessing held at the family's home and in their garden, where we included a tree-planting ceremony. It was such a lovely reminder that a meaningful ceremony doesn't have to take place in a traditional venue. I'd love to work in more unique locations because every setting brings its own character to a ceremony. That said, I'd always encourage couples to think beyond how a venue looks in photos. Think about whether your guests will be comfortable, whether everyone will be able to hear the ceremony, what the weather contingency is if you're outdoors, and whether the space reflects the atmosphere you want to create. The best venue isn't necessarily the most spectacular one – it's the place that feels right for you and allows everyone to be part of the moment.

Fannie Fleur
Aug 4
12 min read

Somewhere between the Dales and the coast, there's a woman with a battered notebook full of other people's love stories — and a spare umbrella, just in case, because this is Yorkshire and the weather doesn't read the itinerary.

Meet Claire, the celebrant behind With Love Ceremonies. Before she was writing ceremonies, she spent 27 years in the classroom and another three decades quietly volunteering across her community — which, it turns out, is exactly the training ground you'd want for a job that's really about listening. These days she splits her time between clifftop ceremonies, converted mills, farmhouse gardens and the odd stately home, building words for couples who want their wedding to sound like them, not like a script.

We caught up with Claire to talk about life as a Yorkshire & Beyond celebrant: what With Love Ceremonies actually offers, the questionnaires that get to the heart of a couple's story, what changes when you swap a registrar for a celebrant, why the White Rose county is having a real moment for ceremonies right now, and the toddler blessing with a tree-planting that she still can't stop talking about.

Pull up a chair — Claire doesn't do generic, and neither does this interview

Q1. Let's start with you – what's the story behind you becoming a wedding celebrant, and what pulled you into this line of work?

(C) It wasn't something I'd planned to do, but when I discovered celebrancy, I realised it combined all the things I enjoy most – meeting people, getting to know them, and helping mark important moments in a way that feels personal to them.

I'm a romantic at heart, so weddings and vow renewals were a natural fit. I love hearing how couples met, what makes their relationship work and what really matters to them. Every couple is different, and I enjoy creating something that reflects who they are rather than a one-size-fits-all ceremony.

Q2. Did you come from a particular background before this – performing, writing, ministry, events – and does that shape how you approach ceremonies now?

(C) Yes. Before becoming a celebrant, I spent 27 years as a teacher and before that worked across many different job roles that all involved customer care of one sort or another, and more than 30 years volunteering in my community. Looking back, those experiences have probably shaped the way I work more than anything else.

All of my roles taught me how to communicate with all kinds of people, put them at ease and adapt to different personalities. Volunteering gave me the chance to support people through all sorts of life events and really reinforced the importance of listening.

I think those experiences mean I approach every ceremony with empathy and curiosity. I don't make assumptions or use a one-size-fits-all approach. I take the time to get to know each couple so the ceremony feels natural, personal and true to them.

Q3. Is there formal training or accreditation involved in becoming a celebrant in the UK, or is it more of an open field?

(C) There is formal training available, and you can choose from a number of organisations that offer celebrant qualifications. Accreditation is available too, although it's not essential. I think what's just as important is continuing to develop your skills and experience, because every couple and every ceremony is different.

One of the great things about the celebrant community is how supportive it is. There are lots of Facebook groups where celebrants share ideas, advice and experiences, and it's easy to ask for help from those with more experience. Many of the training organisations also offer regular CPD, so there are plenty of opportunities to keep learning and developing throughout your career.

Q4. How do you go about getting to know a couple well enough to write a ceremony that actually sounds like them?

(C) Once a couple has decided to work with me, I send each of them an individual questionnaire, which gives me both perspectives on their story and how they got to where they are today. I also send a questionnaire for them to complete together, which focuses more on the ceremony itself – the style they're looking for, the atmosphere they want to create, and any special people or meaningful elements they'd like to include.

By the time I've read through everything and we've had a few conversations, I have a really good understanding of who they are as a couple, and that's what helps me write a ceremony that feels authentic and sounds like them, rather than like something written for anyone else.

Q5. In your own words, – what actually is a wedding celebrant, and how does what you do differ from a registrar? What changes about the ceremony itself?

(C) A wedding celebrant creates and delivers a ceremony that's completely personalised to each couple. Rather than following a standard script, I take the time to get to know them, hear their story and create a ceremony that reflects their personalities, their relationship and what they want their wedding day to feel like.

The main difference between a celebrant and a registrar is that a registrar is responsible for the legal marriage, whereas a celebrant focuses entirely on the ceremony itself. At the moment in England and Wales, celebrant-led weddings aren't legally binding, so couples still need to complete the legal formalities separately at a register office. Many choose to do that a few days or weeks beforehand, or even on the morning of their wedding.

The good news is that this may change in the future. The Government is currently consulting on reforms to wedding law, including proposals that could allow independent celebrants to conduct legally binding marriages, so it's an exciting time for the profession.

In the meantime, separating the legal paperwork from the celebration actually gives couples much more freedom. They're not tied to a prescribed format, so they can choose where the ceremony takes place, include family and friends, add personal rituals or readings, and create something that's completely unique to them. It's their story, told their way.

Q6. Celebrant-led ceremonies feel like they're having a real moment in the UK. Why do you think couples are gravitating towards this option?

(C) I think couples are looking for more choice and more flexibility than they've had in the past. Weddings have become much more personal, and people want a ceremony that reflects who they are rather than feeling like they're following a template.

For many couples, the ceremony is the most meaningful part of the day, so they want it to tell their story, include the people who matter most and reflect their personalities and values. A celebrant-led ceremony gives them the freedom to do that.

I also think there's much greater awareness now that this option exists. As more couples share their experiences and more venues embrace celebrant-led weddings, people are realising they don't have to choose between a legal ceremony and a meaningful one – they can do the legal paperwork separately and then have a ceremony that's completely their own.

(C) Q7. Talk us through what happens once a couple gets in touch with you – what does that journey from first enquiry to "I do" actually look like?

As most of my enquiries at the moment start by email, I always like to arrange a meeting as soon as possible, either in person or online, depending on where the couple live. It's a chance for us to get to know each other, chat about their plans and start building a relationship.

I then stay alongside them right through to the wedding day. As we get closer, we'll chat about how the ceremony is taking shape, I'll write and share drafts for their feedback, and together we'll make sure every detail feels right.

We'll also work through all the practical elements, like readings, music, any symbolic rituals they'd like to include and how family and friends can be involved. If they're having a rehearsal, I'm happy to be there too.

Then, on the wedding day itself, I arrive in plenty of time to make sure everything is ready, calm any last-minute nerves and deliver the ceremony they've imagined. My aim is for them to feel relaxed and completely present, knowing the ceremony is in safe hands.

Q8. Legally speaking, how does it work when a couple chooses a celebrant over a registrar? What do they need to sort separately to make sure everything's above board?

(C) The legal side is actually very simple. Couples just need to arrange a legal marriage at their local register office, where they'll complete the legal paperwork with a registrar. Many choose to keep that very low-key, with just their witnesses present, and then have the celebrant-led ceremony as the main event.

For some couples, the legal part with the registrar will take place after the wedding, which is not a problem as long as the celebrant makes it very clear that without it they are not yet legally married.

Q9. One of the big draws of going celebrant-led is being able to marry pretty much anywhere. What's the difference in how you work between an indoor venue and an outdoor ceremony, and does one suit your style more than the other?

(C) I don't think I have a preference. For me, it's about creating the best possible experience in whatever setting the couple have chosen.

An outdoor ceremony can be absolutely beautiful, but it does require a bit more flexibility because you can't control the weather or outside distractions. I also have to think about practical things like whether I'll need a microphone or how I'll project my voice so everyone can hear. An indoor ceremony is usually a little more predictable, but it has its own atmosphere and character too.

Good preparation is so important. I always have a plan, and if the weather has other ideas, we're ready to adapt so the couple can simply relax and enjoy their day.

Q10. Have you conducted ceremonies at unconventional venues – barns, gardens, someone's back field, a hilltop? What should couples think about when picking a setting beyond "does it look nice in photos"?

One of the most memorable so far was a toddler blessing held at the family's home and in their garden, where we included a tree-planting ceremony. It was such a lovely reminder that a meaningful ceremony doesn't have to take place in a traditional venue.

I'd love to work in more unique locations because every setting brings its own character to a ceremony. That said, I'd always encourage couples to think beyond how a venue looks in photos. Think about whether your guests will be comfortable, whether everyone will be able to hear the ceremony, what the weather contingency is if you're outdoors, and whether the space reflects the atmosphere you want to create. The best venue isn't necessarily the most spectacular one – it's the place that feels right for you and allows everyone to be part of the moment.

Ask any Yorkshire celebrant about home turf and you'll get a very specific kind of pride. Claire's no exception.

Q11. You cover Yorkshire weddings – what is it about the county, the landscape or the venues there that makes it such a special place to get married?

(C) Although I'm based in Yorkshire, I don't just cover Yorkshire weddings. I'm always happy to travel if I'm the right fit for the couple, wherever they're getting married.

That said, there are such diverse landscapes, from the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors to dramatic coastline, rolling countryside and charming market towns. Couples can choose anything from a rustic barn to a clifftop or woodland ceremony.

There are a huge range of venues too. Yorkshire has elegant stately homes, castles, converted mills, boutique hotels, vineyards, farms, village halls and contemporary spaces. Whatever style a couple wants, there's usually a venue to match.

Yorkshire looks beautiful year-round. Spring blossom, summer gardens, autumn colours and even crisp winter weddings all have their own appeal here. It's also a really accessible county, with good transport links for guests travelling from across the UK.

Q12. Are couples stepping away from the traditional script – vows, readings, structure – and if so, what's replacing it? What are some of the more unexpected ways you've experienced how they're personalising ceremonies right now?

(C) Couples are becoming less concerned with following a traditional order of ceremony and more interested in creating something that feels like them. It's not that vows, readings or other familiar elements are disappearing – many couples still love those traditions – but they are choosing what feels meaningful rather than including things simply because they're expected.

What's replacing the more traditional structure is often a much more flexible and personal approach. Couples might include storytelling about their relationship, involve family and friends in different ways, add meaningful music, or introduce symbolic rituals that represent them as a couple.

Q12 Cont.. On that note, what unity rituals would you point couples towards if they want something beyond the classic candle or sand ceremony?

(C) The rituals can range from something simple like a ring warming, where guests offer their good wishes for the rings, to a unity candle, sand ceremony, handfasting, wine box ceremony or planting a tree together. Some couples also choose to include cultural, spiritual or pagan traditions, particularly nature-based rituals, because they reflect their beliefs and values.

Ultimately, it's about moving away from a prescribed format and creating a ceremony that feels authentic to the couple.

Q13. Every celebrant has one – what's the most memorable or unusual ceremony you've ever conducted?

(C) The most memorable ceremony I've been involved in was one that reminded me exactly why this work matters. It was for a young couple with a young family, and they were going through a very difficult time in their lives.

What made it so special was that it wasn't about the challenges they were facing – it was about celebrating their love, their family and the life they had built together. Being trusted to help create that moment for them was a huge privilege.

It reminded me that ceremonies aren't just about marking the big milestones; they're about recognising what matters most to people and creating moments they can treasure.

It's something I will never forget, and it reinforced for me the importance of creating ceremonies that are personal, meaningful and centred around the people at the heart of them.

Q14. Practically speaking – how far ahead should couples be booking you, what should they budget for, and what's typically included in a package?

(C) I would always encourage couples to get in touch as soon as they have a date and venue in mind. Popular dates, particularly during the main wedding season, can get booked well in advance, so the earlier they start the conversation, the more choice they have.

In terms of budget, celebrant fees can vary depending on experience, location and what's included, so couples should look at what feels right for them and the level of support they're looking for.

Typically, a celebrant package includes an initial consultation, getting to know the couple and their story, creating a bespoke ceremony, working through drafts and amendments, and being there to deliver the ceremony on the day. I also include guidance throughout the process, because for many couples this is their first time planning a ceremony and it's helpful to have someone to support them along the way.

For me, the most important part is making sure couples feel really listened to.

Q15. After conducting so many ceremonies, does it ever become routine, or are you still moved by it every time?

(C) Absolutely not. Every ceremony is different, and that's what makes this work so special. Each couple, each family and each story brings something unique. You might know the structure and the practical elements, but the emotions, the memories and the meaning behind each ceremony are always different.

I think the moment that really brings it home is standing there with a couple as they share something so personal in front of the people they love. It's a real privilege to be trusted with those moments, and I can't imagine that ever becoming routine.

Final Thoughts

Talk to Claire for long enough and you start to understand why couples keep finding their way to her. She can talk you through a wet-weather contingency plan without breaking stride. It's the classroom instinct underneath it all — 27 years of learning how to really listen, now poured into every questionnaire, every ceremony draft, every quiet moment of calming nerves before the music starts.

What comes through again and again is that Claire isn't selling a script. She's building one, from scratch, out of whatever a couple actually brings her — a shared love of the Dales, a toddler and a newly planted tree, a family finding joy in a difficult season. Yorkshire just happens to be the backdrop she knows best: stately homes and vineyards, farmhouses and clifftops, a landscape that changes character with every season and somehow suits every couple who chooses it.

Her advice for anyone considering a celebrant boils down to something refreshingly unfussy: get the legal bit sorted quietly at the register office, then spend your energy on the ceremony that actually means something to you — wherever in Yorkshire (or beyond) that turns out to be. As she says, it's your story, told your way.

If you're planning a Yorkshire wedding or beyond and want a ceremony that sounds like you rather than anyone else, Claire and the team at With Love Ceremonies are the ones to start that conversation with.