Why Celebrant Ceremonies are Perfect for Same-Sex Weddings
Celebrant-led ceremonies have risen in popularity hugely in the UK, with over 1,000 happening in England and Wales each year. Lots of couples are now considering these wedding ceremonies as an alternative to a civil ceremony, especially LGBTQ couples. But what exactly makes celebrant ceremonies so ideal for a same-sex wedding?
What is a Celebrant Ceremony?
Celebrant ceremonies can be led by either a humanist or independent celebrant but the ceremony they conduct have the same principals. It is a non-religious wedding ceremony, which may seem similar to a civil ceremony, but a celebrant ceremony offers much more freedom and choice. It gives you the opportunity to marry where you want when you want and how you want!
Celebrants are trained in ceremony creation so have the necessary knowledge of ceremony structure and experience with different ceremony elements. They can plan every functional aspect of your ceremony, wherever it might be, and personalise it around you.
Unlike in Scotland and Northern Ireland, celebrant weddings are not yet recognised in law in England and Wales, and so couples often go to the registry office to take care of the legal formalities in the days before or after their celebrant wedding.
Benefits of a Celebrant Ceremony
Humanists UK, a charity organisation that performs celebrant celebrations, have been conducting ceremonies for same-sex couples for at least two decades, long before they had any legal recognition, and were instrumental in successfully campaigning for legal same-sex marriage. You also get to know the person who will be conducting your wedding as you go through the planning process together. So, you are more likely to find someone who can feel completely open and comfortable with, as opposed to your local registrar.
Celebrant weddings are ideal for those couples who would like the flexibility to create a personal ceremony that is unique to them. While same-sex ceremonies are now accepted by law, some find register office marriage ceremonies to be very restrictive and not at all personal. By planning a bespoke wedding in addition to the legal ceremony, it really gives you a chance to express yourselves as a couple. Each ceremony is written specifically for the couple; there is no set format. Instead, each wedding is tailored to meet the particular couple’s requirements.
In short, celebrant led weddings can be a far more comfortable and freeing experience for LGBTQ couples than a simple civil ceremony. It creates the perfect atmosphere to throw the celebration you’ve always dreamed of!