What’s the Difference Between a Celebrant and a Registrar?
(And why it matters when you want your wedding to feel like you)
You’ve probably heard both terms — registrar and celebrant — but might not be entirely sure what the difference is. Aren’t they both wedding-y people who stand at the front and say things?
Sort of. But also… not at all.
If you’re planning a wedding — or thinking about training to be a wedding celebrant — here’s what you need to know.
What Does a Registrar Do?
Registrars are employed by the local council. They’re licensed to carry out the legal part of a wedding — the paperwork, the “we now pronounce you,” and the bit that makes it official.
They are:
- Professional
- Organised
- Usually lovely
- And working to a legal script and a strict schedule
They can’t add much in the way of personalisation — it’s not their fault. They’re doing their job under specific legal rules. Think 15 minutes at the town hall, and on to the next.
What Does a Wedding Celebrant Do?
Wedding Celebrants don’t do the legal bit — but they do everything else.
And by “everything,” we mean:
- Writing your story from scratch
- Helping you shape vows that don’t give you the ick
- Bringing humour, warmth and proper meaning to the day
- Delivering a ceremony anywhere — fields, beaches, barns, breweries, nan’s back garden…
It’s not just about saying a few nice things. It’s about creating a moment that feels like you — joyful, honest, memorable, and a bit magic.
So Why Do People Choose Celebrants?
Because when you work with a celebrant, you’re not just getting a service — you’re getting a ceremony.
Something bespoke. Something personal. Something that has guests laughing, crying, and saying, “That was so them.”
And if you want a legal marriage and a celebrant ceremony? Easy.
Just do the legal bit quietly at the register office on Tuesday — then go full bespoke, bells and whistles on Saturday.
It’s your day. Do it your way.
Thinking About Becoming a Celebrant?
If you’ve ever sat through a wedding and thought, “This could’ve been so much better if it actually sounded like them…” — you’re already thinking like a celebrant.
Training as a celebrant means:
- Learning how to write and lead ceremonies with confidence
- Supporting couples through nerves, chaos, and last-minute vow wobbles
- Building a flexible, creative, meaningful job you actually enjoy
- Choosing a wedding celebrant training course that’s practical, honest, and gives you the tools to get booked
Whether you’re looking at celebrant training in the UK, wondering how to become a celebrant, or ready to train to be a celebrant online — we can help.
We (Kate T and Kate D) started Match and Dispatch because we wanted to raise the bar on celebrant training — and help people build brilliant celebrant careers without the faff. Imagine if you opened your next work email and a review popped up just like the one we had from Hannah & Mick below
Kate … I don’t even know where to start!!! You were bloody amazing and we had the best start to our wedding ever at Gildredge Manor. We couldn’t of imagined a better ceremony or think of a better person to lead it. You put us at ease and made us laugh very much which is exactly what we wanted. Our guests were blown away by you, one in particular who has always said she will never get married, who turned around to her other half after the ceremony and said I want to get married now but only by her! You are one in a million, keep doing what you do and never change; you are amazing!👉 Join our mailing list for honest insights and helpful stuff
👉 Come to a Monday Webinar and find out if this could be your thing
No pressure. No pitch.
No bunting (well… maybe some bunting).
Viva!
Kate and Kate x
