Registrar or Humanist Celebrant? Here's the Difference—and Here's Why It Matters
- susymcphee0
- Nov 14
- 3 min read
If you’ve just started planning a wedding and you’re feeling overwhelmed by the list of Things You Apparently Should Already Know, let me take one off your plate.
The difference between a registrar and a humanist celebrant? It’s a biggie - and it’s not just about who gets to sign the paperwork.
Let’s break it down.
The Legal Bit
Registrars are employed by the local council. They’re the official record-keepers, the government representatives, the ones with the power to make your marriage legally binding right now.
Humanist celebrants (like me) can also conduct legal weddings. (This is a biggie, as not all celebrants can: read this article for more information on some of the things to look out for.) In Scotland, unlike in England and Wales, Humanist Society Scotland ceremonies are legally binding. So if you’re getting married north of the border, you've got options.
But here’s where the real difference lies—and it’s less about law and more about love.
The Ceremony Itself
A registrar-led ceremony follows a set script. You get a few options - you might be able to choose between three pre-approved vows and whether or not to say “I do” or “Yes, I’m sure” - but it’s basically an official transaction with a bit of dignity.
You’ll likely be in a registry office (which may or may not be charming), or they’ll come to your venue at a set time, do the deed, and be on their way to the next one.
A humanist ceremony? That’s a different kettle of confetti.
It’s personal. It's crafted from scratch around you two - your story, your style, your in-jokes, your tears, your triumphs, your top tips for surviving IKEA flat-pack furniture as a couple.
You can get married barefoot in a Perthshire forest, suited and booted on a boat on Loch Lomond (I might bring mine), in a barn outside Glasgow filled with fairy lights, dogs, and dancing aunties, or by the side of a loch in Argyll with your veil pinned to your woolly hat because it's the hat you were wearing when he popped the question. You can even follow in the footsteps of the first ever legally recognised humanist wedding in Scotland and tie the knot at Edinburgh Zoo. We can include symbolic elements (like handfasting or a sand ceremony), readings from friends, or even a singalong if you fancy it.
And the vows? You can write them yourselves, say them together, or whisper them through giggles and happy tears. Apart from seven legally-binding words that both of you have to say to each other and a wee line from me, there’s no script to follow. Just your truth, spoken your way.
It’s Not a Competition… But Let’s Be Honest
Registrars do an important job. And they're lovely: at least, I've never met a grumpy one. And for some couples, that no-fuss, no-frills option is exactly right.
But if you want a ceremony that reflects not just your legal status but your actual love story - one that makes your guests laugh and cry and say afterwards, “That was so you” - a humanist celebrant is your person.
We’re not here to tick a box. We’re here to honour your relationship, celebrate your journey, and kick off your wedding day with meaning, heart, and a few glorious goosebumps. And we've been doing it since 2005.
Registrars make it legal.
Humanist celebrants make it unforgettable.
Let’s make it magic.
Love,
Susy x
Comments