Love Jemma logo - Cambridgeshire Independent Celebrant for Wedding and Naming Ceremonies, and Vow renewals
Do I really only meet the Registrar just before the ceremony?
Jemma from Love Jemma, standing relaxed leaning on a bridge with a smile on her face. Ready to be your friendly face a the end of the aisle.
Jemma Cox
February 8, 2025

Have you heard that you only get to meet the Registrar about 10 minutes before your ceremony?

Will I get to know the name of the Registrar before my wedding day?

No, unfortunately, when you book a Registrar for your ceremony, you won’t find out who is officiating your ceremony until about 10 minutes before when you meet them. Registrar’s work for the Council and will told by the Register Office which ceremonies they will be officiating. That means that you’ll get whoever is available that day to come and officiate your wedding ceremony. So not only will you not know their name, you also won’t have a clue what they look like or the gender of your officiant.

Does it really matter if I don’t know who they are until just before?

Picture the moment you’re about to marry your partner. You’re excited, but also nervous. You may be worried about being the centre of attention. Do you really want to have someone you don’t know standing with you in that moment? Do you want to be worried about speaking the legal jargon when you’ve had months (or even years) leading up to your ceremony and you may feel a bit of pressure? Probably not.

So, what’s the alternative?

You can go to a Register Office to complete the legal part of your marriage prior to your wedding day. This can be completed fairly cheaply if you opt for the 2-by-2 simple ceremony with just the two of you and your two witnesses.




Then, on your wedding day you have a celebrant ceremony. And guess what? You get to choose your celebrant, way before your wedding. You don’t get what you’re given. You can do your research. You can find someone you connect with. And the best part? You can get to know the person who will be officiating your ceremony before that important moment. There is no added worry, you can just walk up the aisle and know exactly who will be standing there. My couples often tell me it was like a friend standing at the top of the aisle to meet them.

Does that sound a more relaxing option?

If it does, then I’d love to have a chat. Don’t feel pressured to have a Registrar if it doesn’t resonate with you. You need to choose the right option for you as a couple. So, if you’d like to find out more, head over to my contact page and get in touch. I cannot wait to hear from you.

With love,
Jemma x