Expensive celebrants

I've noticed celebrants seem expensive too. However, they do provide a more personal service than registrars. You get a bespoke ceremony that's very different from a registrar-led one.

They spend far more time with you before the big day.

We've paid £483 for a registrar to attend our wedding and marry us, plus the £70 notice fee between us too. I complained to my mam about it who reminded me I could get married without a dress, but not without a registrar.

Bear in mind that the registrar doesn't just rock up, I bet they have all sorts of costs involved such as licensing etc and most are self employed. I imagine that they charge what is necessary to make some profit and meet all their overheads. Our registrar was £350, so it's not that dissimilar.

This ^ plus you are getting a bespoke package and not the normal "turn up and marry you" like MetalBride said.