Registrar or celebrant

No idea about the celebrant so can't help with that. I think 12:30 is an ok time to get married, it seems a popular time but as you are all in one venue maybe you could have some outdoor games if the weather is nice...? Or have some kind of entertainment inside depending in budget eg. Singer, band, magician (!) not sure what else...

If you're both comfortable with it why not. Personally I would just see it as extra expense. I think a 12.30 start is ok really, although if you were planning a late finish you may be very jaded at the end! You should be able to jiggle around the reception times around a bit to suit.

This is what we're doing, although we're going to the registry office on the morning of the wedding (the date is very special to us and we wanted everything on the one day) We chose a humanist ceremony because it is a lot more personal as you write the whole thing and there are no legalities as to how it needs to be done. it would be worth doing a bit of research about humanist weddings, the British humanist website is useful [View:http://www.humanism.org.uk/ceremonies/humanist-weddings:550:0], or conatct a celebrant who is in your area, search for one using the previous link. They can talk you through what the ceremony is, how it can work for you and if it is appropriate.

If you have any more questions etc. just ask ?

We are having a humanist celebrant perform our wedding, and then will go and do the legal bits a day or two afterwards. I love this idea as it makes your wedding so much more personal, there are no restrictions on what you can and can't have/say/do. We are able to write as much of our ceremony as we choose ourselves with her guidance. It is more expensive than a registrar but I think its worth it.