Searching For A Celebrant

Congratulations on your engagement!  I assume that you’re reading this because you’re planning your wedding.  Once you’ve locked in the date and venue, it’s time to turn your attention to the other big ticket items – the photographer, musicians, the all-important wedding dress, and oh, the person who pretty much runs the show, your celebrant.  It’s interesting how often couples relegate this major aspect to the bottom of their list.  Of course I’d say that!  I’m a celebrant, right?  But so often, I’ve had to turn desperate couples away and I really hate that!

When should you start your search for a Celebrant?

Leaving your celebrant search to the last few months is a risk.  You probably won’t get your first, second or even third choice.  If you can, commence your search at least 6-12 months in advance.  That said, last year I took a booking for December 2014!  There are so many ultra-organised brides out there!

Why is selecting the right celebrant so important?

From the moment your guests arrive, your celebrant sets the mood for the ceremony.   Their dress, grooming, warmth, sincerity, confidence and diction will strongly influence whether your ceremony is memorable... for the right reasons.   Though the bride and groom are undoubtedly the stars of the show, the celebrant is the host.  No one wants an ordinary host! The celebrant should be engaging and deliver a ceremony that is interesting, sometimes humorous (if that is your wish), entertaining and sincere.

And let's not forget the time spent with your celebrant prior to the big day! I strongly believe that you should enjoy the process of planning your ceremony as much as the ceremony itself.  I genuinely love the meetings as this is when couples and I really get to know one another and have some fun! 

How do we know if we’ve found the right celebrant?

The best advice I can offer couples is to choose the celebrant they best connect with.  Certainly, the celebrant should be friendly, able to clearly articulate the legal requirements for their situation, speak with confidence and demonstrate good diction and grooming, to name but a few essential qualities, however the celebrant who is most in tune with their personalities and personal style is most likely the right celebrant for them.

Meet with a few, understand exactly what they offer in terms of resources, meetings and equipment.  View their photos, ceremony footage and genuine testimonials.  Ask for some sample ceremonies and then follow your gut instinct.

Much like your photographer, with whom you also spend a considerable amount of time, you should not only have confidence in their skill, you should really like them! Don’t forget, he or she will feature in a fair few of your wedding photos too!

Sally Hughes,

Melbourne Marriage Celebrant
The Words & Music Company

Photo credits:
1. Susan Stripling Photography
2. Natalie Davies Photography
3. Iain Sim Photography
4. JD Digital Photography