A Celebrant to Celebrate
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. From choosing a venue to the colour story of your floral arrangement, no task goes without careful consideration and seemingly never-ending processes. A wedding celebrant is one of the most important factors of (arguably) the most important part of your wedding – the ceremony. To get you saying, ‘I do’ to the perfect celebrant with minimal stress, Melbourne Wedding and Bride’s Hannah McDonald narrows down the three essential steps: conducting research, crafting your brief and finalising with a meet and greet.
Image Credit: Raymond Petrik
Long gone are the days where wedding ceremonies had to be a process steeped in tradition and legalities. For many years now, couples have been infusing their own unique twists to this crucial part of the wedding. From tearjerking, heartfelt vows to interesting, couple-specific props, the ceremony has become a section of the wedding for pairs to add their personal touch. Some incorporate symbolic rituals, like handfasting or sand blending, while others opt for humorous readings or include pets and loved ones in creative ways.
Even if you don’t have anything quirky or ultra specific in mind, the choice of celebrant is pivotal in telling your love story the way you want it to be told. In this all-important job, several elements are crucial: the language they use, the energy they bring, how much attention they command. These are all significant factors you need to consider in finding the ideal celebrant to marry you and your forever person. Ultimately, your ceremony should feel like a true reflection of who you are as a couple.
Celebrant Scouting
Hunting down the perfect celebrant for your wedding is no easy task; however, there are many avenues for research that make widdling down the pack to a select few a little more manageable. Firstly, magazines are a great place to find inspiration and advertisements for celebrants, providing insights into a celebrant’s approach and personality.
Another option, for wider results, is a simple Google search of celebrants accredited in your general area. This will bring up wedding directories, where you can verify certification, as well as websites and social media profiles, where you can browse photos, videos, reviews and other material to help ascertain the celebrant’s vibe and reach your conclusions about whether they will be the right fit for you.
Asking wedding vendors for celebrant recommendations is another course of action that offers several benefits. It leverages their experience working with celebrants, potentially uncovering hidden gems or reliable choices. Vendors can offer insights into a celebrant’s style, professionalism and adaptability, guiding you toward a perfect match for your wedding. They are also more likely to have access to a larger network of celebrants than you might find through online searches, potentially uncovering lesser known but exceptional talent. From these three research strategies, you should now have a solid shortlist and jumping off point in your search for the one with ‘vow’ factor!
Getting To The Heart
Although a bit of a professional-sounding word, constructing a ‘brief’ to approach your shortlist of celebrants with doesn’t have to be as serious as it sounds. It’s an exciting moment where you get to share a little bit about who you are as a couple and how you want this to be reflected on your big day. From there, the process simply involves deciding, and then communicating, what you do and do not want in your wedding ceremony. If you get stuck, the easiest place to start is usually what you don’t want. Reflect on other weddings you’ve been to, other couple’s ceremonies that have come up in your research, or even movies that showcase celebrants that just wouldn’t fit. Sometimes, really narrowing down what you do want is something that can be done with the celebrant. A good one will have a lot of experience and knowledge of different ceremony styles that could suit you.
In addition to having a brief for your ceremony,
it’s essential to ask prospective celebrants a few important questions to ensure they’re the right fit. Don’t hesitate to inquire about the typical length of their ceremonies. This can give insight into their pacing and style. Ask about their experience: how long they’ve been a celebrant, what types
of ceremonies they’ve officiated and whether they’ve worked with couples of similar needs. It’s also crucial to understand their fee structure – what they charge, what’s included in that fee and whether there are any additional costs you should anticipate. Equally important is understanding how they get to know your story and how they plan to weave it into the ceremony. Their approach to personalisation can be a major factor in how meaningful and memorable your event feels. These questions aren’t just practical, they’re essential to ensuring that your celebrant aligns with your values, expectations, and the tone you envision for the day.
Chemistry Check
They say love is blind, but your celebrant choice shouldn’t be. Meeting a prospective wedding celebrant in person is an invaluable step to finding the one to help you tie the knot. While online research offers a good starting point, face-to-face interaction gives you a much clearer sense of who they are and how they work. You’ll be able to experience their energy, communication style and professionalism firsthand – key indicators of how your ceremony might unfold. It also provides the perfect opportunity to discuss logistics, ask any lingering questions and organise a rehearsal. A rehearsal can ease nerves and help you feel confident and comfortable with the ceremony structure, ensuring everything flows smoothly on the day and truly reflects your relationship.
Finding the perfect celebrant takes some effort, but it’s worth it for the role they play. With research, clear communication and a genuine connection, you’ll be on your way to a ceremony that feels true to you, celebrates your love and sets the tone for
everything to come.