We’ve all been there. . . trying our best not to zone out as the celebrant endlessly drones on. You glance at the paper card left on your seat that says the ceremony is only thirty minutes, not possible, you’ve already been listening for at least a year. The couple’s smiles are going stiff, the guests are restless, and the celebrant is pronouncing the groom’s name ever so slightly wrong. . .

Exaggeration? Nope, that’s a true story from the most recent wedding I attended. Which it why it’s vital to pick a celebrant who gets you!

The ceremony is guests first impression of your wedding and introduces you as a married couple. It’s all about personality! Find a celebrant who can get onboard with the inside jokes and keep the energy up during all the important legal bits.

Always meet with celebrants beforehand to make sure they match the energy you want at your wedding. Quiet and calm? Perfect for a low-key church wedding. Whereas boisterous and bubbly might be a match for a your boutique winery wedding. Either way, the focus should be on you as a partnership therefore hold out for a celebrant who you can vibe with.

Despite what all those rom-coms might say, you don’t need to stick to a rigid script and many modern celebrants will be a breath of fresh air. A website and instagram can only tell so much, always meet your celebrant in-person to gauge a proper sense of who they are and what they bring to the day. It’s not just about saying the official words, a true celebrant will feel like a friend and understand what your love means to each other. The best celebrants create an entertaining, authentic ceremony without overshadowing the couple.

Celebrants can also double as MCs which means you can finally quit pressuring your funniest friend to take up the microphone. Trust me, this one will be a big relief several beers in and you’ll be thankful you hired a professional.

Top Three Questions Couples Forget to Ask!

What type of microphone do you use? Is it an ugly chunky thing or a sci-fi headpiece that’s going to throw off your aesthetic?
Where will you stand? Nobody - and I mean NOBODY - wants their celebrant photobombing their first married kiss.
Do you use a lectern? Have you mapped out space for this? Will you need extra florals to decorate?

In the past I’ve worked with incredible high-energy celebrants who’ve brought their own special brand to big days. If you need a starting point for celebrants with personality, I highly recommend:

Quirky & Passionate - Married by Allegra, Jessie Cacchillo, Married by Kristie

Fairy Godmothers - Robyn Pattison, Lauren Teys, Claire Belford,

Man with A Plan - Gary Reilly, Stephen Lee