Wedding Celebrants

Choosing the right wedding celebrants should be part of your wedding plan as the wedding celebrant will legalise your marriage and assisting in the vows and exchanging of the rings.

Celebrants conduct the wedding ceremony and are responsible for all the legalities associated with a marriage ceremony. Services that you may expect from a celebrant include assistance in the design and program of the ceremony, the writing of the vows, exchanging of the rings and the overall "feel" of the ceremony.

As you choose your wedding celebrant, the first element to consider is to decide on what type of wedding ceremony you would want to have. If it is to be held in a garden, hotel, park, or anywhere but not the church, a secular officiant is probably going to be a logical choice. Currently in Australia, 55 per cent of marriages are officiated by wedding celebrants, meaning that there is high demand in this industry.

As a result of this demand, finding and booking the right celebrant for your wedding can be a time consuming process, so it is highly recommended that you begin your researching well in advanced of the wedding date. The online wedding industry is massive in Australia, with celebrants now listing online with their credentials and experience. Of course, what the ultimate choice comes down to is how you, the couple, interact with the celebrant and how they will work with the ceremony you have in mind. For example, a loud jovial celebrant may suit a large wedding, but if you are after a more intimate feel with minimal guests, then a more reserved celebrant may feel more comfortable.

"The choice of celebrant should really come down to personality and the relationship between the couple and the celebrant to dictate your choice on who you will want to play such a large role on your wedding day."

The Internet may also seem like a large place to do your own searching, and you might feel too overwhelmed with a lot of online options available. In which case, you can also seek assistance from the local government office if you intend to have a secular celebrant. The right authority will assist you in finding an officiant to conduct your civil wedding rites. This usually requires an appointment.

Once you have narrowed your choice of celebrant down, it may be prudent to complete a small background check, almost like checking the references of a job applicant. You may want to verify the celebrant is properly licensed and certified to conduct wedding ceremonies. Even when you meet them for an interview, ask about their experience and their wedding styles.

Choosing a celebrant may seem like a difficult task, with time pressures of booking so far ahead, finding the right personality mix and the overall pressure of deciding on such an important aspect of the ceremony. However, it does not have to be with the simple, easy-to-use format of Wedding.com.au, where you will find everything you need to make your wedding perfect.