13 Apr The 5 Rs for choosing the right celebrant for you
If you are getting married and looking for the all-important celebrant, then you have come to the right place! After all, there is no wedding without the celebrant. To make your job easier, I have collated the ‘5 R’s for choosing the right celebrant for you!’
#1 – RECOMMENDATIONS can be the best way to choose the right celebrant for you
If any of your friends have recently married, you may have attended their wedding and had the advantage of witnessing a celebrant in action. Either way, ask them about their experience. Were they happy with their celebrant and their ceremony? Did they feel that they were listened to and understood? Was their celebrant responsive, organised and professional? Was their ceremony was unique and special to them? Best of all, were they relaxed and able to enjoy the day? Asking a trusted friend is often your best source of truth! Watch the video.
#2 – RESEARCH celebrants to find the right match
It is so important to do your research! Search Instagram for celebrants in the area where you will be married. Head to their website to check out what other ceremonies they have performed. Read testimonials from other couples. Attend a wedding fair in the area where you will be married and chat to the celebrants in attendance and the other suppliers. There are over 9,000 celebrants in Australia, so depending on where your ceremony is taking place, you should be spoilt for choice! Watch the video.
#3 – REACHING OUT to your chosen celebrants to develop rapport
You’ve asked some friends and done some research and you have a few celebrants in mind. Now it’s time to contact them and ask if you can have a no obligation chat. This can be over the phone / via FaceTime / or on Zoom. Having a conversation helps you to connect and get a sense of whether you can work together. You need to build trust and rapport with your celebrant as they will be handling sensitive private information about you and your partner.
The more comfortable you feel with your celebrant the better your ceremony will be. If you feel comfortable then you won’t be nervous about sharing personal details, which will add depth and meaning to your ceremony. On the day, your celebrant should help you feel relaxed so you can relish the moment. Watch the video.
#4 – RARIFIED is vital to create a unique ceremony for you
This is all about ensuring your celebrant will create a ceremony that is rarified and unique to you. I hate to say it but there are some celebrants who may treat the whole exercise as a transaction, rather than one of the most special days of your life. Ask your celebrant about the number of interactions that are included as part of their service. How willing are they to meet you in person or over FaceTime or Zoom and respond to emails before your big day?
Your celebrant should craft a ceremony script that is unique to you. They should be prepared to work with you to create it – AND – get your approval beforehand. You don’t want any surprises on the day! Make sure your celebrant includes a rehearsal as part of their service. Tell your celebrant about your theme/vibe/colour scheme and ensure they are prepared to match you in every detail. This is your day and it’s all about you! Watch the video.
#5 – REGISTERED celebrants are the only ones who can legally marry you in Australia
Being married by a registered celebrant is SUPER IMPORTANT! You must be married by an authorised marriage celebrant to be legally married in Australia. Unfortunately there are instances in Australia where couples have unknowingly been ‘married’ by an unregistered celebrant. What this means is that their marriage is invalid and they need to get married again – which can be stressful and costly!
Authorised Marriage Celebrants undertake a Cert IV in Marriage Celebrancy which can be a 12-month training programme and registration process. Celebrants are approved and registered by the Attorney General’s Department. They pay an annual registration fee and undertake, and pass annual Ongoing Professional Development.
Celebrants have professional indemnity and public liability insurance and are often members of a professional celebrants association. So, how can you check if your chosen celebrant is legitimate? Visit the Attorney General Department website at: ag.gov.au. Head to the ‘marriage’ section and ‘find a celebrant’. Type in the name of the celebrant, and voila – if they are registered and active they should appear! Watch the video.
HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING!!
If you enjoyed this article please feel free to leave a comment or share on social media. If you would like more of the same, contact me to schedule a time to discuss how I can help you to create your dream celebration.