Finding the right celebrant for your wedding can be tough; after all, their job is an important one on the day, so you want the right fit. But, what’s the best way to choose your wedding celebrant?
To most couples, the ceremony is the most important part of their big day, so of course, marriage celebrants are a big part of this. Here are some hints and tips to help you choose the perfect celebrant to officiate your marriage.
Choosing the one for you
In Australia, 80% of marriages are performed by a civil celebrant, and choosing the right celebrant for your wedding day is very important. The right celebrant will be able to work closely with you, understand exactly what you want and help you achieve your storytelling. They will have knowledge when it comes to certain traditions and beliefs, will offer any suggestions and help you decide on what should be included in the ceremony and what should be left out.
Make sure you take the time to invest in the right celebrant; picking just anyone to officiate your wedding will definitely get noticed by guests. The right celebrant will get the day rolling along nicely.
How other couples are choosing their celebrants
Based on the feedback we received in our 2020 Annual Wedding Industry Report, there are several methods couples undertake to find the perfect celebrant for their big day.
Reviews
Couples are starting to do more research into celebrants, and we have seen a 56% jump in the amount of people looking to online reviews to help make their decision. Reviews come from real people who have previously dealt with a celebrant, so it is a great way to understand how they work with other couples, what they offer and how friendly they are.
There are several places couples can find reviews online, such as Google, Facebook or the celebrant’s website or Easy Weddings storefront. This is a great way to get a different range of reviews from different people.
Referrals
If you’re lucky enough, you may have a friend or family member who was recently married and can give you the name of their celebrant. Word-of-mouth referrals are a great way for couples to find their celebrant, and 21% agree with this. You already trust your friends and family, so getting a referral from them is pretty much a green light for some!
Positive approach to ceremonies
Couples will often do strenuous amounts of research while wedding planning, so when looking for the right celebrant, they want one who has a positive approach to how they operate. This form of choosing can be through reviews or a referral or from looking at their website. It could be a combination of all three!
Whatever the case, having a celebrant who is easy to work with and wants to make your day special is always a great option. It’s also good to look at how a celebrant performs a ceremony to see if that’s the type of ceremony that is right for you.
Price
A lot of elements of your wedding depend on price and how much of your budget you are willing to let it take up. Celebrants are no different, however, price should not be a sticking point when making your decision. You want a celebrant who can officiate your wedding right, rather than hastily picking someone on the cheap and have them not meet your expectations.
So, what’s next?
Ask questions! There’s absolutely no harm in asking your marriage celebrant questions. However, if you do feel awkward or get the feeling you can’t ask, finding another celebrant might be a better option – communication is key. Read reviews and ask for testimonials and enquire about their experience and qualifications – they should be happy to oblige.
It’s also a great idea to meet them in person. Living in an online world is good to an extent, but meeting someone face to face will only enhance what you’ve read up on them. This way, you’ll get a feel for how they work, their personality and an indication of how the ceremony will play out. This would also be the perfect time to organise a rehearsal, so you feel comfortable with the ceremony format.
And finally… make your booking. You’ve selected your celebrant so now its time to book it all in. Popular celebrants will likely book out in advance, so make sure you get onto it ASAP to avoid disappointment.
