Wedding Celebrants
Choosing your wedding celebrant
There are so many things to do when you are preparing for your wedding that choosing your celebrant might not be your top priority. However, getting the right celebrant, one that makes sure your wedding ceremony goes smoothly, and one that you have a great rapport with can make all the difference to your big day.
What does a wedding celebrant do?
A wedding celebrant is someone that is legally allowed to conduct a wedding ceremony when the couple chooses to have a civil wedding that is not carried out by a religious official. As well as presiding over the ceremony itself, a celebrant deals with all the legal paperwork necessary to formalise the marriage.
A good celebrant will make sure you have all the legalities covered before the wedding. They will lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage, check your age and identification, and make sure you have all the necessary paperwork if you have been married before. They may even arrange witnesses for your marriage and provide you with a letter for the immigration department if your partner is entering Australia on a prospective spouse visa.
In some cases, the wedding celebrant might act as a counselor for the couple prior to the wedding date. They might meet with the couple to discuss the important issues that they may face in their life together, such as how they handle arguments, whether they want to have children, and what both parties want and expect from each other in marriage. This is an important role for the celebrant in assessing whether the couple is ready for marriage.
Tips for selecting your wedding celebrant
- You need to find a celebrant that you are comfortable with, and who is happy to discuss and accommodate your personal wishes for the most special day of your life. If you want to write your own wedding vows, for example, your celebrant should support and advise you in this.
- Ask friends who have been married at a civil ceremony whether they would recommend their celebrant. Have you been to a civil wedding recently and were you impressed with the celebrant there?
- Start looking for your celebrant as far in advance as possible. Celebrants with good reputations will be booked up many months in advance, particularly during the popular wedding seasons. If possible you should start to look for your celebrant twelve to eighteen months before the big day. You will need to have selected your celebrant at least a month in advance to lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage.
When you are planning a wedding, it is easy to get carried away with ideas for the reception and neglect the actual ceremony itself. This is a shame when the whole point of the occasion is the legal union of the couple in marriage. Choosing the right celebrant can add a special touch to the ceremony, and ensure it is as memorable as the rest of the day. Couples should try to interview a few celebrants so they can choose one that they both feel comfortable with.
 NSW SydneyVIC Melbourne| Marianne Macartney - Marianne offers a professional service where your wishes are paramount. She will always develop a ceremony that is unique to ... | | A Different Celebrant - Tony Gelme - Call me for a ceremony to enjoy - not endure! Great Ideas. 12 years Experience, Qualified, Professional. ... | | Sally Cant - For a professional well conducted ceremony that will be intimate, personal and modern |
QLD Brisbane| I Do Ceremonies - I Do Ceremonies are available to assist you to plan and provide the wedding ceremony of YOUR dreams in the setting YOU choose. | | Brisbane Celebrants - Brisbane Celebrants are a group of professionally trained celebrants that work to ensure your day is special. | | All About You Weddings - All About You Weddings are profesional, friendly, flexible and caring service before and during your wedding. |
ACT CanberraSA AdelaideWA Perth| Lady Gloria Clayton - Every ceremony is unique. We love celebrating marriages, we consider it an honour to be part of your special day! | | Jeff Munn - May the memory of the day remain with you in your hearts forever. Your day, your way. | | Fran Mackenzie - Lets make it special to reflect the very deep love and commitment you have for each other.......... |
TAS Hobart| Jill Webster - With 15 years, as a professional celebrant, Jill’s ceremonies are of the highest quality. She offers a relaxed, friendly and ... | | Maxine Lowry Civil Celebrant - "...an experienced and professional celebrant, able to listen, and help you to create your perfect ... | | Belinda Kendall-White - Civil marriage celebrant: For a wedding that will dignified, personal and unique. |
NT DarwinNth.QLD Cairns
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