Do celebrants have a backup celebrant in case of emergencies?
Hello. I was wondering what happens if our celebrant is sick or something happens and they can't come to our wedding on the day? Do they usually have a backup celebrant in mind for this sort of thing? And how does it work with the legal side, would our marriage still be legal if another celebrant performed the ceremony? Thank you!
Question Asked: 13/02/2023
Wedding Date: 9/08/2018
Most Helpful Response
(18) · Shellharbour, Wollongong & Southern Highlands and anywhere in Australia
Posted: 1/05/2023
Answered by: 21 Experts
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Yes! Celebrants are a 'clan' of sorts. We pretty much always have someone we can call in for backup if needed. We often will converse with other celebrants sharing ideas and thoughts. However... it is a VERY good question to ask your celebrant. There are a few 'lone wolves' out there so it is certainly best to check.
I keep my backup celebrant in the boot of my car at all times. You never know when you'll need a spare.
Seriously though, good celebrants have good celebrant networks they can call on in times of help.
(16) · Byron Bay to Ballina , North Coast NSW and Gold Coast QLD
Posted: 18/03/2023
Yes,
I am president of Celebrants Australia and we have over 125 members who all are ready to backup any other celebrant should the need arise. And it sometimes does.
(37) · Greater Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast
Posted: 28/02/2023
Always, always and always! I keep in touch with my local Celebrant tribe to be sure I have someone (and they do too!) to lean on should we need to. You won't ever be left with no one to marry you! ??
I personally do have a backup which I have only had to use once. It's up to the individual celebrant. I have had to do a few last minute ceremonies for other celebrants who have come down with Covid just before a wedding. Generally celebrants all help each other out.
100% we do. I have two lovely ladies who back me up. We are always aware of what bookings we have and who can step in if needed. Usually all legal paperwork can be scanned through to the new Celebrant at short notice. My fill in Celebrants will re-sight your identification, before the ceremony starts. Plus they will have my script so your ceremony is still the same script approved by yourselves.
Great question! This of course will be a different answer per celebrant.
I am lucky enough to be surrounded by a wonderful group of celebrant's in the Mackay - Whitsunday region who are able to step up in the case of an emergency that would render me unable to attend on your big day.
Between myself and the celebrant that would be taking over, we will handle ALL the legal paperwork! This means the marriage would be legally binding.
We are that good that your guests wouldn't even know that it is not your original Celebrant!
It is relatively easy for a celebrant to pass a ceremony over to another celebrant in case of illness or accident. While you might miss some of the spirit of the ceremony you have worked on with your chosen celebrant, you will still be legally married. A lot of celebrants belong to associations which mean they can reach out for a replacement if needed. I have two celebrants reasonablly close just in case but have never had to use them.
Yes we do keep in touch with a network of celebrants, so there is always someone to turn to in case of emergency. I guarantee that if there is any unforseen circumstance that prevents me from being there on the day, that another celebrant will be arranged for my couples free of charge.
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Absolutely.
We also have to carry notice in our vehicles if we are heading to your ceremony and something happened on the way.
I am a member of Australian Marriage Celebrants Association and as such, could call on people to perform the Wedding ceremony.
Everything is still legal. This is because you have completed the Notice of Intention to marry, with your Celebrant and they would transfer for you.