How much should I expect to pay for a celebrant?

Looking for the cheapest celebrant isn't always the best option, Yes we all have budgets that we must work within, but your Celebrant is the only person who can legally  marry you, whether they are religious or not. They set the tone for your day. It is so important to connect with your celebrant, have it so they could easily mingle with your guests and everyone would think they are a friend or relative, you don’t want a celebrant who is a robot, dry and unappealing in their deliverance of your ceremony just because they were the cheapest.  You want someone who makes you feel at home, and inspires your guests. Celebrants cost range from $500 up to $1600, don’t base your selection on cost, base it on your connection, do they understand your vision? Do  you feel connected/ relaxed with them? Can you see them creating a ceremony that will be all about the feels? The laughs, the giggles, the snorts and the tears? Do you and  partner feel at ease with them? If so Book them,

You are creating a memory, a moment in time together, please chose a celebrant who you connect.

Fees for celebrants vary from $300 to $1500. I am someone who gives the couple a service which suits their needs and apart from the legal monitum, the remainder is theirs to choose. Peoms, stories and readings are all part of the mix. I don't charge for travel and whilst someone has a cheaper starting price, add-on costs could see the end price vary considerably.

If you are not fussed on the cost may I suggest that you choose whatever matches your beliefs.  If it is a religious ceremony that would make your ceremony special to you then that is the option to go with.  However, if you are happy to have a ceremony that is designed for you then a marriage celebrant is the option to go with.  Either way, what is important is that you make a choice that you and your partner will remember as special and meaningful to you.  Your memories of your ceremony and reception are memories that you will hold for your lifetime.  Make it memorable and special to you.

Usually Civil Celebrants cost slightly more than a courthouse ceremony, where it is very impersonal, I would expect to pay $500 & up.

As a Civil Celebrant you can expect a unique and wonderful ceremony , and Religious Ceremonies can be as little as free. 

Good luck with your special day, I do hope you have an amazing expericence.

Choosing a celebrant is such a personal and important decision and all good celebrants value themselves and their services so that we can pass that value onto our lovely couples.

I truly believe that the investment in a celebrant who "clicks" with you both and who will take the time to get to know you and to offer the support and professional service is worth it and more - after all the ceremony is the centrepiece of your big day!

A lot of the work your celebrant does is behind the scenes to ensure that by the time the big day arrives all runs smoothly.  

Price certainly does differ greatly amongst celebrants from around $400 upwards depending on inclusions, experience, location and type of ceremony.  I try to be flexible according to the budget of couples however I would never advise choosing a celebrant on price alone.

I hope you have found your special celebrant who will share your planning journey with you and that your wedding ceremony is all you have dreamed of :)

best wishes to you both

Robyn Freer

Abby's Way Celebrations.

I would budget for $500-$1000 (possibly more). It really does depend on what you want though. I am around the middle of the price range given and I pride myself on offering a very personalised ceremony which can take a fair amount of time when it comes to writing and getting to know my lovely couples. I myself am always happy to discuss the breakdown of costs with my couples as often there are parts of our job that are not common knowledge. 

Celebrants fees are not regulated and the fee can be negitioted between couples and their chosen celebrant. 

Believe it or believe it not, price is irrelevant when it comes to choosing the right celebrant. You have a wedding budget, work around it, because some things will be more expensive than you thought and some things will be less than you thought.

The difference between the celebrant you want verses a celebrant that is $100 cheaper can be the difference between beautiful memories that will last a lifetime or a disastrous memory that will also last a life time.

Give choosing the right celebrant for your ceremony the effort it deserves. Your ceremony is the very beginning of your journey together  and when you have a celebrant you are happy with the price will be worth every penny you pay 

It is helpful to choose a celebrant on recommendation or one that you have seen in action. However, often it is not as easy as that.

I suggest you phone a celebrant rather than email them, by doing so you will get an instant feel for the way they speak, their passion for their profession, their enthusiasm for the type of ceremony you are wanting. So much can be achieved and so much doubt can be done away with in a five minute conversation.

1. Not necessarily, it depends if you choose a religious service.  I have two prices, $450 Sweet, Short and Simple - maximum 2 personal consults/2 script rewrites, intimate and personalised ceremony, approximately 20 minute duration.  Alternatively for the couple that want more, $650 Perfect and Personalised - more than 2 personalised consults/unlimited script rewrites, all extras included, suited to a couple that want an extra special experience approximately 30 - 40 minute duration.

The cost of your Celebrant should reflect the amount of work and add ons your Celebrant will provide to you both in the process of you working together to get the Wedding Ceremony of your dreams.  Taking into account the number of face to face meetings, email, phone and text messages, do they include a Dress rehearsal prior to the ceremony.

Have they a PA system to ensure your family and friends can all hear your vows, do they provide resources such as books, DVD's etc to research your vows and type of ceremony.  Is the Celebrant providing a table and chairs for the signing of your Wedding Documents or will these be available at the venue, how many other weddings will your Celebrant book on your day or how much time between Weddings does your Celebrant allow before leaving for the next ceremony in case of a delay?

These are some of the questions you would need to ask or think about when a Celebrant gives you quote for their services, remember your Celebrant works under a Code of Ethics governed by the Attorney General's Dept (https://www.ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Marriage) and must pay ongoing registration fees plus ongoing professional development each year to maintain their registration.

As very clearly metioned in other responses your Marriage Celebrant should reflect your choice of Wedding Ceremony and how your relate to your Celebrant, contact a few (a full Celebrant listing is also located on the website for the Attorney General of Australia)and have in mind some questions you would like answered as proposed above and I certainly concur with the othe Celebrants responses above, as this is the most important part of your Wedding (you don't have to have the fancy dress, reception, cake, guests,flowers, photographer) at your wedding but you do have to have a legally qualified Celebrant so make sure you find one that will do what you want and take the time to hear your love story, working together to write your vows, ring exchange and the words that mean the most to you and your partner.

Good luck on one of the most important decisions of your life and wonderful wishes to you and your partner.

Maree Fry

Civil Celbrant