What should we be asking potential celebrants to make sure they're a good fit for us?

Your first meeting with a celebrant is obligation free and your chance to discuss your requirements and get to know your celebrant.

As a celebrant i also want the chance to speak with couples and get them to feel like they want me to be their celebrant.
There are couples who dont proceed after that intiial meeting and no-one takes offence.

Your celebrant should be easy to chat to, available when you need them for advice and offer all the information you require - even if you don't know what that is yet! I like my bridal couples to feel comfortable in asking questions and to have any input they wish when I'm designing their ceremony with them. Having a laugh together is always a good vibe. 

The first thing on any couple's mind is the fee and what's included. Some celebrants offer a signing table with chairs and a PA system included in their fee. Check about extra fees for traveling or even for a rehearsal.

After the topic of fees has been settled, then you need to explore if their ideas of a wedding are the same as yours. Some couples want a Hollywood production while others want a cozy, intimate ceremony and still others want a stand-up comedian. Personally, I'm more Shakespearian (think Romeo and Juliet) and couldn't tell a joke to save my life.

And lastly, consider whether the celebrant is easy to work with and accedes to your wishes or is bossy and overbearing (which you don't need). Although some guidance is good.

Once you’ve checked out the reviews, seen their included services and are happy with the price, you’ll be ready to narrow down your potential celebrants to the last few for consideration.  Try to make your decision based on your ‘feel’ for them.  By this I mean, that most of us know what kind of vibe you get from someone when you first meet them and usually this feeling is a fairly accurate indication of how well you’ll get on with them.

Unless you’ve seen a celebrant conduct a ceremony or you get a referral from a trusted friend, the only other thing you can usually go on is a review and we all know that most people only show the best reviews, naturally.

But the feeling you get when you sit across from someone when you first meet them, usually can’t be faked.  You’ll either like them or not, you will be comfortable with them or they might not quite hit the mark.     Trust your gut.

Almost every celebrant will have a great reason for doing what they do, most are very professional and sincere and know how to provide a professional service, but there will but a few that you’ll immediately connect with.   That’s the right one for you.  

Being a Celebrant.... I can say that it is all about VIBE!!! or a FEELING!!
A couple can only gage this so called feeling or vibe by meeting a Celebrant face to face

through zoom or in person and having a chat.

I explain to a couple my ceremony design method.
I collaborately design your ceremony with you.
And on the onset I say......Its got to be you!

Celebrant reviews tell alot about a Celebrant and how they perform
so read the Easy Wedding Celebrant's reviews or their websites reviews

where their should be more.

Ask the celebrant what their background is. Not all Celebrants have been

Celebrants most of their lives. Ask them what has lead them to this vocation

which could be an eye opener just to learn about who they are.

Trust your gut, you will feel the connect if it is there!

Elva Nicolson

be@marriedbyelva.com
https://marriedbyelva.com.au/

As well as the obvious logistic questions about availability, cost, rehearsal, travel , PA system and experience, ...if I were celebrant shopping, I would ask them:

• How do couples most often describe them in their reviews? Can you see some reviews?

• How do they describe their style and what do they feel is important for a successfully wedding ceremony?
• How do they engage the guests and put the bridal party at ease?
• Can we meet up to see if we are a good match?

Find out if they are available on your wedding date.

Dont assume every celebrant will look after your ceremony music for you.  Not every celebrant has a  "roadie" (husband) with them.

Have some questions prepared to ask them in bullet point format, such as:

• How far do you travel?
• Are there extra fees for travel?
• What do your fees include?
• Are you a religious celebrant or non?
• Do you offer a rehearsal?
• When can I meet you and discuss further my wedding?

Maybe if they have microphone, are they clear on cost of travel, if they have backup celebrant in case of floods or sickness. (Do they have appropriate clothing)

Do they cut prices or a standard fee?

I think a good question to ask a celebrant is  how they can make your wedding personal and unique.  Every couple are different and a good celebrant will be able to make the service about the couple and their love for each other.  There are many ways of doing this, ask the question and she how the answer fits with you both, congratulations on getting married, Barbara Beames Wedding Celebrant Berwick