What does a marriage celebrant do?

Marriage celebrant (noun): crowd controller, organiser, people connector, project manager, public speaker, reassurer, story-teller, wordsmith, writer, vibe creator, and party-starter.

One of the biggest misunderstandings people have of wedding celebrants is that we just turn up on the day, say a few syrupy words to accompany those that are legally-required, complete the paperwork, then we’re on our way. This doesn’t even begin to describe the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make it all look that easy. Here’s a bit of an outline of some of the things I do.

Recessional - newly married couple, Trinh and Eranja

Pre your wedding day

As a bare minimum, I prepare your legal documentation. This involves fully identifying both you and your fiancé in order to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage, your Declaration of no legal impediment to marriage, witnessing documents and sometimes statuary declarations, ensuring you are both fully cognisant of what marriage means and that you’re aware of the availability of marriage education and counselling- another legal requirement.

Then I begin hand-crafting your ceremony. I want your ceremony to be magical and exactly what you envisage. I aim to deliver a ceremony truly reflective of you- an authentic celebration of your love. I love working with couples who truly value the work I do, and I get a real ‘buzz’ when not only you, but also your guests, come up and thank me for an ‘amazing’ ceremony afterwards; it means you’ve all just experienced something special. 

I help you with writing your vows, make suggestions for readings and ways to involve special people and your guests in general in your ceremony, and I often conduct a rehearsal. I also painstakingly write your love story of you’d like it included. I spend at least 10 to 15 hours preparing for your marriage ceremony. 

Before your wedding day, I also touch base with your venue, your photographer and videographer to make sure things are going to run smoothly. If a photographer wants a special shot during the ceremony, I want to know about it so I can make sure it happens. If the venue has any inside information that will make your ceremony even more perfect, then again, I want to know about it. 

Over the course of each year, I’m also required to undertake registered professional development so that I am fully up-to-date with what it means to get married in Australia. 

Turning up on the day is the easy part, and it looks easy because of all of the conversations, research and organisation that takes place before your wedding day. Without all of this behind-the-scenes work, your ceremony would be a cut and paste job- not personal at all. 

Handwriting ceremonies

Your wedding day 

I arrive at least an hour before your ceremony. I help greet guests as they arrive and organise for chairs to be filled, communicate if it’s an unplugged ceremony, introduce the photographer, and tell people what to expect after the ceremony. For example, will there be a big group photo? What is happening between the ceremony and when the reception begins? If there is much of a gap, I can let people know that they can buy drinks at the bar while they’re waiting. And ultimately, I marry you!

I provide our own PA system for the ceremony so that everyone can hear every word that’s said, and I can provide a signing table, tablecloth and chairs if required so that you can comfortably sign all of that legal documentation. 

I also know where to stand for the ceremony to help you get the best possible photos, and importantly when to move. You definitely don’t want me appearing in the background of that ‘first kiss’ shot! I ensure that all of the correct legal words and procedures take place so that it’s all totally legit.

Group photo fx

After your wedding

After your ceremony I pack up and leave with a big smile on my face. Time for your party to start! 

When I arrive home, I register your wedding with the relevant Office of Births Deaths and Marriages. If you’ve requested a Standard Marriage Certificate to a enable change of name, I also organise that.

Sometimes, couples ask that I be safe-keepers of their presentation marriage certificate after the ceremony; they don’t want to be worried about its safe-keeping during the reception, and nor do they want to ask any family members or friends to accept the responsibility. So, when you return from your honeymoon, I will be in touch to arrange its collection.

I also really appreciate it if you take the time to contact me after your ceremony and tell me how everything went down; I love it if you give me a review on Facebook or Google or wherever, and I are also incredibly grateful if you share some of your wedding photos with me. 

When you book me, you’re investing in my time and expertise; I will be there for you from that first obligation-free meeting until the end of your wedding day (and perhaps just a little longer). 

To find out more detail, select the button below and I’ll send you an information booklet.