10 Tips for Choosing the Best Celebrant for Your Sydney Wedding
Choosing your wedding celebrant is one of those jobs that can easily get pushed down the wedding planning list. After all, there are venues to book, dresses to find, guest lists to sort out and about a hundred other things to organise.
But your celebrant can make a big difference to how your ceremony feels on the day. They are the person standing up there telling your story, welcoming your guests and helping everything run smoothly before you get on with the celebrations.
If you're looking for a wedding celebrant in Sydney, here are 10 things worth thinking about before you book.
1. Make sure you actually like them
It sounds obvious, but you’re going to spend quite a bit of time with your celebrant.
You’ll be talking about your relationship, your families, your wedding plans and probably a few things you wouldn’t normally discuss with a stranger. So find someone you feel comfortable with.
A quick phone or video chat is a great way to get a feel for their personality before making a decision.
2. Think about the type of ceremony you want
Do you want a short and simple ceremony, or something more personal with stories, laughs, readings and plenty of emotion?
There’s no right or wrong answer. The important thing is finding a celebrant who can deliver the type of ceremony you have in mind rather than trying to fit you into their usual style.
3. Ask how they personalise the ceremony
This is a big one.
Your ceremony shouldn't sound like it could belong to any couple. Ask your celebrant how they get to know you and how much input you'll have into what is actually said on the day.
A good celebrant should want to hear your story, not just your names and wedding date.
4. Check their experience
Sydney weddings can be big, small, formal, relaxed, indoors, outdoors and everything in between.
An experienced celebrant will have dealt with all sorts of situations and should know how to keep things moving when something doesn't quite go according to plan.
It’s worth asking how long they’ve been a celebrant and how many weddings they’ve conducted.
5. Read the reviews – properly
Don’t just look at the number of stars.
Read what couples actually say about their experience. Look for comments about communication, organisation, personality and what the ceremony was like.
If several couples mention that the celebrant made them feel relaxed and that the ceremony felt like them, that’s a pretty good sign.
6. Find out what's included
Celebrant packages can be quite different, so make sure you know what you're paying for.
Ask about meetings, writing the ceremony, legal paperwork, rehearsals, music, sound equipment and what support you'll receive in the lead-up to the wedding.
It’s much easier to compare celebrants when you know exactly what each package includes.
7. Consider their knowledge of Sydney
Sydney gives you plenty of options when it comes to wedding locations. You could be getting married overlooking the harbour, on a beach, in a garden, at a hotel or somewhere completely private.
A celebrant who regularly works around Sydney will be familiar with the practical side of different locations, including outdoor ceremonies, sound, timing and working alongside photographers and other suppliers.
8. Ask about the legal side
There is some important paperwork involved in getting married in Australia, and your celebrant should be able to explain what needs to happen and when.
Ask your celebrant about the Notice of Intended Marriage, the documents you'll need and how they handle the paperwork after your ceremony.
Knowing that someone experienced is keeping an eye on the legal side is one less thing for you to worry about.
9. Don't make price the only deciding factor
Of course, your wedding budget matters. But choosing a celebrant purely because they are the cheapest option isn't necessarily going to give you the best experience.
Think about the whole package – their experience, how much time they spend getting to know you, what is included and, most importantly, whether you feel comfortable with them.
You're not just paying someone to stand up and conduct the ceremony. You're choosing the person who will help tell your story on the day.
10. Trust your gut
Once you've spoken to a few celebrants, you’ll probably have a pretty good idea of who feels right.
Maybe you clicked straight away. Maybe you loved their sense of humour. Maybe they understood exactly what you wanted without you having to explain it ten times.
That feeling is worth listening to.
Looking for a Sydney Wedding Celebrant?
If you're planning your wedding in Sydney and still looking for the right celebrant, take some time to get to know your options. Look at their experience, read reviews, ask questions and, most importantly, have a chat before you book.
If you'd like to find out more about Carla Davern and her approach to Sydney wedding ceremonies, you can visit Carla's home page here to see her celebrant packages, testimonials and services.
The right celebrant won't just get you through the legal part of the ceremony. They'll help make sure the ceremony feels like you – relaxed, personal and a great way to start the day.
About Carla Davern
Carla Davern – Sydney Wedding Celebrant, Singer & MC
Carla Davern is a Sydney-based civil marriage celebrant, singer and MC with more than 15 years' experience and over 2,000 weddings behind her. She conducts personalised ceremonies across Sydney, as well as the Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains, and is also known for her appearance as a celebrant on Married At First Sight.