How to choose a celebrant

Congratulations on your engagement - let the planning begin!

For most couples locking in a venue is the first thing you’ll tick off your to-do list. This is generally followed by finding a celebrant to assist with your 'I do’s'.

Things to consider -

Availability

Bookings can fill up quickly especially in Spring and Autumn months. Most celebrants only conduct one ceremony per day - neither of us need the stress of me trying to squeeze two weddings into one day - cue traffic, fashionably late brides and outfit changes, think 27 Dresses (ekkk!).

Saturday afternoons are a particularly popular time for weddings, but your ceremony time is completely up to you. Morning, sunset or evening pick a time that best suits you and your guests.

Chemistry

Female? Male? Non-binary? Old? Young? Middle aged?

Think about the type of ceremony you want. What’s important to you and what’s negotiable. Then find a celebrant that takes the time to understand your unique love story and craft it into your dream ceremony.

It’s important that you find a celebrant who you feel at ease with - for me it’s the vibe you get when you meet a person for the first time and know their friendship will span a lifetime. This is the person who will guide you through the pre-wedding requirements (and jitters) then stand up there with you on your special day.

Cost

Celebrants in Sydney can vary greatly in price. Similarly, no two celebrants or ceremonies are quite the same. Services start from $477 or $1,299 for a registry office wedding to thousands of dollars for recognisable (think Married at First Sight) or career celebrants.

Additional fees may also be charged for extended travel time, parking, or hours required at the venue prior to your wedding. Thinking of getting married in the middle of Sydney Harbour? Your celebrant may need to arrive over an hour before the boat departs and require transport back to shore once the ceremony has concluded which will in turn bump up their fees.