Your celebrant is the one person who speaks at your wedding that you actually get to choose. Your photographer captures the day. Your florist sets the scene. But your celebrant? They set the entire tone. They're the person who tells your story, manages the energy in the room, and makes sure your ceremony feels like you — not like a script pulled off the internet.
So yeah, choosing the right one matters. A lot.
As a celebrant who's been on the other side of this decision hundreds of times, here's what I'd genuinely look for if I were booking one myself.
1. Vibe check first, credentials second
Every registered celebrant in Australia has done the same legal training. We all know the Marriage Act. We can all do the paperwork. That's table stakes.
What actually matters is: do you like them? When you jump on a call or meet for a coffee, does it feel easy? Do you laugh? Can you imagine this person standing in front of your 120 guests (or your 12 guests) and nailing the room?
Because here's the thing — your celebrant is essentially your MC for the most important 30 minutes of the day. If the vibe isn't there, the ceremony will feel flat, no matter how good the script is.
2. Watch their videos (not just their photos)
A photo tells you what the ceremony looked like. A video tells you what it felt like. Can you hear the celebrant's delivery? Are the guests engaged or zoning out? Is there laughter, tears, energy?
Most good celebrants will have at least one or two ceremony videos on their website or socials. Watch them. It's the closest thing to sitting in the audience.
3. Ask these questions
When you do have that first chat — whether it's a call, coffee, or DM exchange — here are the questions that actually tell you something useful:
- "How do you write the ceremony?" — This tells you how involved you'll be. Some celebrants hand you a template. Others build the whole thing from scratch based on your story. Know what you're getting.
- "Have you done a ceremony at our venue?" — Venue experience isn't essential, but it's helpful. They'll know the setup, the acoustics, and where to stand.
- "What happens if it rains?" — A seasoned celebrant will have a plan B answer ready without hesitating.
- "Can we hear a sample ceremony or see a script?" — This gives you a feel for their writing style. If it reads like a government form, run.
- "What do you wear?" — This sounds minor, but it tells you a lot about how they read the room and match your vibe.
4. Red flags to watch for
I'll be honest — not all celebrants are created equal. Here are some things that should make you pause:
- They don't ask about you. If the first meeting is all about their process and none about your story, that's a sign the ceremony will be about them, not you.
- Cookie-cutter scripts. If they use the same ceremony for every couple with just the names swapped out, you'll feel it on the day.
- No rehearsal offered. A rehearsal isn't just nice-to-have — it's where you figure out timing, positions, and nerves. If they don't offer one, ask why.
- Pushy upselling. If they're trying to sell you add-ons before they've even asked your partner's name, that's a no.
- No reviews or references. Everyone starts somewhere, but by the time a celebrant is charging professional rates, they should have social proof.
5. Don't just go with the cheapest option
I get it — weddings are expensive. But your celebrant is the one vendor who directly shapes how your ceremony feels. A cheap celebrant who reads from a script will give you a forgettable ceremony. A great celebrant will give you a ceremony that has your nan in tears and your mates cheering.
Think of it this way: you'll spend thousands on flowers that die in a week. Your ceremony is the memory that lasts forever.
6. Trust your gut
At the end of the day, this is a person you're trusting with one of the most emotional moments of your life. If something feels off — even if you can't explain why — listen to that. And if someone makes you feel instantly comfortable, seen, and excited? That's your person.
"The right celebrant doesn't just marry you — they make you feel like the only two people in the room."
If you're reading this and thinking "yeah, she sounds like my kind of celebrant" — I'd love to chat. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a coffee (or a call) to see if we click. Get in touch here.