HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING CELEBRANT | 7 TIPS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE CEREMONY
CHOOSING A WEDDING CELEBRANT: HOW TO FIND SOMEONE WHO FEELS LIKE YOU
Your wedding ceremony is the heartbeat of your day. Long before the champagne is poured or the dance floor fills, it's the moment where every guest leans in, every emotion rises to the surface, and your story begins.
The right wedding celebrant doesn't simply officiate your marriage—they set the tone for everything that follows. They'll calm your nerves, make your guests laugh, tell your story with intention, and create a ceremony that feels unmistakably yours.
If you're wondering how to choose the right wedding celebrant, these are the things we'd never overlook.
WHY YOUR WEDDING CELEBRANT MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK
The best ceremonies feel effortless, but they're rarely accidental.
A talented celebrant understands how to balance emotion with humour, tradition with personality, and structure with spontaneity. They know when to pause, when to make people laugh, and when to let a moment simply exist.
As photographers and filmmakers, we've seen hundreds of ceremonies. The ones people still talk about years later almost always have one thing in common: a celebrant who genuinely understood the couple.
1. CHOOSE SOMEONE YOU WOULD ACTUALLY WANT TO GET COFFEE WITH
This might sound simple, but it's probably our biggest piece of advice.
Your celebrant will spend some of the most intimate moments of your wedding day with you. They'll be standing beside you while your emotions are running high, helping settle nerves before you walk down the aisle, and guiding you through one of the biggest moments of your life.
If you don't genuinely enjoy talking to them, you'll probably feel it on the day.
The best celebrants make you feel relaxed within minutes. They ask thoughtful questions, listen more than they talk, and create an atmosphere where you can simply be yourselves.
If you leave your first meeting thinking, "We could absolutely have dinner with them," you're probably onto a winner.
2. FIND SOMEONE WHO MATCHES YOUR VIBE
Every celebrant has their own style.
Some are warm and romantic.
Some are funny and energetic.
Others are modern, understated and beautifully editorial.
Think about how you want your ceremony to feel.
Do you picture guests wiping away tears? Bursting into laughter? A little of both?
Your celebrant should naturally complement the atmosphere you're creating—not try to transform it into something that doesn't feel authentic.
Browse full ceremony videos, read reviews and, if possible, watch clips of them speaking rather than relying solely on styled photographs.
3. LOOK FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO TELL YOUR STORY
The most memorable ceremonies never feel generic.
Instead of simply filling time before the reception, a great celebrant creates something deeply personal—sharing meaningful stories, weaving in memories from family and friends, and capturing the little details that make your relationship unique.
Whether that's honouring family traditions, including cultural rituals, inviting loved ones to participate, or writing completely bespoke vows, the ceremony should feel like it couldn't belong to anyone else.
The more your guests hear you throughout the ceremony, the more meaningful the experience becomes.
4. ASK ABOUT THEIR PROCESS
Every celebrant works differently.
Before booking, don't be afraid to ask exactly what the experience looks like.
Questions worth asking include:
How many meetings are included?
Will we meet in person or over Zoom?
How do you get to know us as a couple?
Will we receive a draft of the ceremony to approve?
Can we personalise or edit sections?
How much guidance do you provide with writing vows?
Understanding their process helps ensure there are no surprises—and gives you confidence that you'll feel supported from the moment you book until you say "I do."
5. CONSIDER YOUR FAMILY, CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Every couple brings a unique story to their wedding.
Whether you're blending cultures, honouring religious traditions, navigating complex family dynamics, or planning a ceremony that breaks convention altogether, your celebrant should approach every conversation with curiosity, sensitivity and respect.
A thoughtful celebrant knows how to create a ceremony that reflects your values while making everyone feel welcomed and included.
Don't hesitate to ask about their experience with multicultural weddings or any traditions that are important to your family.
6. IF YOU’RE HIRING A WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER, ASK ABOUT THEIR AUDIO SETUP
This is one question couples rarely think to ask—but your future selves will thank you.
If you're investing in wedding videography, beautiful audio is every bit as important as beautiful visuals.
Ask your celebrant:
What PA system do you use?
Does your microphone have a line-out for professional audio recording?
Will our videographer be able to connect directly into your system?
Having clean recordings of your vows and ceremony speeches can make an enormous difference to your wedding film.
A celebrant who regularly works alongside experienced videographers will usually understand exactly what's needed and will have top of the line equipment ready for our videographers to utilize.
7. TRUST THE FEELING
Sometimes, the decision isn't about ticking boxes.
Sometimes you simply leave a meeting thinking,
"They're our person."
Trust that instinct.
When you find someone who genuinely understands your relationship, shares your values, and makes you feel completely at ease, the ceremony becomes one of the most memorable parts of the day—not just something that happens before the party.
OUR FAVOURITE WEDDING CELEBRANTS
After photographing and filming weddings across Australia, we've been lucky enough to work alongside some truly exceptional celebrants.
The ones we recommend are warm, professional, thoughtful, and create ceremonies that feel deeply personal rather than scripted.
If you're still searching for someone who feels like the perfect fit, we'd be delighted to share our favourite celebrants with you.
Simply get in touch, and we'll happily send over our curated list.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Wedding Celebrant
When should we book our wedding celebrant?
The most sought-after celebrants often book 12–18 months in advance, particularly for spring and autumn weddings. If you've found someone whose style you love, it's worth enquiring early.
What questions should I ask a wedding celebrant?
Ask about their ceremony planning process, availability, meetings, vow support, ceremony length, audio equipment, rehearsal options, and how they personalise each ceremony.
Can a celebrant customise our ceremony?
Absolutely. Most modern celebrants offer fully personalised ceremonies that reflect your relationship, personalities, family traditions and cultural backgrounds.
Does our celebrant work with our photographer and videographer?
Experienced celebrants regularly collaborate with photographers and videographers to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly while preserving important moments and capturing clear audio.
How do we know if we've found the right celebrant?
The right celebrant should make you feel comfortable from your very first conversation. If they genuinely understand your relationship, share your vision, and make you excited for your ceremony rather than nervous about it, you've likely found the perfect fit.
The Ceremony You'll Remember Forever
Flowers fade, dinner ends, and the dance floor eventually empties.
But your ceremony is the moment that becomes part of your family's story.
Choose a celebrant who makes you laugh, makes you feel seen, and tells your story with warmth and intention. Because when you look back on your wedding photographs and film decades from now, it won't just be what your ceremony looked like that you'll remember.
It will be exactly how it felt.