How do I Choose a celebrant for my Wedding? | Mornington Peninsula Wedding Photographer

The ceremony is the whole reason for organizing your big day and so it deserves a bit of planning and forethought.

Choosing the right celebrant is, in my opinion, another one of the most important decisions that you will make when planning your wedding.

From the vows you choose through to the performance itself, a good celebrant will not only guide you through the process and help to make your ceremony memorable, but will also be someone that you enjoy having around you on your wedding day.

With this in mind, I would like to introduce one of the most lovely celebrants I have had the pleasure of working with, gorgeous Jo Betz who has some and has some tips on choosing a celebrant to share with brides and grooms-to-be ….

Your wedding ceremony really sets the tone for your wedding and it is also the first impression your guests will have of your day.

You want your guests to walk away from your wedding ceremony not only happy to have seen two people they love be married, but also feeling excited about what lies ahead.

A celebrant can really make or break this moment for you.

So here are some hints and tips to think about when it comes to choosing the right celebrant for you.

• Research – Chat to your friends and family and see if they have any recommendations for you of celebrants they have seen in action or heard of. If you’ve referred to magazines and blogs to give you inspiration, take a good look at their directories and recommendations. If you’ve already booked a photographer or locked in your venue, talk to them about who they receommend as they are likely to have seen many celebrants at work. Search the internet and look at a celebrant’s website or social media, it should give insight into their style and personality.
• Meet and greet – Always try and meet your celebrant either face to face or chat over the phone or Skype a meeting prior to booking them. I always say the first meeting with your celebrant is a bit like a blind date … you will be trying to get a sense of each other’s personalities and see if you make a connection. If you do connect, I would book that celebrant as soon as you can, if not, don’t be afraid to meet with others to ensure that you have a good and comfortable relationship.
• Your style – prior to meeting with a celebrant, it’s a really good idea to come up with some key words you’d like to describe your ceremony. For example, do you want your ceremony to be relaxed and natural with laughter and love? If so, ensure that when you are speaking with your celebrant that you convey what you have in mind so they are on the same page as you. As you get to know one another over the course of the meeting you should get a sense of whether you think the celebrant will be able to deliver this style of ceremony for you.
• Ask questions – Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A celebrant will be able to answer any questions you might have, and is there to alleviate any fears or doubts as well as help you with inspiration. If you don’t have any questions, no problem, a celebrant’s initial meeting with you should cover all that you need to know when it comes to a legal wedding ceremony.
• Don’t dilly dally – A common mistake couples make is that they get so carried away with other aspects of their wedding planning that they forget to book their celebrant. The longer you leave it, the less likely you will find a celebrant that you connect with as a good celebrant will be booked quickly and quite far in advance.

I hope that these tips and hints help you in knowing what to look for in your celebrant.

The preparations of your ceremony as well as the actual performance of the ceremony on the day should be a really exciting and enjoyable experience for all.

Jo Betz x