Celebrants are like ‘flavours’ of Ice-Cream. You just have to find a flavour you like most!
Hey there! My name’s Pete Duncan (aka The Wedding Guy). One of the many lessons I’ve learned in my 20+ years as a Celebrant & MC* (*Master of Ceremonies), is I’m very much like an Ice-Cream flavour as a Celebrant goes. In my initial “chat” with prospective couples, one of the most important aspects of our meet n’ greet is working out if I’m the right flavour for them.
If you’re lookin’ to tie the knot, it’s really important you set aside time to interview (and where possible meet – even if ‘virtually’), to determine if you’ve discovered a “flavour” Celebrant who resonates with your palettes as a couple.
Don’t make the mistake (as many have done before), of underestimating the significant role played by your Celebrant. The best weddings I’ve attended as a guest are those where the Celebrant is, among other things, a masterful Storyteller able to paint a beautiful picture of a couple’s relationship – their love, character, and synergy.
Everyone is always saying how it’s important to personalise your wedding. Well, it starts with the ceremony. That’s one of the first experiences your guests have on your wedding day, and a great ceremony sets the tone for a fabulous wedding reception and also makes for a great table talker for your guests.
If you really want to personalise your wedding, ensure you choose a Celebrant who you believe
“gets you” as a couple.
In my 20+ years as an award-winning Celebrant/MC I've learned Celebrants are very much like Ice-cream flavors. The success of any couples wedding event is finding a Celebrant who is the right "flavour" for you!
What To Look For In A Celebrant
What to look for in a Celebrant:
• Check out their website and/or social media portal(s), view recent testimonials. Your celebrant should have good
communication skills, in order to work successfully with you leading into your ‘Big Day’, and with other professionals on the day; wedding planner, photographer, etc.
• From the first contact, you should feel that your Celebrant is not just professional in their approach, but also warm and friendly.
1. Make your initial enquiry of any prospective Celebrant via phone or email, so that you can make an initial assessment of their demeanor and hear how they express themselves. Ideally, if you have facetime, WhatsApp, or Teams, ask the Celebrant if they’re also able do a ‘virtual meeting’ , and if they do – arrange a mutually convenient time to meet up ‘virtually’. In absence of a face-to-face meeting, a ‘virtual meeting’ is equally fab – especially if you have kids.
2. Check the Celebrant not only speaks well, but also listens to you, your ideas and your concerns. Personal rapport is so important in this relationship.
3. Ask the Celebrant about the extent and breadth of their experience, particularly if you have
specific ideas as to how you’d like to approach your ceremony.
4. Ask what help, information, and resources they provide to couples in terms of sample ceremonies, readings and most importantly writing personal vows; and if appropriate, ask about equipment such as whether he/she provides their own PA system and/or ceremony Table + Chair for outdoor ceremonies.
5. A Celebrant should give you clear information about services, fees, booking and payment terms. Consider both the price, and the value of the services provided. It’s important to highlight at this juncture “cheap isn’t always best”, when it comes to choosing your Celebrant as the price can often be a determinant of the quality, experience, and “value” of a Celebrant.
6. Ask how they work and what the process will be. A Celebrant should explain how they work. Choose someone who will guide you clearly during the process of creating your ceremony, encouraging you to participate in the process, to ensure you achieve what you want in terms of content, style and tone.
Final thoughts:
A great celebrant should fill you will confidence, so you can relax and anticipate your wedding day with excitement.
After all, this is the day on which you will make your vows to the person you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. Throughout the process of selecting your celebrant, remember this is all about you, your love and your future together.
