By Anna Flanagan
Planning a wedding is a journey filled with loads of decisions, and each one contributes to the uniqueness of your day. One of the choices you'll make is choosing the right marriage celebrant for you – they set the tone for your ceremony and ensure that your marriage is legal!
So how do you find a celebrant that fits your style, and really connects with you? Here’s some top tips!
Professional
Consider celebrants who are members of Celebrants Aotearoa, the only professional organisation for celebrants in New Zealand. Celebrants Aotearoa has a directory of appointed celebrants, giving you peace of mind that your chosen celebrant is experienced, professional, and committed to delivering an excellent experience for you, and your guests.
Recommendations
Your wedding vendors, like your photographer or venue coordinator, have probably worked with numerous celebrants and can offer recommendations. They can suggest celebrants who are not only reliable but also fit the style and vibe you're aiming for; and will get out of the way for your first kiss photo! Don't hesitate to ask them for their top picks.
Online presence
A celebrant's website gives you an insight into their style and approach. Take the time to browse through their site, looking for:
- Style and Vibe - do their previous ceremonies match the tone you want for your wedding? Whether you prefer a traditional, modern, or quirky ceremony, their website should give you a clear idea of their style.
- Cost - while the website may not list exact prices, you can often find information about their fee structure. Remember, a more experienced celebrant might cost more, but the investment is often worth it for a polished and memorable ceremony, and the insights, experience, and guidance they can offer.
- Social Media is a powerful tool for gauging a celebrant's personality and work. Instagram and Facebook can provide insights into their recent ceremonies, interactions with couples, and overall professionalism.
Experience
Experience matters when it comes to choosing a celebrant. An experienced celebrant can handle unexpected situations with grace and ensure that your ceremony runs smoothly. While they may come with a higher price tag, the peace of mind and quality they bring to your wedding day are invaluable. Think of this as an investment in the success of your ceremony.
Reviews & Testimonials
Testimonials and reviews offer candid feedback from couples who have previously worked with the celebrant. Check out their:
- Website testimonials: while they are often curated, they still provide insights into their strengths.
- Facebook and Google Reviews: these are less biassed and give you a broader perspective on their reputation.
- Facebook Reviews: like Google reviews, these can offer a mix of experiences from various couples.
So, what should I expect once I’ve found “the one”?
- In the lead up to your wedding you should expect to meet with your celebrant at least once, but with most celebrants, this is likely to be 2-3 times.
- There should also be an open line of communication in between meetings.
- A reminder to apply for your marriage licence, support with your vows, maybe printing your vows for you to have on hand on the day, and anything else you might need or want help with. If your celebrant is also your MC, there’ll be even more questions!
Initial meeting:
To chat about your day, your plans and to make sure you ‘click’. This is a great time to ask questions about their process, what you can expect from them and how everything works. If you’re happy to go ahead, you’ll probably need to complete a booking form that becomes your contract and pay a deposit.
Second meeting:
This is often your ‘planning’ session, where your celebrant will gather lots of information from you about how your ceremony will flow and some logistics information too! Many celebrants will also have questionnaires they ask you to complete, to help create your ceremony.
The types of questions I ask are:
- Do you want to say, “I Do” (this isn’t legally required!)
- Do you wish to exchange rings, and if so, who will hold them?
- Would you like to sign your paperwork during the ceremony or afterwards?
- Who will your two witnesses be?
- Do you want to incorporate any readings, poems, or other special ceremonies like a handfasting, sand ceremony, or celebrating with shots?
Rehearsal:
In the days leading up to your wedding most celebrants will run a rehearsal with you. This is a great way to reassure everyone in your wedding party of where they’ll stand, how the ceremony will flow and coordinate what I like to call the ‘choreography’! I’ll typically cover who is fixing the train, who will hold your flowers during the ceremony, who should be in the front row, where we’ll sign the paperwork and where you’d prefer me to stand, as well as reassuring you that I’ll get out of the way for that all important kiss!
