So you�ve booked the date, bought the dress, organised the reception venue, invitations are ready to be sent, flowers are ordered, the cake selection made � but what about the celebrant?
While the celebrations for your big day are important and can take a lot of organising, the key part of getting married is the legal ceremony � and for that you need an authorised celebrant.
But what should you be looking for in a celebrant?� The following are some points that have come up in my conversations with marrying couples:
?� It is important to book your celebrant early � just like popular venues, celebrants can booked well over 12 months in advance.
?� Your rapport with the celebrant is essential � someone who listens to you, understands what you are looking for in your ceremony, and who will work with you to provide a personal ceremony that is just right for you.
?� Check out websites of celebrants � do they have the �vibe� you are looking for?
?� Meet with more than one celebrant � this helps to know which celebrant may suit your needs best.� If you cannot meet in person, have a telephone or Skype conversation with them.
?� Are you looking for a fun and lively celebrant, a formal celebrant, someone who specialises in spiritual themes or specific rituals, or is it their �look� that is important to you?
?� Are you having a themed wedding � do you need your celebrant to dress up for this?
?� Consider what is included in their price � and what cost is involved for any add-ons such as travel to your ceremony location.
?� What types of information will they provide you with to help prepare for your ceremony?
?� Will your celebrant guide you, take control or leave it all up to you?
In selecting a celebrant, you want to know that they will listen to what you are looking for in a ceremony, advise you on options to meet your requirements, and then provide you with a ceremony that is meaningful to you.� This is a very special day for you and you need to be sure that your celebrant understands, and can adapt to, your needs.
Not sure where to start?� To find an authorised celebrant within Australia, visit: http://www.ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Marriage/Findamarriagecelebrant/Pages/default.aspx
