Celebrants are individual and will relate to your needs in different ways. Be certain that the Celebrant you choose suits your needs, as, after all, you are the couple who are marrying. Remember that your Celebrant is present to solemnise your marriage. You should also remember that it is the commitment expressed by you on your wedding day that bonds you together as husband and wife.
It is best to decide on your Celebrant from either a personal recommendation or by attending a ceremony conducted by the Celebrant that interests you. It is, however, still good practice to meet with the Celebrant to ensure that he or she suits your needs.
Celebrants vary in their delivery of service. Some may offer you a ceremony which is generally acceptable, others will offer a choice of ceremonies from their collections. You should feel comfortable with your Celebrant and feel certain that he or she will attend to your needs for your Wedding Day.
When contacting a Celebrant to establish their availability for your day, please have a few time options available. Nearly all couples wish to marry on Saturday afternoon at about 3:00pm, so don’t be disappointed if your preferred time is not available.
When you meet with the Celebrant, ensure that you have your documents with you. If you decide that "this is the Celebrant for us", you may wish to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage. The documents you will need are your birth certificates (full original forms for preference), divorce papers, citizenship papers and/or death certificates.
Please note that your Celebrant will have all the necessary papers for you to complete. It is not necessary to "apply for a marriage certificate or licence" from a third party prior to meeting with the Celebrant.
A Notice of Intended Marriage may be lodged up to 18 months prior to the wedding, but must be lodged no later than 1 month and 1 day prior to the wedding day. A Notice of Intended Marriage should be lodged only once with the Celebrant of your choice.
Your ceremony should reflect your views about marriage. If you wish, your ceremony should give you the opportunity to involve family and/or friends in sharing readings, verses or songs. These choices should be yours to make. Your Celebrant should be able to help you through these choices.
Some Celebrants will ask for a deposit, booking or lodgement fee to ensure that their services are secured for your date, place and time. It is quite normal for this to occur, and it is something for which you should be prepared.
Fees, like ceremonies, will vary between Celebrants and it is wise to check with your Celebrant about his or her fee for service. If you request a Celebrant to travel distances to officiate at your wedding, you will be charged for the distance to be travelled. Ensure that you reach agreement on the fee prior to booking a Celebrant.