When he gets down on one knee and pops that big question, for one
amazing split second the world stops. The future flashes before your eyes and
that flash usually involves a gorgeous dress, vibrant flowers and adoring eyes
all focused on us. But…..unfortunately as plans begin to take hold and
arrangements are booked the reality of how much works is involved in planning a
wedding begins to set in.
Finding the right celebrant is sadly often given
little thought initially and left to near last. Whether that is because it is
perceived as a ‘less fun’ task or perhaps couples just find picking cakes and
flowers more fun, but whatever the reason, finding the celebrant is something
that should be given time and consideration and can mean the difference between
having a fabulous day and having a disaster.
In selecting the celebrant for you it is really
important that you have some idea of what you are looking for to begin with -
male, female, older, younger, traditional, modern. You need to take some time
to work these details out in advance and ensure that as a couple you are clear
about what you are looking for.
So, why is it important to find the right
celebrant? Well your celebrant will play a major role not only on the big day, but
will be your main source of ideas, information and guidance on planning your
ceremony. While a celebrants main objective is to help the couple to create a
ceremony that reflects who they are, they also bring to it their own
perspectives, beliefs and ideas on ceremony which can often impact
substantially on the end result.
Some celebrants may be more traditional and believe
that a ceremony should be a very serious and formal occasion while other
celebrants may believe that a more easy going, casual and fun ceremony is
perfectly acceptable.
In working with you they will bring these ideas to
your ceremony in the planning stages that's why it is a good idea to take the
time to select wisely.
Choosing someone to trust in guiding you to plan
your big day can be a little daunting, so we’ve put together a few top tips to
help you:
Tip 1: Do some research based on your
initial decisions of male/female etc.
Tip 2: Select 3 who appear to fit all of
your criteria and either call or email them for information. Remember to ask
each one to provide you with an information pack (or an outline of the services
they provide, fees, inclusions etc.)
Tip 3: Compare the 3 packs based on what
is provided. Consider total cost and a rating of the information given. Pay
careful attention to the price inclusions, all celebrants charge different
amounts and provide different things for that price.
For example: Celebrant 1 charges an all inclusive
price of $500 including signing table, all documents, travel in metro area, PA
use etc. Celebrant 2 charges $400, however there is a $50 fee for a table, $70
for the PA, $50 for documents and travel charged per kilometer. It’s easy to
see the initial price as being the best only to discover that there are lots of
‘add ons’
Tip 4: Choose the celebrant who provides
everything you are looking for at the fairest price and who you feel will best
work with you to create your dream ceremony.
Tip 5: Make contact with them for an
initial introduction or meeting to see if your personalities match and that they
understand your vision for your day.
When you meet with the celebrant you will soon know
if they are right for you, however if you feel they are not suitable simply go
back to your top 3 list and organise another meeting.
We have all heard the old saying "you get what
you pay for" and like anything else this is true when it comes to
weddings. Very experienced and knowledgeable celebrants charge a reasonable fee
for the service that they provide to couples and the time and effort that they
spend personalising ceremonies to ensure your ceremony is exactly as you
envisioned it to be.
While there are many cheap options available
couples need to ensure that they are meeting the legal requirements and
consider the standard they expect for their wedding day. Be sure to ask friends
and family for recommendations as chances are if they come highly recommended,
they are providing fabulous service.
We hope this has helped you to find the right
celebrant for you and don't forget to check out The Wedding Gurus preferred
celebrants page by clicking this link:
The Wedding Gurus
xx
