Choosing the right celebrant for your wedding

The question has been asked and answered, and the decision made: you’re getting married. What’s the next step?

Civil celebrant Chris Longhurst from Civil Celebrations in Wagga said that after setting the date and booking the venue, couples should interview and secure the celebrant for their wedding.

“We’ll arrange a meeting to get to know each other and, quite frankly, to see if I’m who you want to marry you,” Mr Longhurst said.

“I’ll explain the forms and necessities that are required as a legality to get things moving, and then if you’re happy with me and what I have explained so far, we’ll meet again and fill out the Notice of Intended Marriage form.”

“This is required a minimum of one month prior to the date of your wedding, but I do recommend lodging this with your celebrant as early as possible. This form addresses most of the legal requirements for your wedding.”

The couple must take along their passports or birth certificates, a form of photo identification, as well as a divorce or death certificate in the event that you’ve previously been married. Your celebrant will take a copy of the original documents.

Once you’ve chosen your celebrant it is important to book them and pay a deposit to secure their services on your special day.

There are a few legal requirements within the wording of the introductions and vows of a wedding ceremony, in accordance with the Marriage Act 1961, but Mr Longhurst said that a professional celebrant will meet that criteria with a subtlety that won’t detract from the romance and creativity of your wedding ceremony.

Couples can include cultural, religious and spiritual elements in their celebrant-led wedding ceremony. Mr Longhurst said that a professional wedding celebrant would have a knowledge of, and respect for, religious, cultural, and spiritual beliefs.

“I have a lot of Christian content in both weddings and funerals,” Mr Longhurst said.

“A good civil celebrant can incorporate those religious and spiritual elements in the service.

“I’m often asked about the difference between a clergy-led wedding and a celebrant-led wedding.

“A celebrant-led service is a lot more flexible.”

Similar legal requirements apply to both officiates. Mr Longhurst said that he encourages consideration of including an element within the ceremony to recognise the blending of families for those people enjoying a second or subsequent marriage.

Mr Longhurst’s final word to the newly engaged couple was simple.

“It’s your day. Own it. Cherish it. Enjoy it.”

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