You've got the ring on your finger and the date set. You've decided you want the flexibility of a civil ceremony, which means you need a celebrant. But, there are so many out there. How do you decide which one is for you?
You will no doubt run straight to Google and type in "Celebrant." It will spit out pages and pages of links for you to start your search. Be prepared - it's probably worth having a good bottle of wine and some snacks next to you because you'll be there a while!
Looking at celebrant websites is like internet dating - you'll look at photos and read profiles. You'll decide if they have the "look" you're after and consider if they have something to offer you. If they tick all of your boxes, you'll contact them to ask for a date!
But, before you go Googling, let's look at some ways to whittle down the options before you go searching for your celebrant so you can be really clear about the kind of celebrant you're looking for.
1. Cost - Let's face it, weddings are expensive. You can do them on a budget but you're still looking at spending a fair whack of cash. You can compare celebrants based on cost but remember, you get what you pay for. Celebrants can set their own fees and there can be a significant cost difference between them. The average cost is between $400-$1,500 so there's a fair difference. You can't get married without a celebrant so think about the financial investment you're prepared to make in the person who's responsible for sealing the deal!
2. Age - Most couples have an image of the type of person they want to marry them. Some like a young, modern celebrant and others prefer an older gentlemen who looks like a priest. It's a very individual choice and worthwhile giving some thought to if it's a determining factor for you.
3. Location - You might live in north Brisbane but getting married on the Gold Coast. Having a local celebrant can be handy because you don't have to go far to meet. Having one that lives on the Gold Coast, and knows the area and local suppliers, can also be beneficial. Having a celebrant that lives near you, but also knows the Gold Coast is the jackpot!
4. Experience - There are a lot of celebrants out there who have been doing it for a long time and some are new to the game. Do you want someone who has done hundreds of weddings, or are you happy to give a new starter a shot?
5. Recommendations - The old "word of mouth" is one of the most common ways people choose a celebrant. Women, especially, will rave about their celebrant if they were great, and dis them if they weren't! Oh, the stories I've heard about the bad ones!
But be wary of recommendations too. I had a friend recommend a driving instructor to me who turned out to be a certifiable lunatic! Always meet them and have a chat to make sure you're comfortable with them.
6. Personality - You want to make sure you click with your celebrant. You should walk away from meeting them feeling comfortable and supported by them. You shouldn't have any niggling doubts about things so if there's a niggle, keep searching!
Read through this list and consider what's important to you. As celebrants, we expect you to shop around so don't be afraid to do it. You'll no doubt get several quotes to compare hairdressers and florists so do the same with your celebrant.
Remember, the celebrant is there to be your back-up singer. It's their job to complement and support you to make sure you shine. It's one of the few days in your life that SHOULD be all about you so make sure you find a celebrant that achieves that for you.
Happy searching!