How long have you been a wedding celebrant for?

I started in 2008 in Melbourne where I did my first training. I can’t believe it’s my 16th year already! Time flies when you’re having fun 🙂 When I first started off I eased into weddings very slowly. In my first year I did a couple and increased it every year while juggling the demands of working full time. In 2015 when I moved back to Perth that was when I really decided I’d give it a red hot crack and go full time with weddings and funerals.

What inspired you to become a celebrant?

My sister actually initially suggested I should get into it. It kind of made sense to me in a way. I have a background in communications, TV and film, school theatre and productions in general so I am very comfortable with public speaking.

Back then I also noticed there was a bit of a gap in the market. Weddings were a bit different back then. Ceremonies were more traditional with a lot of mature celebrants. People were wanting something different and more modern. They wanted younger celebrants that were personable and maybe a bit more cooler and funky. I think I got in at the right time when that demand for change was happening.

How would you describe your style in officiating ceremonies?

I would say my ceremonies are a mix of professional and personal. My style is light-hearted with a sprinkle of fun and humour while balancing strong emotion, sincerity and light-heartedness. Even though I do believe I do a great job of engaging and capturing the crowd, the focus of the ceremony and their attention is always on the couple. Their ceremony is not a comedy show where I am the focus of attention. 

What is your approach?

Based on all my years of experience I have figured out what works and what doesn’t. I’ve created a structure and format that compliments my style. My approach to ceremonies follows a similar format even though each is customised and unique.

By having an approach that is still personal and focused on story-telling; I take away all the stress and decision making from couples as they have a solid understanding of what we are doing and why we are doing it a specific way. 

How do you tailor the ceremony to reflect your couple’s personalities and preferences?

By taking the time to meet up in person and asking questions I get a great sense of who they are individually and as a couple. I weave their story into the ceremony based on my approach.

Can your couples incorporate their own cultural or other traditions into the ceremony?

Absolutely! I don’t typically perform many weddings with cultural or unique wedding traditions but absolutely love learning and incorporating them when I do. In these instances my couples will share with me their ideas based on their backgrounds or any other weddings they’ve seen. 

Examples I have seen or facilitated have been an acknowledgement to country and Greek crowning ceremonies. Others include, Sri-Lankan traditions such as giving one another jewellery and candle lighting. Jewish traditions where one is Jewish and the other isn’t converting, so there might be a breaking of the glass. 

Do you conduct a rehearsal before the wedding day? 

Personally I don’t do a physical rehearsal where we meet at the venue beforehand. Based on my process of having two in person meetings at my home office with one being just before the wedding, I find has been enough in helping couples understand how their ceremony will flow. 

Do you offer additional services in addition to officiating?

I do, I offer MC services too for the reception. I only offer these services to a limited number of couples a year though. I do find that the flow of the day is lovely between ceremony and reception when there is a continuation of the celebrant as the MC speaker. 

DJ’s do also provide this service that is usually included however I do think having that continuity of me guiding as well as the connection I have with my couple, their family and guests at this point does make it a bit more personable.