How do you choose the right wedding celebrant in NSW?

There are a lot of celebrants in New South Wales.

So it’s no surprise many couples feel stuck trying to work out who’s “right”.

Here’s the good news: choosing a celebrant doesn’t need to be complicated - it’s not about finding the best celebrant in NSW.

It’s about finding the right fit for you.

1️⃣ Start with the vibe (not the paperwork)

All registered celebrants in NSW can legally marry you.

That part’s a given.

What actually separates celebrants is how the ceremony feels.

Ask yourself:

• Do we want light and relaxed, or more traditional?

• Are we okay with humour, or do we prefer something more serious?

• Do we want something short and simple, or story-based and personal?

There’s no “correct” answer — only what feels right for you as a couple.

2️⃣ Read how they, write not just what they offer

Websites often list services and packages - which is useful, but what really matters is how the celebrant communicates.

Read:

• Their blog posts

• Their website wording

• Their social captions

Do they sound human?

Do they sound like someone you’d be comfortable standing next to on one of the biggest days of your life?

If the tone feels off online, it usually feels off in person too.

3️⃣ Don’t ignore how comfortable you feel talking to them

This part gets underestimated.

Your celebrant:

• Stands beside you during an emotional moment

• Speaks on your behalf

• Helps guide nerves

• Sets the tone for your entire ceremony

If the conversation feels awkward, rushed, or overly scripted during the first chat - that’s worth listening to.

A good celebrant should make you feel:

✔ heard

✔ relaxed

✔ supported

✔ like you don’t need to “perform”

4️⃣ Ask how they personalise a ceremony

“Personalised” can mean very different things.

Good questions to ask:

• How do you get to know couples?

• How involved are we in shaping the ceremony?

• Can the tone change if we want something lighter or more serious?

• What happens if we don’t know exactly what we want yet?

A strong celebrant adapts to you - not the other way around.

5️⃣ Trust your instinct (it’s usually right)

Most couples know within minutes whether a celebrant feels right.

If you’re leaving the conversation thinking:

“That felt easy.”

“They get us.”

“That actually feels exciting.”

That’s a good sign.

Your ceremony isn’t just a formality, it’s the emotional start of your marriage.

Choosing someone who respects that makes all the difference.

Final thought

The right wedding celebrant isn’t the loudest, cheapest, or most “Instagram famous”.

They’re the one who:

• Listens

• Adapts

• Supports

• And creates a ceremony that feels true to you