Everything You're Wondering (But Haven't Asked Yet)
FAQ's
The questions I get asked all the time. From what does a Celebrant actually do? To wondering whether your dog can be part of the ceremony (It's always a yes from me).
What does a celebrant actually do?
We all know a celebrant marries people, but that's a bit like saying a chef just puts food on plates. I'll guide you through all the legal bits and make sure the "getting married" part is taken care of. But my real job is helping create a ceremony that feels like yours. Your ceremony sets the tone for your entire wedding day. It's the moment that brings everyone together and kicks off the celebrations. Behind the scenes, I'll spend 10–15 hours getting to know you, learning your story, and crafting a bespoke ceremony that's completely unique to you. You can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you'd like.
How do we know if you're the right celebrant for us?
My biggest piece of advice? Chat to a few celebrants. Find someone you feel comfortable with, connect with, and most importantly, vibe with. Have a look through their website, stalk their socials, read what previous couples have to say, and jump on a call. My guess is you'll know pretty quickly if it feels right. As for me? I love creating ceremonies that feel relaxed, personal and full of personality. Expect good vibes, genuine moments, a few laughs and a story that's uniquely yours. If you're looking for something deeply religious, highly traditional or straight out of a romance novel, there are some wonderful celebrants who specialise in that style. If you're after something modern, meaningful and a little bit fun, you're in the right place.
How involved do we need to be in creating our ceremony?
As much or as little as you'd like to be. I'll give you access to a shared ceremony template and my Wedding Ceremony Guide, so if you're the kind of couple who loves adding ideas, wording and personal touches, you absolutely can. To make personalising your ceremony even easier, I also provide a ceremony "menu" where you can simply tick the elements you're interested in including. Prefer to hand over the reins and let me work my magic? That's perfectly fine too. Most couples land somewhere in the middle. Sharing the important bits while trusting me to weave it all together.
How long should a wedding ceremony be?
My sweet spot is usually around 25–30 minutes. Personally, anything under 25 minutes can feel like a bit of a blip in the day. Trust me when I say it'll go twice as fast for you, so it's worth giving yourselves enough time to actually soak it all in. Once you start pushing past the 35-minute mark, things can begin to feel a little long. That said, it's not really about the clock, it's about the content. There's a big difference between someone droning on about the meaning of love and marriage for 30 minutes and a ceremony filled with stories, laughter, meaningful moments and guests who feel genuinely part of what's happening.
What if we're not "traditional wedding people"?
PERFECT! You're in the right place! I'm a huge advocate for ditching traditions that don't mean anything to you. Just because something has been done at weddings for a millenia doesn't mean it has to be part of yours. Whether that's skipping the formalities, rethinking the order of things, involving your guests in unexpected ways, or creating something completely outside the wedding rulebook, I'm all for it. Come with me and I'll show you all the ways we can create an "un-traditional" ceremony!
What is legally required?
Honestly? Not much... You need an authorised celebrant, two witnesses over 18, the correct paperwork, and a few legal words that MUST be said during the ceremony. Everything else is optional. The aisle? Optional. Rings? Optional. Readings? Optional. Traditions your Aunty insists are "how it's always been done"? Also optional. And that's exactly why I love celebrant-led weddings. Once we tick off the legal requirements, we have the freedom to create a ceremony that actually feels like yours.
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Teesha managed to take two very introverted people out of their shells and It was everything we had hoped for and more, capturing our personalities and our love story so beautifully.
We don't want anything cheesy
Unless you're against cheese itself... in which case we might have a problem. I PROMISE that's my only cheesy joke. No cringe here. I like to think I have a pretty well-developed radar for knowing what works. I'm not trying to be a stand-up comedian, and I don't crack jokes or manufacture over-the-top romance just for the sake of a cheap laugh or reaction. There'll be no "we all know Brad would rather be marrying football today" type gags around here. The best laughs, biggest feels and most memorable moments come from the truth that's already there. My job is simply to find those hidden gems and bring them to life.
Can we include our dog?
It's ALWAYS a big yes from me. The biggest factor is usually your venue, as every location has its own rules when it comes to furry wedding guests. It's also worth thinking about your dog's personality. Weddings can be loud and overwhelming, so while some dogs absolutely thrive on the attention, others would much rather be at home napping on the couch. And if having them there in person isn't an option. There are other ways we can still include them in your ceremony or at the reception.
Can we have a shot/champagne/beer during the ceremony?
Absolutely! The only catch is that getting married is a legally binding decision, which means you need to be in a fit state to make it. If you've had a drink or two, no problem. If you're visibly intoxicated, I legally can't marry you. My professional recommendation? Save the shot for right after we've signed the paperwork!
As soon as you've locked in your date and venue. Popular dates can book out surprisingly quickly, so if you've found a celebrant whose style you love, it's worth reaching out sooner rather than later. I personally open my books 18 months in advance, but don't panic if your wedding is closer than that, I may still have availability. The worst I can say is "sorry, I'm already booked" (and I'll have a few recommendations for you).
When should we book our celebrant?
In most cases, no. I don't include rehearsals in my standard fee and will only attend one upon request (additional travel fees will apply). The reason? My presence usually isn't necessary. Most venues will help coordinate a rehearsal, and the main things you'll be practising are your entrance, timing your music, and making sure everyone knows where they're standing. Instead, we'll jump on a pre-wedding Zoom where I'll walk you through your ceremony and exactly what to expect, answer any last-minute questions, finesse the details and make sure you're feeling confident and ready to go. The good news? Walking, standing and saying "I do" are all things you've already got plenty of experience with.
Do we need a rehearsal?
Do you travel?
Absolutely. If you're getting married somewhere beautiful, exciting, unique, or just somewhere I've been looking for an excuse to visit, there's a very good chance I'll be there. Travel fees are quoted individually depending on the location. As a general guide, weddings more than a four hour round trip from home may incur accommodation costs, and destination weddings typically require travel expenses plus two nights' accommodation. Tell me where you're getting married and I'll put together a personalised quote.
What happens if you're sick?
Firstly, I'd need to be pretty seriously unwell to miss your wedding. We're talking "should probably be in a hospital bed" levels of sick. That said, I always have a backup plan. I have a small circle of trusted celebrant friends who would happily step in if needed. Beyond that, I'm part of a celebrant network with over 500 members, so finding a professional replacement at short notice is never far away. Any celebrant stepping in would receive all of your completed paperwork, ceremony details and the script I've written for you, ensuring everything runs as smoothly as possible. The chances of this happening are incredibly small, but it's one of those things that's nice to know has been thought about.
Do you provide a PA system and microphone? Can you play our music?
I sure do and I sure can! I use a Bose S1 Pro PA system paired with a cordless Sennheiser microphone, so your guests can actually hear what's being said (a surprisingly important feature for a wedding ceremony). I'm also happy to play your ceremony music and coordinate all the important cues throughout the ceremony. That said, if your budget allows, nothing quite beats live music. There’s something so special about having a musician perform your aisle song in the moment.
Short answer? Not legally. In Australia, the person conducting your marriage needs to be an authorised celebrant. Unlike Joey on Friends becommng a celebrant isn't something you can do online or overnight either. As for having a friend lead or co-pilot your ceremony? Unless they're an experienced speaker, MC or presenter, I'd generally advise against it. A great wedding ceremony looks effortless, but there's a lot happening behind the scenes. From writing and structuring the ceremony to managing timing, guests, nerves, music cues and all the little moving parts, there's a reason celebrants spend years developing systems and processes to make it all feel seamless. My advice? Let your friend do what they do best. Have them give an incredible speech, be your MC, do a reading, or play a special role in the ceremony without carrying the pressure of running the whole thing.
Can we have a friend marry us?
So many couples spend months planning the reception and about ten minutes thinking about the ceremony. My theory... it's because a lot of us have sat through long, boring ceremonies and come away believing it's the bit we have to get through before the fun starts. I'm here to change that. Your ceremony sets the tone for your entire wedding day. It shouldn't feel like an obligation. It should feel like an experience you and your people will genuinely enjoy. With a little thought, intention and the right guidance, your ceremony can become one of the most memorable parts of the day. After all, if it feels like something you'd actually want to be a guest at, then you've done it right!
Why is the ceremony worth investing in?
We feel so lucky to have had Teesha play such an important role in our day and it honestly wouldn’t have been the same without her.
What's the biggest mistake couples make when planning their ceremony?
Doing things because they feel like they should or have to. Family expectations. Wedding traditions. Social media trends. Before you know it, you're planning a wedding.. But who is this wedding for? If a tradition, ritual or idea feels meaningful to you, let's include it. If you're only doing it because you're worried about disappointing someone, it might be worth asking whether it belongs there at all. The couples who have the most memorable ceremonies are usually the ones who give themselves permission to do things their way.