When planning weddings, couples usually focus on building the guest list, contacting vendors, and choosing the decor, oftentimes overlooking just how significant wedding celebrants are in their role officiating your ceremony in front of all your guests. No matter what, your wedding day should be filled with love, joy, and happiness. More importantly, it should be shared with those who are special to you. This includes friends, family, and the wedding celebrant you choose, as they are all there to support you through this huge milestone.
Finding a wedding celebrant that fits not only you and your spouse’s unique style but also the structure or theme of your wedding is important. If you decide on a smaller, less traditional wedding, you’ll want a celebrant that won’t be afraid to crack a few jokes with your wedding party. You may choose to have a Hawaiian-themed wedding and would like a celebrant that is willing to wear a lei or grass skirt.
How you plan your wedding is up to you, but you’ll want to make sure your wedding celebrant is someone you can trust and connect with on your big day. Here are some ideas to help you find the perfect celebrant for your wedding day.
Decide on a Tone for Your Wedding Ceremony
From the moment you got engaged, you’ve probably researched a thousand different wedding ceremonies, themes, and ideas that you want to include at your wedding. Once you’ve decided on the type of wedding ceremony you want, contemplate whether you’re looking for more of an informal or formal tone. An informal wedding will be more relaxed, and you can mix and match things to fit your personality, whereas a formal wedding will be more traditional and follow specific wedding etiquette and behaviors. This will be your starting point and help narrow down your search for the perfect celebrant.
Remember that a great celebrant should ask these types of questions themself. If you choose to skip this step, at least make sure when you’re talking to potential matches that they’re asking questions and willing to adapt to your style and requirements. The perfect celebrant will devote themself to learn more about you, your relationship, and your characteristics to make you feel comfortable about your choice and will tailor their services to your needs.
Look to Your Venue as a Guide
When selecting a celebrant, keep in mind your wedding venue. For instance, an outside wedding venue may require your celebrant to speak up or use a microphone so guests can hear loud and clear. Chat with your potential celebrant about their past wedding experiences and if they have any footage to show so you can get an idea of what to expect.
Recommendations and Referrals
Although a celebrant may have an exceptional portfolio, you need to make sure they are good in practice and have the right presence for your wedding. If you don’t know how wedding celebrants work or don’t even know where to begin looking for one, ask people who have had first-hand experience with one.
Recently married friends or family members may be able to give you a list of people they interviewed and be able to talk about their experience having one at their wedding. Ask for their thoughts and have them walk you through the pros and cons of using a celebrant. Also, your wedding venue may have a list of excellent celebrants that they’ve worked alongside and will be able to give you honest feedback about those who truly exceeded their expectations.
Read Reviews
The best way to get an idea of a celebrant is to read over all reviews they have. Some wedding celebrants may even have a website where you can access authentic reviews from couples that once worked with the celebrant. Also, you will be able to gather valuable insight into the celebrant’s individuality and approach to see if it fits what you’re looking for.
Flexible and Personalized Approach
You may want to include a personal moment during your ceremony. Whether it’s having your pet make an appearance or reciting your own vows, a wedding celebrant can help support you with whichever personal token you desire. Also, if you’re considering having a religious or faith-based ceremony, there will be many celebrants that specialize in these specific types of weddings. When you’re reviewing profiles, single out a few that have related experience or are willing to be flexible with your choices.
Always Ask Questions
After deciding on a few celebrants that may work for you, the next step is to plan a consultation. This can help you build a connection with the celebrant and determine how comfortable you feel with this person. A consultation is the easiest way to get all your questions answered so you can avoid any surprises later down the road. From prices to obligations, there are several details you’ll want to go over before choosing a celebrant.
Some of the most critical questions to ask a potential celebrant include:
- Would you be available on my wedding date?
- What are your prices and what services do they cover?
- Are you qualified and registered?
- How many years of experience do you have?
- What do you need from us as a couple?
- Will we be able to practice the ceremony?
- What happens in case of an emergency? Do you have a backup plan?
- What do you enjoy most about being a celebrant?
A celebrant that can check off most of the boxes with thorough answers will be the best fit for the job. You’ll be able to tell a lot about this person by how well they communicate with you in this consultation and you’ll recognize right away if this person is easy to work with.
Elegant Lakeside Wedding Venue in Central New Jersey
Walk down the aisle on the water’s edge with an intimate Central New Jersey wedding at our 86-acre lakeside venue. No matter how you choose to celebrate your day to remember or who you choose to spend it with, Windows on the Water offers the most exceptional and accommodating outdoor and tented lakeside wedding venue in Millstone, New Jersey.
Planning your wedding at our award-winning wedding venue has never been easier. Our experienced wedding planners will help assist you with planning your big day, provide you with a list of celebrants, and ensure that your wedding day is safe for all your guests. Make Windows on the Water your top wedding choice to begin your fairytale wedding. We’re eager to help make your wishes come true.
Call 609-208-9475 or complete a contact form to receive our Windows Wedding Packet containing menus, pricing, photos, and additional amenities and services that are available.