To understand celebrants, what they're like & what to expect, you need to know something about them. Firstly, they're not all the same (there's the good the bland & the dreadful!), and secondly, the price they quote doesn't tell what you really need to know! You want a celebrant to suit you. Not just any old celebrant, but one who understands what you want. One who can create & deliver your personal, special wedding ceremony.
Until 2003 most celebrants were full time professionals with experience and skills refined over many years. The majority had extensive knowledge of wedding practices in all traditions, cultures and beliefs. In 2003 the system of appointing marriage celebrants (it had been based on community need), was changed to allow the appointment of anybody who wanted to be a marriage celebrant (regardless of suitability or demand). Now there are thousands of new, part-time, celebrants. Many of the new celebrants are nice people, but they've done few, if any weddings, have little or no experience of ceremony preparation and in too many cases little public speaking experience.
So, how do you find the celebrant you want?
To achieve the wedding you want - be very careful with your celebrant selection. If you want a great ceremony, you and your guests will really enjoy, then, be prepared to invest in the services of an experienced, professional celebrant, rather than an amateur quoting a low price. Quite frankly, I suggest don't worry about price.
