Your wedding is one of the biggest events of your life, so it's important to find the right marriage celebrant for the occasion. First and foremost you'll need to make sure your celebrant has all the legal requirements to ensure your marriage is official, but from there, it's about finding one that suits your needs. Thankfully, Canberra is home to a number of great marriage celebrants that can help your wedding run smoothly, so check out our list of the best to find the right one for you.
Skip to the list of Canberra's best marriage celebrants
- Chris White Celebrant
- A Celebrant in Time
- David Campbell - Religious Marriage Celebrant
- Eileen Dunstone Marriage Celebrant
- Hitched by Hannah
- Judy Aulich Celebrant
- Marriage Celebrant Canberra with Elena Forato
- Marriage Celebrant Canberra with Michelle Bailey
- Taylored Celebrations
What makes a great marriage celebrant?
A great marriage celebrant is someone who is passionate about their role in helping couples create a memorable and meaningful wedding ceremony. Here are some characteristics that make a great marriage celebrant:
Excellent communication skills: A great celebrant should be able to communicate effectively with the couple, as well as be able to listen to their wishes.
Attention to detail: A great celebrant should pay close attention to all the details of the ceremony, including the timing, music, and rituals, to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Knowledge and experience: A great celebrant should have a deep understanding of the legal requirements for marriage ceremonies and have the necessary experience to ensure that everything is done correctly.
Professionalism: A great celebrant should be reliable, punctual, and well-presented, and should have a positive and friendly attitude towards the couple and their guests
The best marriage celebrants in Canberra 2024
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When looking for a wedding celebrant in Canberra, check out our list of Canberra Daily’s best local businesses below.
Chris White Celebrant
Chris White is an experienced and highly regarded wedding celebrant and Master of Ceremonies in Canberra and regional NSW. Chris became a celebrant as he wants to work with people when they are at their happiest or need support the most. He works with couples to create bespoke, modern ceremonies that will be a wonderful memory for the couple and a great experience for their guests.
From managing legal intricacies to crafting and delivering ceremonies in various languages (e.g. English, Mandarin, Thai, French, Tagalog, Macedonian, Spanish or Portuguese) you can expect a blend of laughter and emotion in a thoughtfully designed ceremony. He can perform Master of Ceremony duties for any event and deliver celebrational funeral services.
Chris White’s dedication to creating personalised, heartfelt ceremonies ensures that every occasion is memorable and meaningful, making him the perfect choice for your special day or event.
On Google, Beth left this five-star review: “Trusting Chris to be our celebrant was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding day! Chris is so genuine and easy to get along with, he really took the time to get to know us both and what we wanted for our wedding. We had an intimate personal wedding, everyone felt included, there was happy tears and laughter, and we felt so comfortable knowing our love story was in the hands of Chris. The day couldn’t have gone better, thank you so much, Chris.”
Judy Aulich Celebrant
Judy is a registered marriage celebrant in Canberra, bringing plenty of experience and enthusiasm to the role.
With almost 1500 weddings under her belt, Judy knows how to organise all kinds of wedding ceremonies and is capable of overcoming all sorts of issues that may arise on the day.
On Google, Gina Claire left this five star review: “Judy was warm and funny and my husband and I really felt she was the best person for the job! We loved that she offers a short and sweet option for those just after the legal stuff. She was also responsive and helped us understand the process. 100% recommend!”
David Campbell - Religious Marriage Celebrant
David Campbell is an experienced religious marriage celebrant, offering traditional wedding ceremonies and can include any aspect of religious celebration you might desire.
David offers affordable wedding options for couples seeking an intimate experience, while he also looks after all of the legal requirements. He also has a ‘Legal Only’ package that is low cost and perfect for couples looking to elope.
Genevieve Casucci left this five star review on Google: “I attended a wedding recently where David was the celebrant. I feel compelled to write here because he was wonderful! Not only was he incredibly warm and personable, but when the bride and her bridesmaids were no where in sight (they were over half an hour late), he made us, the audience, feel so comfortable, keeping us informed and reassured the whole time. I recommend David without hesitancy!”
Eileen Dunstone Marriage Celebrant
Eileen truly understands how important your wedding day is and believes the ceremony should be all about you!
She takes the time to listen to you and understand your story, so that together, you can craft a ceremony that truly reflects who you are as a couple and what you like.
Here is a snippet from Sheri Robinson’s five star review on Google: “We couldn’t have asked for a better celebrant – Eileen went above and beyond, right from the very beginning.”
Marriage Celebrant Canberra with Elena Forato
Elena is an accredited marriage celebrant bringing an open sensitive communication style and extensive interpersonal skills to the role.
She uses an individually tailored approach for each couple, working with them to deliver a ceremony that is designed to suit your needs, wishes and values.
Paul left this five star review on Google: “Elena was brilliant! Friendly, articulate and flexible with our wishes regarding vows. Beautifully presented documents and booklet in which our personal vows were printed. The setting in Yarralumla’s Lennox Gardens was stunning. Exceeded all our expectations. A beautiful ceremony. Thank you Elena.”
A Celebrant in Time
Kristen Sachs is a relaxed civil celebrant who enjoys working with in-love couples to create vibrant and authentic marriage ceremonies that are all about your relationship.
Whether you want an extravagant wedding that will be the biggest celebration of your life, or something more low-key, Kristen is well-equipped to make the ceremony happen just how you want it.
Ian Brown wrote this glowing review on Facebook: “Kirsten is a warm and so approachable person so she is a joy to work with, I totally recommend her so give her a call now as you will love the experience and her expertise.”
Hitched by Hannah
Hannah is obsessed with weddings and has a plethora of ideas to make your ceremony special and authentic.
She teaches couples that weddings don’t have to be done the way they have seen them before. From scratch, Hannah can design the perfect ceremony that best fits each couple personally. Also, if you are looking for an MC, Hannah has plenty of experience.
Brooke Stephens left this five star review on Google: “Hannah was the celebrant and MC at our wedding and was amazing! She made the ceremony fun and personalised. The whole day flowed effortlessly. Isaac and I were able to relax and have fun knowing that Hannah was taking care of everything. Have had so many comments on how good Hannah was 🙂 thanks again!!”
Taylored Celebrations
Debbie is a registered civil marriage who focuses on getting to know you personally so she can plan the ceremony of your dreams.
She believes that marriage ceremonies should be celebrated in a meaningful, personal way. Her experience as a celebrant allows her to guide you through every step of the process to create a special and unique ceremony.
Renae Galvin left this five star review on Google: “Debbie was an amazing Celebrant! I 100% recommend her for all occasions! She made our whole wedding process so easy and i am forever grateful for her!”
Marriage Celebrant Canberra with Michelle Bailey
Michelle Bailey, or Shelli as she prefers to be called, is an authorised civil marriage celebrant with a passion for weddings and the joy and happiness they bring.
She takes great pride in developing unique wedding occasions, Whether it be traditional, formal, simple or sophisticated, Shelli works closely with the couple to create the ceremony they want.
Anthony Petterson left this five star review on Google: “Shelli was fantastic as our wedding celebrant, we would highly recommend her. She was calming, friendly, warm and considerate sharing ideas for our wedding ceremony during planning, but always considering our wants; and nailing it on the day. Many thanks Shelli!”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a celebrant cost in Canberra?
According to research by Oneflare, Canberrans can expect to pay between $350 and $800 for a marriage celebrant. Although that cost is likely to be just for basic packages and if you are after a more premium service, you will likely have to pay more.
What does a marriage celebrant do?
A marriage celebrant is an authorised person who performs legal wedding ceremonies. Their role is to facilitate and officiate the wedding ceremony, which includes overseeing the exchange of vows, rings, and any other traditional or customised rituals that the couple may choose to include. They also ensure that the ceremony complies with all legal requirements, such as signing the marriage certificate and registering the marriage with the appropriate government agency.
Who can legally officiate a marriage in Australia?
There are four types of authorised marriage celebrants in Australia; Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrants, Commonwealth-registered religious marriage celebrants, ministers of religion (who are registered with the state and territory registries of births, deaths and marriages) and state and territory officers.
How do I choose the right marriage celebrant for my wedding?
When choosing a marriage celebrant, it’s important to consider their experience, personality, and style of conducting ceremonies. It’s recommended to meet with potential celebrants to discuss your vision for the wedding, ask about their approach to ceremonies, and ensure a good connection.
Can a marriage celebrant officiate at any location?
Marriage celebrants can perform ceremonies at a wide range of locations, including outdoor venues, parks, beaches, private residences, or dedicated wedding venues. They are flexible and can adapt to the couple’s preferences and chosen location.
