ALL CELEBRANTS ARE’NT EQUAL
Playing such an important role in a couples wedding day really is a privilege. The best Celebrants are all about marriage and are big fans of two people committing themselves to each other in a fun, interactive and engaging way. Not all Celebrants are equal. Over many years there has been a lot of questions asked as to why prices vary so much between Wedding Celebrants and we’ll attempt to try and clarify how much they charge and what you should expect from your Celebrant.
There are so many factors to take into account and let me say that after 15,000 weddings in our group over many years, we’ve seen it all and know what it takes to have the best wedding ever! Choosing the right Celebrant is one of the most important decisions you will make and for without them you’re not legally married, so do your due diligence and make it special and uniquely different. You don’t want a boring Celebrant who conducts your wedding like a funeral!
It’s the happiest and one of the biggest memories of your life and the Ceremony will set the ‘tone, energy and atmosphere’ for the reception to come!
WHAT TO UNDERSTAND AND CONSIDERATIONS
1. What is my low, mid and high budget?
2. Who is the best Celebrant that provides the best service and that we connect with, given our budget?
3. What experience do I want, not only for us but for my guests?
WHEN SELECTING THE RIGHT CELEBRANT YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS SHOULD BE AROUND;
1. Who is the most EXPERIENCED Celebrant, MC and Entertainer
2. Who is the most TRUSTED and reputable with outstanding PRESENTATION skills
3. Who can provide the best VIBE and most FUN to engage family and friends
If you’re in the early stages of planning your wedding, it’s difficult to understand the price difference and the difference in level of service and performance standards. When you haven’t seen before how great your wedding ceremony can be, then an average Celebrant is ok?
THERE’S AND OLD SAYING…… “IF YOU CAN’T SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE VALUE OF THE PRODUCT OF SERVICE, THEN THE DECISION TO PURCHASE WILL BE PURELY BASED ON PRICE AND PRICE ALONE”!
The question we ask a lot of our clients is…“What importance do you place on having a relaxed, fun, happy and stress free vibe for your wedding”. In the case of a wedding, most brides unless they’ve been to a wedding and have experienced an exceptional performance, simply don’t know how good their wedding can be and quite often find themselves going for the cheapest quote. That’s all they know. A professionally trained Celebrant/MC can present, captivate, engage and unite all those in attendance. They know how to delivery a meaningful, thoughtful ceremony with beautiful delivery, enunciation with clear concise announcements. Don’t be fooled by comparing a product to a service. A Hyundai Getz can’t be compared to a BMW…..but they are both cars and will get you from A to B, however provide a completely different driving experience along with reliability, customer care and service.
THERE ARE VERY GOOD REASONS WHY SOME CELEBRANTS/MCS CHARGE A HIGHER FEE AND FROM OUR EXPERIENCE, THE 3 MOST IMPORTANT KEY CONSIDERATIONS ARE;
1. The newlyweds should feel relaxed, comfortable and stress free and your wedding should be FUN! (without being awkward)
2. The audio equipment to be crystal clear with music professional edited and mixed seamlessly for guests to enjoy and to create a great VIBE
3. The presentation, interaction and engagement of family and friends is paramount to take the focus and stress away from the newlyweds, so you can relax and enjoy every minute.
No doubt you’ve done your homework and all your due diligence on the venue, been for a site visit and experienced first hand the facilities that your venue will deliver at your wedding.
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten
NEXT MOST IMPORTANT DECISION
1. Who do I engage as my Celebrant/MC for my wedding?
2. Who can provide an experience that will provide a fun relaxed, entertaining ceremony that will WOW family and friends?
3. Do I feel comfortable knowing they can present and speak in front of family and friends and are they dressed suitably, given the dress code for your wedding?
4. Do we both have a connection and does the Celebrant listen and understand what we want and can they offer guidance and help in delivering the wedding of our dreams?
SO WHY DO PRICES VARY SO MUCH?
Here’s an overview on pricing in our industry and bear in mind it’s one of the biggest memories of your life and a time when all family, friends and loved ones are there with you, to share your love and emotions on the biggest day of your life.
The pricing overview is based on our personal views, knowledge and experience having managed and directed over 15,000 weddings across Australia and that of feedback from Brides and Grooms.
$200- $400 THE “LEGALS ONLY RATE”
‘Just Marry Us’ Ceremony is just that, just the two of you, your two legal witnesses over the age of 18 and your Celebrant – to make it legal.
What can I expect?
- Meeting/Consultation (without obligation) to get to know each other and discuss your plans and ideas and how they can tailor your ceremony to your wishes
- Email, telephone and face to face communication in the lead up to your wedding
- Legal paperwork and documentation
- Wedding vows and ceremony drafts
$400 – $500 THE “COOKIE CUTTER” CELEBRANT RATE
This is the average rate for a ‘Cookie Cutter’ Celebrant who will provide the basic service.
Beware of venues who force you to use a Celebrant and understand that this is illegal and if they have preferred Celebrants they MUST provide you with an option of at least 3 Celebrants. Third party enforcement in Australia is illegal and fines apply.
You are under no obligation to use a Celebrant because a venue is receiving a booking fee and commission for booking them. We know of venues who take a $200-$300 booking fee. i.e. they charge you a premium, only for the Celebrant to get a lesser fee. Not all venues do this and some just recommend the best Celebrants, as they are tried and tested and very familiar with the venues operational policies.
What can I expect?
- Initial Meeting/Consultation (without obligation) to get to know each other and discuss your plans and ideas and how they can tailor your ceremony to your wishes
- Email, telephone and face to face communication in the lead up to your wedding
- Legal paperwork and documentation
- Wedding vows and ceremony drafts
- Ceremony rehearsal and marriage ceremony 1 hour
- May provide PA System and microphone
$600 – $800 THE “STANDARD” CELEBRANT RATE
This is the average rate for a ‘Standard’ Celebrant who will provide the services required and there are some very good celebrants in this price range and we have also seen the average ones. This is the price range 70% of celebrants sit in and offer a fair and reasonable service given their expertise.
Beware of venues who force you to use a Celebrant and understand that this is illegal and if they have preferred Celebrants they MUST provide you with an option of at least 3 Celebrants. Third party enforcement in Australia is illegal and fines apply.
You are under no obligation to use a Celebrant because a venue is receiving a booking fee and commission for booking them. We know of venues who take a $200-$300 booking fee. i.e. they charge you a premium, only for the Celebrant to get a lesser fee. Not all venues do this and some just recommend the best Celebrants, as they are tried and tested and very familiar with the venues operational policies.
What can I expect?
- Initial Meeting/Consultation (without obligation) to get to know each other and discuss your plans and ideas and how they can tailor your ceremony to your wishes
- Email, telephone and face to face communication in the lead up to your wedding
- Legal paperwork and documentation
- Wedding vows and ceremony drafts
- Ceremony rehearsal and marriage ceremony 1 hour
Ceremony Music
- PA System and microphone
- May provide Wedding Music or ask a guests to operate
$900 – $1200+ THE “ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE” CELEBRANT RATE
Celebrants who are highly sought after, in high demand with a lot of experience who are well established in the industry. Exceptional presentation, MC and communication skills and will provide the ultimate experience including personalised custom scripts, personalised vows and introductions.
A professionally trained Celebrant/MC can present, captivate, engage and unite all those in attendance. They know how to delivery a meaningful, thoughtful ceremony with beautiful delivery, enunciation with clear concise announcements.
They’ll guide you through the process of creating an amazing wedding ceremony including special moments planned to perfection. With an incredible celebration experience of meaningful scripting, music, laughter and guest engagement, they have the award winning expertise and experience to create life long memories that will be talked about for years to come.
They’ve officiated a large number of weddings and have a wealth of knowledge and experience at your disposal. It’s this experience that they love to pass on to their clients to ensure your wedding, is your way, on time, on budget and has the WOW factor.
What can I expect?
- A professionally trained and highly skilled Celebrant/MC and are regarded as Australia’s most trusted and respected Celebrants, with a unique service value proposition and a wealth of experience at hundreds of weddings who are the very BEST!
- Most have been ‘vocally professionally trained’ and will provide an entertaining experience and the best delivery presentation for you and your guests
- Initial Meeting/Consultation (without obligation) to get to know each other and discuss your plans and ideas and how they can tailor your ceremony to your wishes
- Email, telephone and face to face communication in the lead up to your wedding
- Legal paperwork and documentation
- Wedding vows and ceremony drafts
- Ceremony rehearsal and marriage ceremony 1 hour
- Round signing table with white table cloth and 2 x Americana chairs
- They will provide online support and resources to assist you with filling out your Notice of intended Marriage form (NOIM) all online
- They have a strong network of the very best Celebrants in the event your wedding needs to be re allocated to another Celebrant in the event of injury or illness
- Can also provide MC services to coordinate all formalities and proceedings so your family members can relax and enjoy your wedding
- They’ll provide an amazing way to start a great celebration and have the bridal party, bride/s and or groom/s as your Celebrant/MC reads your scripted introductions professionally musically produced, the newlyweds and bridal party can capture the moment with anticipation as the guests get ready for the entry of the Newlyweds!
- Their production team will liaise with venue management and provide a notification that you’ve engaged them to look after the production for your wedding. The week of your wedding, your venue will also receive a bump in notification email, advising the venue of the agreed bump in times and production requirements.
- They’ll provide $20 million public liability is included with event and all equipment is fully compliant with Australian Safety and Engineering Standards and all cables where required have been test and tagged to meet legislation
Ceremony Music
- They only use the latest state of the art digital sound systems ensuring a pleasurable listening experience for guests with no interference or drop outs
- Bose PA System and microphone with music supplied and professionally mixed.
- Use of Industry commercial quality Sennheiser Bluetooth Radio Microphone
- Wedding Music professionally mixed with on guests arrival using Virtual DJ software
- Official entrance song for Bridal Party
- Official entrance song for Bride/Bride Groom
- 2 songs for the signing of the register
- Song for announcing the Newlyweds
- 15 mins of mingle music after ceremony
IN SUMMARY
In summary, you pay for what you get, nothing’s for free and the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. You get one shot and one opportunity, and choosing the right Celebrant/MC is critical at your wedding and given your overall budget and the importance of their role, strong consideration should be given.
After all it is the biggest day of your life and you want it to be the best Memory!
The last thing you want is a Celebrant;
- who gets the music wrong, or refuses to play it
- or the music and microphone cuts out due to poor quality equipment
- and who gets your names wrong
- and no-one can hear them, or both of you and your vows.
Do your due diligence, check recent references, check REAL reviews and go with a reliable, trusted and reputable Celebrant.
Don’t be fooled by the phrase ‘Award Winning Celebrant’. These awards are paid for, through a ‘for profit’ organisation that requires annual membership fess and offer awards based on an aggregated score across the weddings they nominate. It’s a very small sample and is not a true industry representation. The Awardee is only required to nominate a minimum 20 or so, of their favourite couples to be considered (not the bad ones) for an award and is not an indication of the success of their work compared to other celebrants throughout the industry.
Check REAL reviews by REAL clients!
Happy planning and……Let’s talk about FUN, STRESS FREE and RELAXED Weddings!
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