What does a wedding celebrant actually do?

What Does A Wedding Celebrant Actually Do?

You might be wondering what the heck you’re actually paying for when you hire a wedding celebrant 🤔. Many couples assume that because the ceremony itself might only last 30-45 minutes, a celebrant’s job is quick and easy. But the reality? A celebrant puts hours of work into every wedding, both before and after the ceremony, to make sure your big day runs smoothly.

More Than Just A Speaker On The Day

A wedding celebrant isn’t just someone who shows up, says a few words, and heads home. Their role is much bigger than that. A celebrant is your legal officiant, storyteller, and logistics coordinator all in one. They make sure everything is planned, personalised, and legally sound before the wedding even begins.

How Much Time Does A Celebrant Really Spend On A Wedding?

While your ceremony might only be 20-30 minutes long, most celebrants spend 10-20+ hours per wedding when you include all the preparation, travel, and post-ceremony work. Here’s a breakdown:

• Initial consultation – Getting to know you, answering questions, and explaining legal requirements.

• Preparation of legal documents – Lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM), Declaration of No Legal Impediment, and other paperwork.

• Planning & writing the ceremony – Crafting a script that reflects your relationship and personality (if a personalised ceremony is included).

• Meetings & communication – Keeping in touch to finalise details, make changes, and ensure everything is running smoothly.

• Rehearsal (if requested) – A practice run to make sure everyone knows their role.

• Travel time – Heading to your venue, often arriving 30-60 minutes early to set up.

• The ceremony itself – Delivering a seamless, meaningful ceremony while managing timing, cues, and legal requirements.

• Post-ceremony paperwork – Ensuring all documents are signed correctly and lodged with Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

Why do wedding celebrant prices vary?

You may have noticed that wedding celebrant prices on the Gold Coast range anywhere from $400 to $1,500+. So what makes the difference? It comes down to:

• Level of personalisation – A simple legals-only wedding costs less than a fully custom ceremony.

• Experience – More experienced celebrants often charge more, as they bring expertise and reliability.

• Extras & inclusions – Some celebrants offer additional services, like MC duties, vow-writing assistance, or premium equipment.

• Location & travel – If your wedding is in a remote or premium venue, travel costs may be included.

Want to know more about pricing? Check out my wedding celebrant prices for package details.

Convinced?

Although you must have a celebrant to make your wedding official, a great celebrant doesn’t just make your wedding official—they help create one of the most memorable moments of your life. Get in touch if you’re looking for someone to craft a ceremony that feels just right for you 😊.