Rona Goold Blog

• Is it because people still think of civil celebrants as ministers or priests whose services used to be paid by "lay-by" of weekly donations in the plate?
• Do they not realise that independent civil celebrants are not paid by the government like the registry office staff, nor are their cars, wages and other expenses covered by their church as are religious celebrants ?
• Or were their parents married by a civil celebrant 30 years ago and think the world's not moved on?

Independent civil celebrants as sole trader, home based celebrancy practitioners, have all the COSTS  so do other professional businesses :

• Advertising and marketing expenses
• Office facilities, computer, mobile phone, digital camera, and other office equipment
• Motor Vehicle petrol, expenses and maintenance
• Reference books and ceremonial certificates and associated resources
• Celebrant insurance - personal accident, copyright, professional indemnity, etc
• Personal Stationery and Website Development and Maintenance
• Professional clothing and grooming expenses
• Public Address Systems, and backup
• Celebrant Association Fees

• Ensure  the above equipment, services, website, materials etc are maintained and working well
• Networking with local business and other services
• Attending Expos and other promotional events.
• Keeping up-to-date with trends in the celebrancy field via Daily Forums and association workshops
• Attending celebrant association meetings, workshops and conferences
• Researching the internet for ensure a current list of resources

• Answering phone calls and emails
• Meeting couples and families who are shopping around for a celebrant to "suit them"
• Once booked, conducing the first detailed interview to explain the marriage process and their services
• Insuring that the Notice of Intended Marriage is accurately filled out and thus lodged in accordance with legal requirements
• Viewing all the supporting identification and other documentation required
• Preparing business contacts and invoices etc. as required
• Preparing all the legal documents required prior to and on the day
• Maintaining contact with the couple / family to ensure specific time requirements are met
• Providing a second and other interviews to finalise the ceremony and paperwork
• Drafting and preparing the ceremony in accordance with the couples/ families wishes
• Providing a rehearsal, often on-site
• Preparing a memento certificates, copy of the ceremony and other materials as negotiated.
• Arriving prior to the ceremony commencement to set up equipment etc.
• Registering the marriage on-line and/ or sending the marriage documentation to their state Births Deaths & Marriages Office.
• Travelling to and from venues for interviews, rehearsals and the ceremony itself.

So all the above needs to be factored into their price, BEFORE the celebrant says their first words at the wedding !!

So the cost of a professional celebrants is normally well above many people's expectations.

However the more important question is this - What is your celebrant worth to you ?

The ceremony is what makes the wedding day special - one can dress up and go partying anytime !

Many brides pay more for their shoes or their flowers, than for their celebrants. 

If your celebrant balances the seriousness with fun, and adds a dash of magic for you, then the rest of the day is charmed for everyone!

Cheers

Rona

R Goold
Australian Celebrants & Celebrations Network
Director