When you’re looking for a wedding celebrant, it’s important to find someone who not only matches your style and personality but also who understands your vision for your wedding day. To help you find the right celebrant, here are some questions to ask during your initial meeting:
Tom and Trindi had the most beautiful Sunshine Coast wedding with @lynettemaguirecelebrant and Alan Hughes Photography
What is your experience as a wedding celebrant?
You’ll want to know how many weddings they have performed and if they have experience with your specific type of ceremony (e.g., religious, non-religious, cultural, etc) and if you click with them – are you getting a good vibe? If you’re not feeling it, then move on – no celebrant can be all things to all people (even if their ego tells them otherwise). Also, ask how many weddings a year they typically do – most celebrants only do about 5 per year, so if they’ve been in business for 5 years, that’s only 25 weddings.
How do you personalise each ceremony to the couple?
A good celebrant should be able to create a unique and personalised ceremony that reflects your personalities, beliefs, and love story. Ask them how they go about this and if they have any examples of ceremonies they have done in the past. Because I specialise in fun ceremonies I always ask my couples about how much ‘fun’ and ’emotion’ they want and this is one of the guides to what I write for their day.
Tom and Alanna had the #bestdayever @gabbinbarhomestead wedding – such a fun couple and wedding with ALL the wow factors included.
How do you involve family and friends in the ceremony?
If you want to involve your family and friends in your ceremony, ask your celebrant how they can help make that happen. For example, can they include readings, rituals, or other meaningful elements that involve your loved ones? I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve for including the kids, the grandies, the besties – and many of these ideas have evolved from chats with my couples and have become a thing (ask me about shots at the ceremony 😉
How do you handle unexpected situations or last-minute changes?
It’s always good to know how your celebrant will handle unexpected situations, such as weather changes, late arrivals, or any other emergencies that may arise. Ask them if they have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Professionals know how to deal with these things, there’s nothing wrong with hiring a new celebrant, but the downside is they simply don’t have the lived experiences that us seasoned professionals do. Ask the question…if something does go wrong, you need to know you’re in capable hands.
I love the cheeky look on Melissa’s face – like she just won the lotto! Well she kinda did marrying Rhys who is hopelessly in love with her. #winning Photo by Ash from @jensencreative
What is your fee, and what does it include?
You’ll want to know how much the celebrant charges for their services and what is included in their fee. This will help you budget for your wedding day and avoid any surprises later on. It’s also helpful to know how the fee is paid – usually a booking fee then the balance a month prior to the day, but you might want to pay it off in installments so ask if you can do this (and if there’ll be an admin fee associated for this).
Are you willing to travel to our wedding location?
If you’re getting married outside of the celebrant’s usual service area, ask them if they are willing to travel to your wedding location and if there are any additional costs associated with that. I’ve had couples pay travel and accommodation when there’s no way I can get home in the same day – most couples are willing to do this to get the vendors they really want.
Tharushi and Chanaka – married at Woorim on beautiful Bribie – Photography by @HawthorneCreative
@lynettemaguirecelebrant – what all these weddings have in common
Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life. As you plan your wedding ceremony on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, it’s important to consider ways to make your special day eco-friendly. From choosing sustainable vendors to incorporating green elements into your ceremony, there are plenty of ways to have a beautiful wedding while also being mindful of the environment. Here are some tips for planning an eco-friendly wedding ceremony with Lynette Maguire, your Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant:
Eco-friendly weddings are becoming really popular
Choose a sustainable venue
The first step in planning an eco-friendly wedding is to choose a sustainable venue. Look for venues that prioritise sustainability by using renewable energy sources, composting, and minimising waste. Consider outdoor venues like parks and beaches that don’t require as much energy for lighting and air conditioning. If you do choose an indoor venue, look for one that has large windows for natural light and ventilation.
Opt for local and organic catering
When it comes to catering, choose local and organic options. Work with your caterer to create a menu that features seasonal, local ingredients. This not only supports local farmers but also reduces the carbon footprint of your wedding by cutting down on transportation emissions. Consider using reusable plates, cutlery, and glasses instead of disposable ones.
Feasting with share plates and cloth napkins are great eco-friendly ideas
Use sustainable decor
Choose sustainable decor for your wedding ceremony. You can use natural materials like wood, bamboo, and flowers for decoration and these are all very ‘in’ at the moment. Opt for reusable items like cloth napkins, tablecloths, and banners instead of disposable ones. Consider renting decor items instead of buying them to reduce waste.
Consider eco-friendly transportation
Encourage guests to use eco-friendly transportation options like carpooling or public transportation to get to your wedding ceremony. If you have guests coming from out of town, suggest that they stay at a hotel close to the venue or provide a shuttle service to reduce emissions.
Use natural materials and hire if you can – Marlee and Stuart did
Incorporate green elements into your ceremony
Incorporate green elements into your wedding ceremony to showcase your commitment to the environment. Consider using plantable paper for your wedding invitations or favors. You can also have a tree planting ceremony or donate to a local charity as a wedding gift.
Have eco-friendly confetti for guests to throw
There’s loads of ideas for eco-friendly confetti – from gathering leaves and grabbing a hole punch to make your own, to buying it online and helping a small business. There’s eco-friendly snow confetti which basically disappears almost instantly or soon after it’s thrown. Flower petals and leaves, or lavendar flowers are all better for the planet than throwing plastic which will take ages to break down, or rice which birds eat and then swells in their tummies – not cool. Think outside the square – or just type ‘eco-friendly confetti’ into your favourite search bar.
Try eco-friendly confetti to help the environment and the birdies
Work with an eco-friendly celebrant
Finally, work with a Sunshine Coast celebrant who shares your values and commitment to sustainability. Choose a celebrant who has experience creating eco-friendly wedding ceremonies and can help you incorporate green elements into your ceremony.
Sunshine Coast Marriage Celebrant Lynette Maguire is committed to sustainable wedding practices
Planning an eco-friendly wedding ceremony with your Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant doesn’t have to be complicated. By choosing sustainable vendors, using natural decor, and incorporating green elements into your ceremony, you can have a beautiful wedding while also being mindful of the environment.
Remember, even small changes can make a big impact.
Well, that went fast. I’m sitting here at my computer reflecting on the year that was in all it’s beauty and all it’s rawness. Reading through my wedding schedule and remembering each ceremony and each couple and I can honestly say they were all absolutely fabulous. That’s why I love being a marriage celebrant: I spend my time with beautiful couples at the most joyous time of their lives. That’s called winning at life.
In 2019, through my business Elope to Australia I added a new product to my range catering for couples who want to marry without all the fuss and cost. My legals-only coffee table ceremony days, where couples marry in a no stress, simple ceremony for only $450 have been super-popular! I knew they would be. Perfect for those couples who couldn’t be bothered with wedding planning, the stupid costs, and the stress. They’re also popular if you’re planning on getting married in another country (think Bali for instance), but want the legal stuff kept in Australia. So many couples said they didn’t know this was an option. Well now there is.
Couples book a 30 minute time slot, come to the agreed venue on the agreed date and WHAM: married! How simple!
I have several of these days booked in for 2020, but if the dates I’ve picked don’t suit, you can pick your own date for just a small extra cost. The beauty is that you can still pimp it up and wear a wedding gown, say vows, exchange rings and have up to 8 guests. So the legals-only weddings are a perfect way to marry on the Sunshine Coast.
HINT: (If I get enough inquiries I’m happy to arrange these days in other parts of Queensland and Australia – just ask)
Yes, I married SuperGirl to Batman – that’s me as The Incredible Hulk. IMAGES BY LOU O’BRIEN
Funerals and end of life ceremonies
I’ve conducted more funerals than in previous years – a heart wrenching time for the families left behind, but it’s always a real honour. Two funeral ceremonies that come to mind were for young women who both died from cancer – both had over 300 guests attending to pay tribute. Being told by family that the ceremony was ‘just perfect’ always gives me a thrill and I just love seeing big funerals – it shows that there is love in life, and love still, in death.
Ken and I were blessed to have two overseas holidays this year: a month in the US and Canada, then two weeks in New Zealand and we just loved every second. Bring on more travel in 2020! And more weddings with more fabulous couples.
More travel needs to be a thing
A favourite venue of mine for drop-dead gorgeous views: Maleny Retreat. This is Anna and Steve’s wedding – I’m having a laugh with the guests. So much fun! OLIVE TREE PHOTOGRAPHY
I wish you an amazing 2020 and hope it brings you the joy you deserve.
Looking for a marriage celebrant and not sure what questions to ask? Check out the 10 questions below to ensure you’re asking the right questions so that you choose the right celebrant to make your wedding day perfect
How long have you been registered?
Does it matter how long someone’s been registered as a marriage celebrant? Well that depends. If they’re newbies (and there’s nothing wrong with that – we all started somewhere), they won’t have the wealth of experience that a more experienced celebrant has. After a while you learn to think on your feet and know the best way to handle issues that might arise. However, if you’re keen on a newer celebrant, you may be able to negotiate their cost down which is a bonus.
Jodie and Chris married by Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant Lynette Maguire at Tranquil Park
How many weddings have you performed?
This question is important because let’s say the celebrant has been registered for five years and they’re done 50 weddings, that means they’re averaging 10 weddings a year, which in turn assumes that they are a hobby celebrant rather than a professional celebrant. Does that matter? Well, that’s up to you. Hobby celebrants are usually cheaper. As a benchmark, the average celebrant does about 5 – 10 weddings per year while professional celebrants can do anywhere up to 150 per annum and this equates to a big difference in experience levels.
Having the right celebrant is half the battle for a great wedding
How much do you charge as a marriage celebrant and what does it include?
Please never choose a celebrant on price alone. Trust me, that’s fraught with danger. There are basically three price points for marriage celebrants (though this is generalised to the Sunshine Coast and obviously changes according to regions). These costs are for a big white wedding, not elopements which are generally cheaper:
Up to $500 : The lower end of the market – be careful how you choose your celebrant, don’t do it just based on price
$500 – $850: This is what most marriage celebrants charge
$850 + : The high end of the market and usually an indicator that you’re dealing with a professional marriage celebrant (as in this is their main source of income)
But there’s other things to consider beside price. For instance, you might find an absolute gem that ticks all your boxes for $450, or you might hire a dud when you’ve paid over $1000 (I’ve heard horror stories). Paying a lot does not guarantee a fabulous celebrant. Do your homework on the marriage celebrants you’re interested in and listen to your gut instinct – that’s what it’s there for. I use gut instinct too, and because of it, have knocked back couples that I got queasy tummy flips. Ain’t nobody got time fo dat!
Toni and Kaine loved their beautiful Bribie Island wedding at Sunset Park, Banksia Beach
What’s your natural style as a celebrant?
Trying to be someone you’re not will make for a very inauthentic ceremony, and no-one wants that. Be clear on what style of wedding ceremony you want: romantic, emotional, quirky, hilarious, traditional – they all require different personalities. Try to find out the true personality of your celebrant and make sure you ‘click’.
You can do your homework in other ways, for example check the photographs they use to advertise. Most of my photos are of the couple, their wedding party and guests laughing because that reflects my natural style of ceremony. The other thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people think that couples want all the gooey feely stuff which is just not true, so there’s a little bit of acting in this business!
Beautiful Elly married her man at Obi Obi Hall – great for DIY and country vibe weddings
What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you at a wedding?
This is where question 1. becomes important. “What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you at a wedding?” is a pretty common question and I’ve got a few hilarious responses (seriously, I should right a book). Not everything always goes smoothly and it’s the way your wedding suppliers deal with what goes wrong that separates the wheat from the chaff. To be more precise, you could ask about your personal ‘worst fear’ at your wedding and ask that, eg. “What if it buckets down half-way through my ceremony?” or “What if someone has a medical issue during my ceremony?”
You’ll quickly get an idea of how your celebrant will react and whether you’d be happy with the reaction. Whatever their response is, it will help you choose your celebrant.
As a marriage celebrant do you book more than one ceremony per day?
Some celebrants guarantee they only do one wedding a day and it really amuses me. You don’t need to be an administrative genius to work out the paperwork of more than one ceremony, but what your celebrant should do if she does more than one ceremony a day, is work out the time allowed for each wedding and the time between ceremonies that will ensure there’s plenty of time to cater for those things that can go wrong: traffic jams, accidents, etc.
Let your celebrant know that if they do book another wedding on your day that you’d like to be notified so you can figure out if you’re comfortable with the timing and perhaps pre-negotiate a refund or partial refund when you originally chat to them. They might say no, but there’s no harm in trying. Every celebrant should have a good enough network to be able to call on another celebrant in an emergency (eg. covid).
Chantel and Kyle married in their holiday apartment in Coolum when one of the biggest storms drowned their dry wedding day option of First Bay. This is rock paper scissors to see who goes first with vows
Eeeek … Can you help with my wedding vows!
Most couples are clueless when it comes to writing their own vows because it’s not something you do every day, so it’s important that you feel supported by your celebrant and be able to ask for help or be given some resources to help. I have a step by step process that’s almost foolproof for guaranteeing amazing wedding vows – check that your celebrant does too.
Molly and her lady Alexis married by Sunshine Coast Marriage Celebrant Lynette Maguire in Caloundra
What’s happens if I’m late?
I have a late fee so my couples are rarely late. Some marriage celebrants don’t. It’s good to know what you’re signing up for and if you plan your day carefully, you should be okay. If you’re going to be late, please let the celebrant know as soon as you can, and they’ll advise the guests and other wedding suppliers. Put the celebrant’s number into your phone. Try not to be more than 10 minutes late though, it’s pretty rude and if it’s hot (or cold, windy or wet) the celebrant has a duty of care to look after the guests, get them in the shade or undercover and out of the rain or wind.
One of my clear favourite weddings of 2022 – We had SO much fun at their Yandina Station wedding
I’d like to have a beer/champagne before the wedding, as a marriage celebrant, are you okay with that?
The law says that you can’t be intoxicated because you’re actually legal paperwork. Some celebrants don’t mind you having one or two drinks before you get married, other celebrants will refuse to marry you, and will go away for a few hours until you’ve ‘sobered up’. Check each celebrant’s rules on this. Because everyone is different with their response to alcohol I tell my couples if they can legally drive a car, they can legally sign the paperwork.
Tash and Teagan, two naturally fun women who adore each other – their wedding at The Chapel, Montville was all sorts of amazing
What happens if the marriage celebrant can’t make it on the day?
A professional celebrant will have a strong network of ‘locum celebrants’ so if something goes wrong, they can easily call a backup. Check that the celebrants you’re chatting to have this. Also, check the reviews of the celebrants you’re keen to talk to, there are a few who take multiple bookings on the same day and time, and then eventually ‘pick’ the one they most want to do, leaving couples scrambling and panicked. (This is across the board for wedding suppliers, eg. a venue may do this, preferring a wedding of 100 guests, and cancelling your booking for 40).
Don’t have a meltdown if it rains on your wedding day – you can still have the wedding of your dreams
Lynette Maguire is a popular marriage celebrant on the Sunshine Coast, and has just about seen and heard it all when it comes to weddings in south-east Queensland.
