How to Choose a Celebrant Who Actually Feels Like You

So Many Celebrants, So Little Time

If you’ve started wedding planning, you’ve probably noticed something: every celebrant online says they create fun, relaxed, personal ceremonies. And they’re not wrong — we all mean it.But here’s the secret no one tells you: the right celebrant isn’t just good at their job — they’re right for you.

Choosing your celebrant isn’t about ticking a legal box; it’s about finding the person who will set the tone for your whole day. The one who can hold space for the emotion, wrangle the chaos, and tell your story like they’ve known you forever.

So, here’s my little guide to help you find the one who actually feels like you.

Vibe Over Visuals

You’ll know pretty quickly if someone’s energy clicks with yours.Forget the suit colour, the ceremony backdrop, or the Canva font — pay attention to how they make you feel.

Do they make you laugh? Do they feel calm and confident? Do they make you want to grab a wine with them and tell your whole story? That’s the vibe you’re looking for.

The couples who find me usually say, “We just want someone who gets us.” And that’s the point. The best ceremonies start with chemistry — not checklists.

Voice and Storytelling Style

Every celebrant has a “voice.” You’ll see it in their writing, hear it in their videos, and feel it when they talk about love.

If you’re reading a celebrant’s website and it makes you think, “Oh my god, that sounds like us,” then you’re in the right place. Because your ceremony isn’t just about what’s said — it’s about how it’s said.

When I meet new couples, I always say:

“It has to sound like you, and it has to sound like me. That’s how we get the feels.”

That blend of your words and my storytelling is where the magic lives. It’s how your ceremony sounds like you — just with a mic, a structure, and a few perfectly timed laughs.

Values and Comfort

You’re about to share one of the biggest moments of your life with this person. You’ll cry in front of them, laugh with them, and hand over your most personal stories. So, you need to feel safe, seen, and celebrated.

Look for someone who values inclusion, warmth, and respect — someone who celebrates your version of love, not just a template of it.If you can be completely yourselves with your celebrant, you’re already halfway to an unforgettable ceremony.

Professionalism Without Pretence

Yes, a celebrant should be fun — but they also need to have their ducks (and paperwork) in a row.

Behind every relaxed, seamless ceremony is someone who’s handled all the serious stuff: the Notice of Intended Marriage, the legal timing, the rehearsal, the tech checks, and the backup plan for when Uncle Kev forgets the rings.

The best celebrants make it look effortless — because they’ve quietly taken care of everything.

Gut Feel Wins Every Time

You can compare websites, read reviews, and make spreadsheets (I see you, planners), but at the end of the day, your gut knows.

If halfway through a chat you feel yourself breathe out and think, “Oh thank god, this feels easy,” that’s your sign.

That’s the person who’ll bring calm to the nerves, humour to the chaos, and heart to the story. The one you’ll look at on your wedding day and think, “Yep. This is our person.”

Why It Matters

A good celebrant does more than say the words — they build the atmosphere.They set the pace, carry the emotion, and create the kind of ceremony that everyone still talks about over canapés.

And while every vendor matters (because they do), your celebrant is the one standing right up there with you — a couple of inches away — holding the space.You’ll tell us your stories, your plans, your quirks, and all the little behind-the-scenes details that make the day feel like you.

I’m the one you’ll look at in that moment — between breaths, between nerves — and I’ll give you that quiet “I’ve got you.”You need to feel comfortable. You need to trust that the person standing beside you knows exactly how to guide you through it.

And let’s be honest — most of us celebrants know each other pretty well! We catch up, we cheer each other on, and we know who fits what kind of couple.If I don’t think I’m your celebrant, I’ll tell you. I start most of my chats by saying, “I hope I’m the right person for you — but if I’m not, that’s totally okay.” Because there is someone for everyone, and I want you to feel genuinely comfortable.

While these two soaked up their “just married” moment, I got the absolute joy of cuddling their little boy — giving them a few precious seconds to just be them, not mum and dad. 💛

Planning a wedding can go either way — it can be overwhelming and stressful, or it can be the best, most joy-filled adventure. You’re planning the biggest party for all your favourite people — I just want to make sure it feels amazing.

And just so you know — I’m your celebrant first and foremost, even if I’m also your MC or helping with coordination. But I always tell my couples: treat me as your wedding insider. I want this process to feel easy and fun for you.If you’ve got a question or you’re stuck on something — flick it through. I might have an answer that saves you hours of Googling or worrying. I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and I’m so happy to help.

Everyone’s in a different situation. I’ve been the person who’s seen dress photos because there wasn’t a “girl tribe” to show them to. I’ve been the one couples vent to when a parent’s making things tricky or when family expectations start to take over. I may even have a cheeky shot with you before it all starts! And that’s okay — that’s part of it. I’m there to hold space before the day, to listen, to justify, and to remind you always: I’m in this for you.

And I really do mean it when I say that I’m your biggest cheerleader. Once you’re on board, that’s it — I’m in your corner.Not just on your wedding day, but well after.I love seeing my couples pop up on the Gram, or bumping into them later and hearing how life’s unfolding — the new homes, the adventures, the babies, the dogs .It’s the best part of this job. I love to know it all. 💛

💕 You May Also Love

→The Anatomy of a Modern Wedding Ceremony

→Is It OK to Want My Wedding Ceremony to Be Fun? →Understanding the Role of Your Celebrant: What on Earth Do We Actually Do?

💌 Ready to find your celebrant?

If this sounds like the energy you want standing up there with you — relaxed, heartfelt, and maybe just a little bit cheeky — let’s chat. Enquire Here →

Set among the heritage gardens of Edenvale in Pinjarra, this day was pure, relaxed magic — the perfect blend of rustic charm and barefoot boho energy.

From the very first moment I started chatting to Hannah, I just knew she was one of my people. We got along so easily, and I absolutely adored her from the start. And as you’ll see from the photos, her little boy completely stole my heart — he was so sweet and a little bit in awe every time I spoke into the mic. I think he thought it was pretty cool, and honestly, so did I.

It was one of those days that just flowed — full of love, laughter, and genuine connection. What a wonderful day to be part of. 💛

✨ The Dream Team Behind This Day

Because choosing the right celebrant is just one part of finding your wedding people. Here are a few of my favourite Perth legends who bring the vibe every single time:

Venue: Edenvale, Pinjarra

Photographer: Taylah Jayde Photo

Florist: —Styling & Hire: Barefoot & Boho Events (Monique Butchart)

Co-ordinator / Planner: Barefoot & Boho Events (Monique Butchart)

Dress: Zoo Bridal

Makeup: Makeup by Kaylee Anne

Hair: Breannah Lee Hair

Big love to every creative who poured their heart into this celebration — what a joy it was to stand alongside you all for Hannah & Mitch’s day. 💛

Carina is a Perth-based Marriage Celebrant living in the beautiful Swan Valley. She creates fun, relaxed, and deeply personal wedding ceremonies that feel unmistakably you — equal parts heartfelt and joy-filled.

Known for her charismatic energy and down-to-earth approach, Carina brings a balance of warmth, wit, and professionalism to every wedding she officiates. If you’re looking for a celebrant who makes the process easy, genuine, and full of good vibes — you’ve found her.

📍 Perth, Western Australia📞 0417 923 760📧 carina@thewordsmithmc.com.au🌐 thewordsmithmc.com.au