Choosing and booking the perfect celebrant for you

Happy 2026 to all the lovers out there.

We are now one month into the New Year and have already passed three of the four most popular moments for engagements in the calendar year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner.

My Threads feed has been full of engagement stories recently. So many joyful announcements, heartfelt messages, and that unmistakable glow of excitement. I always smile when I see them.

I often suggest to newly engaged couples that, before diving straight into planning mode, they give themselves a little time to settle into this new chapter. Enjoy calling each other by that new temporary title of fiancé / fiancée, or whatever personal nickname feels right. Because once the planning starts, it can very quickly grow into something quite enormous and, for many couples, a little overwhelming.

So the purpose here is simple: take stock and take a breath. Especially if you’re planning your wedding or elopement from another country or time zone, this pause really matters.

As you begin venue hunting, cake tasting, guest list wrangling, and choosing a photographic style (and yes, there are so many now that this can easily become a rabbit hole), I’d love to gently remind you of something important.

Unless you are having a religious ceremony or a simple town hall registration, finding the right wedding celebrant matters more than many couples initially realise.

I will admit, I am a celebrant myself and perhaps a touch biased, but I truly believe that your celebrant sets the tone for your entire ceremony. A good celebrant will take the time to understand you, listen deeply, guide you calmly, and support you throughout the months leading up to your day. Sometimes that journey lasts a year or more.

They are there to craft a ceremony that reflects your unique love story, and to do so clearly and confidently, wherever in the world you happen to be planning from.

So how do you find someone who really clicks with you? Someone who helps your day begin with warmth, laughter, meaning, and commitment, and who supports your wish to do things your own way?

Ask yourself: what does your dream ceremony look like?

Before diving into celebrant research, take a moment to imagine your ideal ceremony.

Do you picture something classic and heartfelt, under the open sky, surrounded by the beauty of a botanical garden? Maybe a beach ceremony with the sound of waves in the background and sand between your toes.

Perhaps you imagine a romantic castle overlooking vineyards, where you blend wines together in a ritual to create your own unique vintage. Or maybe you’d love to theme your ceremony around a favourite book, film, stage production, musical, or anime characters and settings.

You might dream of standing amongst ancient stones, under the stars.

With a wedding celebrant, there are very few limits. And having even a loose sense of how and where you’d like your story to be told will help guide you towards someone who can bring that vision to life.

A good celebrant won’t restrict your ideas. They will help shape them so everything feels meaningful, grounded, and possible.

Next step: Google and the internet

So the search begins.

Alongside recommendations from family and friends, especially those who have chosen something less traditional, there are several reputable directories listing qualified and experienced celebrants. These allow you to explore websites, reviews, and social media, and to begin creating a shortlist.

As you research, make notes. Location, experience, style, and any specific skills that matter to you. For example, I’m bilingual, and this often resonates with couples who want their ceremony to feel inclusive and personal for everyone present.

If you’d like a calm overview

If you’re early in your planning and want a clear overview of what working with a celebrant looks like, I’ve put together a brochure that explains my approach, my process, and what couples often find most reassuring when planning from abroad.

As you shortlist, set a realistic price range together, remembering that fees are only one part of the picture. This is someone who will work closely with you, whose personality, communication style, reliability, and experience need to align with your expectations.

When you’re ready, agree on a time when you can both be present for a 30 to 40 minute discovery call. This is your opportunity to talk openly about what matters to you, ask questions, and see how it feels.

For destination weddings and elopements, this call is often the moment when couples feel a real sense of relief. You don’t have to figure everything out alone.

Even if you’ve attended a celebrant-led wedding before and have a referral in mind, it’s still worth doing your research. Visit websites and social channels. Notice the language used, the stories shared, and the ceremonies shown.

Do you see yourselves reflected there? Does their approach align with how you want to feel on the day of your wedding or elopement?

Finding the right fit by asking questions

Once you’ve narrowed things down, take your top three celebrants and book those conversations.

Meeting in person can be wonderful, but many couples find their perfect celebrant isn’t local. This is especially common for destination weddings and elopements. Don’t let that put you off.

A professional celebrant will stay in close communication, get to know you deeply, and ensure your ceremony truly reflects your voices, even if you don’t meet until the day itself.

There are no silly questions here, particularly if you’re planning from another country.

Some helpful questions to ask

• How many weddings or elopements have you delivered?
• Do you include religion or spirituality, and how flexible is that?
• What is your process for writing and delivering our ceremony?
• Do you have a backup plan for unforeseen circumstances?
• How would you describe your style and approach?
• What are your non-negotiables? (Mine are no butterflies, doves, or balloon releases.)
• How do you approach eco-conscious or sustainable weddings?
• How do you incorporate cultural traditions or personal elements?
• What types of ceremonies do you most love creating?

Reflect and trust your instincts

Beyond experience and qualifications, the most important factor is how you feel.

During your conversations, notice whether the celebrant feels warm, engaged, and genuinely interested in your story. Do you feel heard, comfortable, and reassured?

Your celebrant will be a key part of your wedding journey, so finding someone you trust and connect with really matters.

What to expect if you choose me

My couples often describe me as experienced, warm, friendly, fun, and sincere. They say it’s clear that I genuinely love what I do, and after 14 years, that joy is still very much there.

I’m authentically myself in my work, while always keeping your needs, wishes, and boundaries at the centre of everything.

I may be enthusiastic and a little excitable during our initial conversations, but on your wedding day I am calm, organised, and steady. The swan gliding on the water, while holding everything quietly and confidently behind the scenes.

Many of my couples don’t meet me in person until their wedding or elopement day. They often tell me how supported and reassured they felt throughout the entire process.

My priority is to serve my couples with consistency, reliability, experience, and care, and to create ceremonies that feel personal, meaningful, and completely yours.

A few places I’ve had the joy of standing alongside my couples

A small selection of ceremonies and places that reflect the way I work with couples across countries, cultures, and landscapes.

Finding the right celebrant who aligns with your values, your sense of fun, your style, and your way of seeing the world is an exciting step in planning your day. Whether your vision is modern, traditional, adventurous, alternative, or something beautifully in between, the right fit makes all the difference.

Ready to take the next step?

If something you’ve read here resonates, you can get in touch with a message, using the contact form below. There’s no pressure, just an open conversation.

My style is relaxed, romantic, and adventurous. My couples tend to love nature, history, travel, and discovering new places. I’m always excited about helping couples create something they’ve dreamed of, or inspiring them if they’re not quite sure yet.

My diary is open for 2026, and I’d love to hear your story.

Warmest wishes,
Yvonne

WhatsApp: +447800543426
Email: yvonne@bilingualcelebrant.com