How to become a Wedding Celebrant

Becoming a wedding celebrant is an exciting journey full of rewarding experiences. As a celebrant, you will have the unique opportunity to be part of someone’s wedding day and create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s what you need to know to get started on your journey as a wedding celebrant.  

Step 1: Become a certified celebrant

The first step towards becoming a certified wedding celebrant is to complete your Certificate IV in Celebrancy from a registered training organisation. The course covers topics such as marriage law and marriage ceremonies, understanding cultural requirements and administering paperwork for marriage registrations. To complete this course, you must attend both face-to-face workshops and complete assessments online.

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‍Step 2: Register as a Commonwealth registered celebrant

Once you have completed a certification, you will need to submit an application to the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants along with the required fee. The application must include a range of supporting documentation, such as your birth certificate, proof of identity, and criminal history check. Upon completion, you will receive an Authorised Marriage Celebrant Certificate.  This certificate allows you to perform legal marriages in Australia.

Step 3: Start your business

Wedding celebrants are not employees of the government and are not salaried employees of any organisation. Most celebrants operate as self-employed business owners, charging fees for their services according to their own pricing structures. To start your own business, you should register for ABN, confirm your business name, and create a website to promote your services. Most celebrants will usually get their first gigs working for family and friends.

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‍Step 4: Stay abreast of the latest requirements

The law surrounding weddings can change frequently so it’s important for all wedding celebrants to keep up with any changes or new information that may affect their role as a professional celebrant. As a celebrant there can be new trends or guidelines from governing bodies that you will need to follow. You must also complete compulsory ongoing professional development (OPD) every 12 months. As a registered celebrant, you’ll be notified of your yearly training requirements by the Government.

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‍Step 5: Stick to the rules

As a registered wedding celebrant, you will be required to comply with the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants, which sets out the standards of conduct and practice that all celebrants must adhere to. One of the key requirements of the Code of Practice is that celebrants must ensure that couples are legally entitled to marry under Australian law. This means that celebrants must sight original documents such as birth certificates, passports, and divorce papers (if applicable) before conducting a marriage ceremony.

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Becoming a certified wedding celebrant is a fun side hustle to undertake. By completing the necessary training courses and registering with AGD, you can become an authorised marriage celebrant who can legally perform weddings in Australia in no time. Additionally, it's important for all wedding celebrants to keep up to date on any changes related to their field so they can ensure every wedding day is a memorable occasion for the right reasons.

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