How Much Does a Wedding Celebrant Cost – and What Are You Paying For?

Why do celebrant prices vary so much?

You’ve started looking for a celebrant and contacted several for quotes. And now you’re feeling completely overwhelmed. The prices vary considerably, and it can be difficult to work out why one celebrant charges so much more – or less – than another. What exactly is included in each quote, and are you even comparing the same thing?

Well, for a start, each celebrant sets their own prices and decides what to include in their services. So although the quotes sitting in front of you may all be for your wedding ceremony, they’re probably not offering exactly the same thing.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive celebrant is offering the best service, or that the least expensive is offering less. It simply means you need to look beyond the final figure and understand exactly what you’re getting for your money.

What are you paying for with a personalised ceremony?

A personalised ceremony is one that has been created specifically for you, rather than using the same basic script for every couple. It will often include your story – how you met, what you love about each other and some of the moments that have brought you to your wedding day. This usually starts with a questionnaire that your celebrant will ask you to complete, giving them the chance to get to know you both a little better. From there, your ceremony is written, edited and revised until it’s ready for the day.

You may also be paying for help with your personal vows if you need it. I know I’m always happy to help couples who are staring at a blank page and have absolutely no idea where to begin! That support is part of the service your celebrant provides, and it all takes time.

Then there’s the general preparation that happens behind the scenes. Documents need to be prepared and printed, PA equipment needs to be charged and checked, and other vendors may need to be contacted to make sure everyone knows what’s happening on the day.

So while your ceremony itself might only last 20 minutes, those 20 minutes represent considerably more than 20 minutes of your celebrant’s time. Much of the work has already happened before you see them standing there, microphone in hand, ready to marry you.

Why is a legals-only ceremony cheaper?

A legals-only ceremony takes considerably less preparation than a personalised ceremony. I marry many couples who simply want to get legally married without all the additional elements of a fully personalised ceremony.

All the required legal documents still need to be prepared and checked, and the same legal requirements still need to be met. The difference is that I’m not spending hours learning the couple’s story, writing and revising a personalised script, helping to plan the different elements of the ceremony or preparing all those individual touches.

That means there is much less preparation involved, which is why I’m able to offer a legals-only ceremony at a lower price.

What should be included in a celebrant's fee?

When you receive quotes or chat with prospective celebrants, it’s worth checking exactly what is – and isn’t – included in their fee. Two quotes that initially look quite different may become much easier to compare once you understand what each celebrant is actually offering.

Is all the legal paperwork included? What about the official marriage certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages? In Western Australia, celebrants can’t apply for this certificate on behalf of couples, so its cost won’t be included in the celebrant’s fee. I know the process is different in some other states, where the official certificate may be included as part of the service.

It’s also worth asking what meetings are included and whether they’ll be online or in person. Does your celebrant provide PA equipment? Is a rehearsal included, or will that cost extra? What about travel? Will they help you with your personal vows if you need it?

Most importantly, ask whether there are any additional costs that aren’t included in the original quote. You want to know what you’ll actually be paying before you make your decision, rather than discovering extra charges further down the track.

Should we just choose the cheapest celebrant?

Price is certainly something to consider, but I wouldn’t make it the only reason you choose your celebrant. A lower price doesn’t necessarily mean a less capable celebrant, just as a higher price doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive a better service. A less expensive celebrant may do an absolutely amazing job.

Experience is one factor you might want to consider. A newer celebrant may charge less while they build their business and experience, and they may bring plenty of enthusiasm to your wedding. A celebrant who has conducted many ceremonies, on the other hand, has probably encountered their fair share of unexpected moments and may be more accustomed to dealing with those little glitches that sometimes happen on a wedding day.

Communication matters too. Do they respond to you promptly? Are their answers clear? Do you feel that they’re organised and that you know what will happen next? Reading their reviews can be helpful here, particularly if previous couples mention communication, organisation and how supported they felt in the lead-up to their wedding.

But perhaps the biggest factor is whether you feel comfortable with the person who will be standing beside you as you marry the person you love. If you’re loud and outgoing, you may love a celebrant with a big personality who can match your energy (definitely not me!). If you’re quieter and more reserved, you may feel far more comfortable with someone who is calm and a little more understated.

The cheapest celebrant might turn out to be exactly the right celebrant for you. Or they might not. I’d look at the whole picture – price, experience, communication, what’s included and, perhaps most importantly, how you feel when you talk to them.

How much do my ceremonies cost?

At the time of writing, my own ceremony prices range from $400 for a legals-only ceremony at my home ($500 at another location) through to $1,195 for a fully personalised ceremony.

In between, I offer a minimony-style ceremony for $700, which includes only a small amount of personalisation, and a $995 ceremony for couples who want something more substantial without having their full personal story included.

You can see exactly what’s included in each option on the pricing page of my website, which will help you compare them and decide which type of ceremony might suit you best.

Five questions to ask when comparing celebrants

1. What exactly is included in your fee?

Ask about meetings, ceremony writing, legal paperwork, PA equipment, travel, rehearsals and any other services you might need. It’s also worth checking whether there are any additional costs you should know about.

2. How personalised will our ceremony be?

‘Personalised’ can mean different things to different celebrants. Ask whether your ceremony will include your story as a couple, how the celebrant gets to know you, and whether you’ll have the opportunity to read and make changes to the script beforehand.

3. How will you help us in the lead-up to the wedding?

Find out how you’ll communicate, whether you can contact them with questions and what sort of guidance they provide with things such as personal vows, ceremony structure and the legal requirements.

4. What happens if something goes wrong on the day?

You don’t need to imagine every possible disaster, but it’s useful to know how your celebrant handles unexpected situations. You might also ask what arrangements they have in place if illness or an emergency prevents them from conducting your ceremony.

5. Do we feel comfortable with this person?

This is really a question to ask yourselves after you’ve spoken with the celebrant. Did conversation feel easy? Did they listen to what you wanted? Could you imagine feeling comfortable with them standing beside you during such a significant moment?

Conclusion: It’s About More Than the Price

When you’re comparing celebrants, it can be tempting to look at the figures first, particularly when the quotes you receive vary considerably. But before deciding, take a little time to look at what’s actually included and think about the kind of ceremony you want.

You may only want someone to take care of the legal requirements and get you married with the minimum of fuss. Or you may want a celebrant who will spend time getting to know you, write your story, help with your vows and create a ceremony that feels completely personal to you. Neither choice is better – they’re simply different services.

And while price will naturally be part of your decision, don’t forget about the person behind the quote. Your celebrant will be standing beside you for one of the most important moments of your wedding day, so finding someone you feel comfortable with matters too.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a wedding celebrant cost in Perth?

Celebrant fees can vary considerably depending on the type of ceremony you choose, the amount of personalisation involved, the celebrant’s experience and what’s included in their service. A simple legals-only ceremony will generally cost less than a fully personalised ceremony because considerably less preparation is involved.

Why do wedding celebrants charge different prices?

Marriage celebrants set their own fees and decide what to include in their services. One quote might include several meetings, a fully personalised ceremony, help with vows, PA equipment and travel, while another may offer a much simpler service. This is why it’s important to compare what’s included rather than looking only at the final price.

Is a more expensive celebrant necessarily better?

No. Price alone doesn’t tell you how good a celebrant will be. Experience, communication, personality, the level of service offered and how comfortable you feel with them are all worth considering. A less expensive celebrant may be exactly the right person for your wedding.

Is the official marriage certificate included in a celebrant's fee in Western Australia?

No. In Western Australia, your celebrant cannot apply for the official marriage certificate on your behalf. After your marriage has been registered, you’ll need to apply for the official certificate yourself through the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and pay the applicable fee.

What should I ask a celebrant before booking?

Ask exactly what their fee includes, how personalised your ceremony will be, what support they provide before the wedding, whether there are any additional costs and what happens if they’re unable to conduct your ceremony due to illness or an emergency. Just as importantly, have a conversation with them and see whether you feel comfortable together.