You're not planning a performance. You're getting married.
A wedding celebrant who actually believes the ceremony should be the best part of the wedding — Josh Withers
I'm a husband to Britt, dad to three kids, former radio host turned full-time celebrant. I drink too many cups of coffee a day and believe weddings should feel like you — not like a play you're starring in. I've cried at more weddings than I care to admit.
Since 2009 ...
The really personal numbers ...
Get to know me
The personal stuff you probably want to know
Beyond the celebrant stuff
The human behind the ceremonies — because you're trusting me with one of your biggest days.Daily rituals & quirks
I wake up at 5:30am every day (not because I'm cool but because we have young children) and have my first coffee as the sunrises. I check my RSS feeds, Hacker News, Reddit, and the weather obsessively. I wear the same style of shirt and jeans every day because decision fatigue is real. I'm an inbox zero fanatic, a technology news addict, and a 90s rock tragic.
Family life in the Huon Valley
Britt and I have been friends for 18 years, married for 13. We (almost) have three kids who keep us busy. We live on 2 acres where I spend way too much time perfecting lawn stripes. Britt homeschools our kids while I obsess over grass height and coffee grind settings.
The stuff that drives me
I'm genuinely passionate about helping my couples create authentic moments where we celebrate the fact they have overcome so much to now call each other husband or wife. I hate fake anything — fake smiles, fake emotions, fake ceremonies. I'd rather lose a booking than compromise on authenticity. I also have an unhealthy obsession with productivity apps and have tried every task manager known to humanity.
Random personal facts
I can't sleep without mouth tape. I've never broken a bone. I am an Apple fanboy. I drink my coffee black, always. I have a weird talent for remembering weird facts about people. And I still cry during Pixar movies.
What I do and why I do it
The short version: I care about you, your relationship, and your wedding day not being a weird copy-paste ceremony that feels like a performance. I help you create a ceremony that reflects who you really are, where you're going, and why this day matters.
Destination & local weddings
I have been so lucky to travel to so many parts of the world to create my special and unique brand of marriage ceremony. Glaciers of Iceland, in the middle of the hustle of New York, in the Joshua Tree desert, on mountain tops in New Zealand, and in hundreds of year old castles in Europe — my career has taken me so far and it's an honour to be so desired around the world.
Celebrant for people who don’t like celebrants
There’s a reason I’m not for everyone. I don’t do fluff, I don’t fake laughs, I don’t read poems unless you ask me to. I work best with couples who want a ceremony that’s honest, fun, and real. If you want ‘just the legal stuff’ — I’m probably not your guy.
Straight-talking, but heartfelt
Being on the radio gave me so much insight into how to communicate important things in certain tones whilst maintaining certain moods. It's where I learned that the moment you get married can be important and also really good. Being a father to three kids has taught me the beauty of celebrating healthy family connections. I'll admit — I sometimes get more nervous before a wedding than the couple does, but that's because I care so much about getting it right for them.
The vulnerable stuff
What I don't usually tell people
The stuff I usually keep private
Because authenticity means sharing the messy parts too.Imposter syndrome is real
Even after 2,100+ weddings, I sometimes wake up the morning of a ceremony wondering if I'm good enough. What if I mess up their names? What if I stuck in traffic and I'm late? What if my words don't land right? What if they regret choosing me? The anxiety is real, but it keeps me sharp and reminds me how much this matters.
The loneliness of travel
Flying to weddings every week sounds glamorous, but hotel rooms get lonely. I FaceTime Britt and the kids every night, but I miss bedtime stories, school pickups, and weekend pancakes. The hardest part of my job isn't the ceremonies — it's being away from my family so much.
My biggest wedding mistake
I completely set up for the wrong wedding ceremony at the Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney olnce, it wasn't until the groom arrived and I didn't know who he was that I found out. Their clebrant arrived at the same time and I awkwardly found my ceremony area!
This isn’t a side hustle
Full-time celebrant. No templates. No scripts. No BS.
Weddings that sound like you
I’m not anti-tradition. I’m anti “doing things just because it’s what everyone else does.”18-minute ceremonies
Short enough to hold attention, long enough to say something meaningful. Like a good TED Talk, your ceremony will be all substance, no filler.
Not your life story
Your guests already know your love story. My job is to create a moment that helps them understand why your marriage matters and what it means going forward.
Tailored for you
No recycled ceremony scripts. I write every ceremony with fresh eyes and ears based on our conversations and your values.
Travel anywhere
I travel for weddings across Australia and the world. Whether you’re getting married in Tasmania, Tokyo or Tulum, I can make it legally binding — and meaningful.
Handle the paperwork
I’m authorised to solemnise marriages under Australian law (and American and Canadian law too), so even if your wedding is overseas, I can complete all the legal stuff here and save you the international admin headache.
All eyes on you
I only do one wedding per day. You'll have my full attention — no distractions, no rushing off to another gig.
Love this job
I genuinely love marrying people. I’ve been doing it for over 15 years, and it still brings me joy. That shows up in my work.
Wedding MC available
Want a professional voice to keep the whole day moving? I can also MC your reception — with charm, clarity, and a killer run sheet.
Content creation support
Want quick content to share after your ceremony? I shoot casual behind-the-scenes videos and clips perfect for socials.
Need music help?
Ex-radio guy here. Happy to help pick songs that hit the right tone — especially if you’re stuck on aisle music.
Celebrant to the celebrants
Through the Celebrant Institute, I coach and mentor over 10,000 celebrants across Australia, Europe, the USA and Canada. I'm nerdy about marriage law so you don't have to be.
Random facts about Josh
The stuff that makes me, me
The personal stuff
Because you're not just hiring a celebrant — you're inviting someone into one of your most important days.Tech nerd & lawn enthusiast
I'm a massive tech and computer nerd who loves music and technology. A Foo Fighters tragic fan and I think Empire Records is still the best movie ever made. I hyperfocus on weird things — like spending $3,000 on lawn care equipment or staying up until 2am researching the perfect coffee grinder. When I'm not geeking out over Apple and AI news, I'm caring for two acres of lawn with obsessive precision.
Family adventures & anxieties
I'm often hiking somewhere in Tasmania with Britt and my kids. I love photography — I shoot on a Canon EOS R5 and also love my drone photography. We have 6 chickens (Britt named them all, I just feed them). My favorite Tasmanian spot for ceremonies is Freycinet National Park's Honeymoon Bay. I get anxious about flying but do it 3-4 times a month anyway because I love what I do.
Wedding quirks & failures
My favorite wedding song I've heard was Betty Who's "I Love You Always Forever" as an aisle song. The most unusual wedding request I've fulfilled? Being dressed like a circus ringmaster. I'll never forget the time a father of a groom picked me up and threatened to "flatten me" — ask me about that story in person. I once completely forgot a couple's names during their ceremony and had to improvise for 30 seconds. I still cringe about it.
Why Tasmania? (The honest version)
My couples are based all over the world so the concept of being a local wedding celebrant has never been my vibe. I'm always flying to a wedding, so why not live in paradise with my family on land in the Huon Valley and FIFO to weddings all over the world? Tasmania brings a slowness to life that allows us to be present with our kids, each other, and our friends. Plus, I can mow my lawn in peace without neighbors judging my obsessive stripe patterns. And honestly? The isolation helps me focus — fewer distractions, more clarity.
How it works
FAQs
Still got questions? Here’s what couples usually ask.
How far in advance should we book?
Book when you're ready, but the earlier the better if you want your date locked in. I typically book out 6–12 months in advance, especially on Saturdays and for popular elopement destinations.
What’s the legal process?
You’ll complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form at least one month before the wedding. I’ll guide you through the paperwork and identity checks. On the day, you’ll sign certificates with two witnesses. After that, you’re legally hitched.
Do we need to write vows?
It’s up to you. Legally, you need to say one specific sentence, but everything else is optional. I encourage personal vows — I’ll help if you want coaching or guidance.
What if it rains?
We’ll have a backup plan, and I’ll coordinate with your venue and team. Wet weather is just another chapter in your story — and sometimes it makes the day more memorable.
How long is the ceremony?
Around 18 minutes. Long enough to feel substantial, short enough to keep everyone engaged. You won't need chairs for your guests unless you really want them.
What makes you different?
I don't read love stories or follow scripts. I create a moment that reflects who you are and why this matters. If you want a wedding that sounds like you, not like a Hallmark movie, we'll probably work well together.
Need music help?
Ex-radio guy here. I used to be a breakfast radio personality and interviewed movie, TV, and music stars and politicians of the world. Plus I was once asked if it was ok for Kyle Sandilands to verbally abuse me if that was required. Happy to help pick songs that hit the right tone — especially if you're stuck on aisle music.
