The Rebels' Guide To Getting Married

When people ask me what’s the most important part of a wedding, I always say the ceremony. It’s the bit that makes it real — and the person running it matters.

Timing a wedding is like cooking a steak – too short and it’s raw, too long and it’s tough. You want it just right so everyone leaves happy, fed, and still talking about your day for the right reasons.

Aussie couples, here’s what a celebrant actually does, how it differs from a priest, and why 82% choose celebrants for their wedding day.

The only wedding planning method you need and why everything you think you "must" have is optional. Welcome to the wedding revolution!

Most people don’t know this, but I was the celebrant on the very first season of Married at First Sight on Channel Nine

There’s no such thing as a “perfect” wedding. Something will go wrong—probably several things. But none of them have to ruin your day. I spoke with the Daily Mail about the 10 most common wedding disasters and how to deal with them.

Trying to pin down a standard price for a celebrant? It hinges on experience, prep work, and the magic they bring to your day—not an industry-set fee.

Why wedding photo apps don’t work—and what to do instead to actually get the reception photos you’ll want to keep.

Learn how to MC a wedding reception with confidence. Professional tips on planning, mood setting, managing speeches, and keeping guests entertained all night long.

Ten fresh, story-driven ceremony ideas (plus three classics) from celebrant Josh Withers—think bespoke scents, 360° light, VR vows, drone sky vows and more.

You don't need a wedding reading to make your ceremony awesome, but Dr Seuss doesn't hurt.

If you think a wedding ceremony needs to go for an hour, this one’s for you. I'm taking a leaf out of TED's book.

Wedding vows aren’t “that one tradition that just won’t go away” — they’re the entire point. Here’s why tradition isn’t the enemy, and why we need better stories, not fewer rituals.

A rulebook for the weirdos, romantics, and professionals who believe the ceremony should be the best part of the wedding

Find out what Josh Withers actually says during wedding ceremonies. Learn his philosophy of encouragement over education, creating joyful celebrations that look forward to your married future rather than dwelling on relationship advice or statistics.

A behind-the-scenes look at my conversation with the Wed.Co Podcast, where we discuss script-free ceremonies, creating meaningful moments, and why your wedding ceremony should be the absolute highlight of your day. Recorded at stunning Gabbinbar.

Discover why wedding ceremonies often go unheard and how to make yours memorable. Taking inspiration from Yoda's distinctive speech, learn why breaking from tired wedding traditions ensures your ceremony captures hearts and minds.

Learn how to create foolproof wedding ceremony playlists with this simple numbering system. Tips from a professional celebrant on helping your designated music person nail every cue, even when emotions are running high.

At the end of the day, a great ceremony, like a great song, should make you feel something. And that's all I need to know about everything.

More couples are choosing to save their personal vows for a private moment. As a celebrant, I understand the appeal but want to explore what this means for your ceremony.

Wedding industry awards claim to crown the "best" celebrant, so let's explore why excellence in weddings can't be objectively measured.

A text from a friend sparked this reflection on what actually creates a memorable wedding day. Spoiler alert, it's not the venue, styling, or even your celebrant.

All the times (I can remember) that I've copped flack for being me.

Discover Tasmania's most breathtaking wedding venues through the eyes of experienced celebrant Josh Withers. From vineyard vistas and historic properties to waterfront wonders, explore ten stunning locations that showcase the best of what the island has to offer for your perfect day.

There's No Such Thing as a Marriage License in Australia (and That's a Good Thing!)

What are the wedding vows in a marriage registry office? Marriage vows in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, or Queensland - and what does Australian law require from a couple exchanging vows in a legal ceremony in Tasmania?

Wondering how a marriage is consummated? Find out the truth from a marriage celebrant's perspective, along with what actually matters legally when you get married in Australia.

Let me clear up the confusion around courthouse weddings in Australia and explain how to get exactly what you're looking for!

Publishing this for the next current affair TV journalist that comes to ask about why weddings are sooo expensive

Nothing is expected of you at your wedding except for you to be wonderfully you, so your wedding ceremony layout can represent that

Ever wonder why some couples seem to float through wedding planning while others get bogged down in drama and stress? The difference often comes down to one simple tool - what I call the "Wedding Razor."

How could you walk down the aisle if your father couldn't be there?

Remote witnessing was introduced through the pandemic but is now law so we can witness your NOIM over a Zoom call.

If you’re dreaming of a Cradle Mountain elopement or wedding, this blog post shares how unforgettable the experience can be.

A True Two-Person Elopement in Daylesford with Cameron & Maddy

These are the twenty words you need to say to get married in Australia, the standard minimum legal marriage vows the Marriage Act of 1961 requires you to say in your ceremony.

Celebrants and officiants say the darnedest things that they don't have to say

Some countries require paperwork to prove that you're not already married, so this is the answer to the question, do you need a Certificate of No Impediment to get married in Australia?

Take a drone flight around he Channel's wedding venue, the Peppermint Bay Hotel

Two of Tasmania's best wedding venues share a name, and an owner, these are my 360 photo tours of the wedding venues in Hobart, Tasmania

Tired of hearing that wedding planning has to be stressful? Discover how to plan an intentional wedding that stays true to your values and vision, without the unnecessary pressure. Learn the 8 essential steps to creating a meaningful celebration that's authentically you.

Despite having the world's best cloud storage and digital technology, Apple still prints its most precious photos. Here's why that matters for all of us.

A few reasons to not book me as your celebrant

Budgeting for a wedding and choosing a date should be the same activity

Are you thinking about taking the personal approach to your wedding ceremony, writing your own vows?

Are you preared to get weird and nerdy at your wedding

Your vows are the mechanism by which you create your marriage

I've heard a number stories, received complaints, witnessed events, featuring fellow wedding vendors over the last few weeks about my fellow wedding creators, creatives, and vendors.

This form is a really important pre-marriage form that starts your one month "cooling off" notice period but so many people get it wrong

It's not the 50s anymore, eloping isn't jsut for the naughty ones

Tips on making your spouse cry in the marriage ceremony

The legal essentials for Australian marriages - what you absolutely need for a valid wedding ceremony, from paperwork to vows, explained by Josh Withers.

The Wyndham resort at Hobart's Seven Mile Beach near the Hobart airport has a hidden wedding secret and it's one of my favourite places to create a marriage ceremony.

Wedding planning is more than just a budget, it's the manifestation of your intentions, taste, culture, and personality

It's quick and easy to tell if your Australian marriage celebrant is a fraud or legitimate

A good wedding ceremony doesn't always need a reading, but if you're going to have one, let it be awesome

After COVID there's a lot of confusion about how elopements and weddings differ and what an elopement is

Express your friendship and relationship in a meaningful way, not a stressful way

Ignore this blog post if you'd rather get down to Milli Vanilli.

Like, you could totally do your own research instead if you want?

From wine-leaking cups to face-smacking machines, these centuries-old wedding traditions prove that getting married has always been wonderfully weird.

Fools think an elopement is just a small wedding, it's not a wedding at all

Your perfect wedding venue looks amazing in photos, promises everything you want, and the price is right. But before you sign that contract and transfer the deposit, there are eight critical questions you need to ask – questions that most couples overlook until it's too late.

If you're considering eloping around Hobart and Tasmania, here's a guide

Ask anyone on the street and there's a bunch of things they think need to happen at Australian weddings

Very few people find the law romantic, but I can

If you love your Seuss then you're going to adore these call and response vows

If you approach your wedding traditions with intention really beautiful moments can occur

You get to choose the traditions you celebrate in your wedding, choose them with intention

What plans should you plan before your plan

Take a flight around Sorell wedding venue, Rayburn Farm

Start your wedding day right for good vibes and good photos

Your wedding vendor reviews can make a world of difference! They help future couples find their dream team and show appreciation for the people who made your day magical. Take a moment to leave a review—it’s the easiest way to pay the love forward.

A sweet, simple wedding reading about love, life, and the little things that matter most. This excerpt from All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum is a favourite.

Just because mum said so doesn't make it true

Make Saint Valentine Proud

Everything you need to know about changing your name after marriage in Australia - from getting your official Marriage Certificate Extract to updating your passport and driver's licence. Plus essential tips to avoid common mistakes and state-specific requirements.

Waiting for a couple this afternoon, I feel down an Internet rabbit hole of wedding industry websites.

Marriage is Tough, Sister (or Brother)

An open letter to all wedding guests

I'm not going to lie. I was eating KFC and had a blog post idea.