Oh The Place's You'll Go - Wedding Reading
You don't need a wedding reading to make your ceremony awesome, but Dr Seuss doesn't hurt.
Hi, I'm Josh Withers! I'm an Australian full-time professional celebrant who chases the European summer. Your ceremony should be the best part of your wedding. No scripts. No fluff. No filler. Just an honest, meaningful moment that feels like a long lunch in the sun — not a dusty history lesson.
TL;DR
My Approach
Since 2009 I've married couples in castles, vineyards, rooftops, and beaches across Europe. This isn't a side gig — it's my life's work.
Every ceremony is written from scratch because your story deserves more than 'insert couple here'. No reading from scripts — just authentic conversation that breathes your marriage into existence.
Want it symbolic in Europe and legal back home? Easy. Need the paperwork done on the continent? I'll guide you through local requirements or lodge everything in Australia so you can relax.
Think Netflix doco meets stand-up — personal, story-driven, equal parts sentiment and laughter. I weave your history and hopes into a narrative that sounds like you, not a Hallmark card.
Airline strikes, heatwaves, late buses — I've seen it all. I stay calm so you can stay present, adapting to whatever the day (or the Greek ferry timetable) throws at us.
Different time zones? No drama. We'll chat as often as needed so you're confident I get your vibe. I prepare deeply but speak naturally, treating your ceremony as a once-only conversation about something sacred.
Inspired by TED Talks — concise, impactful, and engaging. Around 18 minutes: long enough to be meaningful, short enough to keep everyone tuned-in and off their phones.
Step 1: Discovery
We'll check your date and destination, pick the right package, and start getting to know each other. This is a relationship, not a transaction.
Step 2: Legal Preparation
For my Australian couples, at least one month before the legal signing day in Australia we'll complete your Notice of Intended Marriage online or over coffee. For my international couples I can advise on local legal requirements for you.
Step 3: Ceremony Design
Over video call or Aperol spritz, we'll dig into your story, your values, and your vision. I craft a ceremony that reflects who you are — not a recycled script.
Your Wedding Day
I deliver your ceremony with presence, personality, and professionalism — anchoring the entire celebration and setting the tone for the fiesta to follow.
"First of all, a huge thank you for this unforgettable wedding. We are so glad we had Josh Withers as our celebrant at Uluru. Before the wedding he was available to us at almost any time of the day or night. He guided us with a lot of patience in far away Germany through all the forms we had to fill out for our wedding. He also took time to address our fears and concerns that come with making such a decision. The wedding day itself was absolutely wonderful."
Bernie & Christiane
Eloped at Uluru
"Josh is a truly wonderful celebrant who will make you feel at ease from your first meeting. Josh has an exceptional way with words and delivered the ceremony of our dreams. It was heartfelt and intimate (exactly what we wanted) and I would recommend him to anyone wanting a ceremony that is the opposite of cookie-cutter. His words come straight from the heart (and are not read from an iPad!) and having him as our celebrant was the perfect intro into marriage. Forever grateful we chose Josh!"
Carissa & Jack
Destination wedding
"Josh was wonderful to work with in organising our day. Given neither of us had done this before he was helpful, kind and informative. Thanks Josh."
Daniela & Belinda
Hobart wedding at Frogmore Creek
Less 'dearly beloved', more you. Let's create something unforgettable together.
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