How Much Does a Wedding Celebrant (and MC) Cost in Australia?

Every so often, a question pops up in wedding planning groups:
“How much should we expect to pay for a celebrant and MC?”

It’s a fair question. But the honest answer is: it depends — because not all celebrants are created equal, and not all pricing reflects the same level of service or value.

Price fixing is illegal in Australia, plus there are 10,300 celebrants and we don’t all talk. Instead we form our prices based on:

Our own business plan, goals, and budget.
The value we can bring to a wedding.
The marketplace. You, the consumer, you always decide in the end.

Let’s break it down.

Celebrant Pricing in Australia: What’s “Normal”?

There’s no fixed fee or award wage for celebrants in Australia. Each celebrant sets their own pricing based on:

Experience
Skill and confidence in public speaking
Time spent with each couple
Travel
Professional presentation and branding
Level of service before, during, and after the ceremony
Whether this is their full-time work or a side hustle

In most metro areas, a professional celebrant delivering a bespoke, personal, high-quality ceremony will charge somewhere between $1,500–$2,500.
Add MC duties and you’re looking at a total package of $2,000–$3,500+, depending on the scale of the event, and the value that celebrant can bring. Some have been doing it for a minute, some for a while

Why Some Celebrants Charge Less

There are celebrants out there charging under $1,000 — and they might be the right fit for the right couple.

But cheaper celebrants might:

Be new to the industry (which isn’t always a bad thing, I was new once, but that might matter to you)
Work part-time or treat it like a hobby
Offer a templated, one-size-fits-all ceremony
Not invest in top-quality sound gear or presentation
Be less available or responsive in the lead-up

That’s not a criticism — just context. If you want a no-frills registry-style ceremony or you’re on a tight budget, you might not need the bells and whistles.

Also, the base indicator for what you should be budgeting is what the registry office charges. Then add on the fact you’re no longer dealin with a government department but a human instead.

What You’re Paying For (That You Can’t Always See)

A great celebrant doesn’t just show up and read a script. They:

Craft a ceremony that’s personal, engaging, and memorable
Guide you through the legal process with zero stress
Run a sound check, liaise with your planner, photographer, videographer, and venue
Hold the room with confidence and warmth
Solve problems on the fly, like wrangling a windstorm or a runaway toddler
Keep things on time without being bossy
Support you emotionally through one of the biggest moments of your life

If they’re also your MC, they:

Maintain energy and flow during the reception
Make the guests feel looked after and informed
Help other vendors stay in sync with the timeline
Avoid awkward gaps or overbearing jokes from a mate on the mic

So… Is Your Quote “Too Much”?

Here’s a better question: Does it feel right for you?

If the celebrant ticks all your boxes, makes you feel calm and confident, and is someone you’d trust with the most important 30 minutes of your wedding day — then that quote might be ideal, regardless of what someone else paid.

Remember: A great celebrant won’t just marry you. They’ll elevate your entire day.

PS: If you’re still comparing celebrants or looking for the right MC — I’d love to help. Let’s chat. Even if I’m not the right celebrant for you, I might be able to help point you towards someone.