Josh Withers 
Top 10 Things You Can Cut From Your Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony is the best part of the wedding, but we could afford to make some cuts.
The Huon Valley's warm and friendly wedding celebrant creating the best wedding ceremonies and big smiles from Cygnet to the Derwent
I’m Josh Withers — your local Ranelagh-based celebrant. After 2,100+ weddings across 23 countries I’ve come home to the valley I love, ready to marry couples from Cygnet to Kingston in ceremonies that feel like good conversation, not government paperwork. Christian or civil, orchard or riverside, I’ve got you.
TL;DR
What kind of celebrant is Josh?
Zero Boring WeddingsLooking for something that actually *means* something? No forced laughter, no filler, no cringey scripts — just a ceremony that feels honest, real, and actually enjoyable. That’s my jam.
For People Who Care How It *Feels*A wedding ceremony shouldn’t feel like the prelude to the party — it *is* the moment. It should feel better than it looks (and it’ll look great too).
Fresh Words. Always.No copy-paste ceremonies. No recycled love stories. No pretending I’m your soulmate. Every ceremony is built from scratch, because that’s what you deserve.
Down-to-Earth, Up-for-ItI’m based in Ranelagh, in Tasmania’s Huon Valley — but I work with couples all over. I’m easy to talk to, quick to reply, and allergic to wedding waffle. You’ll always get honest help, not fluff.
Perfect Fit for High-Agency CouplesIf you know what you want (and don’t want), value your time, and aren’t interested in going through the motions — we’ll get along just fine.
My philosophy: The marriage ceremony can be, and should be, the best part of your wedding.
My Approach
Why couples in the Huon Valley book me
Your wedding doesn’t need pomposity. It needs words that ring true, a calm presence, and someone who files the paperwork correctly. That’s my lane.
Tailor-Made Script
No templates here. I write every ceremony from scratch so the only time 'insert couple here' appears is when I’m laughing about what most celebrants do.
Faith or Freethinking
With a Cert IV in Christian Ministry and two decades in civil celebrancy, I weave scripture or skip it completely — whatever fits your faith journey.
Local Insight
Whether it’s Peppermint Bay, a shed at Willie Smith’s, or an Airbnb on Bruny, I know the light, the wind, and how to work with every local vendor.
Professional Sound
Bose S1 Pro speakers and Rode/Sennheiser mics mean Gran in the back row — and your videographer — hear every line perfectly.
Legal & Organised
Full-time celebrant life means prompt emails, on-time lodgement, and zero "oops we forgot the forms" anxiety.
Custom Packages from $700
Paperwork-only, elopement, full ceremony, or MC: pay for just what you need. We'll build the right bundle together.
Here’s how we get you married
1. Enquire & Chat
Tell me when, where, and how you imagine the vibe. We’ll check the date and pick a package over Zoom or coffee in Summer Kitchen in Ranelagh.
2. Legal Prep
We complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (electronic or in-person) at least one month out. I guide every tick-box.
3. Story Session
We dig into your history, hopes, and hilarity. I craft a ceremony outline you can tweak — no surprises on the day.
4. Wedding Day
I arrive early, set the sound, calm the nerves, and deliver a ceremony that feels like a TED talk your mates actually listen to.
From couples who loved their wedding
"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 heart felt and intimate (exactly what we wanted) and I would recommend him to anyone wanting a ceremony that is the opposite of cooker cutter style. His words come straight from the heart (and are not read from off an iPad!) and having him as our celebrant was the perfect intro into marriage. Forever grateful we chose Josh!"
Carissa & Jack
Destination wedding
"Josh wonderful to work with in organizing our special day. Given neither of us had done this before he was helpful, kind and informative, Thanks Josh."
Daniela and Belinda
Hobart wedding at Frogmore Creek
14.4K
Guests
2.9K
Couples
828
Flights
24
Countries
Ready to make vows worth hearing?
Let’s craft a ceremony that sounds like you. Packages start at $700 — chat to me for a custom quote.
Blog Posts
View all posts »Real advice for couples who believe marriage is worth doing right.
Licensed for weddings in Tasmania’s National Parks
Get married in Tasmania’s national parks legally & beautifully. We’re licensed to help you elope responsibly in wild, stunning places.
Australian Wedding Planning Checklist
Ignore the traditional wedding planning checklist and focus on what matters most to you. This checklist is focused on joy and ease, not stress.
How to Choose the Perfect Celebrant
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.
My Friends
Huon Valley Wedding Vendors
Local suppliers I trust — florists, photographers, and venues from Cygnet to the Channel
The Elopement Collective
Elopement Company
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, Worldwide, Brisbane
We created The Elopement Collective to give couples the freedom to get married in a way that feels effortless, intimate, and deeply personal—without the stress of a big wedding. Britt leads the charge with impeccable taste and heart, and together we craft beautiful, meaningful elopements around the world.
Frogmore Creek Winery
Venue
Hobart, Tasmania
Only a few moments drive west of Hobart, nestled in Tasmania's Coal River Valley, Frogmore Creek Winery offers a stunning backdrop of rolling hills and vineyards, complemented by exceptional food and wine, making it an ideal venue for an unforgettable wedding. One of my favourite wedding venues to work at.
Hugo Bladel
DJ, Musician
Tasmania, Hobart
Hugo brings unmatched energy and versatility to weddings—whether it's heartfelt acoustic moments or a packed dancefloor, he reads the room and delivers every time.
Isaac Westwood
Musician, Wedding Singer
Hobart, Tasmania
Isaac Westwood brings a soulful, customisable touch to your wedding day—whether it’s heartfelt acoustic moments or a packed dancefloor, he’s got every musical moment covered beautifully.
Jonathan Wherrett
Photographer
Tasmania, Hobart
Jonathan is a talented, friendly, and experienced wedding photographer based in Tasmania. He is a friendly and calming presence at a wedding.
Style My Day
Wedding Styling, Event Hire
Hobart, Tasmania
Nina and her team at Style My Day are the go-to for creating unforgettable weddings and events in Tasmania. Their extensive collection of hire pieces, from vintage treasures to bespoke creations, ensures your celebration is as unique and stylish as you are.
XO Sounds
Musician, DJ
Hobart, Tasmania, Sydney
I've had the pleasure of working alongside Jordan and his squad of talented musos at XO Sounds, and their exceptional talent as both a musician and DJ truly elevates any wedding celebration. They bring a seamless blend of live acoustic performances and DJ sets that create an awesome atmosphere that keeps guests entertained throughout the wedding.
