A wedding full of condiments
Fight Club was a powerful movie and today it's got me thinking about weddings, and houses full of condiments but no food
Modern wedding ceremonies in Sydney without the scripts or cookie-cutter nonsense.
I'm Josh Withers, a full-time celebrant creating custom ceremonies across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and the Southern Highlands. No templates. No reading off iPads. Just honest ceremonies written from scratch.
TL;DR
What kind of celebrant is Josh?
No Scripts, All Craft
Every ceremony written fresh for you. 18 minutes, delivered without reading. Sydney couples deserve better than 'insert names here' templates.
Ceremony-First Philosophy
The ceremony isn't something to 'get through' before drinks. It's the moment we breathe your marriage into existence — whether that's a rooftop in Surry Hills or a cliff top in the Blue Mountains.
Professional + Real
Quick replies, clear communication, professional Bose audio gear. I work regularly across Sydney CBD, Northern Beaches, Inner West, and the Southern Highlands.
My philosophy: The marriage ceremony can be, and should be, the best part of your wedding.
What's Included
Everything you need for a Sydney ceremony that matters
Since 2009, I've married over 2,900 couples across 24 countries. Here's what Sydney and NSW couples get.
Custom Ceremony
Written from scratch for you. No templates, no recycled paragraphs. Your ceremony is a one-time conversation about something important — whether that's at a Sydney harbour venue or a Blue Mountains estate.
Professional Audio
Bose speakers and Rode microphones. Everyone hears the ceremony clearly at outdoor venues like rooftop bars, harbour foreshores, or mountain clifftops, and your videographer gets pristine audio.
Legal Authority
Commonwealth-registered marriage celebrant authorised under the Marriage Act 1961. Also licensed in USA and Canada. Your ceremony will be emotionally resonant and legally solid.
Travel Included
Sydney CBD, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Northern Beaches, Inner West — travel is included in packages for ceremonies across NSW.
Flexible Planning
As many conversations as you need — coffee in Sydney, video call, whatever works. No unnecessary meetings or homework assignments.
18-Minute Format
Long enough to be meaningful, short enough to keep everyone present and connected to what matters.
How it works
Enquiry
Check my availability for your Sydney wedding date and choose a package. We will start getting to know each other.
Legal paperwork
At least one month before your wedding, we complete the Notice of Intended Marriage together — in person in Sydney or via video call. I will guide you through it.
Ceremony conversations
Coffee in Sydney or video calls to explore your story, values, and vision. I will write a ceremony that reflects who you are as individuals and as a couple.
Your wedding day
I deliver your ceremony with professional audio, calm presence, and no script — creating the moment that anchors your celebration.
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 & ChristianeEloped 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 & JackDestination wedding
"From our very first coffee catch-up to discuss the potential of having Josh as our marriage celebrant, we knew we were in safe hands. Josh's attention to detail, and thorough care for his craft culminated in a heart-felt speech during our ceremony, and having our guests eating our of the palm of his hand as he MC'd our reception. We had extremely high expectations of all our wedding vendors, Josh went above and beyond, and throughout the night we had numerous guests approach us to compliment Josh's fun, entertaining and passionate disposition."
Lui & HayleyWedding
Ready for a Sydney ceremony that matters?
Less 'dearly beloved', more *you*. Let's create something meaningful together.
Blog Posts
View all posts »Real advice for couples who believe marriage is worth doing right.
Getting Married in Less Than a Month? Here's How the Shortening of Time Works
Need to marry in less than a month in Australia? Learn how shortening of time for your NOIM works, the 5 qualifying circumstances, and how to apply.
Try my new Wedding Budget Calculator
Bring some peace and clarity into your wedding planning process with my new Wedding Budget Calculator app right here on my website.
Can you drink alcohol before your wedding ceremony?
When you hire a wedding vendor you're not just booking a wedding vendor or creative, you're explicitly choosing someone's taste in their craft.
My Friends
Sydney Wedding Vendors
My friends in the wedding industry that I trust and recommend in Sydney
Bendooley Estate
Venue
Southern Highlands, Australia, Sydney
Bendooley Estate is a stunning venue that offers a blend of rustic charm and elegance, with picturesque gardens, a tranquil lake, and the iconic Book Barn, making it an unforgettable setting for any wedding.
Bow Creative
Wedding Planning
Melbourne, Victoria, Sydney, Australia, Tasmania
Kath from Bow Creative is the kind of planner who makes the whole ride feel like you’re working with family — not your aunty, instead she's the stylish cousin with great taste. Her work blends modern luxe with personality, and she nails it every time.
Cut a Rug
Entertainment
Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Australia
Aaron from Cut a Rug isn't just a wedding DJ—he's a vibe curator who transforms your celebration into an epic dance party. With a knack for reading the room and mixing tracks like a pro, he ensures your big day is anything but ordinary.
Jason Corroto
Photography
Sydney, Australia
Jason has an incredible talent for capturing the raw emotion of a wedding day with an effortless style that tells a story with personality, heart, and ease. His down-to-earth approach allows couples to be themselves, resulting in authentic and timeless images.
Luke Fletcher
Photography
Sydney, Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains, Australia
From New York to New Zealand, Iceland and all around Australia, I have had the joy of working with my mate Luke across the globe, and his ability to capture the essence of a wedding day with authenticity and flair is unparalleled. His fun-first, stress-never approach ensures every couple feels at ease, resulting in candid and timeless photographs that truly reflect the joy of the occasion.
XO Sounds
Entertainment
Hobart, Tasmania, Sydney, Australia
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.