Marriage Celebrant 101 – What Does a Celebrant Do?

Ever wondered what a marriage celebrant actually does? Aside from rocking up in a suit and saying a few words before the kiss?

Here’s the truth: a celebrant is the one person at your wedding who can legally marry you in Australia and make the moment feel like it’s actually yours.

What’s a Celebrant’s Role?

In Australia, a marriage celebrant is authorised by the Commonwealth (the federal government of Australia) to legally marry couples.

That means we’re not just reading a script – we’re responsible for:

Handling the legal paperwork before, during, and after your wedding.
Making sure you say the legal vows (yes, there are actual words you must say).
Making sure that at all times the law is being obeyed, a good example is that we need to be checking consent all the time and that there are witnesses.
Lodging your paperwork with Births, Deaths, and Marriages so you’re legally married.

We’re the ones ensuring your marriage is recognised under Australian law, so your wedding isn’t just a party, it’s the real deal.

Celebrant vs Officiant vs Priest

You’ll hear different terms tossed around: celebrant, officiant, priest, solemniser. Let’s clear it up.

Celebrant: In Australia, this usually means a civil celebrant – someone who can legally marry you without religion, or with as much (or as little) religion as you like.
Officiant/Solemniser: Terms used in other countries for someone who conducts a wedding ceremony. Sometimes they can legally marry you, sometimes they can’t and they’re just doing symbolic or commitment ceremonies.
Priest/Minister: Leads a religious ceremony, following the traditions and requirements of their faith, usually appointed by a church.

Put simply, if you want a wedding that’s personal, modern, and tailored to you – and legally binding in Australia – you hire a celebrant.

Why Do Couples Hire Celebrants?

Because you’re not like everyone else.

82% of Australian couples choose civil celebrants because they want flexibility and personalisation. You can get married in your backyard, on a mountain, or in a bar at sunrise. You can write your own vows, or you can lean on your celebrant to help you craft something that sounds like you (not like Google).

And you get a ceremony that tells your story, not a cookie-cutter template.

Can Celebrants Do Other Ceremonies?

Yep. Many celebrants also officiate:

Naming days
Funerals
Vow renewals
Commitment ceremonies

Some celebrants specialise, but many are there for the big moments in life, not just weddings.

Wrapping Up

A good celebrant - like me - will legalise your marriage, yes. But they’ll also craft a ceremony that feels true, human, and memorable. They’ll help you tell your story well, making the ceremony the best part of your wedding day.

And that’s what a celebrant actually does.

Photo for this blog post by my friend Jason Corroto at an elopement by The Elopement Collective.