Who's marrying who?
Finding a Celebrant

Shopping for the person who will actually perform the task of marrying you is always either very easy or very difficult – there's very rarely a middle ground. If you already have a church minister or a celebrant in the family, chances are that your heart is already set. If not – the hunt begins. Not only are you searching for someone who will be available on your wedding day (good celebrants and ministers are often booked a year in advance!) but also looking for someone who you feel will perform your ceremony the way you envision it and in line with your own beliefs/religion. Only then can you start thinking about how to save money here! My tips for finding an celebrant include;

• Speak to as many celebrants/ministers as you can that will be available. Get a 'feel' of how they interact with you. Maybe try to watch one of their past ceremonies on DVD?
  
• Always ask what is included in their fee or if there are extra fees on top of the basic charge. Some celebrants charge the equivalent of an 'appearance fee' but at times this can include the costs of your licenses, certificates of marriage etc. Other times it is an added expense. Knowledge is Power!
  
• Explain to the celebrants that you are working hard to keep the costs of your wedding down. You will find that 99% of these people are understanding and will then try to give you the best quote they can do.
  
• If you have family that has recently married, speak to their celebrants. Nothing like a 'bulk deal' from a big family!
  
• Always be upfront and truthful with information the officiant/celebrant will need to know. Attempting to hide information such as your different religions, previous marriages etc is a very bad idea. You could find your wedding canceled on you if you get caught out.
  

Next Page - Page 11: Save Money on Wedding Ceremony Locations.