Why I chose to train with the Celebrant Institute....and what it means for your big day!
Why I trained with the Celebrant Institute, and what that training means for the ceremony I write for you.
When I decided to become a celebrant, I didn’t want to just tick a few boxes and get a certificate—I wanted to do it properly. I wanted to learn from people who were out there delivering memorable, meaningful ceremonies every weekend, and who were just as passionate about love, laughter, and storytelling as I am.
That’s why I trained with the Celebrant Institute.
So… what is the Celebrant Institute?
The Celebrant Institute is a professional training and support organisation for Australian celebrants. It was created by two industry legends--Sarah Aird and Josh Withers—who believe that celebrancy should be equal parts legally sound and emotionally powerful.
Sarah is the go-to legal oracle — she knows everything about the nitty-gritty of getting married in Australia. Josh loves the IT side of the business, learning about new technology. They are both working celebrants too.
Together, they’ve built a community of celebrants who are constantly learning, evolving, and raising the bar for ceremonies across the country.
Why it mattered to me
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to weddings, funerals, or naming days. Every ceremony should feel genuine, not generic. Training with the Celebrant Institute helped me:
Understand the legal responsibilities of being an authorised celebrant (no one wants a ceremony that turns out to be invalid—yikes!)
Learn how to write and deliver ceremonies that are warm, witty, and real.
Get access to support from a national network of like-minded celebrants anytime I need it - no question is too hard for these two!
It’s like having a safety net and a cheer squad rolled into one.
What this means for you
When you work with me, you’re not just getting someone who’ll show up with a script and hope for the best. You’re getting a celebrant who’s:
✔ Professionally trained
✔ Backed by a trusted national network
✔ Committed to doing things properly—but never boringly!
✔ Always learning, improving, and putting heart into every ceremony
Plus, I love a good story. If your wedding vows involve Star Wars references, or your farewell ceremony needs a bit of Aretha Franklin, I’m already there with bells on.
In short...I chose the Celebrant Institute because I wanted to do this job well. Because your stories deserve more than a template—they deserve to be celebrated properly.
Got questions about what it’s like to plan a ceremony with me?
Let’s chat.
