"I think it’s really important to get to know couples personalities, sense of humor, for me it contributes a lot to how I write and deliver a ceremony, down to words I use and humor I throw in." Hayley Belle
How did you decide to become a Marriage Celebrant? Whenever I was invited to a wedding, I was just about always asked to be the MC for the night, which I absolutely loved! I love making people smile and laugh, even if it it’s at the expense of my self! After working in radio for 12yrs, I became a mum and boy I decided it was a change - and being young and wild I chose to get a full sleeve (and a bit more) tattoo, so straight away that ruled out any ‘normal’ jobs. When planning my own wedding, I realized how important it was to have a Celebrant who matched our lifestyle and morals and of course, I didn’t want any of the ‘traditional’ ceremony boringness!
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What can you offer a couple for their Wedding day? My main focus on the day is to make the couple feel relaxed and direct them through everything - even mid ceremony. Apart from a completely personalized ceremony, my job doesn’t finish there. I arrive early enough with all the equipment to be a traffic controller, finish off the grazing table, pour people drinks, making sure the doggo has the bow tie perfect, play all the pre & mid ceremony music. I read the grooms mind by whisking him away if Aunty Sharon has been chewing his ear off too much. I also try to make all the guests feel comfortable as well, to make it feel just like they are all together for a big party, but someone has spiked the punch with all the feels.
What keeps you inspired along the way? People! I’m a Gemini. I love hearing people’s stories, where they’ve come from, how did they get here, what wild things did you get up to in your early 20’s. Sometimes when I meet up with couples, I have to group together again, and think hold on.. probs shouldn’t put this in your wedding ceremony. But I think it’s really important to get to know couples personalities, sense of humor, for me it contributes a lot to how I write and deliver a ceremony, down to words I use and humor I throw in.
What keeps you inspired along the way? People! I’m a Gemini. I love hearing people’s stories, where they’ve come from, how did they get here, what wild things did you get up to in your early 20’s. Sometimes when I meet up with couples, I have to group together again, and think hold on.. probs shouldn’t put this in your wedding ceremony. But I think it’s really important to get to know couples personalities, sense of humor, for me it contributes a lot to how I write and deliver a ceremony, down to words I use and humor I throw in.
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Do you have any stories that you would like to share from your experiences? I’ve done big expensive weddings and small backyard budget weddings. They are all beautiful and amazing!! Make sure you are triple checking your guest list. You want people there who are going to make the day and night amazing, no matter where you are. When you save so much money for ‘just one day’ you only get that one day, make sure you don’t regret not doing something. You don’t want to think back and say “I wish I'd have done this or not this” you are only going to spend this kind of money on yourselves once, might as well make it count, you get your dream wedding! You deserve it!
What advice would you offer a couple just starting out on their search for the perfect Marriage Celebrant? Start with 2 columns “do want” “don’t want” - a lot of the time you’ll have no idea where to start or what you want included in the ceremony - but your celebrant will guide you through the whole process, give you ideas, ask questions that you may not have even hear of. I can almost guarantee you will already know things you definitely don’t want. Maybe even think about someone you already know that you think ‘I would love for them to do it but they’re not a Celebrant” and then look for a Celebrant who reminds you or has the same personality style. Use social media to your advantage, check out Facebook & Instagram profiles to get an idea of what they are like.
What is the best part about what you do: People! Again. I just love hearing their stories. And what girl doesn’t love a reason to get dolled up every weekend.
