Q+A: ANDREW MICHAEL MARRIAGE CELEBRANT | BYRON BAY NSW
You may have seen this Byron Bay based wedding celebrant on Instagram giving his awesome ceremony space tours, it's Andrew Michael the marriage celebrant who decided to become a celebrant back in 2016. At the time, he and his best mate had a wedding music duo called 'Jake & Andy' and after about 400 weddings Andrew decided it was time to expand his skills, work to his strengths and grow the business so he became a registered marriage celebrant.
"The commitment is serious, but the vibe doesn't have to be."
"On the day of your wedding, I provide a service which is true to the couples style, personalities, values and relationship. Naturally, I'm relaxed and calm but always positive and upbeat, that usually rubs off on the couple pretty quickly. I do engage with and meet some of the guests before the ceremony kicks off to put everyone at ease, set the tone, and remind everyone to be their normal selves during this ceremony as the last thing we want is to add any extra nerves onto the couple. My advice to couples is to be true to yourselves, remind each other why you love each other so much, to breathe slowly, to open your heart and let it all in (and out) so you bring the best out in each other on your amazing wedding day.
I didn't always know I would become a celebrant. I spent most of my school days surfing and playing every sport under the sun, I then went to uni and became a school teacher. I travelled and moved around alot before I settled on the Gold Coast. I was always comfortable talking to strangers and being in front of a crowd and performing (through music). As I matured and grew, I found that I could connect and relate to people easily and speak well to an audience. I found that people warmed to my personality easily and the buzz and positive energy I received and radiated helped to make people comfortable and happy, including me! So really, the act of being a marriage celebrant suited me to a Tee.
Its easy to be inspired as a marriage celebrant. For me, every couple is different, every ceremony is different and each time I meet a couple, put pen to paper or get in my car to go to work, its different. I love the challenge of learning about the couple, feeling like I actually 'know' them, become a part of their journey and deliver a ceremony which they (and their guests) will hopefully remember forever. The inspiration comes from the couples who make contact with me daily, trust me with their story and to deliver a ceremony that they want. The challenge comes from the couple, the location, their goals and vision and putting it together with my style and personality keeps me pumped every day. Not to mention the big smiles I see, and constant happiness and positive vibes which I am apart of.. Its pretty easy for me to stay inspired and do my job as best as I can.
The best stories from weddings come from when the couple are completely themselves. They choose venues and suppliers who complement their personality and style - and do things their way. It sounds cliche but its true. I've gone surfing with a couple on the Gold Coast - then married them out in the water at Kirra Point - we then used a surfboard as a signing table on the sand. I've also married couples in Victorian styled, European inspired villas in Byron Bay, Farmland out west, in restaurants and under the couples favourite tree. There are so many great stories to share but ceremony out at Kirra Point on the Gold Coast was pretty awesome.
When searching for your perfect celebrant. Try and go with someone who understands you, who is on your page with what you want, someone you click with and makes you feel comfortable and at ease with everything. if you feel like you could talk to your celebrant about anything and their response is authentic and personable, you're on the right track. Your celebrant is the one who marries you in front of your favourite people so you need to feel that you can trust them when delivering your story, keeping your guests in the zone and connected to your ceremony whilst evoking all those emotions you want on your special day.
My favourite style of wedding ceremony is one which is modern with its delivery and context but still has traditional elements and a romantic feel. I love an outdoor ceremony, with the afternoon sun filtering through, the breeze blowing, with the scene set for good vibes with good people. I love it when the couple script their own vows and open up with their hearts so we can all feel like we're apart of their story and contribute to their love. The commitment is serious, but the vibe doesn't have to be. Good people, an open heart, a loved up couple, a good celebrant to steer the ship will always make the perfect setting for a cermeony to remember.
The best part about what I do is that I get to play a role in peoples lives which evoke memories which will last forever. Love, happiness and a sense of connection and achievement is what keeps the world spinning, and I love that I get to feel that every week. The travel, locations, cool couples, amazing stories, dapper suits, pretty flowers and kind words are all cool too, but to experience the emotion and intimacy of each couple and feel that happiness, love, connection to family and each other and ridiculous levels of excitement gets me every time!
Have fun guys, enjoy the journey and love and every second!"Andrew shares.
