Let’s be honest.
If you’ve been to a few weddings, you’ve probably sat through at least one ceremony thinking: “Is this . . . it?”
Same script.
Same structure.
Same polite smiles while everyone waits for it to be over.
And if you’re planning your own wedding and thinking “we don’t want that”
Good! You shouldn’t.
Most wedding ceremonies are forgettable
Not because the couple isn’t great.
Not because the moment isn’t important.
But because the ceremony? It’s been treated like a formality. Something to “get through” before the party starts.
So you end up with:
- the same tired rituals
- generic wording
- awkward pacing
- guests mentally checking out
- and a couple standing there thinking “this doesn’t really feel like us”
That’s not a couple problem.
That’s a format problem.
“We’ll just customise it” isn’t the solution
You’ll hear this a lot: “We’ll take a traditional ceremony and personalise it for you.”
Sounds good.
Doesn’t really work.
Because swapping out a few words or adding a story doesn’t fix the core issue. If the structure is stiff, outdated, or just not your vibe – it’s going to feel off, no matter what.
You don’t need a better version of the same ceremony.
You need a different starting point.
You’re allowed to ditch the stuff that feels weird
This is where couples get stuck.
They think they have to include certain things because:
- “that’s what our families expect”
- “that’s what weddings are like”
- “we saw it on Instagram”
You don’t.
You can skip:
- having an aisle to walk down
- being “given away”
- gendered or outdated language
- long, formal scripts that sound like a brochure
- rituals that mean absolutely nothing to you
If it feels forced, it will feel forced.
And you’ll notice it.
So what does a good ceremony actually look like?
Not chaotic.
Not try-hard.
Not “let’s be different for the sake of it”.
Just . . . right.
- it sounds like you
- it flows naturally
- it keeps your guests engaged
- it actually feels like something is happening – not just being read out
And most importantly: You’re not standing there waiting for it to end.
This isn’t about being “non-traditional”
I’m not interested in labels.
Some of the best ceremonies I’ve done are:
- relaxed
- funny in the right moments
- emotional without being over the top
- simple, but intentional
What they all have in common is this: they fit the couple.
Not a template. Not an expectation. Not a Pinterest board.
Do you need help to plan your wedding in Melbourne?
The celebrant matters more than you think
Here’s the bit people underestimate.
A celebrant isn’t just there to:
- show up
- read a script
- sign paperwork
A good celebrant will:
- help you work out what you actually want (not what you think you’re “supposed” to want)
- push back on things that don’t feel right
- build something that feels natural, not staged
And yes – make sure it’s all legally sorted without that part becoming the main event.
If you’re thinking “this is exactly what we don’t want . . . ”
Then you’re probably my kind of couple.
I work with people who:
- don’t want a cookie-cutter ceremony
- care about how it feels, not just how it looks
- want something modern, relaxed, and genuinely them
Not performative.
Not awkward.
Not forgettable.
Just right.
Let’s make it something you actually want to be part of
If you’ve read this and thought “yes, this — this is what we’ve been trying to say”
Then let’s chat.
No pressure. No hard sell.
Just a conversation about what you actually want your ceremony to feel like. Enquire here / Check my availability
Get the latest wedding ceremony news, advice & tips
Sent straight to your email each month
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.