Meeting Your Celebrant for the First Time: Weddings & Vow Renewals
by Steve Pritchard-Jones
So, you’ve had your initial discovery call with your celebrant, you’ve filled in the booking form, and you’ve paid the booking fee to secure the date in the celebrant’s diary.
The next thing… is the face-to-face meeting to get the ball rolling.
(Yes — this is where it all gets real. Slightly exciting… slightly “what have we signed up for?” 😄)
You walk in thinking it’s just another meeting. Another step in planning.
But somewhere between the introductions and the first shared laugh, it becomes something much more meaningful.
Meeting your celebrant for the first time isn’t about ticking a box.
It’s about beginning your ceremony.
(And no, you won’t be asked to memorise your vows on the spot… I’m good, but I’m not that good.)
It’s Not a Formal Interview — It’s a Conversation
Many couples arrive slightly unsure of what to expect.
Will it feel official? Structured? A bit awkward?
In reality, it’s usually the opposite.
A good celebrant creates a relaxed, welcoming space where you can simply be yourselves. Whether you’re planning a wedding or renewing vows after years together, the focus is the same — you, your relationship, and your story.
It’s less “meeting a supplier”…… and more “having a chat with someone who won’t judge how you actually met (yes, even if it involved a dodgy dating app or a lost kebab at 2am).”
Your Story Takes Centre Stage
This is where everything begins.
For weddings, it might be:
- How you met
- The early days of your relationship
- The moment you thought, “Yep… this one will do.”
For vow renewals, it often goes deeper:
- The journey you’ve shared
- The ups, the downs… and the “how are we still married after that holiday?” moments
- The life you’ve built together
There’s no pressure to “perform” or tell things perfectly.
It’s about honesty. Warmth. Real moments.
Sometimes you’ll find yourselves laughing at memories you’d forgotten.
Sometimes, there’s a quiet pause where emotion catches up.
And sometimes… one of you will reveal a story the other has NEVER heard before.
(At which point I just sit back and enjoy the show.)
Building Trust — The Heart of It All
Whether it’s your wedding day or a vow renewal, you’re placing something incredibly important in someone else’s hands.
Your story.
Your words.
Your moment.
That’s why this first meeting matters so much.
A great celebrant isn’t just listening for details — they’re getting a sense of who you are as a couple:
- Your personalities
- Your dynamic
- Who’s in charge… and who thinks they’re in charge
By the end of the meeting, you should feel at ease.
Not just because you’ve “made progress”…
but because you trust the person guiding you.
(And because you’re fairly confident I won’t call you by the wrong name at the crucial moment — always a bonus.)
Ideas Begin to Take Shape
You don’t need to arrive with a finished plan.
In fact, most couples don’t.
This is where ideas start to grow:
- Ways to make your ceremony personal and unique
- Thoughtful touches that reflect your journey
- Ideas for involving family, friends… or that one uncle who insists on saying a few words
For vow renewals, this might include:
- Rewriting promises with the wisdom of years together
- Including children or grandchildren
- A heartfelt “we made it this far — let’s not ruin it now” moment
For weddings, it might be:
- Finding the right tone — romantic, relaxed, joyful
- Creating a ceremony that actually sounds like you (not something copied off Google at midnight)
You Leave Feeling Different
Something shifts during that first meeting.
What started as “planning a ceremony” becomes something more meaningful.
You leave not just with ideas or next steps…
but with a sense of excitement — and often, relief.
Because now you can picture it.
Not just a ceremony…
but your ceremony.
(And one where guests aren’t checking their watches wondering when the buffet opens.)
Final Thoughts
Meeting your celebrant for the first time is where everything begins.
It’s where:
- your story is heard
- your vision starts to form
- and your ceremony becomes something personal and real
So take your time. Be open. Share the little details as well as the big ones.
Because whether you’re at the start of your journey…
or celebrating everything you’ve built together…
This is where your story truly comes to life.
I’m always available to offer help, advice, reassurance… or just a calm voice when things get a bit “weddingy.”
Whether it’s vows, readings, timings — or talking you out of that “great idea” at 11pm the night before — I’ve got you.
Follow my TikTok @stevepjtopnote and my YouTube Channel @TopNoteCeremonies for regular hints, tips… and a healthy dose of completely useless information too 😄
Steve Pritchard-Jones
Celebrant
