National Celebrants Day

Local celebrants Peter Woodward, Sharon Bonthuys, Wendy Shepherd, Mandy Ellis and Helen McLean gathered in Dubbo last weekend to celebrate National Celebrants Day.

National Celebrants Day falls on November 20 each year in Australia and it's a day to reflect upon and celebrate the work that celebrants do in the community.

Civil celebrants like me are what some might call 'secular priests' because we often perform the same kinds of ceremonies as religious officiants - just a bit differently, and in the vast majority of cases, without religion.

As we approach another NCD, I reflect on what I've learned in the 21 years I've been an authorised celebrant. That amounts to so much over the years, as I've invested heavily in my professional development. The industry has changed a lot over the years, too. Things we could not do in 2004 - deemed a conflict of interest - are now part of bundled services that many modern celebrants offer wedding clients. Things like also offering photography services, or MC / DJ services, florals, styling, even wedding planning. 

​There are also a lot more celebrants today than in 2004 - over 10,000 now, and that means the community has a lot of choice, especially when you consider there are a lot more religious celebrants serving established faiths in Australia, plus state/territory officers performing marriage for their jurisdictions.

​It remains an honour and a privilege to do this work for the Commonwealth, and I'm grateful to every couple who has chosen me to officiate at their ceremonies. Here's to the next 21 years!

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