Top 3 mistakes new marriage celebrants make (and how to avoid them like a pro)
Are you a new Celebrant? Avoid these 3 common mistakes with these pro tips
Step into your celebrant role with confidence! This guide reveals three common mistakes most new celebrants make, with expert advice on how to avoid them from experienced Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant, Stacey Morris, who has been marrying loved up couples for 18 years!
Hello, lovely fellow celebrant!
You’ve officially landed yourself in one of the most joyful and rewarding jobs out there, you get to legally marry people and be front row for all the love and magic. But let’s be honest, stepping into the role for the first time can feel a little like juggling flaming torches while walking a tightrope (I’ve been there and it ain’t a walk in the park!).
If you’ve just started or you’re prepping for your first few weddings, this guide is here to gently steer you away from a few common missteps that I’ve learned over the past 18 years and help you show up feeling calm, confident and ready to deliver the ceremony your couple deserves.
Mistake 1: Overloading the ceremony with words – keep it simple!
What Happens: You write a ceremony packed with all the stories, all the quotes, all the jokes, because you want it to feel full and meaningful. But what your couple ends up with is a script that feels long-winded, hard to follow or too heavy. Guests start squirming. The energy dips. And you’re left wondering why the vibes feel off.
How to fix it: Less is more, always.
Anchor the script around one or two themes (eg: loyalty, laughter, or how they balance each other out) instead of trying to cram in every memory they’ve shared.
Read your ceremony out loud. If it runs more than 15 minutes before vows/rings, it's worth trimming.
Let your couple's vows and the energy of the moment do the heavy lifting. Trim down your script to avoid doubling up on what your couple say in their vows.
Quick tip: Use a natural rhythm, a mix of heartfelt, cheeky, romantic and grounding tones. Create moments for breath, laughter and connection. That’s where the gold is. Engaging and punchy keeps everyone tuned in.
Mistake 2: Focusing too much on your script, not enough on your delivery
What Happens: You’ve nailed the script, your couple love it! But when it’s go-time, your delivery is flat, rushed or overly theatrical. You’re too caught up in “getting it right” to read the room or connect with your couple. The result? The script might read beautifully, but it doesn’t land.
How to fix it: Treat your script like a conversation, not a monologue.
Practice delivering key sections like you’re telling a great story to a friend over coffee.
Get familiar with transitions, pauses and emotional beats, this brings presence into your delivery.
Look up and connect with your couple. Don’t be afraid of pauses! Eye contact and facial warmth go a long way.
Move naturally. You don’t need to be glued to the one spot.
But most importantly, let your personality shine because that’s one of the reasons your couple chose you in the first place.
Celebrant secret: Record yourself reading the ceremony aloud. Playback helps you catch pacing issues, hear “buzz” words and find where more heart (or a little humour) is needed.
P.S – Buzz words are the words you use often. For some people, it’s ums and ahs. For me, it was beginning nearly every sentence with “Now”! Watching my own playbacks taught me to relax into each new sentence without needing to fill space. Enjoy those pauses, they add drama, allow your guests to absorb what you’re saying and let you breathe!
Mistake 3: Forgetting to hold the space
What Happens: You're so focused on logistics, microphone levels, paperwork, managing nerves, that you forget one of your most sacred jobs: holding the energy of the space. If you don’t do it, no one will. You’re the host essentially!
How to fix it: Own the role of space-holder, not just script-reader.
Arrive early and greet the vendors. A five-minute chat with the photographer, planner or DJ builds trust and ensures you're all on the same page.
Guide the guests gently but confidently (especially during awkward moments like when to stand or applaud).
Use your voice, tone and body language to set the tone, calm and warm goes a long way.
Lead the ceremony like a steady hand on the wheel. You don’t need to control it, but you do need to steer it.
Energy tip: Take three grounding breaths just before you start. Imagine anchoring the space in warmth, ease and love. The couple will feel it, even if they can’t name it and they’ll thank you for it afterwards, trust me!
Bonus tips to help you feel confident, calm and ceremony-ready from day one.
Have a checklist: Pack spares (pens, vow cards, batteries, tissues, deodorant, safety pins).
Be weather-ready: Umbrella, paperweights, sunblock, even if the forecast looks fine.
Make friends with the venue staff and vendors: They’re your allies in making the day feel smooth and professional.
Check in with the couple with a pre-ceremony chat the day before or an onsite rehearsal: A few kind words and a calming presence do wonders for pre-ceremony nerves.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present…and your beautiful self.
Every celebrant starts somewhere and mistakes are a beautiful part of learning. Even after 18 years as a Celebrant, I still walk away from every ceremony with something new to learn and implement. With awareness, a growth mindset, practice and a little mentoring (hi there!), you’ll not only avoid these common hiccups, you’ll become a truly magnetic, memorable celebrant couples adore.
You’ve got the heart. You’ve got the voice. Now go bring the magic.
Would you love a little one-on-one support with your ceremonies? I offer hands-on mentoring (yep, in-person at real weddings) designed to help you grow your confidence and find your flow.
If you’d like to know more, click here to explore mentoring options.