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Questions to ask a wedding celebrant before you choose
What to ask before you book, and what a good answer sounds like, from celebrants leading ceremonies in Italy since 2009.
Why it matters
Your celebrant sets the tone
Your venue sets the scene, but your celebrant sets the tone. For about half an hour, one person holds your guests' attention, tells your story and leads the moment you become a married couple. It is worth choosing them with the same care as your venue.
These are the questions we suggest asking any celebrant, us included, and what a good answer sounds like.
Before you book
About your ceremony
1. Will the ceremony really be written for us?
A good celebrant starts from your story, not from a template. Ask how they get to know you and how much of the ceremony is shaped around you.
Our answer: every ceremony starts with a free video call with your celebrant, and the text is written with you. A symbolic ceremony has no fixed script at all.
2. Will we meet the person who leads our ceremony?
You should know exactly who will stand in front of your guests, and meet them before the day.
Our answer: yes. We match you with one celebrant according to your languages, area and style, and you meet them on the video call. Meet our celebrants.
3. Can you lead the ceremony in our languages?
If your families speak different languages, ask how a bilingual ceremony works in practice. Nothing should simply be said twice: some moments are in both languages, others alternate, and every guest feels included.
Our answer: our celebrants lead ceremonies in six languages, and we work with a professional interpreter for any other. How a bilingual ceremony works.
4. What legal value will our ceremony have?
A symbolic ceremony is personal and can take place anywhere, but it has no legal value. A civil ceremony is legally binding and follows the Italian procedure. A good celebrant tells you this clearly from the start.
Symbolic or civil wedding in Italy: how to choose.
5. How much experience do you have, and how were you trained?
Ask how long they have been leading ceremonies and how they learned.
Our answer: Italian Wedding Celebrants began in 2009. Every celebrant on our team has trained for at least two years in the field alongside a senior celebrant before leading ceremonies alone.
On the day
On the day and beyond
6. What happens on the day?
Ask when they arrive and how they guide you through the ceremony.
Our answer: your celebrant arrives at least an hour before the ceremony, goes through everything with you and guides you step by step, so a rehearsal is usually not needed.
7. What if something unexpected happens?
Wind, a guest running late, a nervous moment: every wedding has one. Experience shows in how calmly a celebrant adapts, without your guests noticing.
8. Can we include rituals, readings or family members?
Ask which rituals they know and what they bring themselves.
Our answer: handfasting, a sand ceremony, a unity candle, a time capsule – wine box ceremony, and many more. For many rituals we bring what is needed. Outdoors we tell you honestly what works: candles, for example, do not like the wind.
9. Do you work with our wedding planner and venue?
Your celebrant should fit smoothly into the day, not add work. We coordinate timings and details with wedding planners and venues all over Italy.
10. What is included in the price?
Ask for a clear written proposal. Ours lists everything that is included, with no hidden extras. If your venue is far from the nearest celebrant, you may cover their overnight stay and meals, and we tell you this in advance.
FAQ
Questions couples ask us
How long does the ceremony last?
About half an hour. We suggest keeping it to 20–25 minutes: long enough to tell your story, short enough for every guest to stay present. If you ask us, it can be longer or shorter, although we do not usually recommend it.
When should we book our celebrant?
As soon as you know your date and place: in high season many dates fill early.
Can we choose our celebrant?
Yes. Tell us your date, place and languages. If you have a preference, we check their availability.
Do we need a rehearsal?
Usually not, because your celebrant arrives at least an hour before and goes through everything with you. If you would like one, it is possible at an additional fee, often the same as the ceremony fee.
Check availability
Tell us about your ceremony
Share your date, place and languages. We usually reply quickly and suggest a call; in high season it may take a little longer, but we always get back to you.