Fix pricing, not prices
Hannah, a new celebrant, has asked us to talk about pricing, prices, how to price yourself as a celebrant and whether it's ok to charge less when you're first starting out.
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 11 min
The Celebrant Talk Show
A regular talk show on being a marriage celebrant, the Australian marriage laws around celebrancy, and the art of running a celebrant business, hosted by the editors of the Celebrant Institute, Josh Withers and Sarah Aird
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Episodes
We have concepts of a plan
We delve into things you might need to know as a new celebrant joining the wedding industry - how to start and build a business, how to be friends with the rest of the industry, and how to be a better celebrant than you were yesterday. Let us know if there's anything you want us to talk about at hello@celebrant.fm !
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 6 min
The podcast episode about the email about the regulations recorded on a school night
You probably got that email sent to all celebrants about the Marriage Regulations legislation and the "new" requirement in the code of practice regarding "reasonable and timely responses" to requests from marrying couples. This episode of the Celebrant Talk Show podcast also covers service contracts in regards to tropical cyclones approaching Brisbane and our encouragement to you to conduct a risk analysis of your celebrancy business.
Mar 04, 2025•36 min
Would you rather less episodes recorded really well or more episodes recorded poorly like this one?
In this episode of The Celebrant Talk Show, hosts Josh Withers and Sarah Aird discuss a viral news story about a Melbourne man who illegally performed five weddings without proper certification. While battling their own technical difficulties with phone recording, they dive into the implications of fake celebrants, the extensive training required to become a legitimate celebrant, and ways to build trust in the profession. Josh and Sarah explore how celebrants can establish legitimacy through pro...
Nov 23, 2024•22 min
The one recorded at 100 kilometres per hour
Join Josh Withers and Sarah Aird as they explore the critical world of data security for celebrants. Starting with a demonstration of iOS 18.1's new call recording feature, the conversation delves into the sensitive nature of marriage documentation and how celebrants can better protect their clients' data. Learn about the risks of digital storage, the importance of data minimisation, and practical solutions including encrypted vaults and secure file sharing. Whether you're tech-savvy or just sta...
Nov 11, 2024•42 min
Charissa and Scott got up real high in their wedding
Enjoy this recording from the Insights series
Oct 31, 2024•40 min
Insights into Kim & Zac's Cronulla wedding
Enjoy this recording for the Celebrant Institute insights series
Oct 24, 2024•23 min
Insights into Madelin and Jeremy's Frogmore Creek wedding
Enjoy this recording from the insights podcast series
Oct 17, 2024•42 min
How Sharon and Adam chose Tim Maddren to be their celebrant and MC
Enjoy this interview from our insights podcast series on the Celebrant Institute
Oct 17, 2024•30 min
Listen to an AI podcast generator read the marriage laws
This podcast episode was generated with NotebookLM
Oct 12, 2024•16 min
They just decided to extend that to all weddings
Hello and thank you for having us back in your ears! This episode we're chatting about separate meetings, consent, and celebrant pricing. We really want to hear from you with anything you want us to talk about, or anything you might disagree with! Hit us up at hello@celebrant.fm
Oct 11, 2024•59 min
The one about the remote witnessing becoming law
Today's episode is all about the Australian marriage law changes that came in to place on the 12th of June 2024. For more information read the blog post about it and the email out .
Jun 12, 2024•24 min
Sarah-Louise's trip to the wedding trail and her Maleny wedding
Take a preview at the Celebrant Institute Insights podcast offering by listening in to this preview of an episode where bride from the Sunshine Coast, Sarah-Louise , shares how she has planned her whole Maleny wedding with a FIFO (to South Africa!) groom, and why she chose Jay Flood as her celebrant. Visit celebrant.institute/insights to listen to the full podcast and become an Insights member today....
May 03, 2024•49 min
Just a bunch of gibberish + new legislation & a quiet wedding industry
Hello everyone! It's been almost a year since we were in your ears - honestly, we just haven't had much to say. But we've got a bit to say today! We chat about the Attorney-General's Portfolio Miscellaneous Measures Bill and how long it's taking to get through Parliament. You can read Sarah's articles about it here: https://celebrant.institute/legal/exciting-new-re-remote-witnessing-of-noims/ https://celebrant.institute/legal/our-submission-to-the-senate-inquiry-into-the-ag-portfolio-miscellaneo...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Tori Brown's Path to Passion and Purpose
In this enlightening episode of the Celebrant Talk Show, host Josh Withers delves into the captivating world of new celebrants with guest Tori Brown from Grace and Soul Celebrancy . A recent graduate of the Certificate IV in Celebrancy at the Celebrant Institute , Tori shares her unique and inspiring journey towards becoming a celebrant. Throughout the conversation, Tori opens up about her personal experiences that shaped her path, including a life-altering tragedy and her unexpected venture int...
Jan 24, 2024•29 min
Musician-Turned-Celebrant: Ryan's Story
Welcome to another engaging episode of the Celebrant Talk Show , where we explore the diverse journeys of newly authorised celebrants in Australia. Today, I, Josh Withers , have the pleasure of hosting Ryan Enright from Paper Hearts , a Melbourne-based wedding musician who has recently embarked on a new journey as a celebrant. In this episode, Ryan shares his unique transition from being a musician to becoming a celebrant – a decision influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to up-skil...
Jan 18, 2024•20 min
Journey to Joy: Rachel Ivy McDermott-Magrath's Celebrant Adventure
Welcome to another enriching episode of the Celebrant Talk Show , where we delve into the inspiring journeys of those who've embarked on the path of becoming a celebrant. Today's episode features Rachel Ivy McDermott-Magrath , known professionally as " The Ivy Aisle ," who shares her captivating story from planning her own wedding to becoming a sought-after celebrant in Gippsland, Victoria. Rachel's conversation with us is not just a narrative of her transition into celebrancy but also a beacon ...
Jan 10, 2024•23 min
Fresh Faces in Celebrancy: Melissa Edwards' Energetic Entry
In this vibrant episode of the Celebrant Talk Show, host Josh Withers welcomes the enthusiastic Melissa Edwards , a newly minted celebrant who completed her Certificate IV in Celebrancy with the Celebrant Institute. As part of our series on fresh celebrants, Melissa shares her inspiring journey - from witnessing her sister's wedding to becoming a celebrant herself. With a passion for creating inclusive ceremonies and a unique, relaxed style, Melissa is redefining the celebrant scene. Join us for...
Jan 04, 2024•19 min
How to Celebrate and Not Hyperventilate
In this engaging episode of the Celebrant Talk Show , host Josh Withers takes us through an insightful conversation with Megan Studman, a new celebrant who has recently completed her certification with the Celebrant Institute . Megan talks about her journey, from her initial decision to become a celebrant during Melbourne's lockdowns to the completion of her Certificate 4 in Celebrancy . She shares the challenges and triumphs she faced, including the nerve-wracking wait for her registration from...
Dec 20, 2023•17 min
From Dietitian to 'I Do's
In this episode of the Celebrant Talk Show, Josh Withers interviews Amy McNeilly, a recent graduate from the Celebrant Institute. Amy, who works as a clinical dietician, pursued celebrancy to engage more with people, inspired by a celebrant she admired. The training was challenging, especially during the pandemic, taking two years to complete. She emphasizes the role's complexity and the importance of personalizing ceremonies. Her initial celebrant work began with friends' weddings, and she plan...
Dec 13, 2023•18 min
Meet Lachie, Weddings by the Beard
In this exciting episode of the Celebrant Institute's Celebrant Talk Show podcast, join your host, Josh Withers, as he continues his series of insightful interviews with recent graduates and new celebrants. This episode features a conversation with Lachlan "Lachie" Grisold, the dynamic Melbourne-based marriage celebrant behind "Weddings by the Beard." Lachie shares his fresh perspectives on the celebrancy world, discussing his journey from completing his Certificate IV in Celebrancy to creating ...
Dec 07, 2023•23 min
Open up the old internet and just toss some stuff in there. People love it.
Josh wrote an article on the Celebrant Institute website which received lots of feedback, and Sarah had some thoughts on it. Here's the link to the edited article , and the archived version from before this podcast episode.
May 01, 2023•48 min
Email is the worst
A terribly poor recording of the Celebrant Talk Show with Josh and Sarah this week, Josh's laptop got drunk. Topics on this episode include: Does ageism exist in celebrancy? Being a celebrant with a disability Email systems and we're changing them and email is hell Changing the Marriage Act of 1961, Josh's 2023 project.
Mar 25, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Maybe it will inspire some of us to rest
Josh is moving to Mexico, Sarah's still not at rest but she has found a spectacular little trick for funerals using iMovie. Still no movement on the NOIM video witnessing push, and we're meeting with the AGD next month.
Oct 05, 2022•46 min
Happy Podcast New Year!
We know, we know, we've been away for a whole year, but we're back! In this episode we talk about where we're both at in July 2022, and the major things that have happened in celebrancy and at the Celebrant Institute in the last 12 months: new forms released 1 September 2021 changes to compulsory OPD new Cert IV in Celebrancy released new PD options released amazing meeting with the Marriage Law and Celebrants Section - email marriagecelebrantssection@ag.gov.au with your examples of why being ab...
Jul 13, 2022•1 hr 15 min
We're not going to charge you more money, it's ok
We're tired, and we know you are all tired too. In this episode we catch up on each other's news, and chat about value (and how it's difficult to articulate!) and how OPD is going in 2021.
Jul 14, 2021•1 hr 21 min
Advanced OPD topic on how to skin a rabbit
After a six month break from podcasting because our world's got crazy and busy, we talk about what was keeping us busy. Namely, reschedules and postponements and cancellations of weddings, and how that's affecting the whole industry. Plus we go over our 2021 OPD - ongoing professional development - program in great depth. You're going to love it! Go to www.celebrant.training to see the whole offering.
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 24 min
Be the CEO your wedding celebrant business needs you to be
It's time to life up our heads from managing, or surviving, in our wedding celebrancy business, and to actually lead our businesses to a place where they bring us joy and happiness again. This episode of the podcast is with someone who helps people like us do things like that, Heidi Thompson from Evolve Your Wedding Business . Heidi is hosting the Wedding Business CEO Summit later this month and Josh is speaking at the summit on automating your customer journey. Celebrant Institute members and C...
Jan 15, 2021•32 min
Was the tinsel an acknowlegement?
After meeting with the Marriage Law and Celebrants Section of the Attorney-General's Department, Josh and Sarah bring you all the updates to marriage forms, OPD in the years ahead, signing NOIMs online, plus we've got some helpful tips on social media content and live streaming wedding ceremonies.
Oct 31, 2020•1 hr 17 min
Tasmania (BDM) gets the internet
Sarah chats to Tasmanian celebrant Kathleen Pavlic-Ryan about the brand new online registration system available through Births, Deaths, and Marriages Tasmania !x
Sep 30, 2020•23 min
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