Present for Every Ceremony: How I Stay Balanced and Fully Invested in EVERY Wedding I Officiate as a Full-time Celebrant

When I first became a Celebrant, I wondered how someone could be a full-time Celebrant, officiating ceremony's week in, week out, and still find meaning and sentiment in every single marriage ceremony. I had seen quite a few celebrants that didn't seem to have the 'care factor' and wasn't sure if it was a personality thing, or if it was the effects of officiating too many weddings and losing the x-factor required for an authentic feeling wedding. But after 8 years as a registered Celebrant and 5 years as a full-time Celebrant, I have proven that it can be done. For me, every single marriage ceremony is unique, and every marriage ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime event. With that in mind, I find myself being present and having all the feels every single time. It helps that I limit how many weddings I do to ensure I don't feel the effects of burnout, and that I have tools in place to keep myself on the level and balanced so that I am at my best for every couple that has entrusted me with their big day. My tools include simply the self-maintenance that every human needs (i.e. regular exercise, both physical and mental, eating and sleeping well, receiving and giving love, community engagement, and solitude), and on top of that on the day of a wedding if need be I am equipped with the ability to meditate and use breathing techniques to ensure I am at 100% when the time comes to hold the space for my couples and their families and friends. At the end of each ceremony, I’m reminded what it is that I love about being a celebrant: to honour the uniqueness of each couple’s love story, and to create a space where every moment of joy, laughter, and connection feels as meaningful to me as it does to them.