ceremony questionnaire

taken from www.wedbykez.com
info@wedbykez.com
Kez is a Young Marriage Celebrant for Newcastle, Central Coast and Hunter Valley



With each couple that book me as their celebrant I try to write a ceremony that reflects their individuality and personality. It’s not easy when you have only a short amount of contact with each couple and I have to be a detective sometimes to get to what my couples want from me.

Some couples are open books and feel quite comfortable to tell me what they love and loathe about a ceremony I have written. Others tend to be a bit shy in admitting they don’t like certain words, or the structure of a ceremony and it takes some gentle prodding to get the truth.

Really, I prefer the direct and honest approach. If I couple don’t like something that I have written then draw and big red line through it and mark it “NO! NO! NO!”. Knowing what a couple don’t like can sometimes point you in the right direction to create a ceremony that they DO like plus the criticism makes me a better celebrant. (And that can only be a good thing)

So I’ve written below some of the questions I ask my couples when starting to write a ceremony. You might like to write your own answers and take them to your celebrant to give them an idea of what you’re after. Or if you don’t have a celebrant yet – click here

As you are planning your wedding what kind of feel are you going for (ie Classy, Casual, Formal, Fun and Frivolous)?


How long do you imagine the ceremony goes for?


How comfortable are you both about speaking in public?


How comfortable are you both in expressing your feelings in public? (ie Flamboyant - we're in love and shout it from the rooftops or Quietly Committed - we keep how we feel between the two people that need to know)


Do you want the ceremony to be

1. mostly conducted by the celebrant
2. partly conducted by the celebrant allowing for moments where we can speak freely or involve other guests
3. conducted by us with the celebrant overseeing all legal aspects?

Do you want the ceremony to include readings, poems or any significant rituals?


Do you want to be given away?


Do you want to write your own vows?



If there anyone/ thing that you wish to acknowledge during the ceremony?


What do you dislike about weddings in general or weddings you have been to? (include any words that you don't want used during your ceremony)

What are your favourite moments in weddings? (include words or moments that have stuck with you as being really special)