Why Asking a Friend or Family Member to Conduct Your Wedding Ceremony can be a Bad Idea

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It is a day where you and your partner publicly declare your love and commitment to each other in front of your loved ones. In addition, as the couple, you want everything to be perfect, including your wedding ceremony. However, many couples make the decision to ask a family member or friend to conduct their wedding ceremony. It may seem like a good idea at first, but it is important to understand the potential pitfalls, and why it is a better idea to hire a professional Celebrant for their expertise and experience instead.

Firstly, let’s look at why couples ask family or friends to conduct their wedding ceremonies. For some, it may be a way to save money, as good Celebrants can be expensive. For others, it may be a way to add a personal touch to the ceremony, as they believe that a family member or friend will know them best and can personalise the ceremony accordingly. However, while these reasons may seem valid, the reality is that asking a family member or friend to conduct your wedding ceremony can be, and sometimes is, a recipe for disaster.

The main reason it is a bad idea to ask a family member or friend to conduct your wedding ceremony is the immense pressure that it puts on them and the anxiety it can cause to stand up and speak in front of a room full of people, when really they should be attending your ceremony to enjoy the proceedings relaxed in the knowledge that the most important part of your day does not rest on their shoulders. Conducting a wedding ceremony is not an easy task by any means, and it requires a specific skillset that not everyone has.

A wedding ceremony is: 

• a complex event 
• requires planning, preparation, and execution
• it is not something that can be improvised or left to chance 

When you ask a family member or friend to conduct your wedding ceremony, you’re essentially asking them to take on a role that they may not be prepared for, which can lead to mistakes, awkward moments, and ultimately, a less-than-perfect wedding ceremony. In some cases, when the stress is too much, it has led to melt downs!

Moreover, asking a family member or friend to conduct your wedding ceremony can also be an obstacle rather than a bonus. This is because the person conducting the ceremony is often too close to the couple, which can make it difficult for them to remain impartial and professional. A professional Celebrant, on the other hand, is trained to be objective and neutral, which allows them to conduct the ceremony in a way that is both personalised and professional, also they more often than not become friends and keep in touch. They are also experienced in dealing with unexpected situations and can adapt the ceremony on the fly if needed, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and according to plan.

Finally, hiring a professional Celebrant is also important because, although they have become friends, they remain slightly distanced from the couple. This distance is necessary because it allows the Celebrant to be impartial and objective, which is crucial when conducting a wedding ceremony. By being a little bit removed from the couple, the Celebrant can ensure that the ceremony is conducted in a way that is both meaningful and professional. They are also able to offer guidance and support to the couple, ensuring that they feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process.

In conclusion, while it may seem like a good idea to ask a family member or friend to conduct your wedding ceremony, Celebrants are able to take the pressure off the couple and ensure that everything runs smoothly, making the wedding day a truly unforgettable experience. So, if you are planning your wedding, do not leave anything to chance. Hire a professional Celebrant to ensure that your ceremony is everything you dreamed it would be. It is one of the most important days of your life, and you deserve to have it done right. Let a Celebrant handle the ceremony, so you and your loved ones can focus on enjoying the moment and making memories that will last a lifetime. We bring calm, we bring expertise and most of all, we bring the vision of your ceremony to life.