What is a Celebrant?

If you’ve found yourself Googling “What even is a celebrant?”, you’re not alone and you’re definitely in the right place.

A celebrant is someone who creates and leads personalised, non-religious or semi-religious ceremonies to mark life’s biggest moments - think weddings, funerals, baby naming, vow renewals, and more. Basically, when something important is happening and you want the occasion to reflect you, not just a standard script, a celebrant is your go-to.

At Just Ceremonies, we’re all about making your moments meaningful. Whether it’s a wedding in the woods or a heartfelt farewell, we (Jackie and Deb) write and deliver ceremonies that feel personal, warm, and totally right for you.

We’re not just winging it either - we're Diploma-qualified celebrants, which means we’ve done the study, the practice, and the heartfelt work behind the scenes to bring you ceremonies that are both beautiful and professionally delivered.

Weddings: Your Day, Your Way 💍

Let’s start with weddings. If you’ve ever sat through a ceremony that felt a bit... copy&paste, you’ll understand why more and more couples are choosing celebrants.

This was just such a joyful wedding....(photo credit Peter Huish Photography)

A celebrant-led wedding means:

 You can get married anywhere - in a garden, on a beach, at your nan’s favourite café (well, if they’ll have us).

 It’s entirely about you as a couple - your story, your vibe, your values.

 No restrictions on content - include poetry, personal vows, rituals, or even a dog as ring bearer (we’re big fans of furry guests).

One of our recent couples said in a Google review:

 “Jackie made our wedding ceremony completely unforgettable. So many guests told us it was the most heartfelt ceremony they’d ever been to. We laughed, we cried, and it felt so us.” — ★★★★★

We spend time getting to know you—your story, quirks, in-jokes and love languages. And then we create a ceremony that’s got just the right balance of humour, sentiment and celebration. No templates here, thank you very much.

Funerals: Celebrating a Life, Not Just Saying Goodbye 🌿

Now let’s talk funerals. They're tough—of course they are. But that doesn’t mean they can’t also be meaningful, comforting, and even joyful in the right places.

As celebrants, we help you create a farewell that truly reflects the person you’ve lost. It might include their favourite music, stories from their life, memories from loved ones, even a cheeky nod to their sense of humour.

 “Deb conducted my mum’s funeral with so much care and grace. She captured her spirit perfectly, and made everyone feel seen and supported. It meant the world to us.” — ★★★★★

We’re always told, “You got them just right.” And honestly, that’s the best feedback we could hope for.

Photo credit - Georgina Piper

Funerals with a celebrant allow for:

 Total flexibility in content—religious, spiritual, or completely non-religious.

 A life story that really tells who they were.

 Comfort for the family, knowing it’s been done properly, thoughtfully, and with heart.

So... Why Choose Just Ceremonies?

We (Jackie and Deb) founded Just Ceremonies because we believe life’s big moments deserve more than a cookie-cutter script. We’re both passionate about people, and absolutely love what we do.

From couples wanting something a bit different, to families saying goodbye with dignity and love, we’re here for it all.

Another happy client summed it up beautifully:

 “Jackie and Deb made a difficult time easier. They brought calm, empathy and warmth from the first conversation to the final goodbye.” — ★★★★★

Ready to Chat?

Whether you’re planning a wedding, a farewell, or something completely unique, let’s talk. No pressure. Just possibilities.

If you’re curious, confused, or just want to check whether a celebrant is right for you, we’re always happy to chat. No obligations—just honest advice and a cuppa (virtually or in person!).

Because life deserves to be celebrated—properly.