The art of personalising your wedding ceremony: a celebrant’s perspective.
Personalising your ceremony – where do you even begin? We asked Ivory Tribe celebrant Aaron Rich to share his insights on creating ceremonies that feel uniquely yours.
Drawing from his years in radio interviewing the likes of Ed Sheeran and Macklemore, Aaron brings a fresh perspective to crafting celebrations that strike the perfect balance between heartfelt and entertaining.
Tell us about your experience.
My background in radio has heavily influenced my approach to creating personalised ceremonies because it has trained me to connect with audiences through storytelling, pacing, and tone. In radio, particularly interviews, when I’ve talked to celebs like Ed Sheeran, or Macklemore. The key to getting the best out of them so the audience is interested in what they have to say, is to listen, and ask questions. The more they talk the more likely you are to find out something interesting about them. It’s the same approach I have with my couples. I’m listening closely as they tell me their story, it’s the small details that can have a huge impact to the ceremony.
What are some unique ways couples can infuse their personalities or signature style into their ceremony?
Incorporating shared hobbies or interests is an obvious but elegant way.
As an example, consider your first impressions of each other. Maybe Jennifer thought on her first date with Toby he wasn’t into her because of how reserved he was. However, after chatting some more Jen found out Toby was actually a vegetarian and was uncomfortable at the local steak house. You could reveal cute pet names, stories from travels or big life moments.
The key is to be open to discussing as much as you can with your celebrant – this will help them put all the pieces about you as a couple and individuals into a unique story that celebrates you.
Is there potential in a wedding ceremony to have the mandatory elements and still add creative interpretation?
ABSOLUTELY! Being creative is key to a unique and interesting ceremony. The mandatory elements are the Monitum and the legal vows. Everything else is up to you, and can be crafted to suit you. Personal vows, exchange of rings, hell, even an appreciation for your fur babies. Anything is possible and I love hearing unique ideas.
In your experience, what personalised elements tend to resonate most strongly with guests?
Personalised vows have huge emotional impact. When couples speak from the heart, it creates a moment that feels authentic and special. Broader than that, you want the ceremony to reflect the couple. That’s my job, get to know you well so when I perform the ceremony your guests will feel like the couple’s story is being correctly told.
How do you help couples find the balance between keeping things entertaining while maintaining the significance of the moment?
It’s all about pace and tone. I encourage couples to think of their ceremony as a balance between emotional and light-hearted moments. Adding humour through personalised vows or a funny story can create a light-hearted atmosphere, but it’s important to also have moments of reflection. I suggest they always remember the ultimate goal: to celebrate their love and commitment in a way that feels true to them.
What’s your advice for couples who want their ceremony to feel unique but are worried about straying too far from tradition?
My advice is to embrace the core elements that matter most to you. You don’t need to toss tradition entirely out the window to make the ceremony personal. Instead, make small tweaks that enhance the meaning for both of you.
How early in the planning process should couples start thinking about personalising their ceremony?
The earlier, the better. Starting early allows you to really reflect on what’s important to both of you and how you want to share that with your guests. I usually recommend couples begin personalising their ceremony once they’ve secured the venue and established their guest list. That way, they can start to weave together elements that reflect their personality and relationship while still leaving time to consider logistics.
What role can family and friends play in creating a more personalised ceremony experience?
Tradionally, your closest family or friends would be a part of your wedding party. However, family and friends can play a bigger role in your ceremony. They can offer personal readings, participate in rituals, or even share stories or blessings.
For couples just starting to think about their ceremony, what questions should they be asking themselves to help guide the process?
Perhaps consider:
- What moments or aspects of our relationship do we want to highlight in the ceremony?
- What traditions or rituals do we want to include (or exclude)?
- Who do we want to involve in the ceremony, and in what way?
- How do we want our guests to feel during the ceremony?
- What kind of atmosphere do we want to create—romantic, light-hearted, reflective, etc.?
Ready to create your own uniquely personal ceremony? Discover more about Aaron Rich via our directory. Because your ‘I do’ moment deserves to be distinctly, wonderfully you.
