Unfiltered: What Your Wedding Vendors Really Want You to Know - Celebrant Edition
Jayne from The Sydney Celebrant Spills the Wedding Tea – Unfiltered Advice from a Ceremony Pro
Welcome to the Unfiltered mini-series - where I chat with the best in the biz to bring you the kind of wedding wisdom that actually helps. This time, I’m joined by Jayne from The Sydney Celebrant: a warm, whip-smart legend who knows how to craft a ceremony that feels like you, not just a checkbox on the schedule.
She’s not just about legal paperwork and a microphone - Jayne gets the vibe right. Here, she shares her takes on unplugged ceremonies, ceremony flow, and creating a day that feels joyful (not just pretty).
Your Ceremony, Your Rules (And Maybe a Microphone)
Jayne from The Sydney Celebrant shares straight-up ceremony advice: ditch the iPads, step out of the photos, and prioritise the people who matter.
1. What’s one thing you wish more couples knew before working with a floral designer or stylist?
There are no hard and fast rules for how your ceremony should be executed. It is completely custom. Your celebrant is there to bring your dream ceremony to life – and that looks different for every couple.
Charlotte’s Take: Can we get this printed on a tote bag, please? Your ceremony should reflect you – not some outdated template. Whether it's serious, hilarious, sentimental or chaotic (in the best way), your celebrant is there to make it yours.
2. What’s a small decision couples often overlook - but that makes a big impact on the day?
Where your celebrant stands during the ceremony makes a real difference. If they step to the side rather than standing in the middle, there are far more opportunities for beautiful, uninterrupted photos of just the two of you. This is something every celebrant should offer as a consideration.
Charlotte’s Take: This one’s a game-changer for photos. When your celebrant steps aside, you get clean, heartfelt frames of just you two. It’s such a small shift that makes a huge difference.
3. Is there a myth or trend in your corner of the wedding industry that drives you a little nuts?
If a couple asks for an unplugged ceremony, please honour it - and if you see others forgetting, gently remind them. Your presence is what makes the moment special. Leave the photos to the professionals, like Charlotte, who are there to capture every detail beautifully.
Charlotte’s Take: YES. We love Aunt Karen, but we don’t need her iPad in the aisle. Be present. Your couple asked for connection, not a makeshift media crew..
4. What makes working with a dream vendor team so important?
I love working with Charlotte. Choose your vendors based on their reviews, word-of-mouth recommendations, and body of work - but most importantly, remember they’ll play an important role in your day. Feeling a genuine connection and sense of comfort in their company is key.
Charlotte’s Take: Jayne, you're a gem. The vibe between your vendors shows up in your photos - and on your face. Book people you actually like being around. It’s your wedding, not a networking event.
5. One piece of advice you’d give every couple planning right now?
Focus on the people who truly love and celebrate you both. If anyone brings drama in the lead-up, don’t let it derail your joy. Remember, your guests won’t notice most of the details you’ve been labouring over, so if something is causing financial strain, ask yourself whether it’s truly necessary. Invite people because they genuinely support your union, not out of obligation - it completely changes the energy of the day. You want a room filled with loud claps, outlandish laughs and big hugs, and that energy is created by those who are there to celebrate you.
Charlotte’s Take: Tattoo this on your guest list spreadsheet. Invite the people who clap loud, laugh hard, and love you big. You’ll feel it in the room - and that’s what makes the whole thing worth it.
Jayne gets it. Your ceremony isn’t just the prelude to a party - it’s the beating heart of your day. When you trust your celebrant to tell your story your way, everything else clicks into place. It becomes real. Meaningful. Yours.
With small tweaks that make big impact (like stepping out of the photo frame or guiding your guests to stay present), Jayne proves that a great celebrant is part storyteller, part vibe-setter, and part chaos-coordinator - and that energy matters more than perfection ever could.
Where to find The Sydney Celebrant?
📍 Find Jayne’s website HERE
📸 Find Jayne on Instagram HERE
Stay tuned for more Unfiltered chats coming soon. Because weddings aren’t just about what looks good online—they’re about what feels good in the moment.