From Activist to Celebrant and Back: One Australian’s Journey Through Marriage Ceremonies

The celebrant explains that securing an appointment through the Attorney-General’s Department required completing a Certificate III and passing a rigorous application that demanded proof of “good standing” and belief in the definition of marriage.

The Guardian

When she began, the industry was dominated by retirees who guarded every detail—from gendered language to the choice of pens—and emphasized solemnity. Early on, she struggled to avoid a slip of the tongue that would have turned “solemnised” into “sodomised.” Over time, the profession moved away from gatekeeping toward a more generous, collaborative culture. Younger celebrants introduced shared advice networks and emergency cover, especially when a colleague lost their voice on ceremony day, fostering a supportive community that contrasted sharply with the earlier, more rigid environment.

The Guardian

Her activism in the “baby activism” phase involved staging illegal mass ceremonies on the steps of the registry office in Naarm to demand marriage equality. After the legal change, she rejected the label “gay marriage,” insisting it was simply marriage for all consenting adults. Yet she grew uneasy with the institution itself, observing that many marriages she officiated later ended in intimate-partner violence. She described sleepless nights over paperwork that could complicate leaving abusive relationships, emphasizing that love should never become a barrier to safety.

The Guardian

Eventually, the celebrant decided to quit the profession entirely. She now prefers rainy weekends, pancakes, and a book to the stress of negotiating “Plan B” during climate-related emergencies. Her current uniform consists of Crocs and overalls, and she finds greater fulfillment in nurturing her own love story rather than borrowing sparks from others. She reflects that attending countless weddings was a privilege, but stepping away has brought personal peace.

The Guardian