Celebrating Excellence in Ceremony

In the tapestry of life’s most significant moments, celebrants are the thread that weaves meaning, connection, and legal standing. Today, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Australian Celebrant Awards—the first national recognition program dedicated exclusively to celebrating excellence in celebrancy across our diverse and beautiful country.

Why Celebrant Awards? Why Now?

For too long, the art of celebrancy has remained in the shadows of Australia’s event industry. While floral designs grace magazine covers and venues win architectural accolades, the celebrants who craft the emotional heart of ceremonies often go unrecognised beyond the gratitude of their clients.

These are the professionals who wake at dawn to calm nervous brides, who stand with dignity as families farewell loved ones, who find the perfect words to welcome new lives, and who bring legal gravity and personal touch to life’s pivotal transitions—often in challenging circumstances and unpredictable Australian weather.

The Australian Celebrant Awards recognise that a ceremony isn’t just about the occasion but about the hands and hearts that build it. Whether officiating harbour-side in Sydney, in Melbourne’s historic gardens, or on a remote beach in Far North Queensland, our celebrants deserve their moment in the spotlight.

Categories That Reflect Our Diversity

The Australian Celebrant Awards feature categories that honour the breadth of celebrancy practice:

• Marriage Celebrant of the Year (Metropolitan & Regional)
• Funeral Celebrant of the Year
• Naming Ceremony Specialist
• Cultural Ceremony Excellence
• LGBTQIA+ Ceremony Champion
• Indigenous Ceremony Recognition
• New Talent (for newer practitioners)
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Each category has been thoughtfully developed with input from leading industry figures to ensure we capture the nuanced skills that make Australian celebrancy world-class.

A Rigorous Selection Process

Unlike popularity contests that simply count social media votes, the Australian Celebrant Awards employ a two-stage assessment process:

1. Initial nomination and portfolio submission – where celebrants or their clients can put forward work that demonstrates excellence in ceremony creation and delivery

2. Expert panel review – where a diverse judging panel of respected industry veterans, celebrant trainers, and previous clients evaluate each submission against established criteria

This approach ensures that winners truly represent excellence in their field, rather than simply those with the largest marketing reach or social following.

For Celebrants, By Celebrants

Perhaps most importantly, these awards have been established by people who understand the profession. Our founding committee includes celebrants with extensive combined experience, representing every state and territory in Australia.

“We know the dedication it takes to create meaningful ceremonies that reflect Australia’s cultural diversity,” says our Awards Committee Chair. “We’ve stood in the blazing summer sun waiting for delayed brides, comforted grieving families in the pouring rain, and reworked ceremonies minutes before they began when plans changed. These awards acknowledge that dedication and expertise.”

How to Participate

Nominations for the inaugural Australian Celebrant Awards will open soon. Celebrants can self-nominate or be nominated by clients, colleagues, or industry professionals. Details regarding the submission period, finalist announcements, and the awards ceremony will be shared on our website.

Full details about submission requirements, judging criteria, and frequently asked questions can be found on our newly launched website.

Join the Celebration

Beyond the awards themselves, we’re building a community where celebrants can connect, learn, and be inspired. Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, and join the conversation as we share stories of exceptional celebrancy from across the nation.

Because ceremonies aren’t just about marking milestones—they’re about making memories that last lifetimes. And the celebrants who create these sacred spaces deserve to be celebrated themselves.

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The Australian Celebrant Awards are proudly supported by leading celebrancy organisations across Australia.