Why I Became a Celebrant – From Classroom to “I Do!”
If you’d told me 10 years ago that I’d one day be standing at the front of wedding ceremonies with tissues in one hand and a microphone in the other, I probably would’ve laughed (while marking assignments and sipping cold coffee). But life has a funny way of nudging us exactly where we’re meant to be.
I have been a high school teacher for a decade and honestly, I love it. The chaos, the creativity and the kids who kept me on my toes. Teaching gave me something invaluable: the ability to engage an audience, think on my feet, tell a good story, and, let’s be honest, the ultimate skill in crowd control (if you can handle 30 energetic students, you can definitely handle a wedding party and a few unruly but hilarious groomsmen!).
I was lucky enough to find my best friend, fall in love and marry him. And when I got married in 2016, it something sparked within me. During that wedding planning process, I absolutely fell in love with planning our big day. Not just picking flowers and choosing our menu (though, I’ll be real and say we definitely did love that). What I really fell for was the heart of it all: creating a day that reflects two people, their story, their love, and their quirks. I found myself obsessing over ceremony ideas, writing our vows, and dreaming up ways to make our guests laugh, cry, and cheer. That’s when the seed was planted.
I started thinking: What if I could do this for other people? What if I could make their day as special and memorable as ours?
Fast forward a few years, a few kids, a little training, and a whole lot of excitement and here I am: a celebrant, doing what I love.
What lights me up most is listening to people’s stories. I genuinely love hearing how couples met, the awkward first dates, the shared dreams, the little moments that became big ones. No two couples are the same, and no two ceremonies should be either.
Being a celebrant allows me to blend everything I’ve learned as a teacher, storytelling, connection, confidence, and yes, occasionally shushing a chatty guest with my love for love. Whether it’s a wedding, naming ceremony, vow renewal, or something completely unique, I feel incredibly lucky to stand beside people during life’s most meaningful moments.
So that’s my story. From whiteboards to wedding aisles, lesson plans to love stories and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you’re looking for a celebrant who can wrangle a crowd, make your guests laugh, and bring your story to life with warmth, fun, and a touch of sparkle, I’m your person.
Get in contact with me to book in your 2026 ceremony. Let’s make some magic together. ✨
With Love,
Rachael
Registered Marriage Celebrant