My Favourite Wedding Celebrants in The Yarra Valley

Remember, your ceremony IS your wedding. It shouldn’t be awkward, boring or weird.

The wedding ceremony should be the main event at your wedding; it’s the reason why is everyone is there! You’re not inviting your guests to the reception and making a side note saying – “if you’re available two hours earlier, we’re doing this shitty thing out on the grass”.

All of the wedding celebrants below, each unique to each other – will make sure your ceremony is one of the best parts of your day. As it should be.

As a Yarra Valley wedding photographer, here is who I consider, to be the best wedding celebrants across The Yarra Valley & Melbourne.

ALYCE BAILEY

Alyce is one of those celebrants who just has it handled. Absolute pro on the day, but more importantly, she’s just a bloody good human who makes people feel at ease straight away. There’s nothing awkward or stiff about her presence, she just slots into the day in a way that makes everything feel calm without anyone really noticing why.

Her ceremonies are thoughtful without being heavy, relaxed without drifting off track, and full of personality in a way that feels natural rather than written in. She’s also got proper solid gear, so everything actually sounds the way it should, no muffled vows or lost moments.

We’ve known each other forever, growing up in the same suburb, long before weddings were even on the radar. That history shows in how smooth everything runs when we’re both on a day together. No ego, no stress, just good people doing good work.

If you want someone who’s switched on, easy to be around, and quietly all over it, Alyce is a no-brainer.

DAMON HUGHES

Damon is one of those guys who walks into a room and within minutes everyone’s like, yep, we like this bloke. Mates, parents, grandparents, doesn’t matter, he wins them all over without even trying. And the best part is it’s completely genuine, no act, no sales pitch, just a solid human people naturally gravitate to.

His ceremonies feel real as hell. Nothing cookie-cutter, nothing overproduced. He keeps things moving in a way that feels relaxed and true to the couple, with humour dropped in where it actually fits and emotion that lands without being forced.

Behind the scenes he’s properly on it. Organised, steady, no scrambling around or guessing what’s next. You just know it’s all handled, which takes a heap of pressure off the day.

He’s just a solid all-rounder. Easy to trust, easy to be around, and knows exactly what he’s doing.

MATT FINCH

Finchy has this calm, grounded energy that just levels everything out the second he’s there. Not in a loud or showy way, more like he just takes the pressure out of the room without saying much at all.

He gives moments space to breathe, knows when to step in, and when to just let things sit. It all feels really intentional without ever feeling staged. What you get is a ceremony that feels real, present, and properly considered, without anyone trying to make it something it’s not.

And honestly, when you see him at the end of the aisle, you just know it’s going to be a good day.

MEGAN THOMPSON

Thommo is that calm, steady presence every wedding day needs somewhere in the mix. She’s warm, genuine, and has this way of making people feel comfortable without doing anything over the top to get there.

Her ceremonies hit that sweet spot where people are engaged the whole way through without it ever feeling like they’re being worked. Nothing feels staged or forced, it just unfolds in a really natural way that keeps everyone locked in.

She’s big on making sure the couple are properly at the centre of it all. Everything feels shaped around you two, not some generic script or formula.

It’s relaxed, heartfelt, and just really solid in the way it’s delivered.

MEGAN WATSON

Watto brings a bit of spark without going overboard. She’s fun, a bit cheeky, and still completely across everything that needs to happen, which is a pretty good combo on a wedding day.

Her ceremonies feel light and easy to be part of, but they never lose direction. She knows how to keep things moving, keep people engaged, and still land the important bits without things feeling heavy or overdone.

She’s also just a good laugh outside of ceremonies. Easy to get along with, fits into any group, and brings a bit of energy wherever she goes.

Fun, sharp, and doesn’t miss a beat when it matters.

NAT SPROAL

Nat Sproal is the definition of calm under pressure. Proper organised, doesn’t get rattled, and somehow always feels like she’s already ten steps ahead of whatever’s happening.

Her nursing background shows in the best way. She’s used to chaos and moving parts, so nothing on a wedding day throws her. Last minute changes, emotional moments, random curveballs, she just deals with it and keeps everything steady.

Her ceremonies are clean and modern. No cringe, no overdone bits, just something that feels real, easy, and true to the couple in front of her.

She’s got a bit of edge too, in a good way. Not stiff, not overly polished, just confident and comfortable in her own skin, which comes through in how she runs things.

PETER HORDERN

Any celebrant who rocks up with a lint roller for the groom and groomsmen is already operating on a different level. It’s such a small thing, but it tells you everything, this is someone who’s properly switched on and thinking ahead so nothing gets missed.

His ceremonies are tight. No rambling, no awkward gaps, nothing dragging out. Everything is structured, clean, and delivered with confidence without feeling stiff or over-rehearsed.

He keeps control of the room without making a song and dance about it. It all just runs smoothly, which is exactly what you want.

SAM LAVERY

Sam comes from a stand-up comedy background, so he’s completely comfortable on the mic. Not in a try-hard way, just naturally able to hold a room and keep people engaged without forcing anything.

His ceremonies are a really good mix of humour and heart. Nothing cheesy, nothing overcooked, just moments that feel real and land properly because they’re not being pushed too hard.

Where he really shines is the full day celebrant and MC package. He keeps everything moving, makes sure things don’t drift, and handles transitions without anyone even noticing.

He’s just easy to have around on a wedding day. Good energy, switched on, and knows how to keep things flowing without overcomplicating it.

SHAN JEANS

Shannon’s been doing her own thing from the start, back when most celebrants were still very much stuck in the traditional mould. She was already doing something more modern, more stripped back, and more in tune with what couples actually wanted.

These days there’s a lot more people doing “different”, but she’s still right up there because what she does isn’t just different for the sake of it, it’s really well thought through and properly delivered.

Her ceremonies are sharp, engaging, and full of personality without losing meaning or feeling like a performance. She’s very good at pulling out what actually matters in a couple’s story and making it feel real.

There’s a reason she books out early. When you see her work, it makes sense pretty quickly.

SHAUN KOSTER

Shaun is classic Yarra Valley, proper local, easygoing Aussie bloke who makes people feel comfortable straight away. Quick to have a yarn, quick with a joke, and just generally someone who doesn’t make anything feel awkward.

His ceremonies are straightforward in the best way. No fluff, no overthinking, just a clear, honest telling of the couple’s story with a bit of humour where it fits and the right amount of feeling where it counts.

Simple, grounded, and easy to trust on the day.

WEDDINGS BY THE BEARD

Lachie (Weddings by the Beard) has a really calm, no-stress vibe about him that sets the tone straight away. Nothing frantic, nothing messy, just a steady presence that keeps things feeling under control.

He’s big on clarity, making sure everyone knows what’s happening so there’s no confusion or awkward gaps. Everything feels well signposted and smooth without being overly formal or stiff.

He’s also just a genuinely nice bloke, easy to be around, easy to trust, and someone who takes a lot of the pressure off the couple just by doing his thing properly.

Simple, steady, and very good at keeping a ceremony on track without making it feel like a production.