In Conversation With Celebrant Jaime of Stand By Jaime

For celebrant Jaime of Stand By Jaime, weddings are more than just ceremonies—they’re a chance to create an unforgettable, joy-filled experience. With a natural gift for storytelling, Jaime blends heartfelt emotion with lighthearted moments, ensuring every couple’s love story is told in a way that feels uniquely them.

“Getting married is a big deal, and I don't take away from that. I appreciate the couple’s love story, telling it with little lighthearted humour but also being able to bring it back to special, sincere moments they won't forget…”

What inspired you to become a celebrant, and how has your journey shaped the way you approach ceremonies?

I have worked in hospitality my whole working life. Weddings, in particular, always had a distinct pull for me. They were always the events I looked forward to being part of. The happy energy and thrill of making a couple so happy at the end of their big night.

I took a break from weddings and events, and it was at that time that my Mum actually suggested becoming a celebrant. I toyed with the idea for a while, and everyone said I would be perfect at it. So, I dove headfirst into the unknown territory of building a business in the wedding industry. I don't regret it for a second! 

I approach ceremonies with my personality at the forefront. Essentially, that is what a couple is booking me for. It is my strongest asset as a celebrant and why everyone around me said I would be perfect for the gig!

Many couples describe your ceremonies as heartfelt and fun. How do you balance emotional depth with lighthearted moments?

Getting married is a big deal, and I don't take away from that. I appreciate the couple’s love story, telling it with little lighthearted humour but also being able to bring it back to special, sincere moments they won't forget. The questionnaire I ask my couples to answer individually gives me all the goodness I need to make it as personal as possible to balance the emotional depth with lighthearted moments.

I encourage everyone, including the couple, to enjoy the moment! There is no snooze-fest on my watch. 

How do you ensure each ceremony truly reflects the unique story of the couple?

Each couple has a unique love story. Learning about them as a couple is honestly my favourite part of the process. I have a few touch bases with my couples before the big day. The most important one being a few months before, where I get to meet them and spend a decent amount of time getting to know them (over a couple of bevvy’s of course). 

This ensures that we are all on the same page for their ceremony vision and I get to know them even better. The best compliment I get after a ceremony is guests asking, “Are you a friend of theirs?”

Can you share a memorable ceremony that still resonates with you today?

Oooo, that’s a hard one! There are a few that come to mind. The ones that resonate with me are when the couple are excited for the ceremony. You can tell they are excited about what I have created. They are also the couples who have put their trust in me to create something special. 

What do you believe sets you apart from other celebrants?

My personality and my passion for my job. Every celebrant has a different approach to a ceremony. I pride myself on creating a relationship with the couple and creating a ceremony that reflects them to a tee. I am not there to be the star of the show; I want to stand by you. I care about what I am doing, always updating processes and questionnaires to make sure it’s a smooth and stress-free experience.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to couples when planning their ceremony with you?

Don’t sweat the small stuff, and enjoy the moment. 

Most of the time, it's been a year (or more) of planning and hard work for the day to come around. Book vendors that you trust to make your day stress-free so you get to enjoy every single moment. 

How do you help couples feel calm and confident on their wedding day, especially during such an emotional and exciting moment?

I touch base with both parties before the ceremony. This is where I check in on how they are doing, reassure them of any worries and, most of the time, just calm them down. I ensure their head space is focused on enjoying THAT moment with their partner. 

What aspect of being a celebrant brings you the most joy?

That moment straight after the ceremony. The couple have got hugs and congratulations from all their loved ones. I get to have a quick moment with them after the hustle and bustle. Have a hug and enjoy that happiness with them. I leave the ceremony with so much joy, knowing all the hard work is totally worth it.

Find Stand By Jaime online by CLICKING HERE or follow on Instagram at @standbyjaime

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