If you're planning a wedding in Adelaide and searching for a celebrant who will not just tolerate your relationship but actively celebrate it, you already know this: "inclusive" on a website doesn't always mean much. And ticking a box (ooh err!) isn't the same as someone who has been in your corner for years.

Here's what truly inclusive celebrancy looks like in practice, and what to look for when you're choosing the person who stands up the front with you on one of the most personally momentous and socially symbolic moments of your life.

What "LGBTQ+ Friendly" Means in a Wedding Ceremony Context

A celebrant who is truly LGBTQ+ inclusive isn't just someone who will legally marry you. They're someone who:

Uses language that reflects your relationship, not a template written for a different couple
Doesn't assume roles, titles, or traditions that don't apply to you
Feels just as relaxed and natural officiating a same-sex, queer, or non-binary couple's ceremony as any other
Has done this, many times, across a wide range of couples and identities.

I've been an authorised marriage celebrant in South Australia for almost 18 years now and I've married more than 1,000 couples. That number includes same-sex couples and gender-diverse couples who were married in the civil union or commitment ceremony era long before marriage equality was legislated in Australia 2017, couples who got hitched the second the law changed, two-bride ceremonies, two-groom ceremonies, non-binary couples, inter-cultural couples, interfaith couples, and everyone in between.

My pronouns are she/her, and I've been a proud and active supporter of marriage equality since long before it was law. This isn't a recent addition to my website; it's a part of who I am and how I’ve worked from the very beginning.

Why Experience Matters More Than You Think

When couples ask me what sets an experienced celebrant apart, I always come back to this: the ceremony you feel is never the ceremony I scripted.

After almost 18 years and 1,000+ weddings, I know how to read a crowd, hold the room or garden or winery, respond to the unexpected, and keep the emotional core of a ceremony intact even when things don't go to plan (and something always doesn't go to plan). That kind of presence and calm is something you can only develop and refine by doing the work, a lot.

For LGBTQ+ couples specifically, this experience matters on another level. I understand the weight that these ceremonies carry. For some couples, getting married is an act of quiet defiance as much as it is a celebration. For others, it's the culmination of a journey that was longer and harder than it should have been. And for others still, it's just a joyful party with the people they love most. I take my cue entirely from you.

And many couples come to me not quite knowing where to start. L & M put it this way:

"When we first spoke we had absolutely no idea where to start the process of planning our wedding. We basically didn't even know what we wanted. But your guidance, patience and support led us to our perfect day. We simply can't thank you enough and will forever be thankful."

And that process of figuring it all out together is one of my favourite parts of the job.

Nadia & Michaela at Glen Ewin Estate by Josh Huggett Media

The Ceremonies I Create (and Where I Conduct Them)

I work across Adelaide and the surrounding regions: the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley, and Kangaroo Island, as well as venues across the city and suburbs. I can also be lured to travel interstate for the right couple.

My ceremonies tend to be:

Fun and relaxed, without feeling scripted. Guests often tell couples afterward that it didn't feel like a "standard" ceremony, that it felt like them. That's my goal every single time.

Emotionally honest without being cheesy. There will probably be tears. There will definitely be laughter. But nothing will feel forced, awkward or over-produced.

Tailored to who you both are. That includes your relationship, your story, your families, your culture, your faith (or lack thereof), the way you want to be spoken about in front of the people you love.

C and T described their experience like this:

"You really brought the energy, fun and feels to our ceremony. We couldn't have imagined it to be more perfect. Both of us were super nervous and you brought a sense of calm to us both. Our guests absolutely adored you and thought you were fantastic. The most common thing we heard all throughout the night was how incredible our celebrant was."

Some of the Adelaide venues where I've had the privilege of officiating ceremonies at include Marybank Estate, Woodburn Homestead, Coriole Vineyards, Golding Wines, Al-Ru Farm, Longview Vineyard, Glen Ewin Estate, Carrick Hill, Serafino Wines, The Manor Basket Range and many private properties across the Hills and beyond.

Questions Worth Asking Your Celebrant

If you're chatting with celebrants (and you should be, this person is the voice of your wedding ceremony), here are some questions that will tell you a lot:

"Have you officiated same-sex or queer weddings before?" Ask them to tell you about one. Vague reassurances are less useful than an actual story.

"How do you handle language and titles?" A good celebrant will ask you how you want to be referred to, what titles feel right, and whether there are words or traditions you'd like to include or deliberately skip.

"What does the ceremony creation process look like?" Understanding how much input you'll have, and how much the ceremony will reflect your relationship, is important. J and C summed up what that collaboration can feel like when it's working:

"Your patience and kindness was amazing. You are very attentive and responsive to all our questions, and always happy to go with our ideas while still giving advice based on your experience."

"What happens if I get overwhelmed on the day?" An experienced celebrant will have a real answer to this. Less experienced ones often haven't thought about it.

A Note on Marriage Equality in Australia

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. Any Commonwealth authorised marriage celebrant in Australia is legally permitted and required to marry any eligible couple, regardless of gender. But legal permission is the floor, not the ceiling.

The question worth asking isn't can a celebrant marry you. It's whether they will bring the same care, craft, and commitment to your ceremony that they bring to every other couple they work with. That's the standard I hold myself to, and it's the one I'd encourage you to hold every celebrant you speak to.

Want to Get to Know Me a Little Better First?

That makes complete sense. Here are a few places to keep exploring.

The Unbridely Podcast is my weekly modern wedding planning show, now almost four years and 180+ episodes in. If you want to get a feel for how I think and what I value, it's a good place to start. You can also find it on Apple Podcasts and wherever else you listen to great podcasts.

A few episodes worth starting with if you're an LGBTQ+ couple planning your wedding: Episode 3: Tim & Simon is a real conversation about how a same-sex couple navigated and adapted hetero wedding traditions to make them their own. And Episodes 130 and 131 are a two-part deep dive into alternatives to heteronormative wedding customs with Australian celebrant Monty Haron, covering everything from rewriting the processional to handling family expectations.

Over on Instagram (@unbridely) I share real ceremonies, behind-the-scenes moments, and honest wedding planning content.

If you'd like to read independent reviews, you can find me on ABIA (Australia's peak bridal industry awards body) and Easy Weddings, where I have over 70 five-star reviews. I'm also listed on the Australian Same-Sex Wedding Directory, a dedicated LGBTQ+ wedding resource I've been part of for years.

Renee & Vicki at Sandalwood Shearing Shed by Little Car Photography

Let's Chat

If you're an LGBTQ+ couple planning a wedding in Adelaide or the surrounding regions, I'd love to hear about your plans. I offer a no-obligation initial video or phone chat. You can reach me via the contact page or check my availability and fees here.

Your ceremony should feel completely like you.

Cover image: Kyle & Lachy at private property by Kenzi St George Photography

Camille Abbott Adelaide Marriage Celebrant | Almost 18 years experience | 1,000+ couples married She/her | LGBTQ+ ally and supporter of marriage equality since forever

What to Look For in an LGBTQ+ Friendly Wedding Celebrant in Adelaide (and Why It Actually Matters)