A moment with 'Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo'
ABIA meets Melbourne marriage celebrant Sarah Ciurleo
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Image courtesy Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo
Thanks to her big Italian family, and lots of wedding invitations, Melbourne-based marriage celebrant Sarah Ciurleo developed a love of weddings from an early age and when the time came for her to start a career she knew she wanted to work in the wedding space.
“When I came across celebrancy in 2018, it was my lightbulb moment, and I instantly knew I’d found what I was looking for,” Sarah explains.
Realising her dream job took time, but five years on Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo combines authenticity, storytelling and just the right amount of humour to deliver beautiful wedding ceremonies that couples treasure and guests enjoy and remember.
ABIA sat down with Sarah to talk organisation, writing wedding vows and getting to know her couples so well that it feels like she’s marrying good friends.
Aly Marie Photography
Tell us about your wedding celebrancy services.
I’m a vibrant wedding celebrant, who brings an unmatched energy and genuine love for storytelling to every ceremony.
How did you get started in the wedding industry?
I’d been keen on the idea of becoming a marriage celebrant for a while, and the Covid lockdowns of 2020 provided me with a chance to study and qualify. Needless to say, I haven’t looked back.
Image courtesy Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo
APL Photography
Where are you based and what locations do you service?
I'm based in Melbourne's north-east but will travel across Victoria, including the city, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and beyond.
Did your childhood influence your decision to become a marriage celebrant?
Coming from a large Italian family, I attended countless weddings from a young age and became obsessed with them. The dress, the first look from the groom, the laughter and happiness, the party and joy with family and friends — these have always been highlights for me. So, I grew up knowing I wanted to work in the wedding industry, but unsure quite how I would fit. When I came across celebrancy in 2018, it was my lightbulb moment, and I instantly knew I’d found what I was looking for.
Image courtesy Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo
Who inspired you to become a marriage celebrant?
I've always had an incredible love of weddings, and my brother-in-law is a celebrant. His personality is similar to mine and he inspired me to take the leap into becoming one myself. I knew that I could bring my own flare and warmth and help curate perfect ceremonies for my couples.
How can couples make their ceremony stand out from others?
Authenticity, laughter and incorporating elements of their culture are beautiful ways for couples to create a ceremony that’s unique to them.
Images courtesy Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo
What advice do you have for couples writing wedding vows?
I usually encourage my couples to ask themselves:
- What do you love?
- What's changed?
- What do you promise?
I also suggest they each try to stick to the same word limit to minimise the risk of one person’s vows being much longer, and I print out both sets of vows on the same type of card, so that they don’t need to remember them on the day and they look nicer in the wedding photos.
What was the most memorable wedding ceremony you’ve conducted?
There are so many I could mention — I’ve even been both a bridesmaid and celebrant at the same time — but there is one couple that have always stood out. Their energy, pure joy and love was infectious. I got to know them so well through the planning process that it felt like I was marrying friends I'd known for years. Their guests were so engaged in my storytelling and were all so happy to be there. The couple giggled and laughed throughout the ceremony which made everyone laugh and cheer. The bride even tried to kiss the groom halfway. They were just so excited to get married, and I was absolutely buzzing throughout and for hours afterwards.
Aly Marie Photography
What are the main things couples need to consider when planning a wedding?
They need to consider what is most important to them. Is it the big, fancy formal event with all the bells and whistles and hundreds of guests? Is it the super low-key wedding with close friends and family in a restaurant on a Sunday afternoon? Or, is it something in-between? I tell my couples to think about what their best wedding day looks like and plan from there.
At what point in their planning should couples choose a wedding celebrant, and how far in advance should they book?
Like the venue, reception and other ‘big’ vendors, booking a good 8 to 12 months in advance is recommended. A lot of celebrants are booked well in advance. Though, of course, if they have availability some celebrants will also take bookings just a few months before.
Image courtesy Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo
What makes your celebrancy service unique?
I pride myself on listening to each of my couples and really getting into what they do and don’t want for their day. I give a million suggestions to help them curate a perfect ceremony for them, and love to have a mix of romance, wholesome giggles and big belly laughs. I get to know my couples so well, that a lot of the time it feels like I'm marrying old friends. And, because I’m so organised, even the most nervous couples are at ease by the time their ceremony comes around.
How would you describe the couples you connect with the most?
They all love the 'romantic but with some giggles' type of ceremony. They all want their wedding day to be taken seriously, and many love tradition, but with a modern and heartfelt twist.
Aly Marie Photography
Read Ceremonies by Sarah Ciurleo ABIA Wedding Reviews
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