A moment with 'Married By Cerys'
ABIA meets charismatic Illawarra marriage celebrant and MC Cerys Murphy
Bradley Roberts Photography
Based on the New South Wales South Coast, wedding celebrant and Master of Ceremonies, Cerys Murphy admits she stumbled into celebrancy and wedding hosting by accident, but that her backgrounds in performance and creative writing made the roles a perfect fit for her both her talents and outgoing personality.
“My career feels like the perfect blend of everything I love — storytelling, connection, celebration and creating moments people remember forever,” Cerys reflects.
Judging by her stellar reviews, past couples and their wedding guests feel similarly, and her ability to maintain a high-energy vibe and smooth flow throughout a wedding day has seen her services grow in popularity.
ABIA stepped behind the microphone with Cerys to chat vow writing, standout ceremonies and the benefits of combining an MC and marriage celebrant.
Eliza Jade Photography
Tell us about your marriage celebrancy and wedding MC services.
As a marriage celebrant and Master of Ceremonies, I create high-energy, personalised ceremonies, whether for a big, beautiful wedding, a cheeky little elopement or a reception that needs a pro to keep the good vibes flowing.
I take the time to really get to know each couple and their story, their quirks, their humour, their heart. Then I turn all of that into a ceremony that feels authentic, engaging and sentimentally spot-on. Think laughter, happy tears and the kind of storytelling that keeps everyone tuned in.
As an MC, I keep the night running smoothly while making sure the fun never dips. With a deep understanding of energy and heartfelt moments, my goal is simple — represent each couple in the most genuine way possible and help create a celebration that feels like a true reflection of who they are.
How did you get started in the wedding industry?
I actually stumbled into the wedding industry in the most unexpected way. I’d just finished my Bachelor in Performance at university when a friend messaged me saying, “I’ve just become a celebrant, and honestly… you’d be amazing at this”.
That little spark turned into a full-blown passion and my performance background has been a huge asset. I’ve never been shy of a microphone, I love connecting with a crowd and I know exactly how to get (and keep) people’s attention.
On top of that, years of writing scripts gave me a strong foundation in creative writing — teaching me how to capture people’s personalities, their quirks, their essence and turn it all into something meaningful, engaging and totally unique to them. My career feels like the perfect blend of everything I love — storytelling, connection, celebration and creating moments people remember forever.
Bradley Roberts Photography
Translucent Photography
Where are you based and what locations do you service?
I am based in the Illawarra, and I service the NSW South Coast, Southern Highlands, Sydney and wherever else I'm called!
What inspired you to become a marriage celebrant?
When I was planning my own wedding, I couldn’t find a celebrant I truly connected with. That’s when I realised there was a gap for someone upbeat and high-energy — a little pocket-rocket party starter. So, I became the celebrant and MC I had been searching for — fun, engaging and full of heart.
Many years ago, I was a hairdresser and spent countless mornings glamming up brides and bridal parties, so the wedding world never felt foreign to me. It turns out my path was quietly leading me here all along!
Eliza Jade Photography
Brendan Back Weddings
How can couples make their wedding ceremony unique?
The best way for couples to make their ceremony stand out is to choose a celebrant who doesn’t rely on copy-and-paste scripts and is committed to writing a ceremony just for them. They should seek out someone who genuinely gets to know them, understands their vibe and knows how to represent them authentically.
A great celebrant will guide them with exciting ideas, help them shape a ceremony that flows naturally, and make sure every moment reflects who they are as a couple and what they want your day to feel like. When a ceremony is built around a couple’s personal story, energy and goals it can’t help but stand out.
Any advice for couples writing their own wedding vows?
I’ve heard so many vows over the years, and what always stands out is when vows feel genuinely true to the couple. Every pair has their own style, whether funny, heartfelt, poetic, simple or a mix of everything. There’s no ‘right’ way, just your way.
My biggest advice to engaged couples is to have a discussion, before they start writing, about what their vows mean to them. They should decide on the tone and talk about they each want to emphasise. When a couple is on the same page, the vows naturally feel balanced and connected, while still allowing each person to express themselves in their own voice.
The best vows come from honesty, intention and speaking straight from the heart.
Bradley Roberts Photography
What was the most memorable wedding ceremony you’ve conducted?
One of the most memorable ceremonies I’ve conducted was for a couple who truly went all in. They gave me incredibly detailed answers, shared amazing stories and came to me with so many fun ideas to weave into their ceremony. Because they were so open and generous with their story, I was able to craft something deeply personal — something that felt unmistakably ‘them’.
On the day, guests were coming up to me asking how long I’d been friends with the couple, assuming we’d known each other for years. That’s when I knew we’d nailed it. When a ceremony feels that authentic and tailored, it becomes unforgettable — not just for the couple, but for everyone present.
What are the main things couples need to consider when planning a wedding?
Couples should discuss the things that matter the most to them, and the things that will matter most to their guests. I always say, if you’re going to invite 100 family and friends to celebrate with you, you want to organise an amazing day that they will never forget. I encourage my couples to think of their guests, and their experience, as much as their own.
Somethings Wild Weddings
At what point in their planning should couples book a wedding celebrant and Master of Ceremonies?
As soon as a wedding date and venue is decided, couples should be jumping on their favourite celebrant and MC, to lock them in and avoid disappointment. Some couples are booking up to two years in advance, so it doesn’t pay to be too relaxed about booking favourite wedding vendors.
Why should couples hire someone who is both a celebrant and MC?
Hiring someone who offers both celebrant and MC services has a bunch of advantages. If a couple connect with their celebrant, it’s great to keep that familiar face and energy flowing throughout the day for a consistent vibe and level of fun.
Plus, a couple only needs to build a relationship with one person, so there’s no need to explain their story, sense of humour or vision to multiple vendors. It makes the day smoother, more cohesive and far less stressful.
Poppy Peters Photography
What makes your service unique?
What sets my service apart is my dedication to creating ceremonies and events that are truly tailored to each couple. I take the time to get to know them, their story, their sense of humour and the energy they want for their day. This means every ceremony is unique, engaging and completely personal.
My background in performance gives me a natural confidence in public speaking and storytelling, allowing me to keep guests captivated while still delivering heartfelt, sentimental moments. Add to that my experience in creative writing, and I’m able to capture a couple’s personality and craft a ceremony that feels authentic, fun and memorable.
As an MC, I bring high energy and professionalism to a celebration, ensuring the flow of the day is smooth while maintaining a joyful and dynamic vibe, and keeping to the timeline that has been so carefully crafted.
How would you describe the couples you connect with the most?
They’re the ones who truly care about their wedding and their ceremony. They’re not just ticking a box — they value the experience, have a vision and often already have ideas about what they want. My role is to swoop in and help bring that vision to life while adding creativity, energy and polish. These are the couples who want their day to feel meaningful, personal and unforgettable.
Somethings Wild Weddings
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