"Tell me, how do you manage personal stories in professional settings? Because as a celebrant, you’re constantly walking that tightrope between “I’m a real human” and “This moment is absolutely not about me.”
Most of us use little personal anecdotes quite naturally. You’re chatting with a couple and you say, “Oh, I remember feeling exactly like that before my own wedding,” and you see their shoulders drop. Or you’re with a family and you say, “My grandad was just like that with his garden,” and suddenly they’re laughing and opening up. Those tiny moments of “me too” build trust very quickly.
But then there’s the worry: where’s the line? At what point does a helpful anecdote turn into, “Why is this person talking about themselves again?” That fear is what makes some celebrants strip everything personal out. They become so careful not to overstep that they end up sounding slightly detached, even when they care deeply.
For me, the rule of thumb is this: your story is only there to serve their story. If you share something, it should shine a light on who they are, what they’re feeling, or what this moment means to them. It’s not there to get your own feelings off your chest, or to prove how experienced you are. It’s there to create a bridge.
So instead of, “When my mum died, I…” for three minutes, it might be: “When my own family went through something similar, I remember how important it was that people saw who she really was – not just the illness. That’s why today we’re going to focus on…” You’re in it for a sentence, and then you’re straight back to them.
Used like that, your personal insights become a tool, not a distraction. They help people feel seen, but they never pull focus away from the person or the milestone you’re there to honour.
I’m curious about your experience with this. Which personal story has most resonated with an audience in your experience?"
