Barry Waugh Civil Celebrant

DO NOT use this celebrant if you want your parents to actually SEE you get married!
Our experience was horrendous! As a professional wedding photographer whose shot literally hundreds of weddings over 15 years all I wanted to do was see my son get married to the love of his life with my Own eyes and Not through a lens.
This celebrant stood a couple of feet away from the couple with his back to the guests "covering" them the WHOLE ceremony so we couldn't see them at all, or watch them exchange glances, vows, rings or the kiss!
My husband and I were gutted!! We can NEVER get those moments back. We kept thinking he would move soon - but he didn't! Then when my other son (best man) saw what was happening and quietly and politely asked him if he could change his position because he could see me crying, he curtly and loudly answered "No! this is how I do it!" We were all shocked!
The videographers and photographer couldn't even get just one full length front shot of the couple without Barry covering them - so had to resort to going behind the alter!!

We absolutely did NOT want to make a scene as it was an intimate garden wedding.... So after the ceremony my husband went to speak to him quietly as he was leaving and ask him why he conducted the ceremony that way, as we have NEVER seen ANY other celebrant do that in 15 years - all Barry said once again was- "well this is how I do it" with absolutely NO remorse at all! What he doesn't understand is that we will never get these precious moments back EVER - and all he has to do is stand behind the couple facing the wedding guests or stand to the side as 99% of celebrants do, to STOP ruining the experience for everyone who loves the couple! Shame on you Barry!!