5 Questions With Sarah Dawes
Celebrant Sarah Dawes shares her experience in starting a business locally and what she loves most about Gympie.
Photography by Brea Martin.
What made you start this business locally?
Before becoming a marriage celebrant, I spent seven years as a wedding coordinator, and I absolutely loved it. I loved the people, hearing their stories, and playing a small part in creating one of the most important days of their lives.
I also come from a performing arts background, so becoming a celebrant felt like a natural progression. It allows me to combine my love of creative storytelling with genuine human connection in a way that never feels like work.
I wanted to bring something different to weddings. I believe the ceremony shouldn’t feel like the part everyone sits through before the celebrations begin, it should be the highlight of the day. That’s what I set out to create: ceremonies that are personal, relaxed, full of laughter, and leave guests wondering just how long I’ve known the couple.
What’s something people misunderstand about the work you do?
Most people think I just turn up on the day with a microphone and marry them! In reality, that’s probably only about 10 per cent of what I do. The real work happens long before the wedding day, getting to know my couples, writing every ceremony from scratch, and making sure every legal detail is spot on.
I’m also a bit of a perfectionist. I can spend hours agonising over a single sentence, tweaking words until they feel just right. My goal is for every ceremony to sound effortless, even though there’s a huge amount of thought and care behind the scenes.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the area?
It might not be so hidden anymore, but Little H is always my go-to spot in Gympie. Don’t be surprised if you find me there a few times a week, coffee in hand, script writing with a little sweet treat on the side!
What’s the toughest part of running a business?
Switching off! When you genuinely love what you do, it’s really easy to answer ‘just one more email’ or spend another hour perfecting a ceremony. Running a business means wearing every hat, from celebrant to accountant, marketer and social media manager. I’m also a mum, so finding that balance between doing your best work and being present with your family is something I’m always working on.
What do you appreciate most about the Gympie community?
I love how supportive people are here. Gympie has that wonderful small-town feeling where people genuinely want local businesses to succeed. Every time I get recommended by other local suppliers or couples, it makes me feel there’s a real sense that we’re all in it together. It’s a community that celebrates each other’s wins, and that’s something pretty special.
