Married By the Beard
Where the journey all began - Brenden & Savannah Fing walk down the aisle.
When you’re planning the most important day of your life, you want everything to be perfect, right down to the energy in the room. Australian marriage celebrant, DJ, & master of ceremonies Brenden Fing, known for his business Married By The Beard, has some compelling thoughts on how to make sure your wedding day goes off without a hitch. In a recent interview with Pario, Brenden shared his insights on everything from crafting a memorable ceremony to handling unpredictable music requests.
The Importance of Chemistry with Your Celebrant
When it comes to choosing a celebrant, Brenden stressed that couples should focus on building a strong connection with the person officiating their wedding. He encouraged couples to meet with several celebrants before making a decision. "Your socials will give you a really good idea of their personality & their vibe," he explained. According to Brenden, price shouldn't be a key factor. "They're all relatively around the same price… I think it's about the vibe & the connection that you have with the celebrant because that's what's going to be on display on the day."
He emphasised that while couples might meet a celebrant they don’t click with, that's perfectly fine. “I’ve kind of either left that meeting or gotten off the virtual conversation knowing that this couple’s probably going to book me because we just vibed on a level that was up there.” The right celebrant will make the day smoother, ensuring that both the couple & the guests feel relaxed & engaged.
It’s Not Just About the Ceremony – It’s the Planning
For many couples, the stress of wedding planning can be overwhelming. Brenden advises starting early to avoid last-minute chaos. "Being organised in advance is definitely a big tip," he said. Brenden explained that there are already many moving parts in the final few weeks leading up to a wedding, so adding unnecessary last-minute pressure only makes things harder for everyone involved. “You don’t want to add the stress that could have been dealt with earlier on in the process.”
He also reflected on the business side of running Married By The Beard, noting that the behind-the-scenes work often takes up more time than the ceremony itself. “Marrying people ultimately is 20-25 minutes standing up there in front of people, but the majority of your work is actually done in the background.” According to Brenden, knowing the logistics - from legal requirements to business branding - before the big day makes everything flow more smoothly for both celebrants & couples alike.
Reading the Room: The Secret to a Great Reception
A seasoned DJ, Brenden knows that creating the right atmosphere at a wedding is all about reading the room & pacing the night properly. He highlighted how crucial it is for DJs to understand the energy & preferences of the crowd. "People asking for the request are self-centred & they want what they want," he observed. "That is probably not going to fit the vibe or the energy of what's actually happening in that place right now."
For Brenden, the ability to gauge the audience’s mood & respond accordingly is what sets great DJs apart. He noted, "It doesn't mean dropping all the bombs in the first hour of the party." Instead, he stressed the importance of layering music to keep the energy building throughout the event. A wedding reception, after all, should be a celebration for everyone, not just a select few.
When asked about the most unusual music requests he’s received, Brenden chuckled as he recalled, "I've had Dennis Leary’s Asshole requested once before, which is just like, do you know where we are? We're in the middle of a wedding. I'm not playing that song."
As Married By The Beard continues to grow, Brenden hinted that he has more ideas up his sleeve, including expanding his services. "I'm not going to go into too much detail right now," he teased, "but I have got the wheels in motion to expand the business into a product offering as well as a service offering."
For Australian couples planning their wedding, one thing is clear: whether it’s choosing the right celebrant or nailing the playlist for your reception, the secret lies in finding the right vibe to match your vision.
Follow Brenden’s creative journey at www.marriedbythebeard.com.au
Support Pario Magazine
$2.50 / month
Early Access
subscribe
$5 / month
Early Access
Physical Print Issue
subscribe
$10 / month
Early Access
Physical Print Issue
Name Added To Publisher List
subscribe
