Wedding Planning

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Your ceremony is the heart of your wedding day and should express and reflect your commitment and love for one another.

My dedication to you and your special day will be evident from our first conversation until the moment when I announce you as ‘Husband and Wife’. 
Together with my professional and respectful approach, a good sense of humour and pride in my work, I will listen, capture and honour your choices in bringing to life all the love you have for each other.  Together we will weave your beliefs, words, venue, values, heritage and traditions into a ceremony that you will love and remember for years to come.

I am passionate about offering you an exceptional celebrant service.  My role is to attend to your needs, resolve your queries, guide and assist you with the planning and conduct your unforgettably beautiful ceremony in a specialised and meaningful way. I know exactly how to make your ceremony perfect, beautiful and simple.

I will supply you with a Ceremony Package that will explain all the legal documents including the Notice of Intended Marriage that must be prepared, completed and lodged. The package also includes a Booking Confirmation Form, Statement of Service and Fees, Samples of Personal Vows, Suggestions for Readings, Poems and Music for the ceremony.

Your wedding day is one of the most significant days in your life and it should remain in your memories forever

Any location is possible...

– whether on the beach at sunset, along the river or in your home. The advantage of using a celebrant is in the flexibility of my service, enabling you and your partner to be married in exactly the way you dreamed.

It’s my pleasure to make your dreams come true

Our initial meeting

I meet with every couple prior to making a firm booking commitment. This ensures that I am the right marriage celebrant for you on your wedding day, and helps me to better understand your personal marriage ceremony requirements.

To help you prepare for our initial meeting you will both need to bring

• An original Birth Certificate or Passport (Australian or foreign)
• Photo ID (eg Passport or driver’s licence)
• Evidence of termination of any previous marriage(s) (eg death, divorce or nullity)
• Consent and Court Approval (if under 18 years of age)

Things you will need to know

• Date(s) of previous marriage(s)
• Termination Date(s) of previous marriage(s)
• Birth dates of any children from previous marriages
• Your parents’ birth place
• Your parents’ full names (with correct spelling) and your mother’s maiden name

Personal questions I am required to ask

• Are you both over the age of 18 years?
• If one of you is under 18, do you have consent from a guardian?
• If one of you is under 18, do you have court approval?
• Are you related in any way? (eg brother, sister, father, mother)
• Have you been married previously?
• How was your last marriage terminated?
• Do you have supporting evidence regarding any said marriage terminations?
• Do you have any children from your previous marriage?
• Were you born in Australia?

Things I am required to give you

• A copy of Happily Ever Before and After (advice on relationships and relationship education)

Other things you will need to think about for your Marriage Ceremony

• Who will give the bride away? (eg father, brother, sister, uncle, guardian etc)
• Is the ceremony to take place indoors or outdoors?
• Do you have all relevant council permits and licences (if applicable)?
• Do you have a wet weather or hot weather contingency plan?
• Have you considered ceremony access for any disabled guests?
• Do you want to include an acknowledgement to the traditional owners of the land in your ceremony?
• Where would you like your bridal party to stand during the ceremony?
• Will you select a reading or poem? (ie what will be read and who will read it)
• How will the readings be provided and sourced?
• What type of music will you select? (ie what will be played and when)
• How will the music be provided? (eg iPod, iPhone, iPad, laptop or ‘live’)
• What type of Vows do you want? (eg standard, customised)
• Are you exchanging rings and who will have the rings?
• Are you including any rituals, customs or traditions (eg sand ceremony, dove release, hand fasting ceremony etc)
• Who will witness your signature(s) on your Marriage Certificate (two people are required, and must be 18 years of age or over )

The rehearsal

The purpose of a rehearsal is to ensure that everyone involved in your ceremony knows exactly where and when to stand, including when and what to say on the day. The rehearsal is best held at the actual venue where the marriage will be solemnised. Occasionally a venue is not available for rehearsals, so for convenience the rehearsal can be conducted at a nominated person’s home.

Who should attend the rehearsal?

Anyone who may have a part to play in your marriage ceremony should attend (if possible) including the bride and groom, bridesmaids and maid/matron of honour, groomsmen and best man, flower girls and page boys, parents, person coordinating the music, person doing a reading, and ushers.

What should be brought to the rehearsal?

The rehearsal is a great time to check any last minute items such as:

• Music – to ensure that the selected media type (eg iPod, iPhone, iPad, laptop) will actually work on the day and to time the bridal party’s walk down the aisle
• Readings – to ensure that you know who will be reading (if anyone) and what will be read and when
• Rituals – to ensure that the people involved know what to do or say, and where to stand during the ritual

The rehearsal is also a good time to complete the Declaration of Marriage, which I will provide for you both to sign. Every couple getting married in Australia is required to make a declaration about their marital status, and their eligibility to be married under Australian law.

Your wedding will be a true reflection of you and your journey together as a couple

Registry type wedding

Some couples for various reasons, choose to have a short and sweet ceremony that usually last around 15 minutes. If you would like to have a registry style wedding in your home, a place of your choosing, or in my beautiful federation home in Mount Lawley, where you can bring up to 10 guests, I am happy to discuss this with you.