Wedding Ceremonies
A range of choices can be made in how we wish to publicly demonstrate love, commitment and partnership. As Elizabeth Barret Browning wrote:
‘Let me count the ways...’
Traditional weddings
You may wish to create a celebration with many nostalgic and customary aspects of the traditional ceremony as part of the overall structure. I would work with you to compose and configure a personalised ceremony, meeting these requirements as well as the prescribed legalities.
Bespoke weddings
Maybe it’s the location that is of significance for you and your partner; a beach, a farmhouse, or your own garden? Or maybe you have a particular theme in mind or wish to use other symbolic gestures of significance in your ceremony. It could be an arrival plan on a bicycle built for two! Whatever will mark the day for you is a ride I will happily jump on board. Again, I will assist in writing and structuring the ceremony - the only limit is your imagination and OH&S legislation!
Elopements/LEGALS
No time for a big wedding? Or perhaps you would rather spend the money on a holiday?
● Essentially, this is a ‘quickie’ wedding - as long as you have given 4 weeks notice before the day, have two witnesses, have all the legal documentation completed and I have the authentic consent of both individuals. Let’s do it Vegas Style! This provides you a quick, no fuss service on the day, so you have more celebration time, or more travel time!
● Or, perhaps you have someone special to be the Master of Ceremonies for your wedding and you just need an authorised civil celebrant at the ceremony to ensure all legal requirements take place. I can do that!
Renewal of Vows/Commitment Ceremonies
What a great way to celebrate the longevity of your partnership committing a renewal of vows ceremony. Together, we can create a bespoke celebration in which you relay the initial vows you made to each other many moons ago and most likely in front of many of the same people!
Or, if you have no interest in holding a formal legally binding marriage ceremony but still want to shout your love from the rafters, a commitment ceremony may be for you. You have lots of flexibility and freedom to create the service to suit you with no need to meet any legal requirements, and there’s no waiting time!
Happy to work with you to write the structure and orchestrate the ceremony of your choice.
Here’s a basic structure of the process from first meeting to your wedding day (with the exception of legal only/elopements):
Initial meet and greet.
I will give you an overview of what I do - but this chat is really about whether we actually are a good fit! If we are:
We meet again! You bring your proof of identification - driver’s license, birth certificate (original or certified, name change documents if necessary), death certificates (if necessary). You will complete the Notification of Intended Marriage form - this is the first legal requirement. We will also discuss rough ideas for the order and content of the ceremony. I will give you my wedding pack (including ideas for rituals, songs, sample vows, questionnaires, tips; together with important and reflective information from Relationships Australia which I am legally required to give you). I also will ask you to complete your booking contract details and part payment.
This is when we become email, text and phone confidantes. I write and send you a draft copy of the script and running order of the ceremony, then make any adjustments for you to enhance and maintain the joy, dignity and legality of the marriage. You will receive a bound copy of the final script as a keepsake.
The Rehearsal : On a day prior to the wedding we will meet at the venue to rehearse the running order and complete a check of the legal documentation, including details on the marriage certificates. It is an opportunity for all parties to meet, chat and iron out any bumps before the big day. We also settle the final payment. This rehearsal gives me the opportunity to liaise with the venue operators to discuss sound and any OHS requirements. I can also communicate with photographers or any other stake-holders in making this a great event!
The Wedding : I will arrive one hour prior to the designated start time to ensure the set up of the venue, including sound equipment as needed. I can provide a Portable PA System for the length of the ceremony (or longer if negotiated). The ceremony will proceed as planned with the final signing of legal documentation - including your personalised Presentation Certificate of Marriage!
Shortly after the ceremony I will send your documentation to the Attorney General’s office; Births, Deaths and Marriages to register your wedding. You will then be able to apply for your legal Certificate of Marriage. Voilà!