I create, you celebrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Most Frequently Asked Questions
Having been a Wedding Celebrant for so long now I quite literally have the answers to all of your Wedding Ceremony questions and so I have added all of the most Frequently Asked Questions here for you to read.
If you do have a question that you canβt find the answer to on this page then please feel free to reach out to me as I am always happy to help.
If youβre looking for answers to the Legal side of the Ceremony planning process then take a look at my dedicated LEGAL STUFF page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to be married?
Whether you live in Australia or are visiting from overseas, the documents needed to be married in Australia are exactly the same, and they are:
- Australian or Overseas Passport
OR
Original Birth Certificate/Extract and a current driver’s licence (as photo identification is required)
- If either party has been previously married, proof of the end of marriage e.g. divorce certificate
- A Notice of Intended Marriage form, which I will send you, is completed and witnessed by one of the listed authorised witnesses and sent to your celebrant by one calendar month before your ceremony date.
I will provide you with LOADS of ceremony information by emailing you my Ceremony Planning Workbook.
It is full of ideas, examples and planning tools so that choosing the different parts of your ceremony is made easy.
I also have you answer just 6 questions, which magically gives me ALL the information I need to make your ceremony so personal and perfect for you.
I have a few surprise ideas up my sleeve as well to add even more to your ceremony which we discuss during our meetings.
Once your script is completed, I send it back for your approval and I will happily make any adjustments to ensure it is exactly what you hoped for.
Then we are all ready for your wedding day.
I believe that good communication creates the BEST ceremonies, so I am always available to help you or advise you, or just have a fun chat. Whether you prefer emails, phone chats, WhatsApp video calls or face-to-face catch ups with coffee or wine π I’m keen!
There are so many beautiful ways to remember someone you carry in your heart and want to honour on your wedding day.
From special mementos added to your bouquet or buttonhole, to photos on the signing table, or photos and flowers on a reserved chair, to playing their favourite song as one of your ceremony songs, and acknowledging them with words during the ceremony.
There are also some wonderful poems and readings that can be incorporated, signs that can be made and placed on a table or chair, and a candle lighting ceremony is one that I have used many times.
Discussing ways to include your family members with your celebrant will help you find exactly how you wish them to be honoured.
Celebrating a family joining together is such an important part of a wedding ceremony, and children love being able to contribute in some way.
The most common ritual to symbolize a united family is a sand ceremony, where each member has a different/favourite colour, which you take turns to pour into a larger glass vase or my favourite, a specially made photo frame that can have a family picture from your wedding day inserted later.
The patterns are always beautiful and unique, just like your family. The spoken words can also include some qualities of each child that are loved by you both and make them so special to your familyπ Other ways to include children is to have them stand with you or do a reading.
I have also had children share words about how they feel about your family joining together, which left a lot of wet eyes!!!!! And handing you their parent’s ring as part of the ring ceremony is another special way for children to give their symbolic support to the marriage.
And finally, I often create a family certificate, that is signed in addition to your Marriage Certificate, allowing all of your children to sign and little ones can leave a finger print instead of signing. The ideas are limitless π
I give you 100% of my time on your wedding day, ensuring that I arrive at least one hour before the starting time, so that I am all set up and ready to greet and chat with your guests when they start to arrive.
Yes, I have a portable system that uses Bluetooth, an AV cord or USB for your music, and has a wireless microphone so that we can all hear π
And I have a white butler’s table for signing if needed.
I register all of my marriages online straight after your ceremony and include your contact details so that you are automatically contacted by QLD Births, Deaths and Marriages for your certificate to be printed and mailed straight to your home address.
Can we meet with you before we book?
Yes for sure we can have a chat either face to face, on video or by phone so that you can be sure that we are the perfect match π
What steps do we take to book you as our civil celebrant?
Just let me know that I am your choice for your fabulous wedding and we will start our key wedding steps – the legal paperwork, then the ceremony planning and wedding day details.
Do you have different packages to choose from and what do they cost?
I have three different packages based on the inclusions you prefer:
Legally Married – $450: a basic legal marriage ceremony with your own vows included. The perfect alternative to a registry wedding
Sweet, No Fuss Package -$600: a short, sweet, contemporary wedding ceremony with the opportunity to personalise with vows, readings, and general information about you as a couple
One Of A Kind Package $800: a bespoke wedding ceremony highlighting your wedding story, and including everything you want for your perfect ceremony.
What support do you provide throughout the wedding ceremony process?
Just think of me as your “Can Do” wedding celebrant – an extra wedding party member if you like!!
I take the time to get to know you and what you hope your ceremony to be, my warm and friendly personality will help to ease your nerves and my quick responses and experienced and dedicated service will make your entire wedding planning experience stress-free and enjoyable.
I offer unlimited meetings and travel and I am always only a phone call or email away to offer guidance and support. And on your beautiful wedding day, I will create a warm and welcoming feel to ensure happy guests and a happy couple.
Can we write our own vows?
Yes, I love when couples write their own vows and I am happy to help you create vows that are personal, meaningful, and that flow well with your ceremony. I also have loads of samples to inspire you.
Can we include our children in the ceremony?
Yes, I have countless beautiful and creative ways to include your children in your ceremony.
From child-friendly readings to sand ceremonies and ring-warming ceremonies to parent vows and promises to their children…I have everything you need to include the entire family.
And what about our fur children?
Yes, as a massive animal lover, I love my animal-loving couples including their fur babies in their ceremony …and I love the extra licks too π
Can you recommend venues and other wedding suppliers
I certainly can, and love working alongside venue partners and amazing suppliers to bring your dream ceremony to life. Just follow this Helpful Link.