We want to get married. Where do we start?

Most importantly, Congratulations!

OK, you need to find a celebrant who you have a connection with. Don’t just settle for your neighbor’s grandma, just because you know she’s a celebrant. You’re placing a lot of trust into one person to tell your love story and make your marriage ceremony special!

Anyway, once you’ve locked me in as your celebrant ;), we need to get started on the legals and complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form. This must be lodged with me at least one month before your wedding and is valid for up to 18 months.

I look after all of this for you and will request exactly what I need from you to satisfy the legal requirements.

You'll need to provide identification, such as a passport or birth certificate, and if either of you has been previously married, evidence of divorce or the passing of a former spouse.

Once the NOIM is lodged, we’ll work together to create a ceremony that reflects you as a couple. I’ll guide you through the legal requirements, help personalise your vows, and ensure everything runs smoothly on the day.

Let’s chat and get the ball rolling!

What is a Legal Marriage?

A legal marriage in Australia is a binding union between two people that meets the requirements set out in the Marriage Act 1961. For a marriage to be legally recognised, the following conditions must be met:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old (unless a court-approved exemption applies).

• The marriage must be conducted by an authorised celebrant (yep, that’s me).

• A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged with the celebrant at least one month before the wedding.

• Both parties must give free and full consent to the marriage.

• The couple must sign a Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage before the ceremony, confirming they are legally free to marry.

• The ceremony must include the Monitum (a legal statement read by me) and the exchange of legally required vows (we’ll script these for you).

• The marriage must be witnessed by two people over the age of 18.

• The celebrant must lodge the completed marriage paperwork with the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages in the state or territory where the marriage took place.

Once all legal requirements are met, your marriage will be officially recorded, and we can apply for your official marriage certificate from the relevant registry.

What equipment will you bring?

I come fully prepared to ensure your ceremony runs smoothly! I provide:

• A professional, high-quality PA system so your guests can clearly hear every special moment. This includes a wireless microphone for flexibility during the ceremony.

• A signing table and chairs (if needed) for the official paperwork.

• A printed copy of your ceremony script (unless you prefer to keep it a surprise!).

• All necessary legal documents for signing on the day.

• A backup plan! I always bring extra pens, batteries, and other essentials to ensure everything runs seamlessly.

• If your ceremony has specific requirements—such as music playback, additional microphones, or anything unique— I can make most requests work, so let’s chat to make sure everything is covered!

Im passionate about the magic that comes with wedding Ceremonies, so will go above and beyond to make sure we have everything we need.

Will you take care of the music during the ceremony?

Absolutely! I can play your chosen ceremony music through my PA system to ensure a seamless experience. This includes:

• Processional music (walking down the aisle)

• Background music while guests arrive, and during the signing of the marriage documents

• Recessional music (as you walk back down the aisle as a married couple!)

You just need to provide me with the song choices ahead of time, and I’ll take care of the rest. I also have a ripper Spotify playlist of track suggestions if you’re struggling with ideas.

Some couples like to have a close guest manage the music during a ceremony as a special job, we can even line this up too!

Alternatively, if you’re having live music, I’ll coordinate with your musicians to ensure everything flows smoothly.

Let me know your preferences, and we’ll make sure the soundtrack to your ceremony is perfect!

Can you help us write our vows/promises?

Absolutely! Writing your vows or promises can feel overwhelming, but I’m here to help make the process easy and meaningful. You can’t be expected to nail this on your own, so that’s why you’ve entrusted me to help!

I can provide:

• Examples and inspiration to help you find the right words.

• A structure or prompts to guide you in personalising your vows.

• Editing and refinement to ensure they flow beautifully and capture your feelings.

• Tips on delivery so you feel confident speaking them on the day (we can even rehearse a few times to get it right)

Your vows are a reflection of your love and commitment, so whether you want something heartfelt, light-hearted, or a mix of both, I’ll work with you to create something truly special.

Let’s bring your love story to life with words that feel authentic to you and that hopefully resonate with your guests!

Can you MC as well?

Absolutely! In addition to officiating your ceremony, I can also be your Master of Ceremonies (MC) for your reception. As an experienced MC, I’ll ensure the event flows smoothly, keeping guests engaged and informed while creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

My role as an MC includes:

• Welcoming guests and setting the tone for the celebration.

• Introducing speakers and key moments, such as speeches, cake cutting, and the ‘first dance’.

• Keeping the schedule on track, working with your vendors to ensure everything runs seamlessly.

• Engaging the crowd with the right mix of energy, professionalism, and personality.

If you'd like a celebrant who can seamlessly transition into an MC role, let’s chat about how I can help make your day unforgettable!

What does the celebrant process involve?

As your celebrant, I’ll guide you through every step of the process to ensure your wedding is both legally valid and uniquely personal. Here’s what to expect:

Initial Meeting & Lodging the NOIM

• We’ll chat about your vision for the ceremony and go over the legal requirements.

• You’ll complete and lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with me at least one month before your wedding.

Crafting Your Ceremony

• I’ll work with you to create a ceremony that reflects your love story, personalities, and preferences.

• If you need help writing vows, I can provide guidance and examples.

• Whilst I like to keep ceremonies a surprise for the couple, if you’d prefer to have control, happy to follow your lead.

Rehearsal (Optional but Recommended!)

• If you’d like, we can do a run-through of the ceremony to help you feel comfortable and prepared.

• We can do this with just yourselves, or we can get the whole bridal party involved, parents, friends doing readings, the lot!

• This is usually done in the days leading up to the big day, and also ‘on location’ (ceremony venue) if possible, but we can rehearse anywhere if we need.

Your Wedding Day!

• I will come and meet you both at some point prior to the ceremony (even if you’re not at the venue yet or are separated prior to the ceremony). Theres some final legal paperwork we need to complete on the day and before the ceremony takes place.

• I’ll arrive at the venue early to set up and coordinate with any other key people (venue staff, photographers, musicians, etc.).

• I’ll officiate your ceremony, ensuring all legal aspects are included.

• You, your witnesses, and I will sign the necessary legal documents.

• Cue smooch, applause

Post-Wedding Paperwork

• I’ll lodge your marriage documents with the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages in your state or territory.

• I will then apply for your official marriage certificate, which is needed if either of you wish to change your name, and for legal recognition.

• Throughout the process, I’ll be here to support you, answer any questions, and make sure your wedding is as stress-free and memorable as possible!

What happens if you’re sick or there’s an accident?

Its a very fair question to ask. Your wedding day is arguably the most important day of your life, and I take my responsibility as your celebrant as top priority. While I do everything possible to be there on the day, unexpected situations can arise (id be naïve to think they don’t).

If I’m unwell or unable to attend due to an emergency, I have a trusted network of authorised celebrants I can call upon (at late notice) to step in and officiate your ceremony.

I will:

• Ensure a smooth handover, providing them with your ceremony script, marriage paperwork and all necessary details.

• Post wedding, I’ll arrange for your legal paperwork to be lodged as required, so your marriage is still legally recognised from the day of the wedding.

Rest assured, I have contingency plans in place so no matter what happens, your wedding WILL go ahead as planned!

What will you wear?

I believe a celebrant should complement the style of your wedding while remaining professional and unobtrusive in photos. My usual attire is classic, polished, and neutral, but I’m happy to discuss your preferences!

I can:

• Dress in formal, semi-formal, or smart-casual attire to suit your theme.

• Avoid loud patterns or bright colours that might clash in photos.

• Coordinate with your wedding colours/style if you’d like a more cohesive look.

If you have a specific dress code or theme (e.g., beach casual, black tie, or something fun like a costume wedding), just let me know — I’m happy to tailor my outfit accordingly!

How do you write you ceremonies?

Every ceremony I write is completely unique and personalised to reflect your love story, values, and the vibe of your wedding day. This will never be an AI generated copy/paste job.

Here’s my process:

Getting to Know You

I start with a chat (likely several!) to get to know you both—your backgrounds, personalities, and what makes your relationship special. This sets the tone for how the ceremony will work. We’ll discuss your vision for the ceremony, the feeling (romantic, fun, spiritual, etc.), and any traditions or cultural elements you might like to include. I help guide you through this as well.

Crafting the Ceremony

Based on our discussions, I’ll start drafting the ceremony to include:

• Your love story – how you met, significant milestones, and what makes your connection unique.

• Personalised vows (if you wish) – I can help you craft heartfelt promises to each other.

• Ceremony structure – including the welcome, readings, ring exchange, and the pronouncement of marriage.

• Any special rituals or readings – I’ll incorporate these to make your ceremony feel authentic and meaningful.

Review & Refinement

Once I’ve written the draft, you have the option to review if you’d like to. We can make revisions, adjust the tone, and fine-tune any details until it’s perfect. I do recommend that you leave it a surprise though, as hearing your ceremony for the first time will make your day even more special. I can provide ceremony work samples if required to give you an idea of my style.

Final Touches

Before the big day, I can provide you with a final copy of the ceremony script and ensure everything is ready for a smooth delivery. To keep it a surprise, I can run you through a basic structure of the ceremony, so at least the special bits will still be heard by you for the first time on the day!

My goal is to create a ceremony that feels like a true reflection of you as a couple, and I’ll work with you every step of the way to make it memorable!