the process
♥ meet & greet & see if I am THE right fit for your day
When choosing your Celebrant the most important thing is that you ‘click’. You want to feel confident in them and what they offer, know that they will listen to you, and that when you are standing up there on your wedding day that you will feel comfortable and as relaxed as possible. We will meet, I will take you through the planning process and what is involved and you can ask me any questions you have and be sure that I am the right fit for you and your wedding day.
♥ booking confirmation & payment of booking fee
If you choose to go ahead with your booking I will send you an online booking confirmation, ask you to complete a Contract for my services, and to pay a Booking Fee of $500 to confirm your booking, and hold your wedding date and time.
♥ access to my online planning dashboard
I have developed a number of resources to help my clients throughout the planning process, and am continually updating it with new information. The Ceremony Planning Dashboard contains checklists, downloads, articles, and many tips & tricks to help along the way, from the Ceremony Planning Checklist to get you started, to a guide to Applying for your Official Marriage Certificate after the wedding. Once your Booking Fee is paid I will email you login details and passwords and you can access the Dashboard at any point throughout the process.
♥ completion of the notice of intended marriage
Your Notice of Intended Marriage can be completed up to 18 months prior to your wedding date and must be completed at least one month before your wedding date. I will make an appointment with you to complete this and will require you to provide either your Birth Certificates or Passports, and proof of dissolution of any previous marriages to sign this off.
♥ homework time! – the ‘your story’ questionnaire
I will email you a questionnaire to complete that will allow me to create a ceremony that is personalised and will reflect you as a couple. Questions include when and how you met, the most exciting and shaping experiences you have shared in your relationship, and what you love and what challenges you about each other.
♥ creation of your personalised ceremony
Using your answers to the Your Story Questionnaire I will create a ceremony that reflects you and what you want for your wedding day. This means no fluff, no generic passages about what love is and what marriage is, and no boring bits. It’s about your relationship, your love, your marriage, and all those interesting and funny stories along the way. I will also provide resources and assist you in writing your own vows if you wish to.
♥ rehearsal & coordination with your other suppliers
It is best to coordinate and book your rehearsal approximately 1 month before the wedding. The rehearsal is usually within the 1-2 weeks before the wedding. This can be at the venue or an alternate location and can involve your wedding party, or family and friends, but can just be us!
♥ the big day!
I will arrive approximately 45-60 minutes before the ceremony is due to start, set up, be ready to assist the wedding party and guests in the lead up and be sure that we are ready to go when you are. I will coordinate with the Function Coordinator at your venue, your photographer, your videographer, and your musicians to ensure we can all do our best work and, as a team, deliver an amazing ceremony for you.
♥ application for your official marriage certificate
Following your ceremony I will send off your paperwork and register your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages. I will then assist you in applying for a copy of your Official Marriage Certificate (the copy you will need if you wish to change your name).