FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Weddings.


Do you have a standard fee?


While I have a standard fee of $700, including GST, each wedding ceremony is
unique and I will provide whatever support and input each couple would like.
My standard fee does include:

  • All required (official) documentation and ceremonial certificates.
  • Obligation free initial meeting.
  • Ongoing emails, ceremony drafts and phone calls.
  • Working with the couple to craft a unique and magical ceremony.
  • Providing suggestions of rituals, poems and vows to suit.
  • Rehearsal.
  • Supply of professional PA system, signing table and themed backdrop.
  • Lodgement of legal documents with BD&M.
  • Travel within 1 hour (each way) of my base.
  • Guaranteed arrival one hour before ceremony start, to set up, meet &
  • greet, liaise with photographers, venue management ( if required).
  • Swift pack up after ceremony.

Where are you based?
I am located in Boambee East, Coffs Harbour, situated on the North
Coast of New South Wales and I am a natural traveller. I am willing to travel
this ‘Sunburnt Country’ to meet each couple’s needs. Extra travel time
and associated costs would be negotiated as part of our initial contact.


What are the legal requirements of a Civil Marriage?

  • A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) needs to be completed at least one
    calendar month before your proposed wedding date.
  • I also need to sight two original pieces of identification, one needing to be an original birth certificate or a valid passport, as well as a secondary piece of identity such as a current drivers licence.
  • There is another legal document titled ‘No Legal Impediment to Marry’ that needs to be signed before the ceremony can take place.
  • Please note: If either person has been married previously, I will need to sight the divorce papers or if applicable, the death certificate of the previous spouse, before the wedding day.
  • There are legal vows that needs to be included in the ceremony, so that the marriage can be legally solemnised.
  • You will be asked to provide two witnesses, both of whom must be 18 years of age or older. These witnesses will be required to attend the marriage ceremony to bear witness to your marriage. This is a great role for your family and or friends and they do not need to be Australian Citizens.
  • If for some reason one party of the intended marriage cannot sign the NOIM at least one month before the marriage date, one party can do so, and the other party must sign the NOIM before the marriage ceremony can take place.
  • I will lodge all official certificates as soon as possible after the marriage takes place. Couples will be provided with a Ceremonial Marriage Certificate on their wedding day. Please note that this ceremonial certificate is not considered a legal document.

Do you conduct same sex weddings?

Of course. It is both a pleasure and an honour to do so.

Can we use your PA system for our ceremony music?

Of course, my pleasure. We will talk about the type of music you would like included. I suggest you think about three songs/pieces of music: one for when the bride walks down the isle; one for the signing of the certificates; and one for the announcement of the bride and groom and the walk back down the isle.

Can we write our own vows?

Yes, and that would be fantastic if you did. You can personalise your vows and it would be wise to practice saying them, with and without prompting notes. Please note, as mentioned above, there are some legal vows that needed to be said, and we will do them in a way that does not make it sound too ‘officious’. I will offer you as much advice as you would like in constructing your vows as well as all other aspects of your ceremony.

How long is the usual ceremony?

Of course this will depend on what you would like included in the ceremony, including rituals, or readings etc. It would be wise to assume at least 30 minutes would cover most ceremonies, and you will determine this.

How do you intend to dress on the day?

I will dress appropriately so that I compliment the bridal party. There will be no surprises for you on the day, as this will all be discussed and agreed upon during our pre-wedding planning conversations.

So what are the first steps?

Firstly when you make the initial contact, we will check if the date you have in mind is available to both me and the venue, if you have one in mind. I would then ask a few questions about your plans so far and arrange a face to face meeting within a week of you reaching out to me (perhaps a coffee and chat for 30 minutes or so). It is at the first obligation-free meeting we will get to know each other, and to decide if you would like me to be the celebrant for your special day*.

Once agreed, we will decide on a time and place for a meeting (at least an hour, perhaps two at the most), so that we can start planning how we shape your ceremony, and I will give you some information on what the legal requirements are, and what documents we need to bring to that meeting (as mentioned above, including the signing of the NOIM).

*Please note: Once we have agreed that I will be your celebrant, to secure the date for my services for your special day, I will require a $200 deposit paid to my account within 7 days- I will provide details once we have agreed upon my services.

I will provide you with a follow up email summarising what we spoke about at our initial meeting as well as providing you with information about ‘where to from here’, including the legal requirements and timeframes.