Weddings, vow renewals and baby naming
Let’s get the ceremony process rolling … You can contact me via email or phone. If I’m free on your date, we can get started! We can meet in person for a non-obligatory chat, if you’d like. I’ll get an understanding of what you’d like for your ceremony.
Once you book me as your celebrant, I’ll send you a resource booklet, relevant to the type of ceremony you want, whether it be your wedding, vow renewals or a baby naming. This booklet contains lots of examples and tips to help plan the structure and content of your special ceremony.
Along the way, I’ll be contactable by phone, email or video chat to answer any questions you may have and to discuss ideas. I’ll create a fully customised ceremony script for your review, based on our discussions. I’m flexible and happy to adjust to your wishes.
Engaged and getting married
If you’re getting married, congratulations! I look forward to getting to know you and your partner. I have devised a couple’s quiz, so that I can obtain lots of insightful information about how you met and what you love about each other.
There’s a bit of paperwork that needs to be completed for legal weddings. I’ll ask you a few questions about your situation, so that I can understand your background and sight the correct, required original identification, such as your birth certificate and driver licence, or passport. The Notice of Intended Marriage form must be completed, signed in front of an authorised witness (such as a celebrant, solicitor or JP) and given to me at least one calendar month before your wedding date (and no earlier than 18 months before). I lodge this with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, after your marriage ceremony. You’ll also both need to complete the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage, which basically just confirms that you are not married to anyone else. I’ll guide you through all the paperwork.
Then we can get back to planning the details of your amazing ceremony. I’m flexible and happy to make any adjustments as needed along the way. I’ll send you a draft of the ceremony script and we can polish it until it’s nice and shiny. You don’t need to worry about offending me with any changes, no matter how minor. I’ve also created a checklist to make sure that we cover all the ins and outs of the ceremony process, such as a possible wet weather option. Once all the ends are tied up, you’ll be ready to tie the knot!
Your big day
On your big day, I’ll deliver your ceremony with enthusiasm and warmth. (You can use my PA system for your music during the ceremony). You’ll need at least two witnesses (over 18 years old) to eavesdrop on your vows and sign the marriage certificates, of which there are three: one for me, one goes to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) and you keep the certificate pictured below. (If you’d like to change your name, please note that this couple’s certificate is not sufficient documentation. You’ll need to apply to BDM for the standard marriage certificate. I can help you with that).
Your married!
Then you get to enjoy your wedded bliss. Congratulations! I’ll submit all the required paperwork with BDM.
Hopefully, we conclude the ceremony process with you telling me and your friends how wonderful it was working with me, and how you’re still smiling from the special day we created together.
Any questions, I’m happy to help. Let’s chat! Thanks, Julia.