Frequently asked questions.

What does a marriage celebrant actually do?

While I’m not an event planner, I’m absolutely your ceremony coordinator on the day. I arrive bright and early to work with your venue staff, musicians, photographer, and bridal party to ensure everything is ready for your grand entrance. From the moment you stand hand-in-hand in front of your loved ones to the signing of the final documents, I’ll be guiding you through the entire experience. And yes—I always bring tissues!

What does a marriage celebrant actually do?

Great question! As your celebrant, I:

  • Guide you through all the legal requirements

  • Create a personalised ceremony that reflects your love story

  • Manage the ceremony flow on the day

  • Liaise with key people (venue staff, musicians, photographer, bridal party)

  • Keep everyone calm, organised, and ready to go

  • Deliver a meaningful, heartfelt ceremony

  • Ensure all documents are signed and lodged correctly

My role is to make the process simple, enjoyable, and beautifully memorable from start to finish.

Why hire a marriage celebrant?

Choosing a celebrant isn’t just a box-tick—it’s an investment in a ceremony that feels personal, warm, and reflective of who you are. Registry Office ceremonies, while budget-friendly (currently $423 in South Australia), tend to be quite ‘beige’, with limited personalisation and fixed weekday business hours.

When you choose a celebrant, you choose:

  • Personalised vows

  • Unique rituals or traditions

  • A relaxed but elegant vibe

  • A ceremony crafted around your love story

No two couples are the same—so your ceremony shouldn’t be either.

Can we have a personalised ceremony?

Absolutely! Whether you want something romantic, fun, cultural, modern, or a mix of everything—I work closely with you to shape a ceremony that feels uniquely yours. And if you’re stuck for words? I’m great at writing creative, meaningful scripts and vows.

How long does the ceremony go for?

A typical ceremony runs 20–30 minutes, depending on what you’d like to include. My ceremonies usually feature:

  • Processional (your grand entrance)

  • Welcome & housekeeping

  • Your personalised love story

  • Readings or words from loved ones

  • Any chosen rituals

  • The Monitum (a required statement in all Australian civil weddings)

  • Exchange of official vows

  • Optional personal vows

  • Ring exchange

  • Pronouncement & first kiss

  • Signing of legal documents

  • Presentation of the newlyweds

If you add rituals or special elements, we can take as long as you need.

How much does a civil ceremony cost?

No two couples are the same, so I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all pricing. I offer packages ranging from:

  • Simple, no-frills ceremonies (perfect for couples who want to “just make it official” without losing any warmth),
    to

  • Fully personalised, story-driven ceremonies crafted with heart, humour, and elegance.

Let’s chat about what fits your vision and budget.

Where can we get married?

Anywhere in Australia! Beaches, wineries, backyards, parks, mountaintops—if you can dream it, we can make it happen.

Legal Requirements

To get married in Australia, we must complete your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM):

  • Signed at least 1 month before your wedding

  • No earlier than 18 months before

  • We’ll need either:

    • Passports, OR

    • Birth certificates + photo ID

  • If previously married: proof of divorce or other evidence

I’ll walk you through every step so nothing feels overwhelming.

Do we need witnesses?

Yes! You’ll need two witnesses aged 18+ to sign your marriage certificate. They can be friends, family, or even two friendly guests on the day.

For elopements, you still need your celebrant + two witnesses + the NOIM signed at least one month in advance.

Can we include children or pets?

Of course! Children and fur-babies often bring the sweetest moments—whether it’s:

  • A family vow

  • A unity ritual

  • A pet as a ring bearer

Let’s customise the moment to suit your family.

What happens after the ceremony?

I handle all the legal lodgements with Births, Deaths and Marriages. You simply enjoy being newly married!

Anything else?

If you’re ready to start planning your dream ceremony—or you have more questions—I’d love to hear from you. Your love story deserves to be told beautifully, and I’m here to make the process stress-free, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

If you’d like, I can also format this into website-ready sections, add headings, or tailor it to your brand tone.