How to get married!
BESPOKE CEREMONY - IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! $1250
get in touch
Give me a call or send me an email to check my availability.
If I’m free, I’d love to have a chat on the phone so we can get to know a little about each other. I will listen to your wedding plans and explain the legal requirements for your marriage. It should help you to decide if I am the celebrant for you.
booking me & meeting to sign the notice of intended marriage
I will require a booking fee to secure my services on your chosen date.
A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) needs to be signed at least one month prior to the wedding (but no longer than eighteen months before). I need to sight some original identity documents and proof of termination of any previous marriages.
I give you a timeline of emails and future meetings so you know when I’ll be contacting you next.
Download Notice of Intended Marriage here
crafting your ceremony
We talk about what you would like to have in your wedding ceremony and the vibe you wish to create. I listen to your ideas and throw in some suggestions of my own that you may not have thought about. If I am telling your love story, I will also send you a questionnaire (time for reflection and to remember why you are getting married).
We meet again to go through all your ideas for your ceremony and I write something beautiful and unique for you!
final run through
I like to have a casual meeting (perhaps on Zoom) close to your wedding date to help soothe nerves and make sure we have everything covered.
This will be about a week before your wedding. I will walk you through each of the sections in your ceremony and chat about where everyone will stand and what will happen at your wedding ceremony. After this meeting you will feel calm and confident leading up to your wedding day!
ceremony
Your wedding day has finally arrived!
I arrive at the venue one hour before the start of the ceremony to meet other service providers, check the set up, PA system etc. and be ready to begin.
We have another legal document to sign (Declaration of no Legal Impediment to Marriage) before the ceremony starts. I will meet with you both (however you are planning to walk in) to sign this document and to make sure you are calm ready to get married.
DOCUMENTATIOn after your wedding ceremony
I will ensure that all documentation is accurate and that you are legally married!
Marriage documents will be accurately completed and promptly lodged with the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages. For an additional fee, I can apply on your behalf to Births, Deaths and Marriages for your official marriage certificate. This certificate is needed if either party is planning to change their name.
(I LOVE to travel, so for locations further away I only charge a per kilometre fee to cover basic travel expenses)
“The light hearted ceremony was just what we wanted and you sure did deliver!”
Abbey and Warrick, Sutton Grange Winery
Other services
Legals only or simple wedding ceremony(from $450)
Some couples wish to marry with a minimum of fuss in a 'Registry Office' type ceremony. You may have up to 10 guests for this simplest of ceremonies. It may be at home, in a garden, the bush or even at your favourite cafe. You turn up with your two witnesses over 18 years of age and in about 10 minutes you will be married, documents signed and you'll be on your way (Notice of Intended Marriage must be signed at least one month before). There will be an additional fee to travel to locations outside of Bendigo. Contact me to discuss this type of ceremony.
If you are planning to have a micro wedding or a simple wedding without the inclusion of your love story, please ring for a quote. This is still a lovely way to get married for those who want more content than a Legals Only Ceremony. It is a simpler and cheaper option than a fully personalised wedding and you may still write your own vows to each other (I can help!)
(Not usually available Saturday afternoons, but if you have a short time frame or are getting married in the middle of winter, you might be in luck!)
Commitment ceremonies
Such ceremonies may be suitable for couples who wish to acknowledge their commitment without a legal marriage. It can contain all the elements of a marriage ceremony outlined above without the legal wording or documentation.
Baby naming ceremonies $450 (A DISCOUNT APPLIES TO COUPLES WHO I HAVE MARRIED)
A baby naming ceremony can take place anywhere - a garden, bush setting, hall, reception venue or in your own backyard! It is a delightful way to welcome your newborn or child of any age into your family and community. It is also a wonderful way to introduce adopted children or step children into your family. Baby naming ceremonies are heaps of fun and can incorporate poetry, music, blessings and rituals. As with all ceremonies, you have the final say on everything that is included in a baby naming ceremony.
Main images on this page thanks to Justin & Jim - Bendigo Wedding Photographers and Samantha Elizabeth Photography