Please feel free to inquire about your wedding date either via email or by phone, and I’ll promptly check my availability. I would be delighted to arrange a meeting with you to discuss your ceremony. We can meet in person at my home in Camden, over the phone, or via Zoom—whichever is most convenient for you.
It’s important you are both comfortable and confident with the person who has the privilege of conducting your ceremony. There’s no pressure or obligation to book with me during this meeting as I give my couples a few days to make their decision.
Elopement/ Legals Only – $600: This is a streamlined registry-style ceremony that fulfills all legal requirements. It’s a popular choice for couples who primarily seek to complete the necessary legal paperwork.
This fee includes the completion of all legal paperwork, conducting your ceremony, decorative Marriage Certificate for framing (Form 15) and registration of your marriage with Births Deaths and Marriages.
Bespoke Package – $750: I compose a ceremony uniquely tailored for your gathering of family and friends. You have the option to keep it ‘short & sweet’, or you can include a ritual or a reading. I provide my couples with a USB containing samples of Vows, Readings, Ring ceremonies etc for you to choose from.
This fee includes the completion of all legal paperwork, I will conduct, collate and perform your personalised ceremony, a battery operated PA system complete with MP3 facility for music, decorative Marriage Certificate for framing (Form 15) and registration of your marriage with Births Deaths and Marriages.
Platinum Package – $950: This is a custom-designed ceremony featuring your personalized ‘love story’. In addition to all the unique inclusions mentioned earlier, I incorporate your Couples Questionnaire to help craft and share ‘your love story’ during the ceremony.
This package includes the completion of all legal paperwork, I will conduct, collate and perform your personalised ceremony, a battery operated PA system complete with MP3 facility for music, decorative Marriage Certificate for framing (Form 15), a rehearsal at the venue, a keepsake copy of your ceremony on parchment paper and registration of your marriage with Births Deaths and Marriages.
I can also facilitate the application for your numbered certificate from Births, Deaths, and Marriages when I register your marriage online. There is an additional cost of $70 for this service (pending BDM current price). While you are welcome to apply for it yourself, most couples prefer to have me handle it on their behalf for added convenience and peace of mind.
Please note that the fees quoted are applicable for ceremonies within the Macarthur and Wollondilly District. Ceremonies outside of this area may incur an additional travel fee. Please feel free to contact me for further details regarding travel fees.
To secure my services I require a $200 booking fee. You can contact me via email or phone, and I will also confirm your booking via email. This fee will be deducted from the total cost, with the balance due 2 weeks before your ceremony.
Payments can be made via bank transfer or with cash.
Having worked in the industry for so many years, I have many suppliers who I can recommend; including photographers, cake suppliers, florists etc Contact me for your personal requirements.
I have completed a Certificate IV in Celebrancy and am Authorised by the Attorney General’s Department of Australia as a Civil Marriage Celebrant. I am also a Justice of the Peace for NSW.
There are 3 legal documents that must be signed by both parties.
The Notice of Intended Marriage is the first document which I will provide for you and help you to complete. This document needs to be completed and received by me no less than 1 month and no more than 18 months before your ceremony.
If there is less than 1 month until your wedding, please contact me as there are circumstances where you may still get married if it is approved by a prescribed authority. Reasons for getting married in less than 1 month include:
When completing the Notice of Intended Marriage Application, I will need to sight the following:
The second document is the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage which I will also provide for you. This document is signed before your ceremony and states you and your partners names, occupations, your address and that you are over the age of 18, you’re not currently married to anyone, you’re not in a prohibited relationship and there is no other legal reason you cannot marry your partner on your wedding day.
On your wedding day, 3 marriage certificates must be signed by:
One ‘Presentation’ copy (Form 15) for you to keep, one for BDM records and one for my records.
There are 3 legal documents that must be signed by both parties.
The Notice of Intended Marriage is the first document which I will provide for you and help you to complete. This document needs to be completed and received by me no less than 1 month and no more than 18 months before your ceremony.
If there is less than 1 month until your wedding, please contact me as there are circumstances where you may still get married if it is approved by a prescribed authority. Reasons for getting married in less than 1 month include:
When completing the Notice of Intended Marriage Application, I will need to sight the following:
The second document is the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage which I will also provide for you. This document is signed before your ceremony and states you and your partners names, occupations, your address and that you are over the age of 18, you’re not currently married to anyone, you’re not in a prohibited relationship and there is no other legal reason you cannot marry your partner on your wedding day.
On your wedding day, 3 marriage certificates must be signed by:
One ‘Presentation’ copy (Form 15) for you to keep, one for BDM records and one for my records.
Your witnesses do not have to be part of your wedding party; you can select family members, friends, or even individuals who are not acquainted with you. They must be at least eighteen (18) years old, understand the language used in the ceremony (interpreters can be arranged if necessary), and be able to hear us when we say the mandatory legal words and vows.
In the past, couples have chosen their mothers, fathers, siblings and cousins as witnesses. If there is someone special to you whom you would like to honour, you can include them in your wedding by giving them this meaningful role.
The length of your ceremony will vary based on the package you select and whether you include any readings or symbolic rituals eg sand ceremony, handfasting ceremony. Typically, I allocate about 30 minutes from the start of your entrance to the conclusion of your walk down the aisle. After the ceremony, I can assist with organizing your guests by announcing your next steps, such as group photos, drinks, or the start time and location of the reception.
If you reside overseas and are considering getting married here, please reach out to me. I will assist you in navigating the necessary steps to complete your paperwork.
I can accept documents electronically. Either one of you can electronically sign the ‘Notice’, or you can have your signatures witnessed by an accepted authority in your country. Once you arrive in Australia, we will arrange a personal meeting before the ceremony. During this meeting, you can sign any remaining documents, and I will verify your original identification.
I arrive on-site 30 minutes before your ceremony begins. I meet with any other vendors ie photographers, videographers and venue co-ordinators to ensure there are no issues before your ceremony.
Yes, it’s always advisable to have a Plan B in case of inclement weather. Rain, wind, or heat can impact your wedding day, but a well-prepared Plan B can often enhance the day even more than your original plans. I will consult with the venue staff, other vendors like musicians or event coordinators, and your partner on-site to determine if and when we should implement Plan B. Ensuring your safety and comfort is my priority.
If I become ill, I will inform you as soon as possible. I am part of a wonderful network of local celebrants and can contact any number of them if needed. These celebrants can deliver your ceremony you have approved of so I will make every effort to facilitate this smoothly.
I always inquire if there’s a specific colour you prefer, I do not wear. I have a selection of outfits, and some couples have even browsed photos from previous weddings I’ve officiated to choose an outfit they liked. This ensures I blend seamlessly with your chosen aesthetic for the ceremony.
After your ceremony, I will proceed to register your marriage online directly into the NSW Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM) system. Copies of your paperwork will be securely stored electronically by NSW BDM and myself for a period of 6 years. I will also destroy any copies of your identification documents following the ceremony.
You can begin using your new surname immediately after you’ve exchanged vows and are legally married.
If you plan to travel soon after your wedding, please make arrangements using your maiden name as your current ID will reflect this.
To officially change your name with government departments, you will need the official Registered Marriage Certificate from NSW Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM).
You can order your Registered Marriage Certificate directly from NSW BDM for $70, and it typically takes a few weeks for delivery.
Alternatively, I can handle the order of your Registered Marriage Certificate on your behalf when I register your marriage with NSW BDM. The $70 fee can simply be added to your invoice.
The Registered Marriage Certificate is sent via registered mail, so I can arrange for it to be sent directly to you. If you are traveling overseas or will be away for an extended period, I can have the certificate sent to me instead.
Please be aware that Australia Post will return the certificate to NSW BDM if it is not collected or signed for by the intended recipient. It’s important to ensure someone can receive and sign for the delivery to avoid any issues with the certificate’s delivery.
Because this is a civil ceremony, the sky is the limit! While there are specific legal requirements for certain words and vows (which I will go through with you at our meeting), we can creatively tailor the rest of the ceremony to reflect your ideas and dreams. I give my couples a USB containing samples of vows, readings askings etc to assist you in deciding on the elements of your ceremony.
I personalise your ceremony using the answers from your ‘Couples Questionnaire’. Your responses are confidential and only used for this purpose. You have full control over which questions you answer. The ‘Couples Questionnaire’ is included on the USB given to you that you can complete together or separately, adding to the excitement of seeing the first draft together.
Yes, definitely! I ensure that every word aligns with your preferences. You’ll have the opportunity to suggest any changes – it’s imperative that you are both happy with the wording and what’s being shared. Some of my couples like to write their own vows then send them to me separately so the other doesn’t hear them until their wedding day. Therefore, I don’t include these in the draft.
An on-site rehearsal provides a valuable opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the ceremony space before your wedding day. It can help alleviate any nerves by making the environment more familiar. Your entire wedding party doesn’t need to attend the rehearsal if it’s not possible for them. On the wedding day, I employ techniques to organise the bridesmaids’ entrance and mark where each person will stand.
I don’t recite your ceremony word for word at the rehearsal, which helps maintain spontaneity on your special day. Instead, I guide you through the logistics such as what happens when you reach the end of the aisle, where everyone stands, and how to hold your hands. This preparation ensures that your ceremony flows smoothly when the time comes.
If an on-site rehearsal isn’t feasible, we can conduct a run-through at my home instead. During this session, you will sign the No Legal Impediment to Marriage document, which is an important legal requirement.
If you opt for an elopement or legal-only marriage and choose not to have a rehearsal, this document will still need to be signed on your wedding day before the ceremony begins.
Please note that I must also meet each of you separately and in person before the ceremony.
If you choose to cancel our Service Agreement, the Booking Fee of $200 is non-refundable. Any payments made beyond this amount will be refunded, minus any incurred ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses, such as certificate costs and time spent on writing your ceremony.
If I initiate the cancellation, I will refund your Booking Fee and any additional payments made in full.
The Marriage Act 1961 and Marriage Regulations 2017 set the rules for getting married in Australia.
To get married in Australia, you must:
The right to marry in Australia is no longer determined by sex or gender.
You don’t have to be:
If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia and you want to live in Australia after your marriage, you should find out about getting a visa or seek legal advice.
