Wedding CelebrantFAQ’s

You can get married anywhere at anytime in Australia. As long as you have 2 witness’s over the age of 18 witnessing the ceremony and an authorised marriage celebrant, you can get married anywhere.

The first interview is a chance for us to meet. For me to get to know both and to learn a little bit more about the ceremony you are looking for.  It’s a very informal conversation usually over coffee or a video call, where you get a chance to meet me and see if I am going to be the right fit for you. While I make every effort to meet you face to face, sometimes this isn’t possible so we can tee up a video chat instead.

Depending on your location, I live with my beautiful family in Casuarina (Between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay). If you’re local to the area, we can meet at a cafe or pub. With the current environment in the world, video calls are serving most popular at this point. Feel free to reach out to me to discuss this further as a face to face meet up is always preferred but not necessary.

This is my full time job. Therefore I can meet during the day, evenings or even on weekends (when I’m not already booked). As part of our initial consultation, we agree on a time that works for us all. To be straight up, I can’t wait to meet you!

Absolutely not! While I hope that you do like what I can offer, choosing the right celebrant is a very personal and important decision so I encourage you to chat to other celebrants to see how I stack up.  As such, all first meetings are completely obligation free.  If you do like what you see, you can secure your chosen date by paying the deposit (either on the day or by direct deposit in the subsequent days following our chat).

No. A rehearsal is a really important part of the planning process and is a standard part of my package. We can do this either at the venue or an alternative location – whatever is easier!

No. Some people don’t know where to start or what to say. I can help you create something that is unique, yours and still flows beautifully.

Dearly Belovered, we are gathered here today……..(Eeehhhzzzffff sound of needle screeching across the record vinyl). I will never start your wedding that way, soz! I will, however, remind you to breathe, slow down, look at each other, take it in, smile, laugh and embrace like you’re about to spend the rest of your life with your bestie. I assure you that every ceremony is designed with you, for you.

I Love this question? Generally, I’ll stand up next to you guys at the start of the ceremony. We’re pals, right! So I’ll keep this space free of nerves and unwanted butterfly’s and bring in the smiles, stories and good vibes. As the ceremony unfolds and I can see how relaxed and so damn happy you are I split to the side. I’ll stay here for your vows and get even further outta the way when you kiss. As the ceremony concludes, I’ll make sure you’re focused on each other and that your guests are ready to rock n roll!

Firstly, you need to fill out the ‘Notice Of Intent To Marry’ form which you can download from this website and give it to a registered marriage celebrant one month before your wedding date.

You need to fill out the ‘Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marry’ form and we sign it as close to the wedding date as possible. This states that you are over 18, not already married and you’re not related to each other.

If you’re getting married on council land, like a park or beach (Eg. Wedding Ceremony at Byron Bay headland), you will need to get a permit to use it for your wedding.

Me either! – That’s why I like to keep it simple, fresh and fun. Your ceremony should be a reflection of you and your love and life together. The words I say are created from our meetings together, the questionnaire I send you and our communication. I bring it all together and deliver it with a smooth and seamless flow linking all the chapters together.

I write a script (from scratch) and read it over and over again. On your wedding day, I bring my kindle and read from it just like a naturally unfolding conversation that I share with you and your guests. Sometimes I ad lib and go off script to include your guests, talk to you, high five your kids or just generally keep the ceremony fresh and free flowing. My head is not down reading the whole time, my ceremonies are interactive and include the emotions and reactions from your guests too.

I’m lucky enough to say that being a Byron Bay, Tweed Coast and Gold Coast Region Wedding Celebrant is my full time job. I spend my week writing, meeting, learning and speaking with local brides and grooms to be. Weddings are my thing and have been for over 10 years! I take pride in my work and seeing your smiles light up on your wedding day makes me feel like I have the best job in the world. Naturally, I’m relaxed, caring and calm. I’ve learnt how to get on board with your emotions, tune into your thoughts and hold that special space at your ceremony whilst guiding you through one of the best days of your life.

Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime moment – you want it to be perfect so finding the right celebrant that fits your vision and the vibes for your wedding ceremony is absolutely critical. The only way to find the best wedding celebrant is to contact them and meet with them in person, starting with wedding celebrants that have websites, media and recommendations that resonate with you. Don’t settle for a celebrant that you’re not comfortable with. A good celebrant will:

• Give you plenty of wedding day ideas and wedding ceremony tips to help you plan your big day. I have been a local Gold Coast, Tweed Coast and Byron Bay wedding celebrant for many years. I started off as a musician and evolved my craft into the art of being a marriage celebrant. I know heaps of great people in the industry. I am a preferred celebrant and ‘Tribe member’ for Byron Bay Weddings and Tweed Coast Weddings. With my experience and connections I would love to help you bring your dream wedding ideas to life.
• Listen to your ideas and seek to integrate them into your wedding ceremony so it’s tailored for you. I don’t do cookie cutter weddings! Let’s tailor a wedding together so it’s custom and your very own!
• Inform you of the legalities of a civil marriage. I am a qualified Australian Marriage Celebrant.
• Explain all the paperwork required so that it’s legit! I cross all the t’s and dot the i’s so it’s all done with ease.
• Make sure your wedding day is the most memorable and stress free day. This one is important!
• Have plenty of experience speaking to groups and in officiating weddings. I have over 10 years doing this. You’re in good hands!
• My speciality is being able to customise and tailor ceremonies that will reflect the unique personalities of the couple.

The more time you give me the better. I am quick on my toes though, so two months out minimum depending on vacancies is possible. A recommendation is to tee up a meeting with me as soon as you’re ready, approximately 2-18 months out from the big day!

If any of your documents are not in English, you will be required to have them translated by a NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) accredited translator.  In the event that a translator needs to be present at any meetings and even the wedding ceremony, again, only a NAATI accredited translator can be used.

The minimum age for marriage in Australia is 18 years. If one party is over 18 and the other is still a minor, AND if a judge or magistrate authorises the marriage along with a parent/guardians consent; a celebrant may be able to solemnise the marriage.

No. I will provide you with information about marriage education and counselling. I’m always here to help you before, during and after the big day!

Yes! Elopements are very popular. This can happen as long as you lodge the Notice Of Intended Marriage Form within the legal timeframes. There will also be a need for two witnesses over 18 years of age, present during the ceremony.

Don’t leave celebrant shopping to the last minute. As soon as you have set a wedding date, meet with a few celebrants before deciding on the one you are most comfortable with. Keep in mind that popular celebrants book up fast. If you can, start meeting celebrants up to 12 months before the wedding. Depending on availability, I can officiate anywhere from 2 months out up to 2 years out!

At the very least, you will need one month to notify the attorney general’s office of your “intent to marry” so make sure to find a celebrant more than one month before your wedding day.

Of course! It’s your wedding day after all! I encourage as much input from all my couples for their ceremony and whilst I am here to provide plenty of ideas, suggestions and resources; I encourage to add your own personalities to the Ceremony so that your wedding day is vibrant and unique to you.

Without tooting my own horn here…I see myself as a fun, fresh wedding celebrant! I am a creator of good times and thrive in a wedding that is designed to be authentic, real and original. I surf each morning and raise my kids locally in the Gold Coast/Byron Bay region with my beautiful wife. 

Most of my weddings are in the Byron Bay region and Gold Coast region. I have been a Byron Bay Wedding Celebrant for many years but have travelled around Australia to marry beautiful couples.

Celebrants charge anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to over one thousand dollars, but the fee doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of service. Shop around until you find a celebrant you are comfortable with and suits you both. You may find that a cheaper celebrant suits your needs better than a more expensive one. With celebrants, experience is one thing that on the day you want someone who flows, is confident and understands and knows you.

The celebrant’s fee includes the time involved in the initial meetings to tailor your wedding day (first meet is complementary) and in filing the necessary paperwork. Many celebrants also provide a PA system, signing table and stationery to use on the day of the wedding. Of course then they rock up on the day to blow the socks off your guests, leave you floating in love land and to legally marry you!

Your vows and the legal wording of the ceremony are of utmost importance. To iron out any kinks on your day and to ensure everything runs smoothly, you will be able to iron out most of the ceremony wrinkles and ask questions during the rehearsal and meetings leading up to the big day. A suggestion speaking towards this question is to ensure that the photographers and videographers are clear on the celebrant’s expectations. Communication is key so keeping everyone in the loop so that the photographer, videographers, musicians and the celebrant all sync together beautifully. Camera flashes and clicks can be distracting and interfere with the PA system so clearly defining areas where the photographers can and cannot shoot from, as well as times during the ceremony when photography may not be appropriate are all valuable conversations we will have as we progress together in making your day the best wedding day ever!

As a Byron Bay Wedding Celebrant that services the Gold Coast, Tweed Coast, Brisbane and Byron Bay Regions; I am legally authorised to marry you and your partner. A wedding celebrant officiates and delivers ceremonies to honour the love of two people and take care of all the legal requirements of your wedding. A marriage can be in the form of an elopement, a small wedding, a large wedding or anything in between. A wedding celebrant meets with a Bride and Groom to discuss needs and expectations, to help with local services to bring the wedding together, write and facilitate a ceremony tailored to your requirements and most importantly, to contribute positively to the best day of your lives!

Yes. I have been in the wedding industry for over a decade now and sharpened my skills across a few areas. I love live music and can play as a wedding singer/musician or even be your MC to ensure your day flows perfectly from pre-ceremony vibes to that classic Dance floor action! Enquire for these extras to learn more.

Yes! A wedding day rehearsal is a great excuse to get together and practice 1-7 days out from the big day. For sure this is not essential and sometimes no rehearsals lead to the best authenticity and unplanned fun, but if you’re someone who likes things running on time and orchestrally organised, a rehearsal will help you ensure your actual wedding day is stress free and enjoyable. Sometimes a rehearsal can show up some things missed that can then be addressed prior to the big day. A rehearsal allows everyone to run through their placement, roles, the music, and to get a feel for how long the ceremony is expected to take. The rehearsal can also be a great time to sign a Statutory Declaration confirming that there is no legal impediment to your marriage. A suggestion if rehearsing at your venue is not an option, is to set up the rehearsal with the similar size/characteristics of the actual venue.

I generally arrive 30 minutes to 1 hour before the bride is scheduled to arrive at the venue. This gives me a chance to set up, test the PA system, check in with the groom, the co-ordinator, photographer or anyone else and settle in. I’ll organise all the documents ready for signing too

The Notice of Intended Marriage document is valid for 18 months from the date it is lodged. I am more than happy to postpone or reschedule your wedding with you as long as the one month minimum time requirement has been fulfilled and I am not booked out on your alternate date.

Of course! Having worked in the local Byron Bay Wedding and Gold Coast Marriage scene for over 10 years, I have fantastic connections with various service providers in Byron Bay, out to EarthHouse and The Orchard Estate in the Byron Bay Hnterland right through to Hastings Point, Casuarina, Kingscliff, Tweed Heads, and the Gold Coast.  This includes:

• Wedding Ceremony and reception venues
• Wedding Photographers
• Wedding Videographers
• Wedding Decorators
• Wedding Musicians and entertainers
• Wedding Caterers
• Wedding Car hirers
• Wedding Florists

I have never missed a wedding in my entire career. In the event that I cannot attend, I have a group of certified wedding celebrants in the Byron Bay, Tweed Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane regions who I can call to perform your ceremony. Of course we can touch base with due notice if this was to ever occur so that we select someone similar to me or most suitable to create the vibes we’re after. As I mentioned though, I’ve got zero history of missing a wedding!

In terms of legalities, I help you fill out the ‘Notice Of Intend to Marry’ Form which I will need 1 month before your wedding day. I prepare your Certificate of Marriage and give you a presentation Certificate of Marriage to say Thank You.

You need to fill out the ‘Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marry’ form and we sign it as close to the wedding date as possible. This states that you are over 18, not already married and you’re not related to each other.

I will need to see your ID before you get married. You need to prove your DOB and where you were born. Passports are the best way to prove this.

If you are a divorced person, I need to see your divorce papers and record what date your previous marriage terminated, who issued the divorce or nullity and on what date.

After I have solemnised your marriage, I will send your Certificate of Marriage to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, along with your NOIM and Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marry. Once the registry registers your marriage, its official, your marriage is complete!

Yes. Please do. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the ceremony. Hand crafted words from your heart to the other. Say what you want. Be yourself and tell your partner exactly why you want to spend forever with them. To make your vows legal, you must say I, (YOUR NAME) happily take you (YOUR PARTNERS NAME) as my lawful wedded wife/husband. Your partner then says I, (HIS/HER NAME) happily take you (YOUR NAME) as my lawful wedded wife/husband. That’s it.

I have some templates and some pretty cool tips and tricks to help you write your vows.

I will also help you find some handy marriage counselling services and support networks in your area, if you ever need any guidance throughout your marriage.

Yes, I have a wireless BOSE s1 speaker, speaker stand, sennheisser wireless mic which has Bluetooth capabilities. I have used it on windy day down in the park and in Chapels in front of 200 people and it rocks! I love my PA system! It has a 14 hour battery life, is super light and loud.

To MC? Yes, to play music? Yes! but if you have a cooler MC and groovy musician I will require a pickup point or access to transport so that I can leave you to your wedding day party!

Anything you like! Although I don’t personally think I look good in a dress or clown outfit, I am happy to dress in a style that will suit your vibes and mesh in seamlessly with your day. Typically, I will wear a suit and top in colours that complement your colour scheme. I can also dress up or dress down from my usual attire, whether that’s boardies on the beach or a full suit setup. If you have a themed wedding, I am happy to discuss dressing in costume for an additional fee.

I fully understand that sometimes these things happen.  Where a cancellation is provided more than 9 months in advance of ceremony date, I will refund you 100%. Unfortunately, If you change your date, time, mind or want me out closer than 9 months before your wedding date, the booking deposit is non-refundable.

Yes, absolutely! As marriage is a serious and legal binding affair, all celebrants must abide by this code of practice. My qualifications are up to date (I train new celebrants too) and I am authorised by the Attorney General’s department.  You can confirm this by checking out their Marriage – Attorney Generals Department.

I will supply you with an official Certificate Of Marriage from the Australian Commonwealth Government. This wedding certificate confirms that your legal status has changed, and that you are now officially married! After your wedding, I will also register your marriage online with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in NSW.

On your wedding day, I supply you with a Commonwealth Certificate of Marriage, however this is not a document that many institutions recognise for legal changes of names.  You will need to apply for a NSW Official Marriage Certificate from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. I am more than happy to assist or guide you with this process.

Yes! All my marriages are recognised by Australian Law. In most circumstances this means they are also recognised across the globe. There are some countries that require special rituals or requirements. A suggestion here is to explore the requirements you need to ensure that the correct religious rituals and authorities are observed and aligned before the day if you are in need of your marriage to be legal in the country you’re enquiring about.

As long as you want it to? From 3 mins to and hour and anywhere in between.

Your ceremony is yours, and yours to cherish. The length of it depends on what you want included. I have done legal only wedding ceremonies which take 5 minutes and I have tailor made and scripted 30 – 40 minute ceremonies which include readings, poetry, spiritual rituals or blessings and cultural customs to honour the bride and groom. The length of your ceremony is up to you. We can talk about it and create a wedding ceremony which you’re comfortable with.

For me to ‘save-the-date’ for your wedding I require a ‘booking fee’. This is usually 50% of my total fee. My fee covers all your legal documents, administration, stationary, lodging and preparing your marriage certificates, travel, time, communication and the preparation of your unique ceremony script. It also secures my services for your agreed wedding date.

If you CANCEL or CHANGE your booking further than 9 months out from your wedding date, I will refund 100% of your ‘booking fee’.

Due to the nature of my business with most bookings and confirmations occurring 9 – 18 months in advance, if you cancel your booking or change your booking details less than 9 months away from your wedding date, all monies paid will be NON-REFUNDABLE if I am NOT available for your new wedding time/date.

Due to unforeseeable circumstances, COVID-19, or other emergencies,  if you need to transfer your booking date, I will transfer your booking to an available date within 9 months of the original booking with no extra charge. If your new date extends beyond 9 months of your original date, a new ‘booking fee’ is required.

If you need to change to a ‘new wedding date/time’ and I am unavailable, all monies paid are NON-REFUNDABLE.