FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- I’m looking for a celebrant – where do I start? Most celebrants are discovered via the web, or by word of mouth. Around 70% of my clients have heard of me from a satisfied customer or have been to one of my ceremonies. Once you have short-listed a few celebrants you may wish to ask two or three for an interview. Before this interview, think about what it is you really want to know, and what will help you to be confident that you will be able to work with the celebrant you choose. You will see that I provide a free no-obligation interview for this purpose. For further important and useful information about choosing a celebrant, refer to the Attorney General’s Department website.
- Can our ideas be included in our ceremony? My starting point is that it is your ceremony, not mine, so that your ideas are essential inclusions. Couples often tell me they do not have definite ideas. My experience is that once we start talking they find there are all sorts of ideas and themes they would like included. If you would like some suggestions to get your ideas going, I have a wide range of readings, poetry and music resources as well as words you could consider for different parts of the ceremony such as your vows.
- How do I make arrangements if I’m overseas? If you are overseas and wish to be married in Australia, like all other couples you need to complete a Notice of Intention to Marry and lodge it with the celebrant you have chosen. It can be witnessed at the Australian Embassy or Consulate where you reside, and needs to be received by the celebrant at least one month and one day before the day you wish to be married.
- What do I do if my overseas partner needs a spousal visa? If you want to marry a person who is from an overseas country and needs a spousal visa, you need first to visit a celebrant in Australia. The celebrant will assist you to complete a Notice of Intention to Marry which is witnessed by and then lodged with the celebrant. The Notice of Intention to Marry can also be completed and witnessed at the Australian embassy or consulate in the country in question. As with all Australian marriages, the signed Notice must be received by the celebrant in Australia at least 1 month and 1 day before the date set for the wedding.The celebrant will at the same time provide a letter to the relevant Australian Embassy or Consulate indicating that a date has been made for the wedding and that the Notice of Intention has been received by the celebrant.
- Are you registered as a celebrant? All Marriage Celebrants – whether civil or religious – must be registered by the Australian Government. As a registered Marriage Celebrant I will ensure that your ceremony will be of a high standard with all legal requirements being met.
- How often do you meet with us in planning our ceremony? I prefer to meet couples first for a free no-obligation interview. This may be many months before the date on which they wish to be married. I then like to meet with them closer to the date and begin planning with them. I find that at least two planning sessions are necessary, and sometimes more if the couple wish to chat further. I am also happy to meet them at the venue just before the wedding so we are all comfortable with how we propose to use the space available.
- Do you charge for travel? For venues less than 30km from my home, travel costs are included in my fee. For venues which are further away, an additional travel cost will apply.
- What if you, our celebrant, falls ill? I belong to a professional association within which I have close ties with a range of colleagues,one of whom would replace me in case of my illness or any other unplanned eventuality. I hasten to add that this has never happened in my case, but I am pleased to be able to reassure you that in my standard wedding contract there is a reliable system in place should the occasion arise.