So What's the Process?

As a Canberra based wedding celebrant I know there are plenty of amazing celebrants out there and choosing your celebrant is a deeply personal choice, it can help set the ceremony you want up (or not), and that is so dependent on what you’re looking for in a celebrant. 

In order to get to know me and whether I’m a fit for your wedding we’ll have an initial meeting, either via video call or face to face (depending on where you are). At this meeting we’ll get to know each other, you can tell me all about your plans for the wedding and I’ll tell you a bit more about wedding ceremony design and delivery.

I always suggest you and your partner have a few days to think about whether I’m the celebrant for you, maybe chat with some other celebrants and see what works for you. 

Don’t worry, I’ll let you know if anyone else is enquiring about the same date.

If I’m the celebrant for you, let’s lock it in. Once you let me know, I’ll send through the invoice for services. a 20% non refundable deposit is required to secure the date, with the remaining fee due 4 weeks prior to the wedding. 

At this point I’ll also send through a bunch of documents and forms which I’ll talk you through them all (that’s why I’m here).

The first form to sign is the NOIM. A NOIM is required to be signed at least one month prior to your wedding day. They are active for 18 months, and can be transferred to another celebrant. 

This can be signed in my presence if locations or timing works, or can be witnessed by a number of Professionals.

When I send through the invoice, I will also send through a ceremony design questionnaire to get the mind thinking about what kind of structure you want to your ceremony, such as readings, individualised vows, how long or short you want it to be and so on. We’ll go back and forth on this a few times to make sure it works.

Generally the day or few days before the wedding, couples are allowed entry to their venue to rehearse the ceremony. I'll work with you closer to the date to determine that time, for out of town weddings it may not be possible to attend earlier than the day before the ceremony. 

At this point we will sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment which is a form declaring your ability to legally marry in Australia.

The big day has arrived! I’ll work with you to understand your venues policies on access time during the day and make sure I’m set up with ample time to spare. This will generally include use of my PA System and Microphone for the ceremony.

On the day we will sign the three wedding certificates. One of which you keep, one is sent to the relevant Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM), and the last I retain for 6 years before shredding.

I'll file the The NOIM, Declaration of No Legal Impediment, Wedding Certificate and relevant other paperwork/statutory declarations with the Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM) of the State or Territory you were married in.

At this point, depending on the State, I can request your Official Wedding Certificate from the BDM on your behalf, which would be an additional cost which varies State by State.

Hopefully you’ve had a great wedding day, and I may, once you’ve enjoyed your honeymoon, ask for some feedback and review, but other than that, here’s to happily ever after!