The Day

Your wedding ceremony may contain all or some of the following elements to reflect your own desires and preferences. There are only a few “mandatory / legal” terms that must be included:

 
Calling together of the invited guests by the Celebrant.

Passing the Bride into the care of the Groom by Bride’s Father, Mother, Father and Mother, or Escort.

Celebrant’s Welcome on behalf of Bride and Groom.

Authorisation and Understanding of Marriage, according to the Law. (Mandatory)

Readings/Poems/Songs/Blessing from Bridal Party.

Celebrant’s Address.

Pledges by the Groom and Bride.

Wedding Vows Proclaimed. – (Mandatory).

Presentation of Newly Committed Husband and Wife.

My Part and Commitment:

It is an honour to be appointed the Celebrant of any couple’s wedding and this certainly does not escape my thoughts. Therefore, my absolute commitment to you is to make myself available as much and as often as necessary, by whatever means is required: One on one appointment; email; telephone or whatever we need to ensure the full and complete preparation of your most special, one off, wedding ceremony.

The All Important Ceremony:

You have made one of, if not, the most important decision of your life by accepting your Fiancée to be your married partner, until death shall separate you, and this you promise each other, with all your heart.

Your wedding day, should not only be ALL ABOUT YOU, but be UNIQUELY PRODUCED FOR YOU, and this is where the Celebrant comes in.

When we meet to work through the preparations of the ceremony, I will ask questions and will listen to your answers, then, with my help and guidance, you will design your own ceremony. Naturally, I will always be available to help you work through this to ensure your unique and personalised marriage ceremony, including the structure, pledges and vows are exactly what you want. This is also the time when you can add any verses of rhyme, poetry, readings, songs etc according to your plans.

It is truly a day that you will both continue to live and re-live, long after we finish the formalities. Each time you view your photographs and the video/DVD, or whatever you have, you will most definitely relive the day and remember it as a most wonderful and inspiring day. A day you can replay in your mind, over & over, for better and for worse. Although, I am sure all would agree that, we give absolutely no place for “or worse” in the wedding ceremony. That way you are off to the best possible start – a “for better” start.

Equipment Supplied and Required:

I provide, as part of my set fees, a professional type P.A. system with a microphone on a stand if desired for the use of the Bride & Groom and other people involved in the ceremony. My own microphone is a headset mic to enable hands-free delivery of the ceremony. I also have a Walkman style CD player which can be used with the P.A. system to play your recorded music for the ceremony – there is NO additional cost for this service.

For average weddings up to a hundred and sixty people, the PA System I use should be fine. For larger weddings, and some outdoor locations, where sound can be a problem, then you will need to consider hiring a larger PA System.

You will have to arrange for a table and two chairs for use in the ceremony, for the signing of the register and marriage certificates etc. These requirements will be discussed during our time together in the planning stages.

The Professional Photographer/Videographer:

To ensure that you have a comprehensive story of your day, I would always recommend that you budget to hire a good professional photographer and or videographer.

These people know how to create and present the story for you, it is what they do best. Most photographers have package deals that you can talk to them about to best suit your budget. They will always work with you while making space and time for the other family & friend happy snaps which will inevitably be desired.

** Most images on this site are courtesy of Glen Smith Photography

The Venue:

If you plan to have an outdoors wedding, as many people do in SE Qld, always ensure that you have a covered or indoor venue, as a backup. Inclement weather is something we live with here on the coast, and when it rains, it pours. So if you plan for it in advance, you won’t allow it to spoil your day.

If using a park or beach for your ceremony, check to see if you have to get permission from the local council parks and gardens. Make an early booking with them to use the area, and make sure that you can rope off the area for the time needed before and after the ceremony.

Time Management:

Whilst not wanting to spoil some of the traditional pranks played out on the wedding day ceremony. Two of which are the late arrival of the bride, and the misplacing of the rings. You do need to keep in mind that the professionals working to make your day a wonderful event, may have other engagements to attend after yours.

With this in mind, if you plan for these fun mischievous events to take place, then make sure that you let the professionals know, so they can plan their schedule to allow for it. The alternative is that you may end up with a car and driver, the photographer and celebrant having to make a hasty retreat, before your service is finished, to be at their next booking engagement.

It can also leave elderly people becoming tired and weary, the guests uncomfortable from heat issues, especially on a hot day, and children starting to get fidgety and play up.

May I suggest that you plan for the following: Guests and Groom, with his Groomsmen, gather at the site twenty to thirty minutes ahead of Bride’s (real) arrival time. Celebrant arrives 20 to 30 minutes before the agreed start time, although I will always try to be at the venue one hour before the formal start time. Photographer ten minutes before Bride’s (real) arrival time.

Lastly, remember to make contact as soon as possible with each professional team member that you will require for your special day, including the Cake maker, Caterer, Photographer, Limo suppliers, Venue operators and of course, the Celebrant. We are all very busy and booked up well into the future, don’t be disappointed and have to settle with just anybody, make that appointment now.

As stated in the beginning, we all want your day to be a happy occasion, filled with beautiful memories and starting with a ‘for better’ life ahead. With good planning and execution of that planning, we can all help to make this happen.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my recommendations.
I hope they have been worthwhile and of great insight and value for you.
It would be my great pleasure and honour to officiate as your Marriage Celebrant.
I look forward to hearing from you soon, so we can start as soon as possible to collate and put together your unique Wedding Ceremony.
To contact, book my services or make an appointment to meet with me, please select the contact form from the menu.