Frequently Asked Questions
What are your qualifications?
I am a trained, qualified and registered Civil Celebrant. This means I can marry couples (over the age of 18) anywhere in Australia.
I have been in business over 15 years which means I have very good people skills and as a result, enjoy liaising with my clients.
I am also a member of Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants (Vic.) or ACMCV.
How would you dress as our Celebrant?
I would dress in neutral colours in elegant and understated outfits befitting the setting, so as to blend in. Because, after all, you the bride, and your bridal party, are the centre of attention on your wedding day.
What should we pay a Celebrant?
There is no set fee – it can vary from $250 to - $1000 depending on many things. Remember, this is your special day so it’s better not to try and cut costs in the wrong areas. Some of the things a Marriage Celebrant will do are:
• Lodge all relevant documentation
• Write the wedding ceremony (with your input of course!)
• A good Celebrant will put in anywhere between 15-30 hours’ work to ensure that you have the wedding ceremony of your dreams. This means that all the little details are taken care of. This includes one or more meetings, numerous phone calls, e-mails, visiting the venue, writing the ceremony, re-writes which can take from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the amount of changes required by the couple, travel time, etc.
• Provide an excellent quality PA system if required.
• There are no extra charges unless the wedding venue is more than 50kms from Templestowe. We can then negotiate the extra travel expenses.
We are planning an outdoor wedding – should we have an indoor option if the weather becomes inclement?
• Yes! We all know how the weather in Victoria (especially Melbourne) can change on a whim.
• Check with the local council for permit requirements.
• Check that there is car parking available.
• Check that the venue is easily accessible so that the bridal party doesn’t have too far to walk.
Will a photocopy of the birth certificate be acceptable?
No. An original birth certificate must be provided for any person born in Australia. An Extract of Birth is also acceptable. If you require a Birth Certificate you can request one (at a small cost) from the Births, Deaths and Marriages in your State. Victoria – Ph. 1300 369 367. Postal address: P.O. Box 4332, Melbourne, 3001. Address: 595 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000. Or e-mail address: bdmmarriages@justice.vic.gov.au or web address: www.bdm.vic.gov.au .
Can my children be the witnesses for the wedding ceremony?
Yes, as long as they are over 18 years of age.
Can we write our own vows?
Yes! I strongly encourage this as it makes the ceremony more meaningful for the couple.
Is it ‘fashionable’ for the bride to be late? If so, how late?
The bride can arrive 15 minutes after the time printed on the wedding invitations. But, if the bride is more than 15 minutes late, and I have another wedding to officiate, then I reserve the right to leave for my next appointment and return later at the reception to carry out the ceremony.
Can both my parents give me away at the wedding?
Yes, there are no restrictions. You may wish to have a close friend or one of your children give you away also. The person presenting the bride walks up to the groom and then steps aside. Then, during the ceremony, when the Celebrant asks, ‘ Who presents the bride’, the person then replies.
What if both parties can’t sign the N.O.I.M.?
If one of the couple can’t sign the notice at the time, the other party can sign and give it to me. But the other party must sign it in my presence before the wedding is held.