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 A Note from Louise
Congratulations on your Engagement and
thankyou for taking the time to view my Website. I hope that
you will find this information helpful when planning your
most special day ~ your Wedding Day ~ a day that reflects
your individuality while celebrating one of the most
memorable days of your life.
To tell you a bit about my ceremonies, they are very
welcoming, friendly and professional which will be reflected
in the type of service that we prepare together giving "A
Ceremony Created Just For You.....". I will attend to all
the legal documentation both before and after your Wedding
and make sure that all legal requirements during your
ceremony are met. Most importantly, it is your Wedding Day
and I will conduct the type of service that you want and am
happy to help you in any way I can and offer advice when
needed.
I have available to all my couples a Ceremony Guide full of
useful information to help you choose a style that suits
you. It is important that on your Wedding Day your Ceremony
is just perfect for you both and reflects your
personalities, beliefs and wishes. You are very welcome to
include your own vows, special poems/verses or you may
simply like to choose these from my Guide. We can also add
in anything else that may be important to you such as a
special dedication or children's gift ceremony, rose
ceremony, tea ceremony or butterfly release.
Your special day can be formal, traditional, casual, or
something in-between ~ the choice is yours. On a beach, by a
lake, in your own home, on the Harbour or at a Function
Centre, there are so many possibilities with a Civil
Ceremony and my commitment to you is to provide a
professional and friendly service. Quality and excellence
are very important to me and I will endeavour to make your
Ceremony one which you will always remember.
Choosing the right Celebrant is a very important decision,
so please feel free to contact
me either by email or phone if you would like to have a
chat.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Dear Louise
From the moment you opened your front door I
knew you were the right Celebrant for us. You
were always warm and caring and very willing to
help, no matter how silly the question. We thank
you so much for being a part of our day and we
look forward to seeing you in the future. Don't
stop doing what you do - you are amazing!
Thankyou.....
~ Donna & Neil |
LEGALITIES Before your Wedding you will need to complete a
Notice of
Intended Marriage Form (NIM) at least one month and one day
prior to your Wedding (I would suggest earlier rather than
later to secure your date and time). It can also be lodged
with me up to 18 months in advance of the Wedding (a Booking
Fee is required at this stage ~ the balance of your Fee is
due approximately two weeks prior to your wedding date when
you will also sign a declaration stating that there is no
legal impediment to your marriage).
The documents you need to supply are:
s If born in Australia ~ your Original Birth Certificate (If
you need a copy please contact Births Deaths and Marriages
in the State that you were born).
s If born abroad ~ your Original Birth Certificate or
Overseas Passport.
s If either of you have been previously married then your
Original Divorce Decree papers or Death Certificate of a
previous spouse. (If you need a copy of your Divorce Paper
please contact the Family Law Court in the State you were
Divorced).
s Any documents in a foreign language must be translated
into English and a Translation Certificate supplied.
WITNESSES
You are required to have two witnesses who are both over the
age of 18 present to sign the Marriage Register and
Certificates.
WHAT DOES THE
CELEBRANT DO?
s Complete and lodge all the legal paperwork with Births
Deaths and Marriages.
s Help and advise you with your Ceremony.
s Solemnize your marriage according to Australian Law.
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Dear Louise,
You are the most lovely person in this
world. You do your job with passion, love and
care. Thanks so much for making us feel so
comfortable and relaxed. We couldn’t think of
anyone better for such an important occasion.
We hope one day we can become good friends.
Thanks for all you have done for us.
~ Adriana & Patrick |
HOW LONG DOES A
CEREMONY TAKE?
A Civil Ceremony usually takes about 20 minutes depending on
the type of ceremony you choose. It’s your special day and
should be everything you want it to be.
FEE
All couples have different requests for their Wedding
and your Celebrant will have a huge impact on your Ceremony.
Please take the time to choose someone you feel at ease
with, trust, and relate to. I am more than happy to chat to
you about your plans either by email, phone, or face to
face, and answer any questions you may have.
INCLUSIONS
s Completion of The Notice of Intended Marriage Form (NIM).
s Reservation of your specific Date and Time so that no
other bookings are taken.
s My Wedding Ceremony Guide with sample
ceremonies/vows/poems/ring exchanges
etc to make things easy
for you.
s Provision of Government Information ie: Relationship
Services Information.
s All meetings with me and all my administrative costs.
s Preparation of remaining legal documentation.
s Preparation of your Ceremony and provision of Drafts for
approval.
s Time and travel on your Wedding Day. (I arrive at least ½
hour before the
commencement of the Ceremony to set up and to liaise with
your other suppliers).
s Copy of your personalised ceremony in a presentation
folder.
s Your keepsake Marriage Certificate.
s Conducting your Ceremony according to Australian Law.
s Registering your marriage with Births Deaths and
Marriages.
s Table/tablecloth and chair for signing the Marriage
Register (subject to location).
s Portable PA system with CD player ensuring audibility.
s Change of Name Kit (for Australian Residents).
s Professional Indemnity/Public Liability Insurance.
REQUEST A
QUOTE/BOOKINGS
Whether your ceremony is small and intimate or a grand
affair, you can be assured of receiving a good quality
service.
Please contact me as soon as
you have decided on your Ceremony date, time and location so
I can confirm my availability and supply you with a
quotation.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
s We will arrange to meet up for a chat about your plans.
s On acceptance of my services - Complete the Notice of
Intended Marriage Form.
s One month before the Wedding -
Please provide me with your ceremony selections.
s Two weeks before the Wedding - Sign remaining legal
documentation and rehearse
your ceremony.
s On the Wedding Day - I will conduct your Ceremony
according to Australian Law.
s After you are married - I will register your marriage and
forward all documentation to
Births Deaths and Marriages.
PAYMENT
s A Booking Fee of $200.00 is required within 7 days of
confirmation.
s The balance of the fee is due 2 weeks prior to your
Wedding Day.
NOTE
s Out of Area Onsite Wedding Rehearsals are by
appointment only.
s Water Taxi Fees for Harbour Weddings are at Clients
Expense.
s After your Wedding all couples should obtain their
Official Registered Marriage Certificate
from Births Deaths
and Marriages ~ BDM will charge a fee for this as outlined
on their
website. (I have the order forms available to all
clients and can organise this for you so
it’s one less thing
to worry about). You will require this certificate as proof
of marriage, to
change your name and, if applicable,
Immigration purposes.
SHORTENING OF TIME
It is possible
to shorten this minimum time if special circumstances set
out in the regulations are met.
Firstly, you need to meet with me to fill out the Notice of
Intended Marriage Form.
Secondly you will need to approach a prescribed authority
for approval (your Local Court or Registry Officials) They
are the only ones that can shorten the required period if
they are satisfied that the circumstances prescribed in the
regulations are met: These circumstances are:
1. Employment related or other travel commitments.
2. Wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious
considerations.
3. Medical reasons
4. Legal proceedings.
5. Error in giving notice.
The reason for seeking a shortening of time must fall within
one of these categories and it is up to the prescribed
authority to approve the application ~ it is not an
automatic process.
LETTERS FOR IMMIGRATION PURPOSES
If you require a Fiancé (Spouse) Visa Letter for Immigration
purposes, I can supply this to you with NO ADDITIONAL FEE.
This letter is written at the same time as the completion of
the Notice of Intended Marriage Form.
LOCATIONS
Your Wedding can be anywhere you choose ~ at home, by the
beach, at a restaurant, on the harbour or in the National
Park. The options are limitless. I do however recommend you
have a “Plan B” for outdoor weddings in case of bad weather.
Please be advised to check with the relevant Council for
outdoor weddings with regard to permits, booking dates and
fees to ensure you obtain the location of your choice.
Please view my links page for local Northern Beaches
Councils.
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Dear Louise,
Thankyou
for helping to make our day so special. Your
attention to detail, your professionalism and
feeling made the ceremony run smoothly. We were
a little nervous at first but with your help the
day turned out better than we expected. It was
simple, elegant and all about us. Thank you for
taking the time and care to get everything
perfect. All the little touches, from the
tablecloth to the champagne glasses, were
wonderful. We would not hesitate to recommend
you to anyone who needed the services of a
Celebrant. Thank you once again.
~ Mr & Mrs Henry |
ELEMENTS OF A CEREMONY
s Entrance
(Music can be played as you make your entrance)
s Welcome
(To family and friends)
s Introduction
(Sharing how you met or your journey so far as a couple or
family)
s Reading (1st)
(For a good balance to the ceremony two readings are
recommended)
s Monitum
(The legal part of the Ceremony which must be said by the
Celebrant)
s Giving the Bride Away
(You don’t have to be given away if you don’t want to)
s Asking
(I will ask if you are willing to take one another as
husband and wife)
s Vows
(The marriage commitment )
s Exchange of Rings
(There is no legal requirement to exchange rings – it’s your
choice)
s Other Symbol (optional)
(Such as Candle Ceremony, Blending of Sands, Rose Ceremony)
s Reading (2nd)
s Declaration and Kiss
(Declaration of marriage)
s Signing of the Marriage Register & Certificates
(Some more music is best played here while you sign the
legal paperwork)
s Presentation of Newlyweds
(This can include a blessing, reading, words of
congratulations, or even a Butterfly Release or Dove
Release. You will be presented with your Marriage
Certificate and announced as Husband and Wife for the very
first time).
WEDDING DAY TIPS
s A little Vaseline or soap inside the rings help them slide
on easily.
s Take things slowly – don’t rush – you want to remember
everything!
s Council approval may be required for some locations.
s Have a large umbrella in the Wedding car in case of rain.
s Always have a back-up location in case of bad weather.
s Consider having chairs for older guests.
s Remember to breathe…relax…and above all….have fun.
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