FAQs for your wedding celebrant

Who can Marry?

I happily marry couples of any gender. To marry in Australia, you generally both need to be 18 or older, unmarried, and able to understand marriage and freely consent. You cannot marry a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling.

If one person is 16 or 17, the other must be at least 18, and court approval and the required consents must be obtained before the marriage.

I’ll guide you through the legal requirements and paperwork so you know what’s needed for your circumstances.

Read the Australian Government’s marriage guidance

Where will you travel to, Kari?

Most likely your wedding is on the Sunshine Coast, anywhere from Caloundra to Noosa, Maroochydore to Kenilworth. However, I’ll travel to your wedding ceremony anywhere in Australia.

I conduct most weddings in the Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, servicing Maleny, Montville, Flaxton and Mapleton, and along the coast including Noosa, Sunshine Beach, Peregian, Coolum, Marcoola, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Kawana, and Caloundra.

I do often travel to Byron Bay, Hervey Bay and beyond.

What does a celebrant cost?

My marriage ceremony fees range from $550 for a legal-only marriage to $1,200 for the Full Weekend Wonder Wedding, with other options in between.

Tell me about your wedding plans, and I’ll help you find the option that suits you and provide a personalised quote.

How do I choose a celebrant?

Have a read of How to choose a celebrant before you book a celebrant to get an idea of what you might be getting.

What does your service include, Kari?

• My time … as long as it takes to get your ceremony perfect, including full consultation to design your wedding ceremony
• All legals before, during and after
• Your unique wedding ceremony beginning with a fresh canvas, designed about you and for you, and with you
• Suggestions on music, theme, rituals and symbols
• Bespoke ceremony written and sent to you for your input
• Keep-sake gift booklet of your vows and ceremony
• Appropriate dress to suit your ceremony; even themed dress
• Professional quality outdoor PA with attachment cord for media playlist
• Quality gold pen for signing
• Bride’s emergency kit, with hairpins, safety pins rescue remedy, tissues, small scissors, buttonhole pins
• Tie knotting service for the groom, including the full windsor knot. Also buttonhole flower pinning
• Care and attention to little personal details

How do I book?

Click here to make contact and I’ll book you in, or send you more information.

And When?

Book your celebrant as soon as you have a date in mind. Some seasons of the year book out very quickly.

I’m not sure where to start for my wedding ceremony? What do we need to do?

Basically I will metaphorically walk beside you all the way towards your wedding day. I assist with everything to do with the ceremony; beginning with offering to write up a full script for your ceremony drawing on your story your ideas, your personalities that I glean from discussions.

Let’s start with a meeting.  Everything flows from there.  I’ll guide each step. My aim is to make it easy, yet open to all your ideas.
I assist with everything to do with the ceremony. I offer to write up a full script for your ceremony drawing on your story your ideas, your personalities that I glean from discussions.
You can create as much as you wish or else, you need do nothing at all, and I will do it all for you.

What first?

You will need to lodge a Notice Of Intended Marriage with your chosen celebrant, at least one month and one day before your wedding. This form lasts for 18 months, so the sooner the better really.

I can make this process even easier for you with an online form.  Ask me how.

My partner is away and can’t sign the NOIM. What can I do?

This is still possible. Ask me about your scenario.

What documents do we need to bring to you?

I’ll send you a checklist for your circumstances. Generally, I’ll need evidence of your date and place of birth, such as a passport or birth certificate, plus proof of your identity. If you’ve been married before, I’ll also need evidence that your most recent marriage has ended, such as a divorce order that has taken effect or a death certificate. I’ll guide you through any questions about your documents.

Who can I choose to witness my marriage?

Up to you. Choose two people over the age of eighteen. Anyone really.

What will you wear on my wedding day, Kari?

This is up to you. Let’s discuss your colour and theme, and the possibilities. I aim to fit into your wedding day seamlessly.

Can other people be involved in the wedding ceremony?

For sure they can…. readings, stories, gifts, acknowledgements, MCs, musicians, poetry, prayers, blessings, rituals, … just to name a few things.

How long will the ceremony be?

Let’s see what ideas we come up with. In the end it’s not how long, but how meaningful and engaging? I don’t do boring, so short or long is up to what we include. A good bench mark is 30 minutes.

What do we need to sign?

Three certificates on your wedding day, and a stat dec before the ceremony.

Do we need to mention religious things?

Not unless you want to.

Walking down the aisle?

Let’s talk about the options. Not many women need to be “Given away” these days, if any? It’s more about having family accompany you down the aisle. There are many different options. Let me explain when we meet.

Can I write my own Vows?

Of course you can, as long as you include the legal sentence

“I ask the people here present to witness that I, ____, take you, ___ to be my lawful wedded husband/wife”

What if I have no idea what to say?

Ah, that’s where I can help you. I have tools to help us nut this out, and can offer a variety of examples, and tips. I can even chat with you and write a draft for you.

What name do I sign? What signature?

Use your usual signature, in the same way you signed the Notice of Intended Marriage. Your marriage certificates will use the names recorded on that notice. I’ll guide you through the paperwork and explain how to update your name after the wedding if you choose to.

What name do I book the honeymoon in?

For overseas travel, book using the name in the passport you’ll be travelling with. If you’re considering changing your name after the wedding, check the timing before making bookings so your travel documents and booking details match.

How do I change my name to my married name?

I will explain all this during our meeting, but also email you after your wedding and explain the steps again in detail.

I have other questions.

Call me. All questions are welcome.