Well done you for wanting to be organised ahead of time!

The rules for getting married in Australia can be found online on the Attorney-General’s Departments’ website.

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/marriage/get-married

The paperwork before you get married:

Notice of Intention to Marry (NOIM)

This can be filled in by your authorised marriage celebrant or by you, but do not sign, as your signatures must be witnessed by a legal witness as stated on the form. I will be your witness if you choose to meet with me in person to lodge this form.

Alternatively, if your time frame is shorter, the NOIM can be emailed to your authorised marriage celebrant (already signed by a legal witness as stated on the form) and the date they receive this form, is your lodgment date.  

This document must be received by your authorised marriage celebrant a minimum of one calendar month prior to your wedding day, (but not more than 18 months) before your wedding.  

You can download the NOIM here:

RBDM Qld Notice of intended marriage – Dataset – Publications | Queensland Government

As your authorised marriage celebrant, I will need to sight identification:

• Evidence of your date and place of birth (original birth certificate or passport)
• Identity document (driver’s licence or passport)
• Proof that a previous marriage has ended*

*If you have been previously married (original certificate of divorce – decree nisi)

*If you have been married previously and the marriage ended due to the death of your partner (original death certificate)

You can provide your ID to me in 2 ways:

• Provide original copies at the time we meet in person
• Email me a copy of your identification documents 

Shortening of Time

If there is less than 1 month until your wedding, please refer to the AGD website or talk to your authorised marriage celebrant for more information.

To save your precious time, I’m upfront with my fees on my website, so couples can easily find a ceremony package that fits their budget. You’ll find I am likely cheaper than your tiered wedding cake! 

A Celebrant can make or break your day, so think of the cost as an investment. Ensure you engage a quality Celebrant with whom you can plan the type of ceremony you both want, in a style that suits you!

Reach out to me for an obligation-free chat or Zoom from your living room where you can share what you’ve got in mind and ask me any burning questions before deciding if you wish to book me in!

Yes. I happily travel, as I enjoy seeing new places and venues. Visiting and adapting to new places that I may not have seen keeps me fresh! I have a travel fee for ceremonies that require travel 40km beyond Murrumba Downs.

The number of guests at your ceremony and its location will determine if a PA system is necessary. Celebrants are obliged to ensure all guests can hear, so I always offer the option of using one. You can use my high-quality PA system for your ceremony music (noting: a guest needs to be pre-arranged to manage this, as I’ll be busy running your ceremony!)

A wedding ceremony typically takes 20-25 minutes (30 minutes with a reading and a ritual). It also varies depending on how long your photographer takes at the signing table. 

A legal ceremony (with bubbles to pop afterwards) takes between 5–10 minutes. While short, it has all the love with less fuss!

Absolutely! By law, there are some short legal vow statements you are required to say, but these can transition into the personal vows you share with one another. I have a wedding information kit I share with my clients, with vow suggestions that are fun and have all the feels.  

Yes. I am more than comfortable including a prayer, special blessing, or scripture reading within your ceremony, or stepping aside if a family member or religious leader from your church wishes to share one.

For some couples, there may be an important figure in their lives who has passed away. To signify they’re still with you in spirit, you can pay tribute to these special people by reserving them seats at your ceremony or lighting a candle.

Keep in mind how long your guests will be in the outdoor elements or standing. Consider seating for elderly family members, shade in summer, blankets in winter, and umbrellas in the rain! Water is always appreciated as guests are often waiting before and after your ceremony.

Yes. While rehearsals are not a legal requirement, I am more than happy to organise one; however, a rehearsal needs to be scheduled at a mutually agreed time, date and place. Please refer to my ceremony packages on my services page for fees.

A rehearsal, however informal, allows us to refine your ceremony, run through any staging aspects (such as where people will stand or walk in), and practise certain parts of the ceremony, e.g. the exchange of your vows. While we’ll leave most of the ceremony a surprise for your big day, a rehearsal can iron out the logistics and ease any nerves. It also allows you to sign the declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marry before your wedding day!

No. However, there are options for pre-marriage education if you wish to seek advice. These range from short digital questionnaires to half day courses with other couples, to private sessions online at home, or in a professional setting.  Here are links to 2 providers:

Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 www.relationships.com.au

CatholicCare Services 1300 477 433 https://www.catholiccare.services/counselling-services

I will provide you with a leaflet, ‘Happily Ever…. Before and After’ that is simple and easy to read and have a list of reading suggestions for any inquiring book worms!

Your marriage, your journey, I wish you every success! x

I’m going to make this easy – no. I’d rather you save your money for your honeymoon! However, if you think your Celebrant could be of support during your reception, let’s have a chat…

You can apply for a copy of your official certificate of marriage from the registry of births, deaths and marriages in the state or territory you got married in. Please refer to the BDM website for different certificate options and the price guide.  

You may prefer for me to apply on your behalf, (for an additional fee) when I submit your marriage paperwork (within 14 days of your marriage). If I submit your completed marriage certificate application with the registration of your marriage, no ID is required with this application, given I have already identified both parties.  

Please refer to the BDM website (in your State or Territory) for different certificate options and the price guide. 

Please use this link to find both the online marriage certificate application form and the options for commemorative certificates:

https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/birth-death-and-marriage-certificates/marriage-certificates

YES PLEASE! Know that I’d really appreciate any positive feedback you feel inclined to share; be it word of mouth to friends or a Google or Facebook review. The links are here should you choose.

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A commitment ceremony is not legally binding, as legal vows (monitum) are not read. With no legal vows, you can choose any officiant for this ceremony, be it a Celebrant (like me), a family member, or friend. You can still share vows and we can script your ceremony as simply or elaborately as you wish. The purpose of sharing in this ceremony is for the two of you to publicly affirm your commitment to one another (think all the love, without the legals!)   

While anyone can officiate celebrating this special occasion, a Celebrant allows family and friends to be present in the moment. Not everyone is confident planning, crafting, and delivering a ceremony, so include those who matter, but allow me to take care of the rest! As an experienced Celebrant, I will officiate your special day with a high level of professionalism.

Anytime that holds significance to you as a couple. Many couples choose a milestone wedding anniversary, be it their 10^th, 25^th or 50^th! It can be fun to surprise your family and friends with your renewal ceremony, when they think they’re attending an anniversary party. If you’re feeling romantic and envision an intimate occasion, we can do that too.   

Absolutely, and I encourage you to do so, as it adds a personal touch your partner will appreciate. You may wish to recite your traditional vows from your wedding day.   

Think of how life has evolved since you met and married! Pets, kids, grandkids, sons- and daughters-in-law… the list goes on! Consider how to involve these special people in your ceremony. Grandkids can be ring-bearers, your original wedding party could stand beside you as you share your renewal vows, or guests could share their favourite memories in a vow renewal guest book.

Yes. I am comfortable including a blessing, prayer, reading or symbolic ritual within your ceremony, or stepping aside if a family member or religious leader wishes to share one.

To save you time sending enquiries, I’m upfront with my fees on my services page. You’ll see I likely cost less than the champagne and food you’ll serve to celebrate!

Reach out to me for an obligation-free chat or Zoom from your living room where you can share what you’ve got in mind and ask me any burning questions before deciding if you wish to book me in!

Yes. I happily travel, as I enjoy seeing new places and venues. Visiting and adapting to new places that I may not have seen keeps me fresh! I have a travel fee for ceremonies that require travel 40km beyond Murrumba Downs.

The number of guests at your ceremony and its location will determine if a PA system is used. Celebrants are obliged to ensure all guests can hear, so I always offer the option of one.   

A renewal of vows or commitment ceremony typically goes for 20 minutes. The more personal elements you add, the longer it will go, so some take 30 minutes.  

Be mindful of how long your guests will be in the outdoor elements or standing. Consider seating for elderly family members, shade in summer, and umbrellas in the rain! Water is always appreciated.

No. A renewal of vows tends to be more informal than a wedding ceremony. We’ll stay in touch and refine your ceremony over the phone or via email.

YES PLEASE! Know that I’d really appreciate any positive feedback you feel inclined to share; be it word of mouth to friends or a Google or Facebook review. The links are here should you choose.

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A naming ceremony is a non-legal ceremony and while anyone can officiate this special occasion, a Celebrant allows family and friends to be present in the moment. Not everyone is confident planning, crafting, and delivering a ceremony, so include those who matter to you and your child, but allow me to take care of the rest!

Think of a place that’s special to you and your family and that’s where we’ll head!  

Be it your family home, a family member’s garden, an event venue, a community hall, the beach, or a forest, I suggest visiting the space before making your choice. Keep in mind how the space will look (e.g. decorations and chairs), the weather to contend with outdoors, and that you will need permission to hold the ceremony in a public space.

A naming ceremony typically takes 20 minutes and includes an ‘official’ naming part of the ceremony, affirmations from parents or guardians, and a certificate signing. It’s a tailored ceremony and you are welcome to add more personal elements (keeping in mind the limited attention span of your little guests!). They’ll be keen to celebrate informally with food and drinks, especially if it’s in conjunction with a birthday, as that means cake!

I’m upfront with my fees on my website, so clients can save their time sending multiple enquiries. You’ll see I cost less than the nappies you’ll use in your child’s first year!

Reach out to me for an obligation-free chat or Zoom so I can coo (or cluck) if you share a pic of your adorable little one with me!

The number of guests at your child’s naming ceremony and its location will determine if a PA system is used. Celebrants are obliged to ensure all guests can hear, so I always offer the option of one. (Except in the event of rain outdoors!)  

Absolutely, and I encourage you to do so as it’s more personal. If you need suggestions, I am more than happy to provide ideas or help you write your own pledges of support.

It’s entirely your choice if religious content, from any faith, is included. I am comfortable including a blessing, prayer, scripture reading, or symbolic ritual of your choice, or you can invite a family member or religious leader to do so.

No. A naming ceremony is non-legal and more informal than other types of ceremonies. Once we’ve met, we’ll stay in touch by phone and email about plans for this special day.

Yes, I would love to! Know that I am always grateful for the time people take to write kind reviews. Who knows, you may even consider calling me again if your child has a sibling one day…

The links are here should you choose.

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This is entirely up to you. You are welcome to contact me via this website or to call me in business hours. Alternatively, if a funeral home is caring for you, you can request they call me. They likely have my business card or details, as my services are regularly requested across Brisbane by families I’ve cared for previously, or by their friends who have attended a service I officiated.  

Please don’t feel pressured into arranging a service within a few days of your loved one passing. There are many things to do whilst planning a service and it takes time to pull everything together. The tighter the time frame, the more stress you are likely to feel. Be guided by the advice of those supporting you at the funeral home.   

Once I have your contact details, I will call you to arrange a meeting time that suits us both so I can listen and learn about your loved one who has passed, and how your family would like them to be remembered.  While some families opt to meet at their home, the funeral home, or a coffee shop, others opt to connect via a call, Zoom, or Facetime. I am flexible working with families in different time zones when a service is being arranged interstate or from overseas. After our meeting, we’ll stay in touch over the phone or via email so I can guide and consult with you leading up to the day of the service.

It is up to you as to how you would like the ceremony to run. You can create the format, or we can work together as you share what you have in mind. It’s important to me that we shape the service to capture your loved one’s life in a unique way.   

The ceremony structure can include any number of the following things: music, welcome, quotations (poetry or readings), symbolic items that represent your loved one, a eulogy or shared tributes, a time of reflection (with music or photos), words of encouragement, and a committal (words of farewell or a prayer). I can provide resources and suggestions around these if you need assistance.          

Careful balance of the order and length of each service component is key to the service running smoothly. I’m skilled in adapting last minute to maintain this balance on the day.

This depends on the venue you booked for the ceremony. Chapel crematoriums generally allow 30 minutes for a service. It’s important you are aware of the time the facility allows, as this will determine the number of elements and speakers to include when shaping the ceremony. Some facilities offer a double chapel time, which alleviates pressure and allows for multiple speakers. I work backwards with time, looking at what you wish to include and creatively foreseeing a way to make it happen!

Yes. It is always more personal when family or friends choose to write or share the eulogy, a personal tribute, or quotation (reading, poem, or prayer) themselves.

I facilitate in a warm way, introducing each speaker and acknowledging tributes to those who have written them if I share on their behalf.

I’ll assist your family with suggestions for writing the eulogy or will share it upon request; however, if I’m asked to write the eulogy from scratch, there will be an additional fee due to the many extra hours needed to prepare this in addition to crafting and delivering a service.

Yes. It’s entirely your choice if any religious content, from any faith, is included. I am comfortable including a blessing, prayer, scripture reading, or symbolic ritual of your choice, or you can invite a family member or someone of faith to do so.

Please be assured I will not dishonour your loved one or yourself by going against your values. If you request a non-religious ceremony, other speakers will also need to be made aware.

It’s important that you take care of yourself during this period. Rest where you can and allow some calls to go to voicemail. Accept help offered by others, including myself. Delegating tasks to family members and friends can take some of the weight off your shoulders. There are professionals you can seek support from too.

Seating will generally be provided by the venue. With larger groups of people, those able may have to stand. If people are outdoors, suggest guests bring an umbrella for shade. Have extra tissues on hand for someone who forgets theirs and plan on bringing a bottle of water if you are speaking. 

I believe the focus of a funeral should remain on your loved one from start to finish. While I don’t look for acclamation after a service, I am humbled to receive any words of thanks that your family may feel inclined to share either personally or publicly in a Google or Facebook review.

Your kind words encourage me to continue in this line of work and inspire trust when others like you find themselves in a time of need.