FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you'll find some of our most often asked questions,
but if the information you're after isn't included, please send us a message
Which areas do you service?

I'm based in the Macarthur area of Southwestern Sydney, but service all Sydney areas, Newcastle and Wollongong, etc.
I love travelling, so if you're considering a wedding location further afield, please just ask.
As they say.... 'have car, will travel' - and PS: I'm always up for a road trip!

What's involved?
  1. We'll probably initially speak via social media or phone to ascertain my availability, cost, etc and we'll have a chat about what your requirements are and how I can help make your dream wedding happen. After that, you can make a booking right there and then if you're ready to select me as your celebrant or we can meet via Zoom to discuss further.
    A 'Hold the Date' Deposit of $250 will secure your chosen time.

  2. We'll usually then meet up over a coffee to complete the necessary legal paperwork - the Notice of Intention to Marry (NOIM), which must be lodged at least a month prior to your proposed wedding date (but can be up to 18 months prior to your big day).
    At this time, you will need to prove where and when you were born, so I will need to see your original birth certificate or passport, plus some photo ID, such as your Driver's Licence. This is to establish your identity, but also to ascertain if you are over the legal marriageable age of 18 years.

  3. You'll also need to prove your current conjugal status, ie; if you're legally free to marry.
    If you've been married before and are divorced, then I will need your marriage certificate and your divorce certificate. Similarly, if you're widowed, I will need to sight your marriage certificate and your late spouse's death certificate.

  4. Another question you will be asked on the NOIM relates to disclosing if you are related to your prospective husband or wife. In a nutshell, if you're not marrying your sibling (adopted or natural), parent or grandparent... you're good to go!

  5. The Booking Fee, (which is 50% of the remaining balance after the Hold the Date Fee is taken into account) is due at the time of lodging the NOIM.
    The remaining 50% will be due two weeks prior to your ceremony.
    All payments may be made by cash, bank transfer or credit card via Square (this option attracts a 3% surcharge).

  6. Next we schedule a 'wedding workshop' - a casual and fun 1.5-2 hours where we chat about the two of you and your relationship. We play 20 Questions and get some wonderful background information on you both individually and as a couple and your unique love story. This always brings about lots of unique, funny and precious anecdotes, etc which will give me a good understanding of the beautiful bones of your relationship. I'll use this information to draft the basis of your ceremony.

  7. I then write your bespoke ceremony, including all the elements we've discussed and crafting it to your requirements. Once completed, I email it to you for your thoughts/signoff.

  8. We schedule a rehearsal in the week prior to your ceremony (preferably the day before at approximately the same time) to make sure your wedding party and yourselves are really comfortable with how things will work and to iron out any wrinkles. We also need to sign another legal form at this time, so that we're good to go for the ceremony.

  9. THE BIG DAY! - I will arrive at your venue at least an hour in advance. I'll liaise with the venue manager and your other service providers, like your photographer and videographer, to co-ordinate activities, etc and set up my PA system and sound check. 
    Then I'll check in on you both, so you're happy and calm and ready to get married and then it's lights, camera, action..... 'I Do'!

What kind of ceremonies do you do?

While there are some legalities which, by law, need to be included - much of the ceremony is just what you both would like.

For instance:
- Would you like to recognise or thank family members or loved ones?
- Have you always wanted an acoustic soloist or a string quartet to play you down the aisle? - Are you a big fan of romantic poetry to say what's in your heart?
- Are you a lover of rituals or symbolic gestures?
- Do cultural/traditional elements appeal? Think 'jumping the broom' or 'handfasting', etc.
The possibilities are endless... and the choices are all yours!

But... I'm a dab hand at creating beautiful and meaningful ceremonies and I can help you decide which components add up to yours. So... let's meet up to chat over a coffee and find out what your perfect wedding ceremony looks like.

NEED A CELEBRANT FOR SOMETHING ELSE?

Heartlight Celebrations
of Life + Love

Head over to our sister site, Heartlight Celebrations
for information about other celebrancy services
such as:
- Baby Namings
- Vow Renewals
- Commitment Ceremonies
- Engagements
- Funerals/Memorials/Living Wakes/Celebrations of Life
- Divorce Parties
- Graduations
- Boat Launches
- Mothers/Fathers Celebrations
- or any other occasion where a celebrant can lend a hand
in making your event even more special.

I'd be honoured to be your voice and say what's in your heart.