Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do we need to book?

It depends on what time of year you wish to have your ceremony however if you are planning a ceremony between May and November it pays to book my services, a photographer and venue as early as possible. If you are considering a wedding on a Saturday afternoon then try to book 18 months - 1 year in advance. At the very latest, you must book your ceremony so that we can organise the legal requirements prior to the one month and one day cut off for Legal Requirements.

Do we have to have a Marriage Celebrant?

Yes, for the marriage to be legally recognised, under the Marriage Act 1961, a Celebrant or Minister registered by the Australian Attorney General’s Office must officiate your ceremony.

What is your ceremony style?

My personally written sample ceremonies range from traditional to casual and relaxed so there is something for everyone. My aim is to get to know you both as well as I can and formulate the ceremony based on that. To do this I will provide you with a questionnaire that asks various questions about the two of you. It is optional to complete the questionnaire however it helps me a great deal to give you the best possible service. I then take the selections you have chosen from my samples (or other words provided by you) and blend that with the information I have learned about you so that your ceremony is unique to the two of you.

Will there be any religious aspects in our ceremony?

By definition, a Civil Ceremony is non-secular (non-religious) so there are no regligious references made unless they are specifically requested. I have on occasion had couples ask me to incorporate some religious aspects into their ceremony - this has included Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist rituals.

What do you charge for your services?

I do not have a one off fee - hence the reason I ask for as much information as possible on the Inquiry Form of this website. My fees are based on a number of factors including the amount of equipment I may need to provide and any travel costs that may be associated. For instance, if you have quite a few guests I may need to include setup and usage of my PA system so everyone can hear the ceremony. If you decide to organise a ceremony without the assistance of a wedding planner then I may also need to provide a Registry table, tablecloth, 2 chairs and chair covers for the signing of the certificates. Discounts also apply for ceremonies booked for Tues/Wed/Thurs.

Are you able to organise a photographer and flowers on our behalf?

No. The Attorney General of Australia has strict guidelines set out for registered Civil Marriage Celebrants which includes that a celebrant is forbidden to organise any aspects of a wedding due to a possible conflict of interest. This especially relates to a celebrant offering his or her services as a wedding planner.

Can you organise council permits for us?

No as that would be seen as taking on the role of a Wedding Planner. You can either have a Wedding Planner organise all permits or contact Cairns Regional Council on (07) 4099 9444 and organise this yourself.

How many witnesses do we need on the day? Are there any restrictions to who our witnesses can be?

You will require one witness for each of you. The witnesses must be over 18 years of age and must speak and understand the English language. Other than that there are no restrictions. You will need to provide me with their full legal names in the weeks leading up to the wedding.

Where are you based and can we meet with you prior to our wedding day?

I am based in Port Douglas and most of the ceremonies I perform are in the local region. I think it is important for us to meet up prior to your big day so that we get to know each other face to face and that the legal aspects of the Marriage Certificates are completed. As many couples don't have transport I am happy to meet you at your hotel or the ceremony venue.

Do you perform ceremonies in places other than the Port Douglas & Daintree area?

On occasion I have performed weddings in Palm Cove and Cairns when they have been booked through a wedding planner or held at a well known indoor wedding venue. Depending on the circumstances, I may recommend a Celebrant more familiar with the area you wish to hold your ceremony as they can offer specialist advice for that area just as I offer specialist advice for the Port Douglas and Daintree region.

Will we be given our wedding certificate on the day?

Yes, you will be provided with a "Presentation Certificate" issued by the Australian Governement for you to keep.

Can we use this certificate for legal purposes?

In many cases unfortunately no. For instance, the marriage certificate presented to you on the day of your ceremony, whilst still being a legal document, cannot be used to have personal documentation (such as your drivers licence or passport) changed to your married surname.

Does my name change automatically to that of my husband?

No. You will need to legally change your own name if you wish to do so. You will require a copy of your "Official Certificate of Marriage". This is obtained by mailing an application form and identification (plus a small fee) to the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Brisbane, Queensland after your wedding. I will provide you with further information on how to do this after your ceremony or you can find information at Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Can we be married anytime of the day or night?

Yes, as long as I am available.

Will our wedding be accepted world wide?

Yes.

Can we write our own ceremony?

Absolutely. There are a few words required to be said by law but the rest is up to you. I highly encourage you to be as creative as you can and I am here to offer you my help and support to do this.

Can our friends and family participate in the ceremony?

Yes, there are many opportunities for friends and family to be involved in the ceremony.

Do we have to exchange wedding rings?

No. This is optional. There are many symbols and rituals you may choose to incorporate into your ceremony.

Can I be given away by a person who is not a member of my family?

Yes. There is no legal obligation here, merely symbolic.

How long will our ceremony take?

A ceremony less than 15 minutes has a feeling of being rushed so allow anywhere between 15 - 30 minutes.

What name do I sign my marriage certificates in?

You must use the name on your birth certificate unless you have legally changed your name or through a previous marriage. You must use the name by which you are known on your supporting documentation (such as medicare card, drivers licence, passport etc).

When I book my flight for our honeymoon, can I use my married name?

This will depend on when you take your honeymoon. Your documents such as passport and drivers licence will still be in your maiden name (as you cannot legally change your name until your marriage is registered) so if you are planning to travel soon after the ceremony you should use the name you are known by on your current identification documents.

I am a divorced bride however I wish to have my maiden name on the marriage certificates. Can I do this?

You must use the name that you are currently known as. There is the option for you to change your name back to your maiden name before the ceremony. Contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your Capital City for further information.

I want to surprise my fiance withour wedding. Can I do this?

No, you would be breaking the law. In Australia, each partner is obliged legally to sign the "Notice of Intent to Marry" form at least one month and a day before the ceremony.

We were married two years ago but none of our family and friends are aware of this. We would prefer that our guests think our upcoming Vow Renewal Ceremony is our wedding ceremony. Is that a problem?

It is not only illegal to be married more than once (without being divorced first), it is also illegal to pretend to be get married when you are already legally married. The Marriage Act 1961 is very clear on this and states…”persons who are already legally married to each other shall not, in Australia…go through a form of ceremony with each other” and “a person who is authorised by this Act to solemnise marriages will not purport to solemnize a marriage…between persons who inform first-mentioned person that they are already legally married to each other…”

We want to get married on the beach. Do we need a permit for this?

A permit may be required if you wish to hold a function on public lands within the Cairns Regional Shire. This includes beaches, parks and reserves. You may also be required to apply for a permit from other government agencies such as Qld National Parks and Wildlife if you were to have your ceremony in state or federally owned land. Please contact the Cairns Regional Council (Mossman branch) on (07) 40 999 444 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday for more information.

Where can we find information about Pre-Marriage Relationship Services?

The Australian Government offers information through the following websites Dept of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Family Relationships Online. Pre-Marriage Education Programs are available in all States and Territories of Australia through Relationships Australia.

What is included in your celebrant fees?

I offer an all-inclusive fee for services so you know up front what you are getting for your money. My fee is reflective of my experience, my life and creative skills, my training and ability to deliver a professional ceremony to meet your needs. I take great pride in ensuring you get the very best service.

1. I can promise you a professional, well conducted ceremony that will be intimate, personal and modern.
2. On the day of your ceremony, you will be presented with a wedding certificate for you to keep.
3. I am online most days so you are able to make contact easily with me if this is convenient to you. Drafts can be forwarded easily by email.
4. I have available a list of books and websites that will help you to make decisions on your ceremony.
5. I also have an extensive list of poetry, prose, music, and symbols from which you can choose the elements and components which most reflect and express YOU.
6. I am happy to compose a ceremony which includes personal information about the two of you and your relationship - making it fun, personal and memorable for you and your guests.
7. You are given complete choice for your ceremony. I am there to help and guide you and make sure you are aware of all your options. I will provide you with a number of sample ceremonies written by myself to help you to work through what wording you would prefer however you are also encouraged to write your own special words for the ceremony.
8. I offer you relaxed meetings where you can discuss all your wedding requirements. There is no such thing as a silly question. You can trust me to help make the entire process as stress-free as possible.
9. You are entitled to unlimited consultations with me, whether they are in person or on the phone or via email.
10. I encourage every couple to have a pre-ceremony meeting. It is essential that you are both well-prepared.
11. I will guarantee that no other wedding will be booked so close that I arrive late or rush in an unseemly manner.
12. I will arrive for your ceremony 30 minutes prior to the scheduled ceremony time.
13. I will be familiar with the ceremony and speak in a sincere and interested manner.
14. I will dress to fit in with your wedding.
15. There are no surprises with my fee or hidden costs. All fees will be quoted at time of booking confirmation.
16. I have a professional PA system - that includes a CD player - I use this at ceremonies where there are 25 guests or more so everyone can hear the entire ceremony.
17. I provide a table, chair and custom-made tablecloth when requested for the signing of the official documentation.
18. I will register the legal paperwork after the wedding with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages as required by law under the Marriage Act 1961 and advise you how to obtain a copy of your "Official Certificate of Marriage" for purposes of proving you are married, change of name etc.

How much time do you allocate for each ceremony?

As long as is required to work with you in preparation and perform your ceremony! On average, I would estimate the time I spend working on each ceremony is approximately 10-12 hours.

This includes:

• meetings with you
• emails and phone calls
• composing the first draft of your personalised ceremony
• changes to the ceremony
• paperwork - checking, preparation and issue of legal paperwork
• Rehearsal or pre-ceremony meeting
• the wedding day - this can often take anywhere from 2 hours minimum up to 4-6 hours including travel time (I always arrive at least 25 mins before the expected commencement time)
• post-ceremony advice