Weddings

australian ceremonies


Weddings & Unions

The service I offer
Resources
Ceremonial Elements
Booking
Fees

The decision to publicly declare a loving relationship is one of the most important that we make during our lives.

Weddings and unions are ways of sharing this significance with the whole world.

It is when we take the opportunity to say,

"This is who I love."

 

My Services

As a registered marriage celebrant, I am authorised to conduct weddings in Australia under the Commonwealth Marriage Act. I am also happy to officiate at ceremonies to solemnise relationships under the Queensland Registered Relationships Act.

 

No-obligation initial meeting

The decision to choose a celebrant for your wedding is a significant and personal one. I am happy to meet with couples who are considering engaging my services on a no-fee, no-obligation basis. This gives us a chance to get to know each other a little (usually in an informal setting) to discuss the services I am able to provide and to help to inform your decision.

This meeting will usually take about 30 minutes. After this meeting, I recommend that you take some time to consider your decision privately and then advise me by email or phone if you wish to proceed with a booking.

 

First Planning Meeting

Once a booking has been made, we will meet again to map out your plans in a little more detail. A non-refundable deposit is required at or before this meeting to confirm your booking (See Fees below).

One of the important tasks at this meeting will be to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage. This notice is required by the Marriage Act. It is your formal notice of your plan to marry. You must complet this form no less than one month before your planned wedding day. I will assist with the preparation of this document and witness your signatures.

 

Deciding on the format of the ceremony

Modern weddings are able to incorporate elements from a wide variety of sources and traditions. At our meeting we can discuss your preferences for music and spoken word elements, as well as how best to incorporate the special people who will be in attendance at your ceremony. The only limitations are your imagination and creativity. I am happy to provide assistance to the extent you wish, from making recommendations regarding sources of possible material, to drafting the complete ceremony on your behalf.

At our first planning meeting, we will paint with some broad brush strokes how you see the ceremony unfolding.

 

Ongoing communication and decision-making

Once we have put in train the planning process, I will be available to you to assist in drafting and planning the detail of the ceremony. I will be available to you on an ongoing basis to make suggestions and assist in your preparation fo the detail of your ceremony. If required, I will be available to conduct a rehearsal.

Once finalised, I will prepare an order of service for your ceremony.

 

Conduct of the Ceremony

On the day of your wedding, I will be in attendance at least 30 minutes prior to the commencement of your service.

My services include the provision of a stand-alone, portable PA system to ensure that the important parts of your ceremony are clearly heard by everybody present.

During the ceremony, I will ensure that all those taking part are put at ease and that the ceremony proceeds smoothly and includes all of the personal touches that have been discussed and prepared.

Your marriage certificates will be prepared for signing following the exchange of vows.

 

Lodging of documents necessary for registration.

Following the ceremony, I will ensure that all of the formal, legal requirements are complied with and that the necessary documents for registration of your marriage are forwarded to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 14 days of your ceremony.

 

Resources

Counselling

The Marriage Act requires that after lodgement of your Notice of Intention to Marry, you should be provided with information about the importance of the marriage relationship, as well as resources which can help this relationship to be a lasting and satisfying one.

Click on the the image below to read the information published by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department regarding marriage relationships, Happily Ever...Before And After.

AG leaflet

Before entering into a marriage, targetted relationship education can be of great use. Here are just some of the available resources which you may consider accessing as part of your journey into a long-lasting relationship, marked by love, ongoing communication and mutual respect:

Centacare Relationship Education - www.centacarebrisbane.net.au

Prepare-Enrich - www.prepare-enrich.com.au

Family Relationship Centres - www.familyrelationships.gov.au

 

 

 

 

 

Ceremonial Elements

The form of the marriage ceremony is marked by a huge range of traditions and cultural expressions. Personalised elements can be chosen for incorporation into your ceremony.

The Australian law relating to marriages is found in the Commonwealth Marriage Act. While this law prescribes some minimum declarations that must be included in every marriage ceremony, your ceremony can also include spoken and other elements that reflect your respective and joint choices and personalities.

Whether the bringing together of flames in a candle ceremony, the mingling of wines, coloured sand or other symbolic gestures of joining, the "warming" of the rings by passing them through the congregation, particular music, readings, or actions by those present, your creativity and choices can be honoured and respected in the ceremony that is designed for your special occasion.

If particular religious, cultural or ethnic traditions have resonance for the couple who are being joined in marriage, these traditions can be reflected in the ceremony.

Some examples:

Music that has special meaning for the couple

Poetry or other readings that express some of the feelings the couple have about their relationship

A short narration of the history of the relationship that reflects its special growth leading to the decision to marry

Particular inclusion of special individuals and family members, such as parents or children

Symbolic ceremonial elements (candle ceremonies, hand-fasting)

Religious inclusions (prayers and blessings)

Personalised vows chosen or written by the couple

Declaration of the marriage

"The first kiss"

When we discuss your ceremony, I will be able to offer further suggestions to help you tailor your ceremony to your personalities and choices.

 

 

 

Booking Form

To provide initial details and check my availability:

Phone John Thompson on 0416 032 573

Email to mail@australianceremonies.com

or use the form below.

Contact for the booking Your name
Your email

Your phone number

Ceremony date

Ceremony time

Venue name and address

Please provide as much detail as possible

Groom's Name First Name
Last Name
Groom's email

Groom's phone number

Bride's Name First Name
Last Name
Bride's email

Your plans so far

Please give me as much information as possible about your wedding - the
number of guests, the style of ceremony you are planning and any special
ideas you have in mind.


 

 

 

Fees

My standard all-inclusive fee for conducting your wedding is $600.

 

No-obligation initial meeting

The decision to choose a celebrant for your wedding is a significant and personal one. I am happy to meet with couples who are considering engaging my services on a no-fee, no-obligation basis. This gives us a chance to get to know each other a little (usually in an informal setting) to discuss the services I am able to provide and to help to inform your decision.

This meeting will usually take about 30 minutes. After this meeting, I recommend that you take some time to consider your decision privately and then advise me by email or phone if you wish to proceed with a booking.

 

Confirmation of booking - non-refundable deposit

Your booking will be confirmed on payment of a $200 deposit, payable either before or at our First Planning Meeting. The deposit is necessary to secure your preferred date and time.

 

Payment of balance

The balance of the fee for your wedding is payable no later than 1 month prior to your wedding day.

 

Fee for service

The preparation of your wedding is a professional service involving many formal and creative elements.

My services include:

• The administration and preparation of all the formal marriage documents,

• The selection of readings and additional rituals,

• Preparing your ceremony, and the solemnisation of your ceremony at your chosen place and time,

• Unlimited contact or meetings with me for advice, ideas, and recommendations in preparation for your ceremony,

• The provision of a high-quality, portable PA system, to ensure that everyone at your ceremony can share your special occasion. This system includes facility for iPod or other recorded music to be played as part of your wedding ceremony.

• Preparation of a presentation certificate for your wedding day,

• A copy of your ceremony mailed to you approximately two weeks after your ceremony.

 

My standard fee of $600 includes the above services and an attendance of up to two hours on your wedding day unless otherwise agreed. This time begins at least 30 minutes before your booked ceremony time and ends at least 30 minutes after your booked time. As a normal courtesy, I will be at least an hour early and will stay for at least an hour.

 

Additional Costs

Additional fees are payable for return travel beyond 100km from the Brisbane CBD (at the rate of 69c/km).

There is a $75 change fee payable if your booking is moved to a different date, time or venue after payment of the deposit.

Fees for rehearsals will be by negotiation.

 

If you have special requirements, I am happy to negotiate an arrangement that suits all of our needs.

 

Methods of Payment

I am happy to accept payment by the following methods:

• Bank transfer: John Thompson, BSB: 804-059, Account: 205586 (Queenslanders Credit Union)

• By cheque or mail order to 56 Ashgrove Crescent, Ashgrove, 4060

• Credit card payment (to arrange, phone me on 0416 032 573)

• Credit card payment by PayPal (email me for an invoice - mail@australianceremonies.com)

• By payment in cash when we meet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABN: 56185908387
Registered Celebrant #A16929
© Australian Ceremonies 2014