What happens next?

So you’re engaged, you’ve celebrated this huge moment with your family and friends, and now it’s time to actually start planning the wedding!   First thing’s first – date, venue, photographer, celebrant.   Once you’ve got these four things locked away the rest will fall into place.   

Let’s meet

Let’s catch up so I can hear all about your love story – how did you meet?   How did the proposal go down?   I’m a hopeless romantic and want to know it all!   This is also a great opportunity to make sure I’m the right celebrant for you; after all I have such an important role to play in your special day.   I’ve been there before and have chosen not to go with celebrants I have met with so I promise you there is no hard feelings if I’m not the gal for you. 

Let’s lock it in

So you’ve chosen your date, we have become besties and now we need to lock in your date!   I’ll send you an invoice, and you’ll need to pay a booking fee of 50% which is required within 7 days to lock me in for your day.   I will also send out to you a pack that has got lots of inspiration in there for you when you’re thinking about what you want to say.  

Let’s make it official

If you’re keen, when we catch up for that coffee or wine we can fill out the notice of intended marriage (this is known that as the NOIM) which is the document that must be completed at least one month prior to the day you want to marry.  You can find more information about what you will need for that meeting here.

I will send you a pack that I have made which includes an overview of what a ceremony will look like, some ideas on vows, songs, readings – the full whammy! Take as much or as little of this as you’d like; it’s just there to try help you get your ahead around this pretty huge thing that you’re possibly doing for the first time.

I will also send you each a questionnaire – this is where I find out all the juicy bits that gives me great content for your big day! If you want a great ceremony that sees plenty laughs, as well as tears of joy from Nana Shirley then go hammer time here. If you want a boring old vanilla ceremony ignore the email; your choice!

Let’s get you married

On the day I will be at your wedding early with my PA system (if required) to make sure everything is set up and ready to go.   I will meet your guests that arrive early and give them any instructions you need passed on, and can also help calm any bridal party nerves.   

On the day you will need to sign an official marriage certificate as well as a pretty commemorative certificate.   Don’t worry, I’ll show you exactly where you need to sign but will bring a spare copy just in case the nerves take over and someone ends up signing in the wrong spot!   I’m sure at this point your photographer will be up close and personal making sure they capture the perfect signing shot!   You will need to have two witnesses sign your paperwork so just make sure you have let them know in advance who they are.

And then?

After your ceremony I still keep in touch (sorry – we’re besties now don’t forget) to keep you across where everything is at during each stage. I’ll let you know when I’ve submitted your documents to Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) for the processing of your marriage. Once it’s all complete on their end I will apply for your marriage certificate on your behalf (applicable to The Full Whammy package only) and then it’ll magically arrive via registered mail in your letterbox! Of course, I’ll let you know when I’ve done this too.