Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start to choose a celebrant?

Have a good look at my website. Then chat to me on the phone and if you feel comfortable, make an appointment for the two of you to meet me for a no-obligation interview at my office. If you then are confident that you would like me to be your celebrant, let me know and I will keep the date and time free for you. Within a day or so, I ask you to pay me a deposit and I give you my comprehensive folder of information for you to peruse at your leisure. You can keep this as long as necessary.

How do you implement your own ideas for the ceremony?

In a subsequent meeting you tell me your thoughts and desires and any ideas that you have picked up from reading my folder. Together we discuss these and the emerging structure of the ceremony. I may lend you resource books or CDs to further extend your thinking. Soon I write draft one of your ceremony and email/ mail this to you for your consideration. We interact as often as needed by email, phone or in person, until you are fully happy with the ceremony and general arrangements. Then, after a rehearsal soon before, we are both ready for the day of your life.

What if you only want a simple, uncomplicated ceremony?

I will give you a few sample ceremonies to consider and will ensure that your wedding ceremony is performed in a sensitive and caring way that makes you feel very special. In considering costs, remember that a 10 minute wedding engagement takes up the celebrant's time on the day to much the same extent as a 25 minute ceremony.

How do you choose between one celebrant and another?

Is cost a major factor? If so, you may want to determine this at the outset of a phone conversation with a potential celebrant.

Perhaps it is feeling comfortable and confident that your celebrant will listen to your needs, be sensitive and supportive to you and deliver the ceremony you want. If so, make an appointment to see if you 'click' emotionally.

You may want a very memorable, personalised ceremony with special touches that is expertly written and delivered. In this case the celebrant's training and experience usually makes a big difference. Members of the Civil Celebrants Graduate Assocation (Monash) have Australia's only university qualification in this field, a one year, full-time, full fee paying course. The celebrant market is becoming flooded as celebrants with only a few hours of training receive the same government authorisation as Monash graduates . Hence, ask about training and experience and perhaps, for references.

You are overseas and plan to return to Melbourne for your wedding. How can this be managed?

Easily. I have several happy past clients in this category. Firstly, interact by email or phone to assess my availability and to discuss lodgement of the Notice of Intent to Marry. Then, when a booking is made and a deposit paid, I can send my resources folder by airmail to you. Despite the cost (A$60 to London for example), my past clients have valued this. An alternative is for me to email you some sample material. Further I have a webcam and Skype so can interact easily if you are similarly connected. Then we have a rehearsal before the ceremony if possible.

What are the fees for a marriage celebrant's service?

I have variable costs dependent on the time involved (preparation and delivery) and the complexity of the ceremony. I am happy to discuss these with you, preferably by phone or in person.