We don’t want anything too over-the-top or cheesy. Is that okay?

Oh my god, yes.
That’s actually exactly what I do best. Cut through the average and expected wedding tropes to find the ‘oh so you’ and ‘oh so good bits’!
I personally am not very into cheesy OTT stuff either. And as I am the one reading the words for you, if we want it to feel sincere and connect with everyone, it’s important that it’s not disingenuous for both of us. So we can’t use language that makes either of you cringe, or I can’t deliver with a straight face!

The key is to use as much of your turn of phrase as possible in the ceremony, so it sounds and feels just like you!

We can’t go wrong if we do that!

We want something calm, genuine, conversational and ‘oh so you’ so that we really hit the mark!

Do we need to write our own vows?

Nope – but if you want to, I’ll help make sure they sound like you.
If the idea of writing your own vows feels stressful, I’ve got beautiful alternatives and prompts to help.
And if you do want to write them? I’ll help you shape them into something honest, heartfelt and never awkward.
The idea of vow writing can be intimidating, but once you get started, using my amazing date night activity as a starting point, most couples love the process. And once you’re enjoying the process, you can’t imagine saying something general about your love.

What happens after we book?

Once we lock it in, Angie (my absolute legend of an assistant) will reach out with the next steps.
You’ll get access to a bunch of helpful resources (including daggy but useful videos!)
We’ll book in a planning session, I’ll write a custom ceremony draft for you, and then we’ll tweak it til it’s perfect.
I’ll also handle all the legal details – we’ll be gently guiding you and checking in every step of the way. All you have to do is show up, have nice chats and enjoy every step of the process.

I mean, how good does that sound?! Just come along for the ride and let us take care of the rest, ummm, yes please.

Can you help us with the legal stuff?

Absolutely.
I’m a commonwealth registered civil celebrant, so I’ll take care of all the legal documentation, timelines and lodgements – from the Notice of Intended Marriage to submitting everything to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
I’ll talk you through everything in plain English, step by step.

What if it rains?

I’m based in Victoria, so I am always talking about backup plans!
Weather can significantly impact the vibe of your ceremony and, consequently, the entire day that follows. Soggy or toasting guests are only partially listening, I have seen it time and time again.

But with a little prep, your Plan B can feel just as good (in fact, it will feel even better because the conditions at your Plan A will be so extreme – that ceremony experience would definitely be less vibey!).
I’ll help you figure out a setup that protects the energy, keeps guests comfy, and still feels like you. Remember, you two and the fact that you are getting married are the drawcard, not the location! They are there for you.

How long does the ceremony go for?

Most of my ceremonies land somewhere between 15–25 minutes.
Just long enough to celebrate the fullness of your life together, but never so long that we lose the vibe.
We keep it tight, engaging, joyous and full of heart/ laughs/ goodness.

What’s your vibe on rehearsals?

We will do a final call in the lead-up, and I’ll send over cheat sheets and pictographs so you have everything you need to conduct an onsite rehearsal with your people. But I won’t be there. I am usually performing someone else’s wedding the day before yours!

And truthfully, you don’t need me there! You can check the song length and show everyone where they are walking to, without my guidance.

I will show them exactly where to stand on the day.

There will be a person there to tell everyone walking down the aisle when to start walking, you all know how to walk (just try to do it normally) and I will show everyone where to stand at the top of the aisle. Let’s not overcomplicate things too much beyond that.

Often, walk-throughs can overcomplicate the lead-up and have people feeling nervous the morning of the wedding, instead of enjoying the lead-up with you.

If you’re the type who loves the idea of a run-through to feel calm and clear, then you should totally do it. I’ll give you everything you need!
If you’re more go-with-the-flow, I totally get it! I’ll talk you through everything in our final call, and you’ll be sorted.

Either way, we will make sure you’ll feel prepped and confident on the day.

We want something really small/simple/last minute – do you do that?

Heck yes. In fact, the low-key and simple ones are just as powerful as the big ones! You’re getting married – it’s always a moment filled with all the feels.
I’ve performed ceremonies in backyards, photo booths, on riverbanks, and even in rivers (yes, really!), as well as loungerooms.
Whether it’s just the two of you and a witness or a big old crowd, I’m here to be a part of the moment with you – no matter how you choose to do it!

Can we include cultural/traditional/family elements in our ceremony?

Absolutely. These touches are always the best and add so much to your ceremony!
Whether it’s a cultural ritual, a family reading, or a voice message from someone overseas, or something totally unique to you – we’ll work together to make sure we maximise the meaning and value it can add to your ceremony!
Your ceremony should reflect your stories, your day-to-day life, your heritage, upbringings and your shared values in a way that feels completely you. Always natural and in no way forced.

Can we bring our dog to the ceremony?

1000% yes.
Your ceremony should include whoever matters most to you. And if you can’t imagine that moment without your dog/s then bring em along! But if they are likely to jump on any white dresses, bring a lead too, yeah?!

Dogs are so fun at ceremonies and the pictures are always so cute!

Bring treats, and allocate someone who is in charge of your dog.

And most importantly, consider their temperament, there can be a lot of people at weddings, and though you may want them there, if they are nervous little guys, it may not be the best setting for their dog’s wellbeing.

What are your thoughts about kids at our ceremony?

I am so supportive of kids at ceremonies, they can be unpredictable – again crowds, can be overwhelming for little ones, but the variability kids add can really add to the ceremony space.

We just roll with whatever is happening with little ones – if they keep coming up the front we interact with them to celebrate their presence, if they’re upset we will acknowledge that and let their parents know it is a-okay, we are in a real moment of your life with you – not a curated moment that has to be perfect. We don’t want the parents stressing out if things are going a bit rogue.

That being said, I completely understand why many couples choose not to invite kids to their wedding. It is an adult space in so many ways. And though we roll with whatever is happening with kids at a ceremony, ideally, if the kids are finding the space too overwhelming and are getting upset, someone will walk away with the kid. We are always going to make sure parents know it is okay if their kid cries mid-ceremony, but if it is prolonged, the right thing to do is step away.

Ongoing crying can distract everyone, and the overall ceremony vibe should not be interrupted for everyone else just because one person doesn’t want to miss the vows. The primary people’s experience that matters is the two people getting married, and if that’s not you, even if you are the parents of the couple, if you agreed to care for a child and that kid is upset – you need to walk away from the space so it doesn’t ruin the experience of the couple in that moment, ya know?!

What if one of us is super nervous about speaking?

You’re not alone, that is so understandable, and I promise you – I’ve got you.
I’ll guide you through your options and make sure you’re never up there feeling exposed or uncomfortable.
There are low-key ways to include your voice without having to stand and speak on your own if that’s not your thing.

How do we actually sign the paperwork on the day?

We either sign the paperwork during the ceremony or shortly after. We’ll duck over to the signing table (or a stump, or the bonnet of a sexy car, on someone’s back – truly, anything goes).
You’ll sign three documents with your two witnesses, I’ll lodge everything, and you’ll be legally hitched. Yay!

Can we write the ceremony together?

Yes – and I encourage your input in every way!
You’ll get a set of reflective questions, prompts and inspo once you book. Then we’ll shape it together. I’ll write the first draft, you give feedback, we tweak.
It’s a team effort, but I make it feel easy and fun, not like hard work.

We’re not super ‘romantic’ — is that okay?

Oh my gosh, YES. This is literally a ‘you do you’ scenario. We want it to feel like you. It all stems from there.
Also, just remember, romantic doesn’t have to mean mushy.
It can mean funny, thoughtful, warm, or just… honest.
I’ll help you find your version of meaningful, minus any cringe.

What happens if one of us cries / laughs / totally forgets our lines?

I think you are referring to those real-life things that naturally happen and remind us that we are all just sharing a real moment in your lives with you and this is not a performance. Crying/ laughing/ forgetting lines – just makes everyone lean in even more!

We roll with whatever happens in the moment. Pretty much anything that happens/can happen – adds realness and reminds us what a special moment in your life we are a part of.

They end up being the add-ons that add to the atmosphere and the connections in the room.

Tears, giggles, forgotten words – it’s all part of the realness.

No one expects perfection. You’re not performing. You’re just being there, in the moment, with all of us and together.

I’ll guide you through everything with calm and kindness, so you feel so free to just experience whatever comes up along the way, without worry or overthinking, cos you can feel how happy everyone is to be in that moment with you.

Can we see a sample ceremony before booking?

I don’t send out full ceremony scripts (because yours won’t be a template! And it’s not my place to share someone else’s personal moment with you, yours will be different anyway – yours will be your own!)

But I do have videos and snippets you can check out to get a feel for my style – relaxed, thoughtful, a little playful, and all you!

Let me know if you’d like to take a peek at some bits and pieces, okay.