The process explained

Getting in Contact - Upon your initial contact via phone or email and checking my availability on your chose date and time, I will answer any questions you may have and will provide you with a written quotation and booking package. We will discuss the type of ceremony, the location and any special requests that you may have. Once I recieve your booking form we will schedule in our first meeting. At this point I will provide you with a range of material and will begin gathering information from you. 

Initial Meeting - During our first meeting we get to know one another.  We discuss what you would like from your ceremony and I sight your documents. Please bring along your birth certificates and if there has been a prior marriage then divorce or death certificate of the pervious spouse.  We will then fill in the Notice of Intended Marriage and Marriage declaration.  We also discuss what you would like included in your ceremony. I will show you a range of Vows, reading , verse and lyrics to select from and will lead you through each stage of the ceremony.  I have a questionnaire for you to complete which enables me to speak about you as a couple.

Submission of NOIM - This is to be completed and submitted to me, no later than one month and one day prior to your chosen marriage date.

Writing of Draft Ceremony - Based on our discussions, the brief you have given me and any readings, poems and symbolic inclusions you have selected I write a draft ceremony and forward this to you via mail or e-mail. We then work together via email until this is word perfect.

Paperwork - Preparation of the legal paperwork, the Marriage Certificate, I hand calligraph your names and location onto your documentation. I will produce a 'read copy' of your ceremony which includes choreography and instructions and also a 'Presentation copy' of your written ceremony, which I will present to you on the day.

Changes and Alterations - Numerous phone calls and emails until you are happy that we have perfected your written ceremony and you have approved a final copy.

Finalization of Ceremony - You will be provided with a written copy of the perfected ceremony and will be asked to sign off on its exact wording and content.  You can then use the copy to familiarize yourself with the ceremony prior to your rehearsal and wedding day.

Second Meeting & Rehearsal - I encourage all couples to have a rehearsal.  This can be in my office or on location if convenient and weather permits.  This allows us to discuss and practice some of the choreography and to alleviate some of the nervous apprehension.  It is a vital part of having a polished and smooth ceremony on the day.

Ceremony - Including travel this can take anywhere from 2-4 hours.  I always arrive at least 1/2 an hour before he commencement time.  There is no pressure for you to memorize any section of your ceremony.  Some people like to memorize their vows, but remember I will be there to guide and prompt you on the day.  Most people are happy to recite their parts of the ceremony line for line, after the celebrant.

Finalization and Registering of Legal Documents - is normally done by your celebrant up to three weeks after the wedding. As I am registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages as an e-celebrant, I will register your marriage within the following two days ! This enables the application process for a BDM Marriage certificate to be fast tracked. I will forward your application and cheque for $45 (included in my overall fee) to BDM along with my registering documents, eliminating the need for you to provide further copies of your identification to them.

Bookings - Booking of your celebrant should be done as early as possible to secure their services for your chosen ceremony date and time. The Notice of Intended Marriage needs to be submitted to me no later than 1 month and 1 day prior to and no earlier than 18 months prior to our ceremony.  It is usually done at our initial meeting.  Your booking is secured on receipt of a deposit and upon signing the Acceptance of Quotation and Authorization to Proceed (on the bottom of your Quotation).

Deposit and Balance Payments - The booking of my services on your chosen ceremony date, will be secured upon receiving your deposit and booking form, which forms part of our Contract agreement.  This is made prior to, or at our initial meeting. The balance is due a minimum of 1 month prior to your ceremony. 

Refund & Cancellation Policy - A refund of money paid in advance for services not yet undertaken by the celebrant is available in full, where the celebrant is given notice of a cancellation no less that 60 days before the ceremony . A fee paid under items 01, 02 & 03 on your quotation is non-refundable.

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