Weddings
Your Wedding Day is one of the most important days of your life! In choosing a Celebrant, it stands to reason that you will want a personalised, original ceremony that reflects your individual needs and expectations. I can help you to plan for your special day. I will listen carefully and sensitively as you express your wishes.
Unlike many other celebrants my service includes the option to meet with you up to three times before the day to help you design the perfect ceremony.
I have a wealth of creative ideas and can help you choose the music, readings and vows that are right for you and your partner. I have a broad selection of suggestions to inspire you and can also work with you to incorporate any of your favourite pieces of poetry, song or prayer as well as to provide state of the art sound amplification equipment.
Useful Links
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
Easy Weddings, Australia
Renewal Of Vows
A ceremony to renew marriage vows can be arranged for any married couple, who wish to celebrate or highlight a special time in their relationship in a unique and personal way.
Although there is no legal benefit many couples are choosing this creative option for a variety of reasons.
It may be that you wish to acknowledge an anniversary of ten, twenty-five or even sixty years, witnessed by your family and friends. Or, after a challenging time, you may wish to renew your vows to each other in a very special way.
Whatever your needs I can work with you to achieve the result you require, be it a replication of your original wedding ceremony vows or a new and creative party celebration to mark the fact that you wish to say some important things to each other because you look forward to sharing your future together.
Commitments
Commitment Ceremonies have become increasingly popular for couples, who wish to declare their love and devotion to each other before family and friends.
Although the ceremony has no legal standing, it allows a couple to make a public commitment in a formal manner that will affirm and strengthen their relationship and thus acknowledge to the community their friends and family that they are dedicated to each other in a loving, stable and permanent relationship
Again, I will work with you to ensure that the occasion is planned and celebrated in a way that will achieve the event that will mark your intention to share your lives together in a very special way.
Namings
Baby Namings are increasingly popular as a way of sharing the joy of your newborn with family and friends. I can work with you to make the ceremony as formal or informal as you wish, designing an occasion that incorporates all the elements that parents and families desire.
With a wide variety of readings and poems from around the globe, you can set the tone of the day and the future ongoing support from family, friends and the community, who will take an interest in and support your very precious little one.
Funerals
Planning the service to farewell your loved one is the hardest thing you may ever do. With many years of experience in palliative care and counselling, I am sensitive to the needs of family during this difficult time. I find it an honour and privilege to work with each person and through hearing you speak of your memories, I aim to understand, who your loved one was and therefore help you shape a fitting tribute to their life.
As a former minister I am able to help you incorporate prayers or other religious readings if appropriate, however, I am equally happy designing a secular service with elements of favourite poems and readings. I have a wealth of materials to help you choose the right words to capture the life that is being celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the legal requirements for marriage in Australia?
• Both people must be 18 years old
• There must be two witnesses present on the day of the marriage and they are required to be 18 years old also
• If either person intending to be married has been previously married, they will be required to produce divorce papers or
• If either person intending to be married has a deceased spouse, they must produce the death certificate for the deceased spouse
• English birth certificates are required if you are Australian born, otherwise you will need a 'certified' translated birth certificate and passport from your country of birth
• You will also need to sign your Notice of Intended Marriage with me (your Celebrant) no less than one calendar month prior to the marriage. I can provide this legal document when we meet
What does a Celebrant do?
I will:
• Attend to all the legal requirements
• Help you to create, plan, co-ordinate and conduct an original ceremony to suit your individual needs
• Solemnize your marriage
When Should I Contact the Celebrant?
• Legally, at least one month and one day before your wedding
• But really, as soon as possible because most Celebrants are booked months in advance
What does the fee cover?
• Completion of all legal work
• Initial & subsequent visits, plus a rehearsal if this is your preference
• All administrative costs
• Use of microphone, CD player, music and extra microphone for readings
• Access to poetry, readings and vows, to assist you in creating your own ceremony.
Do we have to attend any pre-marital courses?
There is no legal requirement; however, couples who join the recommended courses have affirmed the benefits gained from attending together.
What do we need to do after we are married?
You'll need to obtain a registered copy of your Marriage Certificate. I can take care of this, or you can obtain it yourselves the next working day from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages . If you're a resident from a country outside the British Commonwealth, you'll also need to obtain an Apostile stamp from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Sydney. This will allow you to register your marriage in your country of residence. Again, I can help with this if needed.
About Annie
I am a fully trained, Attorney General accredited Celebrant with many years experience in providing quality services for weddings, funerals & baby namings.
I take pride in working with brides, parents and families to create special days and ceremonies, which are tailored to your individual needs and desires.
Prior to being a Celebrant I worked in a range of positions, including charity event planning, marketing, teaching and student counselling. These skills and experiences have given me the ability to plan and deliver a successful and unique ceremony. I have also lived, worked and travelled around the globe, so I am very happy to incorporate a variety of cultural aspects into your day if that fits with your needs.
- Previous positions have included:
- • Minister for Fundraising & Publicity for HOPESTREET urban Compassion
- • A Chaplain at Royal North Shore Hospital
- • The Managing Director of Kangathi Australia
- • The Homestay Co-ordinator for Billy Blue Schools
- • Manager for Holmes Colleges, Sydney
- • School Teacher, both in the UK and in Australia
- • Travel Consultant trained by Qantas and Australian Airlines
- • Public Relations offer for CHANCE (Children Having A Need for Care & Education) Fiji, as well as public relations work for other companies
- • Receptionist with The Wentworth Hotel, Sydney
- • A Flight Attendant with Ansett
- • A Trained Nurse
- • A Fashion Compere
- • A Feelance Model
- • I also currently work as a volunteer with Sydney Street Choir & The Choir of Hard
