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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Planning a wedding comes with a lot of questions…

…so here are some of the ones I get asked the most as a Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains wedding celebrant and MC.
If you’re wondering something that’s not here, just reach out — I’ve got you.

Do you travel for weddings outside the Hawkesbury?

Absolutely.

While I’m based in the Hawkesbury, I regularly travel to the Blue Mountains, Sydney, Hunter Valley, Southern Highlands and beyond.

I also love a private property wedding, so if you’re planning something at home, on a farm, or somewhere a little different, I’m always up for it.

If your location is a bit further out, I’ll just include any travel in your quote so everything is clear from the start.

Can we get married on private property?

Yes — and they’re some of my favourite weddings.

Private property weddings give you so much freedom to create a day that feels like you, but they do come with a few extra things to think about like sound, layout, weather backup and timing.

I’ll help guide you through all of that so your ceremony still feels easy and relaxed, and your guests are comfortable and know what’s going on.

Do you perform LGBTQIA+ weddings?

Always.

Love is love, and I’m here to create a ceremony that feels right for you — whoever you are and however your story looks.

What’s included when we book you as our celebrant?

You’re getting a lot more than someone who just rocks up on the day and reads a script.

I’ll work with you to create a ceremony that actually sounds like you, not something pulled from a template. That includes getting to know your story, helping shape your vows (as much or as little as you need), and making sure the whole thing flows effortlessly.

On the practical side, I handle all the legal paperwork and lodge everything with Births, Deaths and Marriages. I also bring a professional Bose PA so everyone can actually hear what’s being said.

You’ll have unlimited contact with me throughout the process, and I’ll guide you through everything so you feel confident and relaxed heading into the day.

Can you also MC our wedding?

Yes — and honestly, this is where things get really fun.

If you book me as both your celebrant and MC, it means I’m there from the ceremony right through to the reception, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes while also bringing the right energy when it’s needed.

I’ll handle announcements, keep your timeline on track, liaise with vendors, and make sure your guests know what’s happening without it ever feeling over the top or cringey.

Think of it as having someone in your corner who knows your whole day and can keep things flowing so you can just enjoy it.

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What happens after we enquire?

Once you send through an enquiry, I’ll reply with all the details and a link to book a quick call.

That call is basically a vibe check — a chance for us to meet, chat about your plans and make sure we’re a good fit.

After that, I’ll send you a quote that you can accept online if you’d like to lock everything in. From there, we move into the fun part of planning your ceremony.

How long does a wedding ceremony usually go for?

Most of my ceremonies land somewhere around 25–35 minutes.

Long enough to tell your story, include your vows and all the important moments, but short enough that your guests stay engaged and no one’s checking their watch.

If you’re adding readings or other elements, it might run a little longer, but I’ll always help guide the timing so it feels just right.

Do we need to write our own vows?

Not at all — but most couples choose to.

If you want to write your own vows, I’ll help you every step of the way with tips, prompts, examples and edits so you’re not staring at a blank page.

If you’d prefer something more structured or traditional, that’s completely fine too. We can tailor it to suit whatever feels most comfortable for you.

What happens if it rains on our wedding day?

First of all — we roll with it.

I’ve done plenty of wet weather weddings, and with a solid backup plan in place, they still turn out incredible.

The key is having a Plan B that you’re genuinely happy with, not just something thrown together last minute. I’ll help you think this through in the lead-up so if the weather turns, it’s a smooth switch and not a stressful one.

And honestly, some of the best moments happen in the chaos.

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Do we need to have a rehearsal?

I don’t run in-person rehearsals — instead, we do a quick video catch-up in the lead-up to your wedding.

It’s the perfect way to run through everything without the stress of getting everyone together the day before. We’ll go over how the ceremony flows, where everyone stands, who walks when, and any little details you want to lock in.

On the day, I’ll guide you and your wedding squad through it all so it feels natural and relaxed, not stiff or over-rehearsed.

Honestly, it’s all you need — and it keeps things simple, easy, and way less time-consuming for everyone.

How do we choose our ceremony music?

This is one of the fun parts — and I’ll help you with it if you get stuck.

Most ceremonies include:

  • a processional (walking down the aisle)

  • signing music

  • a recessional (walking back up the aisle)

Beyond that, it’s completely up to you. Some couples keep it classic, others go a bit more fun or unexpected.

The biggest thing is choosing songs you actually like and that feel right for the moment. I’m always happy to throw around ideas or help you figure out what will work best on the day.

What paperwork do we need to get married in Australia?

The main thing is the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM), which needs to be completed at least one month before your wedding.

I’ll guide you through this and make sure everything is filled out correctly so there’s no stress around the legal side of things.

On the day, you’ll sign your marriage certificates with your witnesses, and then I’ll take care of lodging everything with Births, Deaths and Marriages.

How do we change our name after marriage?

There’s no pressure to change your name — it’s completely your choice.

If you do decide to, you can use your marriage certificate to update things like your licence, passport and bank accounts.

After your wedding, I’ll send you through all the info you need to make the process easy, including step-by-step guidance and links to services that can handle most of it for you.

A lot of couples choose to use Easy Name Change, which takes care of the paperwork side of things and saves you a lot of time.

It’s one of those things you can chip away at after the wedding — no rush at all.

If you’ve made it this far…

…chances are we’re a pretty good fit.

You can check my availability or lock in a quick chat and we’ll go from there

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Say Hello

Where am I?

Hawkesbury

Blue Mountains

Sydney

Thanks

Emmerge Photography

The Feeling When

Sam Battin Films

Bens Insight

The Evoke Company

Kyle Ingram

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The Wedding Society Member
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I am grateful that every day I get to celebrate love.  I live and work (mostly) on Dharug land. I extend my thanks and gratitude to our First Nations people, in particular the Dharug people for tending to the lands long before they became what we now know as the Hawkesbury. I acknowledge their culture, their connection to community and country and their elders, past and present.

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