‘Simply Sweet’ ceremony - example

About 2-4 months before your ceremony
We’ll have our Preparation Meeting; in person or video call if that’s more practical. I’ll guide you through the ceremony process and we’ll chat about how you’d like it to be personalised. You won’t have to prepare anything in advance as I’ll already have everything organised, but it’s a great opportunity to raise any questions or ideas.

About a week or two before your ceremony
We’ll catch-up over the phone to review our ceremony plan. This helps me to ensure everything runs smoothly, and will help you to know what to expect so you can relax and enjoy the big day as much as possible (I really want you to enjoy it all)!

On the day, before your ceremony starts
I’ll arrive about 30-45 mins beforehand. Before your ceremony starts, I’ll need to:

• Meet with you to sign the pre-ceremony paperwork (‘Declaration of No Legal Impediment’). This is super quick and easy, but important.

• Set up the marriage papers on your signing table, ready for when they’re needed.

• If using my PA system, I’ll set it up and do a sound check to make sure everything is perfect.

Ceremony Format

• Pre-ceremony announcements - option to personalise
  Once all your guests have gathered and about 5 mins before your ceremony is due to start, I’ll make any ‘housekeeping’ announcements eg. reminder to switch phones to silent, request that cameras are put aside.

• Processional entrance - option to personalise
  How would you like to begin? Is there a particular piece of music you want played? You can make an entrance however you want! For example:

  • Person 1 (eg. Groom) waiting at the front. Bridal party walk the aisle, followed by Person 2 (eg Bride) and parent/s or other chosen person.

  • You each arrive by walking the aisle to your own song, accompanied by your groomsmen/bridal party/parents.

  • As a couple, you walk the aisle together.

  • Parents walk the aisle first (possibly accompanied by children / siblings / other family members), followed by bridal party.

  • You and your groomsmen/bridal party enter the aisle from a different direction; walking through the guests.

  • Each of you walk to the middle point of the aisle with your parent/s (or other support person), then as a couple you take the final steps together.

  • No aisle entrance; we start the ceremony with both of you at the front.

  • any variation of these ideas, or anything else.

• Introduction
  I’ll welcome your guests and thank them for coming

• Some words on the meaning of marriage
  eg. the significance of today in relation to your ongoing relationship, things that make a marriage strong.

• The Asking
  This is where I’ll ask “do you take this person to be your husband/wife” and you reply “I do” - just like in the movies.

• Monitum
  I’m legally required to say this during your ceremony. It’s pretty short, but important.

• Vow exchange - option to personalise
  The legal vows are very simple; “I call upon all present to witness that I, [full name] take you, [full name] to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife/partner in marriage”. If you’d like also to include personal vows, I can share my large collection of vow examples for inspiration.

• Ring Exchange - option to personalise
  I’ll offer you some wording options. Alternatively, you could simply exchange the rings with your vows.

• Signing marriage papers - option to personalise
  You can sign the marriage papers at this point during the ceremony, or you can sign the papers immediately after the ceremony if you’d prefer. If you’re unsure, I’ll be happy to talk through the pros/cons of each.

• Pronouncement and first kiss - option to personalise
  I’ll announce you as married (YAYYY!) using your preferred names, for example:

  • “Mr & Mrs” - this can be a nice way to announce that you’ll be sharing the same surname after marriage

  • “first name & first name” - this makes sense if you’re planning to not change your name after marriage

• Recessional
  You walk back down the aisle, hand in hand as newlyweds while everyone claps and cheers!

After the ceremony
I’ll give you the decorative certificate, pack up my things and say a quick goodbye so you can continue your celebrations. Once back home, I’ll officially register your marriage with the Registry Office and, if you’ve chosen for me to submit the application for your legal certificate I’ll get that sorted too.