Frequently asked questions
Where are you located and where do you travel to?
My home is in Greenbank, Southwest of Brisbane but as an authorised civil marriage celebrant I can actually marry couples anywhere within Australia. I would say most of my ceremonies fall within the Scenic Rim but there are so many beautiful places to marry that I'm more than happy to go wherever the couple choose. Travel to venues and locations within a 50km drive from my home is included in my pricing, anything further may incur an additional travel surcharge.
What is the first step?
As far as celebrant services go, the fist legal step after choosing your celebrant is to lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) document with them and show your proof of identity documents. You can lodge your NOIM up to 18 months prior to your ceremony date, however there is a compulsory calendar month waiting period after lodging your NOIM before you can marry. I much prefer to meet in person and complete the NOIM together, however I understand this is not always a viable option and there are several other ways we can do this. Currently a NOIM can be lodged via video call with the celebrant (please note this option is due to end Dec 2023), or there are other nominated people who are able to witness a NOIM before it is lodged with the celebrant. No matter which way the NOIM is lodged, it is still the celebrants duty to view your Identity documents.
How do we book you?
We can meet in person or chat on the phone first, or even combine the two and book a video call. To book me as your celebrant and secure your ceremony date I do request a $100 non refundable payment along with acceptance of my terms and conditions which appear on the booking invoice.
We haven't planned a wedding before, can you help us?
As your celebrant I am all about the ceremony component of your day. I will look after all of the preparation and lodgement of the necessary paperwork, I will explain thoroughly what has to happen during your ceremony to meet legal requirements, I can assist with personal vows, help you decide who stands where and says what, recommend other wedding service providers, suggest websites you might find helpful and I have lots of information and experiences to share with you to help create your dream ceremony.
Some of the larger wedding venues do have co-ordinators that will assist you in pre-ceremony and reception plans if it is all happening in the one spot. If you find everything a little overwhelming and would prefer assistance with arranging your whole wedding day then it may be worth considering hiring a wedding planner, they have the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the whole event from start to finish.
Can you recommend photographers, videographers, cake makers etc?
I get to meet many talented people in the wedding industry and some I'm lucky enough to work with fairly regularly and build a really great rapport with. If you haven't chosen all of your wedding day team yet then I am more than happy to recommend Photographers, videographers, cake maker, decor suppliers and venues that I have had enjoyable experiences with and that my previous couples have also been happy with from start to finish.
If you happen to be eloping here in the Beneath The Tree Ceremony gardens then I can offer packages where I have collaborated with a team to provide you with photos and cake to celebrate with as a package. This reduces the number of service providers you need to worry about as it is all in one, but also offers you a small saving to help the budget too.
Do we need to arrange a meal for the celebrant during the reception?
There are some celebrants who do offer their services as MC for receptions as well as officiating the ceremony and they may require a meal as they will be with you during the reception part of your day, however if I am booked as your celebrant I will be there for your ceremony only, leaving you to enjoy the celebrations with your guests once my official role for the day is complete.
p.s
If you're a couple who want to start a new trend of cutting your cake before or during the ceremony then I'll be voting a strong YES for that idea!!
How do we get our Marriage Certificate?
On the actual day of your ceremony you will go home with your commemorative certificate, but you will have to be a little patient for the official one.
During the lodgement of your Notice of Intended Marriage you have the option of ticking a box to make obtaining your official marriage certificate an automatic process. After the ceremony I take care of lodging the documents ready for the department of Births Deaths and Marriages to register your marriage. Once they have completed their process BDM will email you an invoice to pay and then post your certificate to your nominated address.
How do I change my name after the wedding?
You will require your official marriage certificate to show the various agencies, businesses and departments if changing your family name. I've popped a blog up with information about this and also here is a link to the Qld government website about changing names after marriage.
Do you only do weddings in your garden?
My garden is only available for elopements and micro weddings with a maximum of 10 guests, and while I love sharing my garden I also enjoy visiting all of the beautiful wedding venues couples get to pick from around South East Queensland and beyond. I am happy to go wherever the couple choose, whether that's a rustic barn in the Scenic Rim, a renovated chapel on a mountain top, council parkland (Permits may apply), or their own back yard. Travel to venues and locations within a 50km drive from my home is included, anything further may incur an additional travel surcharge.
What are the maximum guest numbers for a ceremony in your garden?
The gardens at BTTC are suitable for intimate elopements or micro ceremonies with a maximum guest list that includes the couple and up to10 guests. Professional photographers and videographers are not included in guest numbers.
Can we bring our dog to the BTTC garden?
Dogs are very welcome at the BTTC gardens, we just ask that they remain on a lead at all times to ensure they stay safe as we do have some plants that are prickly and sharp, plus our fences are of a jumpable height for some dogs. It's a really good idea to pack treats or their favourite toy to help them settle and to grab their attention for some awesome photos.