Jacqua Celebrant

You might have read that I specialise in non-traditional wedding ceremonies. Basically, it comes down to questioning traditions and figuring out what genuinely feels right for you. So often couples do what they’ve seen before, but a wedding ceremony is anything but one-size-fits-all.I’m BIG on finding out what has meaning to you, not just for your wedding but in your life. Whether that’s walking down the aisle differently, changing the ceremony format, or creating something completely unique, I’m all for it. Beyond the legal requirements, we can craft a personalised wedding ceremony that feels every inch YOU.

The process is pretty simple – I’ll organise everything for you 🙂 First, we complete and lodge your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) and I sight the required identification documents. Your NOIM must be lodged at least one month before your wedding ceremony, although I always recommend doing it sooner. Along the way, I’ll prepare all legal documents and after your ceremony I register your marriage with the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. I’ll also apply for your Official Marriage Certificate, which is sent directly to your home. Simple!

Let’s just say “travel” is my middle name. Travel plays a BIG part in my role as a wedding celebrant and one of the many reasons why I became one. With so many incredible wedding venues dotted around our country and the world, plus the endless spots to hold your wedding ceremony, it’s no surprise that I travel tens of thousands of kms every year. Whether the travel is close to home or far away, it’s in my bones and my blood. I’ll happily travel for destination weddings, interstate weddings and celebrations in the quaintest, wildest and most spectacular places to get you two married!

Most of my ceremonies are around 30 minutes, give or take. If you’d like your ceremony to be short and sweet, I’d recommend nothing less than 15 minutes otherwise you’ll seriously blink and miss it. If you’re after lots of elements in your ceremony like long vows, guest speeches, poems, live performed songs and / or a ritual, it could be around 40-45 minutes.

Yes absolutely! Saying your wedding vows is a big deal. If you’re nervous, there’s ways to put you right at ease. I have a Guide to Writing Vows as part of my Ceremony Resources which really helps with inspiration, samples and guidance when you’re ready.At a minimum, you’ll need to say the legal marriage wording, but beyond that your vows can be as personal as you like. Most couples find 200–400 words is a good guide. If public speaking isn’t your thing, there are other options too, including sharing personal vows privately later in the day or exchanging silent vows during the ceremony.

I’m a big fan of a wedding rehearsal (aka ceremony run-through) and it’s included in my packages if we meet locally or via video call. Forget the idea of a formal dress rehearsal at the venue – this is more of a relaxed catch-up in the lead-up week.We can meet at the beach, in a park, a café, a bar or on Zoom. It’s a great opportunity to reconnect, run through the key elements of your wedding ceremony and finalise the details. Once we’ve gone through everything together, you’ll feel far more relaxed and ready for the big moment.