Love isn’t only for the young! I have conducted weddings for couples in their eighties, in the presence of their extended families – wonderful celebrations!*
When you contact me, and I have confirmed that I am available to conduct your wedding at the place, time and date you require, I will suggest a meeting at my home. See address below.
First meeting:
This will help you decide if you are comfortable with me (very important!) and, if you wish to proceed, we can start the process.
If you wish to defer your decision, I will keep the booking open for a further five days ONLY (but please let me know if you don’t wish to proceed). If you do not live in Brisbane, other arrangements will be made.
A few requirements:
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You must both have reached the age of 18 by the wedding date; You must be able to produce your birth certificates before the wedding (but people born overseas who cannot produce one must complete a statutory declaration stating the reason the birth certificate cannot be produced); |
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If either of you has been previously married, evidence of the legal dissolution of the former marriage (by death or divorce) in the form of a death certificate or final divorce decree must be produced before the wedding; |
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Notice of your intended marriage must be given no earlier than eighteen months or later than one month and one day before your wedding date. |
We start with my sighting the documents previously mentioned (if available at that time) and the completion of a Notice of Intended Marriage Form* which is signed by you both and dated and witnessed by me. At the same time, you will be given a Confirmation of Arrangements and Statement of Fees.
My basic professional fee for 2011 is $550 inclusive; however, if the wedding venue is outside a 15km radius from my home, an extra travel surcharge may apply. Certain optional extras are also available at an extra cost. You will also be given a draft Order of Service, and the service itself will be explained to you. You are of course able to put your own personal preferences into the service. I will also give you some more detailed printed information. You will then need to confirm the booking with a deposit of $100 (part of the total).
If you wish to pay by EFT, my details are: Ronald Peter Leach, BSB 804050, A/C 10059031, Ref Wedding.
*I offer a discount of 20% of my service fee (part of my professional fee) for all ceremonies to all Service Pensioners or Queenslanders holding a Seniors Card.
Second Meeting:
At a second meeting, about ten days before your wedding day, you will be required to sign declarations that you are free to marry. I will sight any documents you were previously unable to produce; we will finalise the format of your wedding service and settle details such as the full names of your witnesses, etc. You should pay the balance of my fee at this final meeting.
I will then write to you, confirming the arrangements, enclosing written instructions for the best man (or other holder of the rings), the bride’s escort, responses (if required) for both sets of parents and copies of any readings selected, including introduction of the readers.
I will arrive at the wedding venue at least 20 minutes before the agreed time to ensure all is in order and to fix any last-minute glitches which may arise (if I have another wedding, the start time will be at least 1½ hours after yours).
After the service, I will remain to ensure that all family and guests have signed the signature pages which are included in your bound presentation copy of the Order of Service (unless you prefer to have a bridal book, which would be signed at the reception). Your marriage documents will normally be sent to the Queensland Registrar-General for registration on the next working day.
Best wishes with your wedding arrangements; I hope you choose me to be part of your special day. One final point - if you are quoted a lower professional fee by another, perhaps less experienced, celebrant, please consider this -
‘The Bitterness of Poor Quality remains long after the Sweetness of Low Price is forgotten’!
NOTE: you may download a ' Notice of Intended Marriage Form' from the Attorney General's website ('Some Useful Links').
When you download the Notice, please print pages 3 and 4 back-to-back. Pages 1 and 2 are not required, but please read Page 2 before completing the Notice.
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
* Attorney General's Website
* Notice of Intended Marriage Form - Download
* Tide Times
* Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise, Moonset
Relationship sites such as:
* Relationships Australia Pre-Marriage Services
* Australian Government Family Relationships Online
and
* Department of Immigration - for Immigration and spousal inquiries
Australian Celebrants and Celebration Network Links:
www.ACCN-Celebrants.com.au
www.AskACelebrant.com.au
www.PartyWithAPurpose.com.au
www.FuneralOptions.com.au
www.CelebrateMothersDay.com.au
For more Brisbane wedding professionals:
visit Our ACCN Local Brisbane wedding directory
