M I DI P A C K A G E - $900*

WHAT IS A SIDECAR CEREMONY?

A Sidecar Ceremony, also called a Shared Ceremony, is when the couple opt to have one of their loved ones step in to perform as much of the ceremony as desired (or, often, just the Couple’s Love Story bit), with the celebrant mostly there to handle the legal components. Depending on how much of the ceremony the third party is writing and reading out on the day, this can mean a varied workload for the celebrant, but a workload that falls somewhere between the Full Package and Purely Legals ceremony. Hence, the Midi Package.

For a Sidecar Ceremony, I encourage the third party to join us at our in person meeting so that all four of us can discuss the ceremony and get on the same page about who will be doing each component.

WHAT IS A COMMITMENT CEREMONY?

A Commitment Ceremony is when the couple have decided not to get legally married, or have already gotten legally married, and so no paperwork or lodging of the marriage is required, but all of the other ceremony elements remain (eg. exchanging of rings, vows, I dos, love story) are still included. Maybe registering your marriage with the government just doesn’t feel right for you, or perhaps you eloped in Greece, you lucky duck, but now you want a ceremony to celebrate your marriage with all of your loved ones. Again, the workload here for the celebrant falls between the Full and Purely Legals Packages.

Because no paperwork is involved here, it’s not necessary for us to meet in person, but I’m more than happy to if you’d prefer this method of catching up;.

What’s included in this package?

BEFORE THE DAY.

One face-to-face meeting, and an additional Zoom meeting (as needed).

This is so that we can do some official paperwork that’s required before the ceremony, as well as get to know each other a little. If we live yonks apart from each other, we can sign the paperwork over Zoom instead. I’ll also provide you with some handy leaflets that will help you to prepare for what’s to come.

 As well as a face-to-face, you can catch me on my emails or phone whenever you need.

The face-to-face meetings will take place either at my home office in Highett, or an agreed upon café/bar somewhere in the Bayside area. If you have kiddos or travel restrictions, please let me know and we can arrange something that works for everyone.

I’ll take care of the legal paperwork (if needed).

I’ll help you fill in the required forms, and do all of the sending and filing needed. I’ll explain everything to you along the way so that you know exactly what’s going on.

I’ll tailor your ceremony script to suit the two of you (if a Commitment Ceremony), and help to craft your ceremony if the duties will be shared with a loved one.

I’ll also ensure that everything is printed off on the day, so you don’t have to worry about remembering a copy.

Help with your personal vows.

As well as providing you with some example vows and writing prompts, I’ll take a look over your vows before the day to check them for length, content, grammar, spelling, appropriate balance of mushiness and comedy - whatever you want. This also ensures that I won’t steal your thunder and say anything in the ceremony that you want to say in your vows.

Wedding rehearsal.

If your wedding venue offers you a wedding rehearsal and I’m available at the decided upon time and date, I’ll be there to help you do a ceremony walk through and make sure everyone knows what they’ll be doing on the day. If a shared ceremony, we can make sure the third party is clear on when they’ll be speaking and when I’ll be speaking. Wedding rehearsals can also be done somewhere local if your venue doesn’t provide one (a backyard or park works well).

ON THE DAY.

Tell me what to wear.

I will wear something to complement your outfits accordingly, and bonus points for themes. I love a theme.

I’ll conduct the ceremony.

The ceremony will run for approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on what’s included.

I’ll bring copies of your personal vows.

Whatever I can do to make it easier for you two, the better. Send me your personal vows before the ceremony, and I’ll have them printed on a schmick looking little piece of thick white paper in a big, legible font.

Commemorative marriage certificate.

I’ll provide you with a commemorative marriage certificate for you to keep forever.

AFTER THE DAY.

I’ll lodge your marriage with the government.

Within two business days of your ceremony, I’ll lodge all the necessary documents with the Births, Deaths and Marriages office (BDM). From there, it will take a couple of weeks for them to process it at their end, but once it’s been successfully submitted, I’ll let you know.

Please note that the marriage certificate that will be handed to you on the day of your wedding by your celebrant is not considered a ‘legal’ certificate, and is more of a memento certificate. If you wish for me to obtain a copy of your legal certificate on your behalf, I can request this at the same time as I lodge your marriage and it will be sent via express post to your address when it’s ready. The cost of this service is $66 ($55.80 fee + $10.20 express postage), and I will invoice you for this extra amount once the marriage has been lodged.

Please note that it is illegal to solemnise a marriage within Australia with less than 28 days of notice, unless a special dispensation for a shortening of time has been granted. If you would like more information on a shortening of time, please get in touch.

Want to know more about what a wedding ceremony actually entails?

Head to the FAQ page to keep reading.