I always tell my brides, enjoy your day, it’s over so very quickly.

And to be able to enjoy your day, trust the professionals you have employed and let them do their job!

Ask as many questions as you like in the lead up to hiring them and make sure that they know exactly what you want and not what they want on your wedding day. If you feel that the professional you are thinking about hiring is making it more about them, politely thank them and find someone else. Yes they do have loads of practical advice and you should take that on board, but ultimately you are paying them the big bucks so the final decision is up to you two.

Delegate delegate delegate! Find someone in your life who you can trust, and who you know will follow through to do the running around for you. The week before your wedding can be the most hectic with last minute jobs that can only be done a few days before your wedding.

I suppose I should add some wise words here about your ceremony too as I am a celebrant!

Again my words would be, have fun! Make the ceremony about you two… don’t listen to people when they tell you what you can and can’t have in your ceremony. Only your celebrant knows that! And if you have chosen the right one, they will let you go crazy and happily go along with you. There are certain legal words that have to be said, if you are not sure if your chosen celebrant is up to speed there – just check the wording on the Attorney Generals site in Canberra. The rest of the ceremony and how it flows is up to you! My couples tend not to relate how they met etc as they feel that their guests know that already. And that too can be included in speeches. Some of my couples say to me, ‘can you check my vows and make sure they are ok’ my response to that is always the same, they are you words from your heart and I will never change a thing, well maybe grammar and spelling, but that’s all!

So relax, have fun and surround yourself with the people who you want to be with you on the day.. good food, good friends and good wine.. you can’t go wrong!

The role of a Civil Marriage Celebrant is an integral part of your wedding ceremony and as they are able to marry anywhere, any place and anytime, you can be as creative and imaginative as you like!

I have had some wonderful opportunities of being a part of some memorable and special weddings, be it in a hot air balloon over the Gold Coast hinterland, a secluded beach, a grand ballroom in Melbourne, or a private ceremony at home, so believe me, the choices are endless.

Your celebrant will be able to provide you with lots of fabulous and diverse ideas. You should feel comfortable enough to take on board or dismiss their suggestions without feeling that you should be doing what your celebrant wants – after all it is your day.

Your celebrant should also offer you plenty of resources to help you in designing your ceremony. If they don’t then suggest enough then ask for more or find another celebrant who does. The best celebrants offer plenty of choices and good advice from their vast experience, they see what works and what doesn’t. so be prepared to take their advice. Above all, you should feel comfortable working with your celebrant to achieve your perfect wedding.

Your celebrant will know the legalities as set down by the Australian Government that need to be included in your ceremony. He or she they will explain and guide you through all the legal paperwork that needs to be done before you are married. You should leave all the worrying up to them! The most important document is your Notice of Intended Marriage or the NIM. It needs to be completed and lodged with your celebrant no later than one month before your wedding can take place, or a maximum of 18 months beforehand.

Most couples fill in this paperwork with their celebrant. You will also need to show your original birth certificate and your current passport. If you have been married previously then documents showing that your marriage has officially ended, either by divorce or death, need to be produced.



You can get in touch with Anne at anne@annecampbell.com.au

Or her Facebook Page

​Mob 0401 678 710