So who am I, you ask….
Well, for a start, most people I know call me Sam! So, as we are getting to know each other, please follow suit!
I am a marriage celebrant based in Toowoomba, but I travel the Darling Downs and beyond. I’ll let you in on a secret - a long time ago, I was Victorian. I now call myself a Queenslander, and I am not sad about that one bit. I had a little shining light to become a celebrant for a long time. Then one day - I woke up, looked at my husband and like Refiki from the Lion King once said “It is time”.
In my natural habitat, you’ll find me singing badly (but proudly), dancing in the kitchen and living my best life with my husband and kids.
I believe you reap what you sow, which is why I pour my heart into my couples. I am passionate about getting to know you. Well, truth be told, I am a little nosy, but then I weave all of that gossip into your ceremony to make your commitment really special.
Also, I really like fancy clothes, so you can bet ya bottom dollar there won’t be any boring outfits!
It is my aim to deliver a ceremony that leaves you feeling all the feels after you’re married. Each and every couple is unique in their own way and it is my goal to pull all of that out of you and pour it into your ceremony. Of course we are a team, I am now your third wedding wheel and I want to know all the things about you!
Services
Weddings
To craft the perfect ceremony to suit your style, I offer three packages.
Ok Sam, you say - we just want a sweet little ceremony. No worries - we can do a legals only! Well actually, I want all the things, a full blown ceremony. Yes, no worries I have you covered.
We just want a little more than legals - not a worry!! Easily done we can find that sweet spot.
All of the packages include preparation of legal paperwork and lodgement with Births, Deaths & Marriages, and I am available to you, to answer any questions you have. Basically I am your third wedding wheel.
Vow Renewal
Vow renewals are a beautiful way to reignite that spark again, I mean, it has probably never gone out - but what a sweet way to declare your love again for each other.
(NB there is nothing legal in this)
Naming Day Ceremonies
Yes, I do naming ceremonies. But Sam, what is a naming ceremony?
Well, peeps, perhaps you were never given a name, and you needed someone to pick one for you.
I have absolutely no credentials to pick names, but I am very happy to bestow one on you!!
Haha, no truth be told, these are popular among parents who would like to introduce their child to the world and appoint a mentor or guardian. (NB there is nothing legal with this).
Your journey to "I Do"
Step 1: Get engaged!
Step 2: Choose your wedding date and venue, lock them in.
Step 3: Find your celebrant - I know a good one - wink wink
Step 4: The planning begins
Step 5: Ceremony time!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
This depends on your location, type of ceremony, package inclusions, and travel costs. You won’t be upset by choosing a celebrant who you vibe with. Interview a few if you like. Stalk their pages. Find one that you are comfortable with. Then decide if they’re in your budget, but I can assure you that paying a little bit extra for the one you want - won’t leave you disappointed.
I got engaged - what do I do?
Well you both sit down and have the chat.
The Chat is discussing what you both want your wedding to be like. Agree on things like if you want your wedding to be BIG, or small. Themed or intimate. Think about how many guests. What you want the vibe to be, the feel. This will guide you to decide on the venue and the type of celebrant you want to have.
Then you’ll need to choose your venue. If you’re looking at popular wedding venues on the Darling Downs, like The Dairy, Gabbinbar, Preston Manor, or barn style weddings like Aberfeldy Barn or Bracknell Lodge and Cliffdale Highland Cattle and Wedding Venue, you’ll need to be organised and secure your date.
Then choose a celebrant that suits your style. If you think you are enjoying my vibe, then I’ll happily audition for you - Contact me for a chat TODAY!
How do we book?
Every celebrant has their own booking process, but it usually entails a booking fee and a service agreement.
If you want to book me - it's really easy…..
Say - “ Sam, we want you..” I’ll check my diary, send you an invoice and my service agreement. You pay the non-refundable booking fee, sign the agreement and bibidi bobidi boo - your fairy wedding mother is ready to bring a bit of extra magic to your love story.
Let the fairytale begin.
How long should I wait until I book?
Once you have a date and a venue! If you don’t have a venue that’s OK just let me know.
What does the Celebrant actually do? Isn’t it just a quick thing?
Let me start by saying - what don’t we do??
First and foremost marriage celebrants are duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages! Without us you wouldn’t be legally married. Secondly, they lodge all the paperwork to Births, Deaths & Marriages so they can register your marriage. .
In the background some celebrants, (which is me!) carefully curate your ceremony for you. They spend time with you getting to know you (hopefully over a bevvie) and craft the ceremony around your personality , whether it be legal only or a full on production!
On ceremony day they provide PA systems so all your nearest and dearest can hear you, they hype you up, keep you calm, gather your crowd and set the tone for the day.
I love a good wedding win, so when you’re excited about something I am here for you!! Equally, I am here to listen to any wedding drama you have. It’s a safe space with me, let it out…
Do you travel?
Yes, I do.
All throughout the Darling Downs region. Toowoomba, Dalby, Warwick, Goondiwindi & Stanthorpe. I will also travel to Chinchilla, Oakey, Milmerran Pittsworth & Inglewood.
I’m always open to exploring new places, interstate and overseas too!!!
What is required to be legally married in Australia?
You must not be in a prohibited relationship, must be of marriageable age, not married to someone else, you both must consent to the marriage, give your celebrant one month’s notice by lodging a Notice of intended Marriage (NOIM) form, (which we will do together), provide evidence of your identity and place of birth, and have two people over 18 witness your ceremony.
Also there is some legal wording you’ll need to say in your ceremony too (I’ll let you know what that is).
But we want to get married - yesterday!!
ummmmm Sorry - you can’t. You need to give your Celebrant the Notice of Intended Marriage form a minimum of one month before your marriage. There are some exceptional circumstances where one can apply for a shortening of time.
What does a celebrant wear to a wedding?
Well, I don’t know what other celebrants wear - but I will be wearing a cowboy hat and a cheeky smile…. Yeehaa - Nah jokes, that's awkward, - lt’ll be something amazing and I’ll colour code for you, put a face on, and do me hair!!!
How do I even plan a wedding?
Great question. Either you do it yourself and pinterest and instagram the hell out of it, or get a wedding planner, either way first thing first - make sure you both have the chat! See my question: I got engaged - what do I do? For the chat definition.
How long does a ceremony go for?
Popular question amongst the men! But it can differ, a sweet ceremony should go for somewhere around the 15-30 minute mark. That’s all that is really needed - but shorter or longer if you want!
What happens if it is raining and we have an outside ceremony?
Depending on your venue, they may have a plan B option to move inside. But I will always encourage you (OK MAKE YOU) have a wet weather plan. I mean if you want to stand in the rain with your guests I am happy to do that too (providing it is safe for everyone).
How do I get my marriage certificate?
You’ll sign all your legal paperwork on the ceremony day. Your celebrant will then lodge all of that with Birth, Deaths & Marriages who then register the marriage, then you are free to apply for your certificate. In some cases I can do that when I lodge it all.
What is all the paperwork we need to sign?
Firstly, you’ll sign the NOIM, then on the ceremony day, you’ll sign a declaration of no legal impediment to marriage - this just confirms you meet the requirements to legally marry in Australia. You’ll sign 2 official certificates of marriage and then a pretty form 15 marriage certificate. This is not the official certificate, just your proof that the marriage took place. You need to find a trustworthy person to take care of this for you on the day as it is a non replaceable document.
If you have any more questions, please reach out - because you never know it may end up on here!
