Getting Married in Melbourne and Not Sure Where to Start?

Ask a Celebrant

One of the most common things couples say when we first meet is:

“We’re not really sure what to ask.”

Or:

“You’re the first celebrant we’ve spoken to.”

Sometimes couples tell me they were referred by family or friends. Others say they were searching for someone who understood Greek traditions, offered bilingual ceremonies, or had a website that felt warm and personal.

Before long, the questions begin:

“What paperwork do we need?”

“What happens next?”

“Have we left things too late?”

No matter how the questions are phrased, my answer is usually the same:

“Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start.”

Most people only get married once. You are not expected to understand legal paperwork, timelines, ceremony scripts, rehearsals or all the details quietly happening in the background before a wedding day arrives.

That is part of why couples work with a celebrant. My role has never been simply to stand at the front and deliver a ceremony. It is to guide couples through the process so they feel informed, supported and able to actually enjoy getting married.

What happens at the first meeting?

When we first meet, whether in person or via Zoom, I explain the entire journey, from paperwork through to the wedding day and legal lodgement afterwards.

At the beginning of every meeting, I usually say:

“Please stop me at any point if something becomes unclear, or if you prefer, wait until the end and ask as many questions as you like. There’s no limit.”

Some people take notes, some interrupt with questions and others simply listen because, for the first time, the process starts making sense. By the end of the meeting, people relax. The uncertainty starts to fade as they gain a clearer understanding of the process and what happens next.

What happens after you book?

After our meeting, I send through an agreement reflecting what we discussed so you can read everything carefully before deciding whether you would like to proceed. I hold your date for two days because I believe people should have time to think without pressure.

Once the paperwork is signed and the booking fee is paid, you will receive resources, questionnaires and an overview of the process ahead.

The intention is not to overwhelm but to help you understand what happens next, because information often creates reassurance.

The questionnaires are more than forms to complete. They encourage you to think about things you may never have considered before.

Some questions are emotional, others are practical, and some seem small but make a surprising difference to your day because small details often shape how guests experience a wedding.

For example, during rehearsal planning I ask brides which side they would prefer facing guests during the ceremony. It may seem like a small detail, but it helps determine where parents and close family sit so they can better see expressions, smiles and reactions throughout the ceremony.

Once questionnaires are completed, including story information and ceremony preferences, I write the first ceremony script draft.

I regularly hear things like:

“Oh my God, you captured our story.”

“It made us laugh.”

“It made us cry.”

Sometimes the feedback is much simpler:

“We loved it.”

Changes are usually very small, if any, because by that stage I have spent time understanding who you are, how you met and what matters most to you.

A lot of couples worry about the same things

As weddings get closer, worries often shift. Early questions are usually about paperwork and process but as the wedding day approaches, couples often start thinking more about their vows, family dynamics and how they want their ceremony to feel.

Writing vows is often one of the biggest concerns. Many people worry they will not know what to say or feel pressure to write something profound.

I am always happy to read through vows before the wedding and offer suggestions where something may land differently than intended, while keeping the person’s voice and meaning completely intact.

Sometimes couples decide personal vows are not for them and choose traditional vows instead which is a completely valid choice. Meaning does not depend on the number of words spoken and less can still carry a great deal of significance.

Nerves are another common concern. Many people worry about speaking in front of guests or becoming emotional during the ceremony, but knowing what to expect often reduces those nerves.

By the time the wedding day arrives, most people are far more relaxed than they expected to be.

Rehearsals are often more detailed than couples expect

Many couples assume a rehearsal simply involves practising how to walk in and where to stand.

In reality, the rehearsal is often about helping everyone feel comfortable, understand what happens next and remove uncertainty before the wedding day arrives. We talk through practical things people may not have considered. What happens after parents walk the bride down the aisle? Where do flowers go? Who helps with a dress if it needs adjusting? How should the bridal party stand?

Sometimes the details become even smaller. We might discuss whether you would like a kiss or dip as you walk back up the aisle, where that moment should happen for the best photos, and whether you would like a group photo afterwards and where it will take place.

Individually, these things seem small, but together they help the day run smoothly. Couples often leave rehearsals surprised by how much thought goes into the experience. More importantly, they leave feeling confident and reassured.

Experience often shows up in unexpected moments

Many people think a celebrant turns up on the day, reads the ceremony script and then goes home. I understand why.

A lot of the work happens quietly in the background long before the wedding.

There are meetings, legal documents, scripts, rehearsals, timelines and countless questions. There are also decisions couples never expected they would need to make.

A seamless wedding day is usually the result of preparation happening long before the ceremony begins.

Sometimes a groom forgets a tie, a button comes off moments before guests arrive, a dress needs attention before the ceremony begins or an important cultural item has been forgotten. These moments are uncommon, but when they do happen, experience matters.

Most couples never realise these things happen because, by the time they notice, the problem has already been resolved.

Often the best outcome is that couples never know there was a problem in the first place.

Why reassurance matters

I remember one bride who was extremely nervous before her ceremony. As she walked toward the front where her partner and I were standing, I could see the nerves all over her face.

I looked at her and quietly said:

“I’ve got this.”

The ceremony continued and I did not think much more about it.

After the wedding she told me:

“When you said, ‘I’ve got this,’ something just released in my body. It was like a wave had gone through me because I knew everything was being handled.”

That comment stayed with me because it captured something I hope couples feel throughout the entire process, not only on the wedding day but from the first meeting, through the paperwork, planning, rehearsal and those unexpected moments along the way.

I want couples to feel informed, supported and able to enjoy the experience because they know someone is quietly holding everything together.

“I’ve got this” stayed with me because, in many ways, it explains my role better than anything else.

If you’re sitting there wondering where to start…

Here’s what I want you to know.

You do not need all the answers before reaching out.

You simply need someone willing to guide you through the process.

The rest happens step by step.

Why Are Marriage Celebrant Prices So Different?

A well planned ceremony creates moments that feel natural, effortless and memorable. Photo: Free The Bird Photography

One of the most common questions couples ask is why marriage celebrant prices vary so much.

A quick search online may show one celebrant charging a few hundred dollars while another charges considerably more. Add terms such as legal-only marriage, registry-style wedding, elopement, intimate wedding and personalised ceremony, and it is easy to see why couples become confused.

The reality is that two celebrants can use exactly the same package name and offer completely different services. This is why comparing package names alone can be misleading. It is often more helpful to compare what is actually included.

There Are No Standard Definitions

Unlike many other industries, there are no standard definitions for terms such as legal-only marriage, registry-style wedding, elopement and intimate wedding.

One celebrant's registry-style wedding may be another celebrant's elopement. One celebrant's intimate wedding may include personal vows and a reading, while another may offer only the legal requirements.

This is often where the confusion begins.

Before comparing prices, it is worth understanding exactly what each celebrant means by the package they are offering.

Legal-Only Marriages

A legal-only marriage is the simplest form of marriage permitted under Australian law.

It includes the legal wording required by law, the legal vows and the signing of marriage documents.

Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required. These may be family members, friends or witnesses arranged by the celebrant.

For some couples, this is exactly what they want. They may be planning a larger celebration overseas, a church ceremony at a later date, applying for a visa or simply wish to complete the legal requirements of marriage without a traditional wedding ceremony.

These ceremonies are usually brief and may take as little as 10 to 15 minutes.

What many couples do not realise is that although the ceremony itself is short, the same legal responsibilities still apply. The Notice of Intended Marriage must be completed, identification documents must be checked and the marriage must be registered according to Australian law.

Registry-Style Weddings, Elopements and Intimate Ceremonies

This is where pricing can vary significantly.

Some celebrants use these terms to describe a very simple ceremony with little customisation. Others include personal vows, readings and additional ceremony elements.

In my experience, many couples who say they want "something simple" do not actually mean a legal-only marriage. They usually want a relaxed ceremony without a lengthy personalised story.

A registry-style wedding, elopement or intimate ceremony may still include:

• Personal vows

• Ring exchange

• A reading

• A short story provided by the couple

• Depending on the package selected, resources may include vows examples, readings, music suggestions and ceremony planning information.

These ceremonies are often shorter and simpler than a fully personalised ceremony, however they still involve preparation, communication and legal responsibilities.

What Happens Behind the Scenes?

The ceremony itself is only one part of the process.

Every marriage, whether it is a legal-only marriage or a fully personalised ceremony, requires legal paperwork, identification checks and registration of the marriage.

The difference is usually found in the level of preparation and support provided.

For example, couples may receive resources and guidance relating to:

• Personal vows

• Music suggestions

• Readings

• Ceremony structure

• Story writing

• Rehearsal preparation

These resources are designed to make the planning process easier and help couples, their bridal party and family members feel confident about their role in the ceremony and the decisions being made.

Personalised Ceremonies

A personalised ceremony involves considerably more preparation behind the scenes.

For my Platinum ceremonies, the process typically includes:

• A detailed ceremony questionnaire

• Individual story questionnaires completed by each partner

• Creation of a personalised story

• Writing the ceremony script from scratch

• Preparation of a first draft

• Adjustments following feedback

• Preparation of the final script

• A face-to-face rehearsal

• Delivery of the ceremony on the wedding day

Although the ceremony itself may only run for around 25 to 30 minutes, many hours of preparation take place beforehand.

Why Guest Numbers Matter

Some couples are surprised that guest numbers can also influence pricing.

A ceremony with 10 guests is very different from a ceremony with 100 or 150 guests.

Larger weddings often require:

• A PA system and microphones

• Additional planning

• More guest management

• Greater coordination of ceremony logistics

• Larger bridal parties

• More complex timing considerations

The ceremony may still be the same length, but the preparation and management required can be quite different.

Rehearsals Are Not Always the Same

Another area where celebrants differ is rehearsals.

Some celebrants provide rehearsal information through a booklet, questionnaire or online meeting.

Others conduct a face-to-face rehearsal before the wedding.

A face-to-face rehearsal allows the bridal party to practise the processional, recessional, readings, microphone handling, ring exchange and any rituals that may be included in the ceremony.

It can also help identify potential issues before the wedding day and often gives couples greater confidence about what to expect.

Experience Matters

When couples compare celebrants, they often focus on the ceremony itself.

However, much of a celebrant's value comes from experience and what happens behind the scenes.

An experienced celebrant is not simply delivering a script.

They are often liaising with photographers, videographers, planners and venue staff, managing timelines, preparing contingency plans and helping the ceremony run smoothly from beginning to end.

They also understand ceremony positioning and movement, knowing when to step forward to provide support and when to step away so the focus remains on the couple and not the celebrant

Sometimes it is the small things that make the biggest difference.

Helping a bridal party understand how to walk the aisle.

Positioning people so important moments can be photographed clearly.

Managing timing so key photography opportunities are not missed.

Adjusting plans when weather conditions change.

Solving unexpected problems calmly when they arise.

An experienced celebrant also considers how the ceremony unfolds visually. Through careful planning and subtle choreography, meaningful interactions, symbolic moments and transitions can be incorporated naturally throughout the ceremony. These details help create movement and variety while maintaining focus on the couple and keeping guests engaged.

These are often the things couples never see, but they contribute significantly to how relaxed and seamless a wedding day feels.

Not Every Wedding Fits Neatly Into a Package

Many couples begin with a simple ceremony and then decide to add elements that are important to them.

For example, they may decide they would like:

• A PA system and music

• A rehearsal

• A personalised story

• A cultural tradition such as stefana

As a result, many weddings become a combination of different inclusions rather than fitting perfectly into a single category.

The Best Ceremony Is the One That Suits You

There is no right or wrong choice.

Some couples simply want to complete the legal requirements of marriage.

Others want personal vows, a reading and a small gathering of family and friends.

Others want a fully personalised ceremony with a bespoke story, rehearsal, music and cultural traditions.

Rather than focusing solely on the package name or price, consider what is important to you and compare what is actually included.

After all, it is not the title of the package that matters. It is whether the ceremony reflects what you value most.