My Top 10 Most Asked Questions!
“I’ve never done this before, so I have no idea where to start”
Every new couple I meet with, even those who have been married previously, have questions regarding the marriage ceremony and what they need to factor into their planning. Just about every couple I have “worked” with, will know that I take at least 15-20 minutes at the beginning of our initial meeting to establish what to expect during their wedding ceremony planning journey, but I will ALWAYS allow for a question/answer time, (once we have discussed all the important things like whether or not they have found their dream wedding dress!) as I know at least one of these following questions will pop up!
Main Photo Credit: Loco Photography
Let’s start at #10 and work our way through to the #1 most popular question.
10. “IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GREAT WEDDING CEREMONY?”
I believe this is very similar to asking someone what, in their opinion, makes a great holiday?
A great wedding is one that is absolutely perfect for you.
Every couple is different, so the more of yourselves you put into it, the more likely your ceremony will be everything you’re hoping for!
It should reflect not only who you are, but also what you love, and what you consider to be most important in life.
It should be fun, romantic, sweet, hilarious, serious, formal, casual, lighthearted, traditional, totally random, or all of the above, but most of all, it should be meaningful to you, should be memorable for all the right reasons and should create all the feels you would like to see shine through in your photos – your memories of that one big moment you will come back to for the rest of your life.
Finding a marriage celebrant who understands you, can offer you ideas that inspire you, and with whom you feel confident can create this magical moment with you is SO very important, so please take the time to get to know a few of us!
Photo Credit: Candid Captures
9. “WHAT DO YOU (as a celebrant) NORMALLY WEAR?”
Whatever you would like me to!
This is something I will always discuss with every couple, to ensure I complement their colour scheme and dress code on the big day. In fact I wouldn’t mind at all if you requested a specific colour dress that I didn’t already have in my wardrobe – any excuse to buy a new frock is a great one in my opinion! But don’t worry, unless it is specifically requested, I will NEVER wear white, in any form – that is for the bride and the bride only!
Photo Credit: Ben Differding
8. “CAN OUR VIDEOGRAPHER CONNECT TO YOUR YOUR PA?”
Absolutely! It means, in many cases, that you will have a much better quality sound for your wedding video, and I’m all for working with your suppliers to ensure you receive the best outcome in every aspect of your planning!
You are also welcome to pass on my details to them so they can contact me in the lead up to the big day to discuss any connection requirements.
Photo Credit: Gerard Assi
7.“WE’RE QUITE SHY, DO WE REALLY NEED TO USE MICROPHONES?”
In short, no, as long as your two official witnesses are close enough to hear you state your legal intentions.
The long answer is, your family and friends have all come along to hear you make a lifelong promise to one another and are so excited to be able to witness such an important moment in your lives, so unless you prefer that they sit and wonder what on earth it was that was said to make you smile, laugh, cry or all of the above, then yes, microphones are always a good idea, but I promise I won’t make you hold it yourself, i fact I’m happiest holding the microphone for you so you can concentrate on sharing the beautiful words you have written for each other!
Photo Credit: Vlad Savin
6. “WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF OUR BABY STARTS CRYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CEREMONY?”
Babies cry. It’s a fact. If you have young children, the best thing to do is NOT assume that it will be a magical day where they won’t cry at all. The best thing to do is to accept that they probably will, so be prepared for that, and always have a nominated carer on hand to keep an eye on them at all times so you don’t have to!
I have conducted many ceremonies where young children are involved and I find it all works out for the best when you simply follow their lead and go with whatever happens on the day.
If they want to be held by one of you for the entire ceremony, then let them. Their squishy little face between you when you share your first kiss as a married couple will be captured by your photographer and will provide you all with the best memory in the years to come.
If they want to sit on the ground at your feet and play with the flowers/dirt/sand/grass/ shoelaces/ empty ring box/ cracks between the floorboards or anything else that amuses them, then let them.
If they want to be held by you one minute, then your mum the next, or the bridesmaid or groomsman, or any other random guests that captures their attention, then let them.
And if they want to grab my microphone and say hello with a big cheesy (and sometimes dribbly) grin, then believe me, I will let them do that too 🙂
Don’t worry if they get dirty. Don’t worry if they don’t want to smile perfectly for the camera. Don’t worry if they rip off their flower crown/boutonniere/vest/jacket/ shoes before they’ve even made it down the aisle. And don’t worry if they want to stand up the front and pull faces at you, at your guests, at your photographer, or at me – it will be really funny (about a week later for you maybe), and everyone will look really happy in all your photos! Trust me.
Photo Credit: Kate Deagan Photography
5.“WHAT AGE WOULD BE CONSIDERED TOO YOUNG FOR A FLOWER GIRL/PAGE BOY/RING BEARER?”
Well, if they can’t walk down the aisle themselves, most would consider them too young.
Unless a parent carrying their child down the aisle adds significant meaning to your day, I would advise against it, as the parent can sometimes appear embarrassed, leading to a rather awkward start to the ceremony….
Photo Credit: Nicole Taranto Photography
4. “HOW LONG DO YOU NORMALLY STAY FOR AFTER THE CEREMONY?”
Long enough to a) Watch you receive lots of congratulatory hugs + kisses from your family + friends,
b) Pass your marriage certificate on to a nominated person of your choice (that you have already decided on in the lead up to the big day), c) Pack up all my equipment, and d) Give you a hug goodbye with my very best wishes for a fabulous celebration!
Oh, and if there is champagne going around, I may make a quick toast to your future as a new Mr + Mrs!
Photo Credit:ProShot Photography
3.“WE DON’T WANT A REHEARSAL, BUT HOW WILL WE KNOW WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY IF WE DON’T HAVE ONE?”
No problem at all! That’s what I am there for!
I will always discuss ceremony details at our final meeting leading up to the big day, to ensure that I understand your brief exactly regarding every moment of how you would like the ceremony to run.
I will meet you when you arrive and will discuss your entrance with your venue co-ordinator to ensure it runs smoothly. If you don’t have a venue coordinator, I will assist you with your arrival and your entrance.
I will show your bridesmaids where to stand after they walk down the aisle to ensure they are nice and symmetrical to the groomsmen. But if your bridal party is uneven, I will work with numbers to ensure you are all still positioned perfectly for photos.
I will guide you through every aspect of the ceremony from start to finish and will ensure both you and anyone else involved directly in the ceremony knows what they are doing and are confident in their individual roles. You won’t need to worry about a thing!
Photo Credit: Blumenthal
2.“WHAT WILL I DO IF I START CRYING DURING MY VOWS AND CAN’T SAY THEM?”
Again, try not to overthink this part.
In most cases, you have never done anything like this before, so how can you possibly imagine how you are going to feel and react? You can’t. So don’t even try. Just go with it, and like with everything else, be prepared for anything.
But know that I will always be there to help you through those ridiculously unpredictable emotions.
Trust me, I’ve done this a few times now and I’m pretty good at keeping those words flowing and turning sobs into smiles, but I will always let the tears with the feels fall if it means that your partner (and all your family and friends) can see just how much you mean to each other x
Photo Credit: Doux Wedding Corp
And the number one question most brides ask……..
1. “WHAT NAME DO I SIGN ON THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE AT THE WEDDING?”
Your usual name! You have to actually sign the marriage certificate before you can be considered legally married and eligible for a change of name!
Photo Credit: Luke Lornie Photography
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As I said, these are only MY top 10, but if you have any other questions in regards to your wedding ceremony (and there is absolutely no such thing as a silly one!) please feel free to contact me at any time!
Kate + Lars’ Chateau Doré Wedding
The Event
Kate + Lars decided on a peaceful french provincial inspired Chateau Doré Wedding to celebrate their love and their family.
As family & friends gathered from as far as Germany, Kate & Lars’s ADORABLE baby boy Sebastian arrived dressed in the cutest traditional ‘Lederhosen’ to the absolute delight of person present!
Grateful for my mother’s Austrian heritage, I was thrilled to be able to welcome Lars’ family in their mother tongue as well as incorporate a few German phrases into the ceremony itself!
The Meeting
Kate and Lars’ first meeting in Spain was one of those real ‘sliding door’ moments in life, when Kate stopped in Spain at the beginning of a 12 month world trip to join a Spanish language class, and met Lars a few days into her extended stay.
Kate thought Lars looked like a school boy swinging on the back of his chair in the Library, and Lars thought the same thing about Kate after spotting her strolling through the streets with her cute little backpack on! But when they were both invited to join a mutual friend for lunch, they hit it off immediately, and Kate cancelled her other travel plans to spend as much time in Spain with Lars as possible.
Six weeks later, Kate was obliged to continue on her world tour, but both she and Lars knew that their time together was so much more than just a summer romance, and Kate made arrangements to meet Lars on his home ground in Hamburg on December 12th 2009 – six years exactly before they married at the beautiful Chateau Doré in country Victoria.
The Vows
Kate said that she loved Lars’s “genuine & pure love of life and that he sees the very best in every person he meets”, and Lars said that Kate “makes everything you do, feel & experience together absolutely amazing”.
After exchanging rings with a mixture of both German & English vows, Kate & Lars shared one of the most passionate first kisses that I have ever seen to the loudest of cheers!
The Photographer
One of my favourite industry pros, Alli Oughtred, was there to capture it all xx
Kate + Lars | 12.12.2015
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Ceremony & Reception Location: Chateau Dore
Photography: Alli Oughtred Wedding Photography
Flowers: The Eternal Vase
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Sharmaine & David’s Luminare Wedding
What does marriage mean to you?
When I asked David and Sharmaine what marriage meant to them, they recited a quote that struck a real chord with them. It read, “love is a friendship set on fire – a combination of everyday life and magic bundled into one. Love has the unique ability to transform the webs and pillars of everyday life into silk and gold. It is more than a feeling or emotion, concept or theory; it is a being.”
After all the traditional Chinese customs in the morning, I was waiting with David on the rooftop deck at Luminare, when admitted that he was very much looking forward to seeing Sharmaine make her way down the aisle. I’m pretty certain that she most definitely exceeded his expectations as she stepped into the sunshine, absolutely exquisite in Anna Campbell.
First Meeting
David and Sharmaine first met at University about 8 years ago. David recalled his first impressions of Sharmaine as being that she was very small, but very pretty! Sharmaine admitted that she loves the fact that David is tall enough to reach all the things that she can’t!
True love
All jokes aside, David & Sharmaine also share an incredible connection and found themselves wanting to share all the important moments in their lives quite early in their relationship, eventually leading to David’s amazing mid-air proposal.
Sharmaine said that she loves how well she & David understand one another and that he is so open minded, with the endearing quality of being both patient and impatient all at the same time.
David said that Sharmaine is caring and compassionate and absolutely beautiful, inside and out. He also loves that she supports him 100% in any decision he makes, always offering encouragement in any endeavour he decides to embark on.
Wedding Symbolism
Incorporating a hand fasting ritual to provide a visual representation of their commitment, Sharmaine & David’s hands were bound with silver & white ribbons to represent purity, peace, creativity & inspiration, before they shared their first kiss as husband & wife to the absolute joy of all their family & friends.
Photo credit
These exquisite images by Jonathan Ong captured every ounce of this couples’ outer AND inner beauty and the absolute pure love they both radiated & elicited. What an absolute pleasure it was to declare them husband & wife! xx
Sharmaine & David | 27.12.2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Ceremony & Reception Location: Luminare
Styling & Florals: Tori Allen Events
Bridal Gown: Anna Campbell
Photography: Jonathan Ong
Videography: The White Tree
Ceremony Music: The White Tree
Tran and Damon’s Grand Hyatt Melbourne Wedding
The Event
Tran + Damon decided that a Grand Hyatt Melbourne wedding would be the perfect way to celebrate their love.
They initially connected online, quite randomly one lazy Sunday afternoon, and within two days, they were having their first meeting over dinner.
Tran loved Damon’s patient & calm manner, and Damon loved Tran’s energy & confidence, so not long after, Tran very considerately helped Damon pick out her engagement ring, and on the 29th March they married in spectacular style at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in a Vietnamese/Australian fusion ceremony.
The Ceremony Details
Tran & Damon provided their guests with an Order of Service titled “So You’re Going To Sit Through A Wedding – A practical guide to not falling asleep and figuring out just what exactly is going on”.
It included interesting facts & past world events pertaining to their wedding date, a Sudoku challenge, the story behind the Tea Ceremony, all the details involving the wedding planning (ie. Dresses tried on = 2 & messages to bridesmaid = 900+) and of course, the names & titles of everyone involved in the wedding day!
In keeping with an ancient Vietnamese custom, Tran and Damon chose to incorporate a traditional Tea Ceremony into their celebration, to serve as a formal introduction into each other’s families. This ceremony is usually performed at home before the wedding takes place – sometimes with a cast of thousands! – but as Tran & Damon planned to include only their parents, it was truly special to witness it as part of official proceedings, as it allowed all their guests (and me!) to experience it too. So beautiful.
The Vows
Tran promised “to live by and protect what we build together”, before Damon vowed “to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give and all that I am, in the only way I know how – completely and forever.”
The Photography
These gorgeous photos by the super talented Alli Oughtred have captured all the love & joy of their day perfectly x
These gorgeous shots were taken in ACDC lane in Melbourne’s CBD
Tran & Damon | 29.03.2015
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Ceremony & Reception Location: The Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Photography: Alli Oughtred Weddings
Florals: Balwyn Events
DJ/MC: Bruce Harrison
Jacqui & Corey’s Sorrento Beach Wedding
The Event
Jacqui + Corey decided on a beautiful Sorrento Beach Wedding to declare there eternal love to one another.
Initailly introduced during a night out with mutual friends, Jacqui + Corey shared some fun banter, before Corey thought he’d impress Jacqui with his awesome dance moves.
Jacqui was immediately drawn to Corey’s sense of fun & amazing blue eyes, and the pair ended the evening enjoying their first unofficial date together, when they went across the road for fish & chips 😉
Deciding that he needed to see her again the very next day, to ensure that she was as gorgeous as he remembered, Corey stalked Jacqui at work and was very pleased to find that she was indeed just as beautiful in the light of day! So double dates with a couple of friends ensued and two months later, they were officially a couple.
Jacqui loved how easy going Corey was, that he was so much fun to be around and that his protective nature made her feel so incredibly special, and Corey was completely enchanted by Jacqui’s bubbly personality and killer smile.
The Ceremony Details
Jacqui was escorted down the aisle by her father, to Norah Jones’s “Come away with me” nine years later.
On the sun drenched Sorrento beach overlooking the vivid blue Port Phillip Bay, Corey was completely lost for words as Jacqui’s father lifted his daughter’s veil revealing the spectacular smile that Corey had come to know and love so well, before Jacqui held his hand and joyfully prepared to marry her best friend.
A sand ceremony that included sand from the very spot where Corey & Jacqui stood on the day,
served as a reminder of the beautiful location within which they became husband & wife, and
was completed with the blending of Blue & Yellow sand, added by Corey & Jacqui’s mums, to
symbolise the glorious sun and ocean.
The Vows
Jacqui promised that she would always hold Corey’s hand and told him “I love you, even more than
chocolate”, before Corey declared “You make my heart smile, and are my closest friend”.
The Photography
These gorgeous images by Robyn Swallow Photography say it all xx
Jacqui & Corey | 02.04.2015
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Ceremony & Reception Location: The Baths
Photography: Robyn Swallow Photography
Bridal Gown: Raffaele Ciuca Armadale
Men’s Suits: Yd
Bridesmaid Dresses: Review
Flowergirl dress made by the talented Maid of Honour!
Ceremony Styling: Circle of Love Weddings
Florals: Hello Blossums
Cake: Nikos Oakleigh Quality Cakes
Seryn & Stuart’s Emu Bottom Homestead Wedding
After a hilarious proposal with a Cheezle ring during a camping trip, Seryn and Stuart chose to become husband + wife at at the beautiful Emu Bottom Homestead.
When Seryn’s busy life saw her give internet dating a try a few years ago, she was hoping to find someone who was down to earth and who possessed good manners. When Stuart was first introduced to Seryn’s smiling face, he thought there was a chance she could be a little too high maintenance due to her love of “cocktails and horses”, but he thought her to be so very pretty, that he decided to take a chance.
Their smiles on the big day proved that chance was well worth it!
Flanked by four gorgeous flower girls as their only bridal party, Seryn & Stuart’s parents made a promise to love & support their children throughout their lives together as husband & wife before the the loved up pair vowed to “respect you, laugh with you, cry with you and love you faithfully through the good times and bad”.
A Holding Hands ritual and three sensational readings by members of Seryn & Stuart’s families ensured that the ceremony was romantic, personal and highly entertaining, before their first kiss as husband & wife almost raised the roof (with the groom’s head already practically touching it!)
Many thanks to Kim Selby Photography for these beautiful images of Seryn & Stuart’s perfect day xx
Seryn & Stuart | 21.03.2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Emu Bottom Homestead
Photography: Kim Selby Photography
Amy & Jacob’s Tatra Garden Wedding
The Event
Amy + Jacob decided on a Tatra wedding in picturesque Mount Dandenong to celebrate their special day.
Jacob was first introduced to Amy during a St Patrick’s Day celebration, and he thought she was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen, though maybe way too stylish for him and his beer shirts.
But after Amy made her way down the aisle of the glass walled Tatra Chapel, Jacob stood before his beautiful bride, with not a beer shirt in sight and declared “Before you asked me, I was yours, and I am devoted to you in every way”.
Amy and Jacob chose some wonderful readings by Hilary T Smith, Victor Hugo and the Dalai Lama to celebrate their day, as well as a beautiful Celtic handfasting ritual, where they incorporated coloured ribbons to symbolise all the important qualities they are dedicated to bringing to their marriage.
A beautiful celebration combining traditional and spiritual elements – simply perfect x
The Photography
A huge thanks to the super lovely Timothy Burgess for allowing me to publish his images!
Amy & Jacob | 28.11.2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Tatra Receptions
Photography: Timothy Burgess
Rain on your wedding day – Do you have a Plan B? →
← Top 10 questions I get asked most as a Celebrant
Stef & Todd’s NGV Wedding
Stef & Todd married within the incredibly stylish Grollo Equiset gardens at the National Gallery of Victoria on a perfect Spring day.
We were off to a terrific start when, before Stef had even arrived, her mother handed out traditional Panama hats for all the guests to wear during the ceremony – a gift from a Colombian relative who was unable to attend. Everyone was more than happy to oblige and they certainly created a festive feel! I have to say it was a sight to behold from where Todd & I were standing – looking out into a see of smiling, happy faces, all wearing white hats!
All attention soon turned to the bride’s brother as he guided the couple’s adorable fur baby (and ring bearer), Sambucca, down the winding path, along with the equally adorable 2 year old flowergirl, who didn’t even bat an eyelid when she lost one shoe along the way – a true professional!
Preceding the bride was cuteness #3, in the form of the 4 year old page boy with a sign reading “This is your last chance to run uncle Todd!”
When the stunning bride finally came into view, wearing a figure hugging Jane Hill Bridal gown, there was an immediate murmur of excitement amongst the guests. But no one was more appreciative of the bride’s appearance than the handsome groom!
After a hilarious (yet seriously touching!) “giving away” by the bride’s father, and a reading in Spanish by two of the couple’s close friends, Stef promised to hold Todd close and make him laugh for as long as she lived, while Todd declared that Stef would “always be the best part of my day”.
We concluded the ceremony with a sensational spoken rendition of Adam Sandler’s “I Wanna Grow Old With You” from ‘The Wedding Singer’, before an extremely passionate first kiss as husband & wife, followed by an adorable high five from Sambucca!
With stunning flowers by Flowers Vasette and styling by the bride herself, along with Steph and her team at Peter Rowland Catering, everything about this wedding was stylish, elegant, fun and simply beautiful.
I hope you enjoy these sensational photos by the ridiculously talented Lauren at LJM Photography.
Stef & Todd | 16.11.2013
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: National Gallery of Victoria
Photography: LJM Photography
Bridal Gown: Jane Hill
Catering/Styling:Peter Rowland
Florals:Flowers Vasette
Belinda & Paul’s Labassa Wedding
Belinda and Paul chose to have a beautiful 19th century, heritage listed mansion Labassa Wedding on a perfect sunny Winter’s day,
In the presence of their nearest & dearest, Belinda revealed that Paul was the loveliest, most ridiculously loving person she had ever met, with Paul proclaiming that Belinda was just “amazing in every way”.
With the newlyweds finally pronounced husband & wife, to the clear delight of every person present, one of the couple’s close friends, Paul, came forward to present the final reading of the afternoon – the lyrics of Ben Fold’s “The Luckiest”.
After taking the mic however, Paul informed us that he hadn’t been able to figure out how to perform the song as a reading and had decided to sing it instead! What resulted was an amazing, heartfelt A’Capella performance that touched the hearts of every person in the room. I believe that even the lovely ladies from the Four Seasons string trio were impressed!
A most romantic wedding for the most delightful couple, and then a big red double decker bus transported them all to Friends Of Mine to party the night away!
Belinda & Paul | 30.08.2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Labassa
Photography: Duuet Wedding Photography
Ceremony Styling: Weddings of Distinction
Bridal Gown: Maggie Sottero
Florals: Botanics
Ceremony Music: Four Seasons Quartet
Bridal Car: Triple R Luxury Car Hire
Wedding Guest Transport: Dee Decker Tours
Reception Venue: Friends of Mine
Erin & Steve’s Clyde Park Vineyard Wedding
After over 10 years of friendship and two beautiful children already filling their lives with love & light, Erin & Steve finally became husband & wife during a perfect Clyde Park Vineyard wedding near Geelong.
After taking everyone back a few years, we shared a laugh over the fact that Erin & Steve’s first kiss was caught on CCTV cameras at the local pub, before the gorgeous couple declared that they were each other’s “best friend and I will love and respect you always.”
With their adorable children watching on in awe of their parents, Erin & Steve shared their official first kiss to cheers and applause by the many family & friends who had been waiting a LONG time for this moment!
I hope you enjoy these incredibly beautiful images of their day, taken by the very talented and super lovely Sara Taylor Photography x
Erin & Steve | 8th March 2014
Celebrant: Meriki Comito
Venue: Clyde Park Vineyard
Photography: Sara Taylor Photography
Videography: The White Tree