Ojoy!

A step-by-step guide to what you can expect from me as your celebrant..

Congratulations on your decision to be married!  In an effort to respond to enquiries about my services as a registered marriage celebrant, I have prepared the following information.

 In the beginning:

- An initial, no obligation, meet and greet can be arranged with the purpose of getting to know each other to enable you to make an informed decision on whether you would like me to work with you in creating your wedding.  This is usually half an hour in length and at a mutually agreeable location.

Then

• The couple, that’s you, advise me of your intention to book my services or otherwise, as a courtesy.

• At our first meeting we complete the paperwork (Notification of Intention to Marry). This needs completing between twelve months and 31 days prior to your intended wedding date. I will also need to sight original copies of your birth certificates, passports and drivers license - or other photo identification. 

• We continue the discussion on what you would like your ceremony to include.  This is an ideal time for me to capture your story, ie how you met, significant moments, where you are at now, where you're heading.  I like to guide a very natural conversation to give me the information I need to assist you in creating a ceremony that reflects you both.  This meeting is usually one hour in length.

• I provide you with the Happily Ever After brochure, a legal requirement.

Getting started

• A deposit is required soon after this meeting which will allow me to a) hold the date and b) commence work on your ceremony.

• I will provide you, preferably by email, with a selection of readings, vows and rituals for you to choose from or work from and invite you to change things around to suit your needs or to write something of your own.

• With your valuable input, I write up your back-story, for your approval, for inclusion in your ceremony.

The big day approaches

• Every word of your ceremony is approved by both parties to this marriage.

• Ten ceremony booklets are included in the cost.

• A meeting 1 - 2 weeks prior to the wedding is recommended, for a final run-through of the ceremony, including wedding party where practical, or a full rehearsal will be arranged.  Depending on location and specifics of the ceremony.

• Any audio equipment required will be an additional cost ie. music, microphone, speakers.  This will depend largely on the location for the ceremony.

 Information that will assist me in confirming the booking and providing you with the best service possible includes;

• location of ceremony, indoors or outdoors and proximity to Melbourne’s CBD

• the number of people who will be attending your wedding

• how many people are you considering for your bridal party? Any children?

• is this the first marriage for both of you? If not, do you have relevant paperwork?

• are you both born in Australia? If not, do you have original birth certificates and/or passports from your country of origin?

Next steps

Have a look at the photos and testimonials on my website.

Discuss with your fiancé and <contact me> to arrange an appointment.

This information will hopefully provide you with a good starting point.   If you have more specific questions, please let me know. 

More useful information can be found here:

'Attorney General Office - getting married'

Testimonials

'Karen was brilliant. Karen made us feel instantly comfortable and relaxed. She respected what we thought would be important on the day and brought our attention to everything we had forgotten. She was genuine and extremely knowledgeable. She is a fun, kind and sincere person whom was perfect as our celebrant. She is very experienced and we could tell she has married heaps of people from her professionalism as well as her knowledge.'

A rather lovely review from Bib & Jo :) I will remember their wonderful wedding - always.

‘To our amazing wedding celebrant extraordinaire
Karen Ingram thank you for providing us with exactly the type of ceremony we wanted. Your talent, warmth and humour really helped to make a wonderful ceremony.’

Marilyn & Colin

Speaking of Karen...it was such an amazing ceremony; I'll never forget it! She is so great. I wanted to mention that I nearly completely lost my s#@t when she was talking about marriage equality - the majority of my couples have made a statement against the 'between a man and a woman' bit and some have done excellent work-arounds, but I've never heard it addressed so directly and fully and passionately. My mum's a lesbian, and in the midst of all the postal survey hate and awfulness, it felt incredible to be in a room full of so much goodness and love - it was so uplifting, and I nearly bawled! I just wanted you two and Karen to know how much it meant to me personally, as it would have to so many other people, and to thank you all.

- wedding photographer.