Weddings and Commitments, Name Givings, Birthdays, Funerals "I remember when you were saying to us to try and take everything in on the day and thinking there was no way I could do that. But guess what I did! And it was amazing, beautiful and PERFECT. For both Stephen and I it was the best part of the whole day. I didn't think that I would enjoy it as much as I did. You did a beautiful job and both Steve and I couldn't stop commenting on it (as did everyone else). If I could have just a small part of the day back, it would be the ceremony all over again. We can not thank you enough for your patience in getting our ceremony right. You were made for this job and made us feel like the only couple that you had ever wedded because it was so personal" Stephen & Shona, Coffs Harbour, NSW I offer my experience as a celebrant to provide you with exceptional service at a time when you need it the most. I love my work as a civil celebrant and in my experience from participating in over 800 ceremonies I have developed a style that is friendly and professional, with a grace and heartwarming presence. Your ceremony will be a celebration that will deeply touch and enrich your lives. It will be an enjoyable and fun occasion for you to remember with joy - an occasion that inspires! Click to find out more about: Name Giving Ceremonies, Birthdays, Funerals
Weddings and CommitmentsCeremonies that are perfect for you! You can have a beautifully crafted personal and inspiring marriage ceremony that reflects your love, friendship and commitment to each other. You get to relax and be confident that your wishes will be carried out! The Wedding Ceremony For any size or style of wedding that you dream of - whether you are eloping, hosting a small and intimate occasion, calling for a formal and traditional ceremony, creating new traditions and rituals or just having a party to celebrate and inviting all your friends ... you can have the ceremony you want. Your relationship is unique and having a ceremony that is in harmony with your beliefs, ideas and personal style is important. This is the time to celebrate your love and friendship, your dreams and goals together. You can either choose your welcome and introduction, readings and vows from a diverse range of ceremonies or write your own! To assist you in finding just the right words to convey your feelings and reflections upon marriage, clients receive a free copy of my fabulous book, 'Create Your Own Inspiring Wedding Ceremony'. This is a beautiful and easy to use handbook that includes a selection of ceremonies and vows to get you started. There are many ways in which to include family members and friends, cultural symbols, poems or songs if you so desire. Together, we'll create a ceremony that you are both really happy with. I offer unlimited assistance with the choosing and writing of your ceremony, and great ideas and support so that you will have a ceremony that you both will love! I provide a high quality public address system that ensures your guests will hear your ceremony, whether we are inside, or out on the beach. There is also a handheld microphone if you wish to invite family or friends to share a reading or blessing. The Wedding Location Coffs Harbour offers many beautiful settings where you can be married in a personal, intimate and meaningful celebration. There are so many locations, from the rainforest to the beach, on the ocean, or by the river. You may like to be on a headland at sunrise, amongst the roses at the Botanic Garden or choose from one of the many beautiful resorts dotted along the coastline. You may wish to celebrate at home, or in a small private plane flying over the Split Solitary Islands. Coffs Harbour is a beautiful place to live. Having been a civil celebrant here for the past ten years, I have located many exquisite and romantic venues to hold wedding ceremonies. We are blessed with many high quality restaurants and resorts that will treat your family and friends to a wonderful celebration. Couples have come from all over Australia, and from across the world to marry here in Coffs Harbour. It is a wonderful place to marry and have a holiday! Coffs Harbour is serviced by Qantas and Virgin Blue flights and is conveniently located half way between Brisbane and Sydney. 
| | Chris & Michelle Carter Married at the Bonville International Golf Club |
What do you need to do next? Call me to discuss want you want with regard to your ceremony and to see if I am available on your wedding day. You are welcome to meet with me and discuss what you would like and take a browse through my collection of testimonials and wedding photographs. Make your booking by e-mail or telephone (details on the Contact Wendy page). It is advisable to make your booking as soon as you know the date of your wedding. For all couples who are interstate or overseas prior to the wedding, all the arrangements can be completed by telephone, e-mail or by post. (Please note that I acknowledge all valid email enquiries - if you do not get a reply then I haven't received it, so please make contact by phone.) When you have made your booking... The notice of intended marriage is legally required to be filled out and lodged a month and a day before your wedding day (no sooner than eighteen months). In certain circumstances, the local Magistrate may grant a shortening of time. The other legal requirements state that you must be over 18 years of age and not be currently married to any other person, or not closely related to one another! I can send you the notice of intent to marry form or you can download one from www.ag.gov.au/celebrants . If you are able to come for an appointment then we will complete this notice at our first meeting. At our first meeting, whether this is by phone or in person, we will discuss what you would like and also cover what needs to be done. This will give you a clear sense of direction and also give you some great ideas to think about. For those from afar I will send out an information pack. Before your wedding you will need to provide your original birth certificates (or certified copies). (If you were born overseas and hold a current overseas passport that will be acceptable) If you have been married before then the appropriate documents will be needed (Decree Absolute or Death Certificate). To apply for a birth certificate in NSW visit www.bdm.nsw.gov.au. You will also receive a copy of 'Create Your Own Inspiring Wedding Ceremony' which will enable you to explore what you want in your ceremony. I offer my support and expertise at any time to assist you in choosing or writing this key part of your wedding day. You can come and visit me at home or we can chat via the internet or phone. In the week before your wedding (even on the wedding day if that is the day you arrive in Coffs Harbour) we will meet and sign the prepared documents, sight your birth certificates etc. and run through the ceremony - the standing positions and layout, the vows, the entrance and the closing. We can hold a full rehearsal with the bridal party if you require one. If you need information and assistance with choosing your venue or referrals to other wedding related services, I have many resources available. (The local Coffs Harbour Advocate Wedding Guide is invaluable - ph 02 6652 2522) A great website for checking sunrise and sunset times is www.ga.gov.au/nmd/geodesy/astro/sunrise.jsp I am available for a wide range of ceremonies and celebrations - weddings, anniversaries, naming and welcoming a child, coming of age, 50th birthdays.... "Choosing a person we'd never met to marry us was always going to be difficult. Thankfully we found you - you were the perfect choice! Adam and I couldn't have been happier. You made us feel very comfortable. We had a very special and memorable day. Thankyou so much!" Adam and Sally - Cleveland, Queensland Seven Reasons to Choose Me as Your Marriage Celebrant - Professional and friendly service with unlimited assistance and great ideas.
- Relax with confidence, knowing that your ceremony will be delivered in a graceful and heartwarming manner. A special occasion to remember with joy.
- Personal and inspiring ceremonies that reflect your love, friendship and commitment to each other - and also reflect your personal values and style. From the traditional to the highly creative ceremonies - incorporating cultural customs and symbols; including friends and family members or realising any special dreams that you may have.
- Confidence in knowing that all legal requirements have been adhered to according to the Marriage Act, 1961 and all marriages are registered online. A free change of name kit and lodgement of the application for the marriage certificate from the Registry office.
- Beautiful calligraphy laser printed marriage certificates.
- Assistance with all aspects of the wedding ceremony and referrals to other wedding services and specialists if required. Dedication and love of my work as a celebrant and facilitator of ceremonies - weddings, naming and welcoming a child, renewal of vows, anniversaries, birthdays, coming of age and funerals - all rites of passage.
- My Personal Commitment & Guarantee to You - if you are not fully satisfied with the service provided you will receive a full refund of the service fee.
Contact Wendy You can also find out more in my Getting Married FAQ section. Back to the top
Name Giving Celebrations Families nowadays are moving more and more towards adopting contemporary rituals and spiritual ceremonies to mark life's special occasions. This is especially true when it comes to welcoming new children to the family or celebrating the choosing of a new name by an older child or adult. Name giving ceremonies are always rich with possibilities, whether it is through adopting ancient customs or by developing a ceremony from scratch. Each one has its own unique blend of hope for the future and love that created the occasion in the first place - what better reason could there be to celebrate? I'd love to hear from you and what part you would like me to play in your name giving celebration. "Thank you for making our special day a wonderful one. Your professional attitude and personal approach was well received by all present. Hope to see you again in the future." Craig, Byron, Susan - Northern Territory Contact Wendy You can also find out more in my Naming Ceremonies FAQ section. Back to the top
BirthdaysAll birthdays are special, whether it's a first or a hundred and first. Whichever one you are celebrating, I would love to participate. I'll give your celebration the care and attention it deserves, giving you a birthday that you, and your guests, will remember for years to come. Together, we'll go beyond birthday cakes and candles and create a ceremony that honours life, love and happiness. "I'm still meeting people who say to me, "Oh so you're Willa, my friend hasn't stopped talking about your 60th birthday party, how special it was! My husband says it set a new benchmark for him for how great a gathering can be - "It's the best celebration I've ever been to!" With Wendy's consultation and advice, turning 60 became a conscious, joyful, stress-free process. For me the night was a true celebration of friendship. I felt recognised and seen for who I am and my life acknowledged in a very sweet, loving way. And I had fun showing my appreciation of what my friends mean to me and I now have an even deeper connection with everyone who came. Wendy weaves wonderful magic! She is creative, intuitive and original." Willa Hogarth - Coffs Harbour, NSW Contact Wendy Back to the top
FuneralsCelebrating the life of a loved one is a sacred and moving event. It's a difficult time for families and, for me, it is an honour to be involved at such an important time. My role as the celebrant is to make the funeral as easy as possible and to allow the family to honour the life of the deceased with dignity, beauty and love. I will assist the family to work out an order of service, choose music and readings, even write and/or present the eulogy. I work closely with your chosen Funeral Director (if you are using one) and anyone who is participating to make sure that everyone understands what is expected from them and when. At the conclusion of the ceremony, I will compile a keepsake of the order of service, all the speeches, verses and readings, so that treasured memories of the funeral service can be relived at any time. "It seems odd describing a funeral as 'perfect' but that's exactly how we would describe Dad's service. Thank you so much Wendy for making it so. Your presence and advice before, during and after the ceremony gave us the confidence we needed to celebrate Dad's life with dignity and joy - just what he would have wanted for us." The Terkelsen family, NSW Contact Wendy Back to the top
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