Your wedding ceremony

Celebrating love...celebrating life

John's wedding ceremonies reveal his life experience. They are usually relaxed and always inclusive. He believes that ‘love is love’ for everyone and conducts traditional, same sex and unconventional ceremonies.

He understands your need for less 'show' and more meaningful words and actions. John will work with you to make that happen.

John isn't adverse to a few theatrics – only the good kind of course. He conducts weddings in traditional venues like reception centres, parks. your garden or his...and also in unique locations:

• farms

• boats

• forests

• quarries

• mountain tops

As long as it's physically safe and you have permission to be there, John will be there too.

He conducts most of his wedding ceremonies in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu region but is happy to travel further afield.

Wedding planning

Your ceremony

I can help you plan a wedding ceremony that is about meaningful words and actions.

Our first meeting will help me understand your personal needs. Then I can:

• help you develop the tone and style for the ceremony, which tells your unique story.

• suggest the type of vows and pledges that are personal and sincere.

• help you include any rituals or meaningful moments. They could be symbolic, fun or simply memorable.

• help you choose music and guide you through copyright restrictions.

• include important cultural or traditional practices.

• choreograph the ceremony so everyone knows:

  • where they need to be

  • what they need to say

  • when they need to say it.

We'll review a draft of the ceremony at our next meeting and keep working at the ceremony until you are entirely happy.

At the rehearsal, I'll walk you through the ceremony and make sure everyone feels confident and comfortable.

Paperwork

You have enough to think about!

I organise the legal side of getting married so when I hand you the marriage certificate, it's official!

By law, at least one month before the wedding I will have collected:

• the completed Notice of Intended Marriage form signed by both of you - I will give you this form.

• copies of your proof of birth and photographic ID.

Before, during and after the wedding, I'll make sure all forms or declarations are completed accurately and on time.

We're all different. Some people will have been married before, some won't. Don't worry, I will explain exactly what is needed. 

Cost

Wedding ceremonies start at $550.

Once you confirm that you would like me to conduct your ceremony - usually following our first meeting  -  I accept a booking fee of 50 per cent. This commits me to be your marriage celebrant.

Occasionally, there are additional costs for the ceremony. These can include:

• travel expenses for locations more than 50 kms from Balhannah

• sourcing materials for rituals

• researching unique cultures or traditions

• extra meetings - more than four

• legal correspondence for other countries

• ceremonies on a public holiday.

Contact John

Whether you have been married forever or not quite that long, John can help you renew the commitment you made to each other at the beginning.

It may be significant to use the same words, or you may want to use different words that reflect where you have been and where you are going. He uses the same approach as for wedding ceremonies  - relaxed and organised - so that you can enjoy this moment in your life together.

On the day

On the day of your wedding you will both be busy...and likely a little nervous.  Relax, I've got it from here.

What I'll be doing

I arrive at least 30 minutes before your ceremony. I set up the sound system and work through my final checks.

I make sure:

• all the preparations are complete.

• you are both calm...enough.

• the photographer, ushers and key guests are ready to begin.

When it’s time to begin the marriage ceremony, I gather your guests and make sure everyone is in position and cue the music, bagpipes...marching band?

Once you both stand before me, I welcome family and friends and we begin.

After the declaration of marriage:

• I guide you and your witnesses through signing the official documents.

• I introduce you as a married couple to your guests.

• I present you with your marriage certificate.

And you're married. It's time for you to celebrate!

And I pack up and fade quietly into the sunset…