There are Cheaper, more experienced, Better Looking, Internet-famous Marriage Celebrants Out there.
But they’re not CT.
What to look for in a Marriage Celebrant
Make sure they’re actually an official, registered Marriage Celebrant.
Honesty, integrity and a good vibe.
A skilled writer and engaging orator.
Well-presented. But try not to judge them solely on looks or from pictures taken at other people’s weddings.
Can steer you in the right direction without being pushy.
They will be responsible for ensuring the day runs smoothly whatever happens. So it helps if they can think on their feet and remain calm in a crisis.
Chris has been an advertising creative for over 30 years. He also mentors and coaches young creative people and non-creative people in storytelling and presentation skills (among other things). He can write and talk with the best of them.
Looks-wise, he’s unlikely to outshine any bride or groom, or make anyone recoil in horror.
Above all, with CT, you are the stars of the show. He doesn’t do this for clicks or to appease his algorithm.
Decades of experience as an MC and MC, make CT a great MC and MC.
Why having an advertising creative as your celebrant makes so much sense it’s not funny
No two days are the same when you come up with amazing, never-seen-before, award-winning ideas for a living.
One day you’re coming up with ideas for a bank, the next day it’s a beer, a car or a fashion retailer. All of these businesses need ideas, but none of them want exactly the same thing.
The bank has very strict guidelines on what you can and can’t say but still need to feel different, big and important.
The beer also has strict guidelines but they want to have as much (responsible) fun as possible.
The car company wants to be sleek and stylish, but also safe and family-friendly.
And the fashion retailer wants to reinvent the wheel every season of every year and make everything sound as amazing as humanly possible.
Every couple I write and perform a ceremony for gets a unique version of the same thing too.
Wedding Celebrant Packages
Just Married
The bare minimum basics. Sometimes called an elopement. Made for people who just want to make it official without too much of a fuss.
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The point of this option is that there isn’t a big, lavish one. But there is a solemnisation ceremony.
It usually involves the couple, your two witness aged 18+ and maybe a select few family members or friends.
We’ll say the magic words, sign the documents and certificates and you’ll be legally married in the eyes of the law.
The process:
Get in touch, we’ll have a chat, then I’ll need a bunch of information from you to help fill out some paperwork.
We need to meet in person, if possible, before the solemnisation ceremony too.
It’s about as low-key as getting married can be.
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First things first we need to fill out a Notice Of Intended Marriage form.
This needs to be completed a full month before the solemnisation date.
A Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage form must also be filled out, and signed as close to the solemnisation as possible - but not during or after.
During the ceremony, we will sign two copies of your Official Certificate of Marriage. I keep one for my legal records and send the other to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
We will also sign your commemorative Marriage Certificate (the fancy looking one) which is yours to take with you on the day.
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What’s included:
The solemnisation ceremony.
The paperwork.
One meeting in person, either face-to-face (preferred, if convenient) or over video call.
What’s not included:
Travel outside of the metro Melbourne area (see Extras section below).
Translation services.
Any other service listed in the Extras section below.
Payment terms:
50% of the agreed fee to be paid upon appointment with the remaining 50% due one week before the solemnisation date.
A link to the full terms and conditions is available in the footer.
Standard Ceremony
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You name the time and place, and I’ll be there. Actually, I’ll most likely be there an hour early to set up and welcome everyone as they arrive.
The Standard Ceremony is everything you expect of a wedding. About half an hour long, with all the important bits and a little bit more covered.
The process:
Get in touch, we’ll have a chat, then I’ll need a bunch of information from you to help fill out some paperwork.
We need to meet in person, if possible, before the ceremony too. We’ll need up to an hour to discuss what you’d like involved and give me enough information to put together a draft script.
You’ll have two chances to make changes before the we finalise the script for the big day.
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First things first we need to fill out a Notice Of Intended Marriage form.
This needs to be completed a full month before the solemnisation date.
A Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage form must also be filled out, and signed as close to the solemnisation as possible - but not during or after.
During the ceremony, we will sign two copies of your Official Certificate of Marriage. I keep one for my legal records and send the other to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
We will also sign your commemorative Marriage Certificate (the fancy looking one) which is yours to take with you on the day.
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What’s included:
The ceremony.
Portable PA system (if required).
The paperwork.
One meeting in person, either face-to-face (preferred, if convenient) or over video call.
Two drafts of your wedding script before it’s finalised.
30% off a Master of Ceremonies package should you want CT to MC the reception.
What’s not included:
Travel outside of the metro Melbourne area (see Extras section below).
Translation services.
Any other service listed in the Extras section below.
Payment terms:
50% of the agreed fee to be paid upon appointment with the remaining 50% due one week before the ceremony date.
A link to the full terms and conditions is available in the footer.
Standard doesn’t mean boring or cookie-cutter.
If you’re confident with what you want, and don’t want to explore an endless range of options, this is a great starting point.
Bespoke Ceremony
Good things take time. The Bespoke package gives us time to play with ideas and write a priceless, personalised ceremony.
Apart from the legal requirements, which must be delivered word-for-word, everything else can be re-imagined and written especially for your ceremony from scratch.
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You name the time and place, and I’ll be there. Actually, I’ll most likely be there an hour early to set up and welcome everyone as they arrive.
The Bespoke Ceremony builds your dream wedding around you, your venue, and your family and friends.
The process:
Get in touch, we’ll have a chat, then I’ll need a bunch of information from you to help fill out some paperwork.
We need two in-person meetings, if possible, before the ceremony.
One to discuss options for the structure and elements within your ceremony, including music choices, blocking and choreography. This will also give us time to get to know each other and inform the first draft of your script.
The second meeting will be to go through the first draft of the script and make any major changes necessary.
You’ll be able to make more edits to parts of the ceremony before the we finalise the script for the big day.
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First things first we need to fill out a Notice Of Intended Marriage form.
This needs to be completed a full month before the solemnisation date.
A Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage form must also be filled out, and signed as close to the solemnisation as possible - but not during or after.
During the ceremony, we will sign two copies of your Official Certificate of Marriage. I keep one for my legal records and send the other to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
We will also sign your commemorative Marriage Certificate (the fancy looking one) which is yours to take with you on the day.
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What’s included:
Four hours of writing time to create your bespoke ceremony.
Portable PA system (if required).
The paperwork.
Two meetings in person, either face-to-face (preferred, if convenient) or over video call.
Freedom to edit your ceremony script before it’s finalised.
30% off a Master of Ceremonies package should you want CT to MC the reception.
What’s not included:
Travel outside of the metro Melbourne area (see Extras section below).
Translation services.
Any other service listed in the Extras section below.
Payment terms:
50% of the agreed fee to be paid upon appointment with the remaining 50% due one week before the ceremony date.
A link to the full terms and conditions is available in the footer.
Extras
These items haven’t been included in the packages as not everyone needs them for their ceremony.
If there are any extra extras not listed in Extras we can discuss those as they arise.
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Are wedding rehearsal’s really necessary? It depends on who you ask.
If you’ve got a straightforward ceremony you can probably get away without one.
Otherwise, they’re a good idea.
The rehearsal usually takes place once the script is finalised with everyone who has a part to play in the ceremony present.
If the ceremony venue is available it’s good to rehearse there but anywhere with room to move works.
Depending on travel, a rehearsal will add around $200 to the final invoice.
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This can be used on anything to do with your ceremony or reception.
Need a hand polishing your personal vows? Done.
Some help with speeches? Got you.
Additional thinking and writing time is charged at $150 per hour and added to the final invoice.
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Having continuity between the ceremony and reception has many benefits.
As MC, I’ll work with the venue and your chosen participants to ensure the reception runs smoothly so you can relax and have the night of your life.
For full details, go back to the home page and click through to the MC Master of Ceremonies page.
If you book CT as MC for the ceremony and MC of the reception, you’ll save 30% on your Master of Ceremonies package fee.
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Travel takes time and time is money. How much money depends on more factors than could be listed here. So if you’re planning a destination wedding, whether that destination is France or Frankston, let’s discuss logistics in person.
Travel costs will be added to the final invoice.
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All ceremonies are performed in English. However, should you need a translator for the ceremony, we can certainly accommodate it.
The use of a translator means further paperwork is required before and after the ceremony.
It also adds extra time to a ceremony as each line needs to be translated back and forth between the translator and participant.
We can advise you on where to source approved translation services if required.
A Statutory Declaration needs to be signed by the translator before the ceremony.
In this case, it’s good to have a rehearsal so all paperwork can be signed and we can experience how the ceremony will run with pauses for translation.
There is no additional charge unless a separate meeting with the translator is required.