What an interesting and challenging year 2020 has already been.

I have an update to share... it has been announced that after July 1st 2020 the Coronovirus-related Public Health Order restrictions are lifting here in NSW for marriage ceremonies and wedding reception celebrations.  COVID-19 is not yet gone and social distancing is still very important.

Here is the GOOD NEWS...
After July 1st 2020, all marriages and weddings can host UNLIMITED GUEST NUMBERS!!!

This is what everyone has been hoping for... a significant return to "new-normal".

Ok, so international travel isn't back yet and this is still affecting many people that have hopes for a wedding celebrated with their family and friends, from overseas. However, at this time already the entire wedding industry is cheering! Yes, I'm stoked. 

I love being a Marriage Celebrant and I am so excited to return to all  my clients!

It is so important that you book dates for 2021 as soon as possible. Many 2020 dates have now been postponed to 2021... it's going to be a great year for celebrations.

​I do recommend you contact and BOOK ASAP!

Cheers,
Katie
Your Marriage Celebrant

YES! I'm still happily meeting and performing wedding ceremonies!

Previously... people who first meet me used to quickly learn "I'm a hugger"... well - not anymore!

​Now... I wave and keep my distance where possible.
 
In the past couple of days, I have received worrying calls from people getting married in the coming months. Understandably! But let's not panic.
 
If you decide to cancel your wedding for now - I am providing a guarantee of all deposits and full payments to the future date you decide!  That's right... zero penalty for cancelling... but also no refund on money paid. You can use fees already paid within the next 3 years!
 
The health and safety of you, me, friends and family is my top priority.  
 
Any meetings or ceremonies booked at my house have immediately been rescheduled to another place (please contact me if a new location has not yet been confirmed with you).
 
I want to keep you informed:
Whilst the overall risk in Australia of contracting COVID-19 in the community currently remains low, each day brings details of new confirmed cases of infection and it would be irresponsible of me not to take caution from these incidents. 
 
With so much being reported about the evolving 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, I wanted to reach out personally to discuss the actions and precautions I am taking. 
 
Here’s what I am doing... and recommending:

• Have hand sanitisers and disinfectant wipes for use.
• I'll provide you and witnesses each with a (disinfectant wiped) blank pen to use... it's now yours! Souvenir! (or, bring your own.) This will prevent cross contaminations.
• If you are sick - please do not come near me or others.  If that includes cancelling a meeting or attendance at event - it's very important!
• If you cough or sneeze - please do so away from others into a tissue or your elbow.
• If you feel ill or exhibit symptoms consistent with COVID-19 ... self-isolate and consult with your healthcare professional asap.

 
I've never washed my hands so much in my entire life! 

- (Pictured above: Pullman Magenta Shores)

Thank you to all the couples that choose me to be their Registered Marriage Celebrant!

My greatest joy is being a Celebrant! I also enjoy being the MC at wedding receptions too.​

I am back FULL-TIME as a Celebrant in 2020!
(Make sure you book me for your wedding date soon).

Wow, 2019 has been an up and down year! (And that's an understatement.)
- For a few months I had to downscale my wedding bookings and agree to a full-time employment role for a while.  Luckily - I am back at this 7 days a week again!
- I have performed some really wonderful and memorable marriage ceremonies during 2019 for some amazing couples (like the photo below of my friends Crawford and April at the Paul Landa Reserve, Pearl Beach)! 

Text me your marriage date & location, to see if I am available: 0404 832 403!

Ruth and Lisa from Central Coast Bamboo Toasts work hard and creatively to setup scenic wedding ceremonies. Their services are affordable and reliable!

It had always caught my eye... this sweet little Chapel nestled among the tall palm trees at Green Point.  It is the "Charlotte Chapel" at Kantara House. 

I was impressed to learn that it is a non-denominational place to perform a ceremony, meaning it welcomes everyone to have their ceremony. How fantastic for me as a Civil Celebrant!

The Chapel is spectacularly maintained and I loved the hanging Chandeliers - such a pleasure recently to perform a ceremony inside. It was raining heavily on Grant and Monique's wedding day... but that simply did not matter because they had their ceremony inside the Charlotte Chapel!
​
Kantara House is an open, well-designed, architectural venue for your wedding ceremony and reception. It is that all-in-one solution (including the Wedding Suite).

The tropical scenery of the grounds are a great place for your  on-location pictures with bridal party & close family.

Karina is extremely helpful, professional and experienced at coordinating events.

​I highly recommend Kantara House.

As a Celebrant, here are some Central Coast wedding ceremony venues that I have recently enjoyed:

Linton Gardens, Somersby
A great outdoor ceremony space. Beautiful driveway entrance. Great on location photos.

Bells at Killcare
Simply WOW! I encourage everyone to consider this space for their ceremony.

Norah Head Lighthouse
I have performed a few ceremonies here and the 360 degree views are spectacular!

The Springs Golf Club, Peats Ridge
Has a great archway, spectacular greenery and an experienced wedding team to support.

Crown Plaza Terrigal
The Lord Ashley Fireplace overlooks the very reputable Terrigal beach. This venue caters to any weather on the day and is remarkably affordable for smaller ceremonies.

Have you ever considered The Pearl Beach Crommelin Native Arboretum?
If you are looking for an outdoor wedding ceremony amongst the trees, this is it!

Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve
I travel all throughout the Central Coast and perform ceremonies at various beaches, outdoors parks & reserves.

You are welcome to share your positive Central Coast wedding ceremony venue idea.

The 7 most important things not to forget for your perfect Central Coast beach wedding...

Time of Day - Where's the Sun?
You are outside. Sometimes it is ridiculously hot. You have to consider guest comfort, sun in the eyes, photography needs, frail and elderly concerns and hydrating your guests. You need to consider the local weather when planning any outdoor ceremony.

Have you considered the softness of the ground?
Sand, grass, rocks, mud, wet/dry all of these play a role in the safety and confidence your guests have moving around the ceremony venue. Think it through from the perspective of your guests, safety concerns and weather.

Do you have all the equipment you need?
Have you ever gone to a beautiful headland and realised there is no where to sit. You need to plan to have enough furniture and structure (e.g. Shade or Wedding Arch?).. 

Access to power and lighting?
As an outdoor-ready Celebrant, I always come with my Battery-powered PA system. 

Planning for emergency weather.
Always have a plan for what to do if the skies open expectantly

Finding the ceremony venue on the day.
Make sure you provide guests with a map and instructions to the ceremony location..

Be flexible.
Outdoor weddings are by definition held in uncontrolled, often wild environments.
The most important thing you can be is flexible and resilient in the face of whatever happens. In my experience, it is the quirks that make each wedding unique and special!

According to the Marriage Act 1961 of Australia, before a marriage is solemnised by or in the presence of an authorised celebrant:
 
The Celebrant must state:
 
“We are gathered here today to witness as I join... [Groom full legal name] and [Bride full legal name]… in marriage.”
 
“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law.
 
“Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.
 
“Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”
 
 
The parties to be married must state:
 
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, ____________ (full name), take thee, ___________ (full name), to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)”
 

Now...

I am very fortunate to have been present for the wedding ceremony of two very dear friends of mine (a few years back) in Hawaii. Approx 80 guests travelled from Australia to Hawaii to attend their legally recognised same-sex wedding ceremony. It was a *fabulous* party to celebrate a great relationship. This married couple now have the most adorable twins! A truly modern family that ought to be celebrated!

I strongly believe that the legal wording for marriage ceremony should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry.

I seek MARRIAGE EQUALITY for all people!

Check out THIS LINK for some ideas