Profound Memorial Service
On Saturday afternoon I attended the most profound memorial service for a dear friend's partner who died tragically in a motorbike accident the week before. Liz Hayes was the Celebrant and she handled the service with such dignity and respect that I am crying right now at how beautiful it was. Liz you are truly amazing!
Silvana Macri
The Cost of a Wedding
When looking at the budget for your wedding, remember that the ceremony is the central part of the whole event. The ceremony is the marriage – without an authorised Celebrant or a Religious Minister there is no legal standing to the marriage.
If choosing a personalised, specially written Marriage Ceremony, this can involve many hours of careful preparation and discussion together with your Celebrant. These are the words that will tell your story – and reflect who you are as a couple. Remember also, that the Celebrant is not being paid only for the ceremony itself, but for all the preparation beforehand.
Fees for a wedding ceremony can vary greatly, depending on the day of the week, the venue and how much time will be needed to prepare the readings and vows. Scripting a perfect wedding takes care and time, both on the part of the Celebrant and of the couple.
If choosing a simple, midweek ceremony this will usually ensure lower costs from other suppliers as well as celebrants. A midweek wedding is a great way to stay within a budget!
Fees may include some or all of the following:
- Preparation and lodgement of legal paperwork i.e. NOIM, Marriage Certificates
- Preparation, design and writing of your ceremony, usually in regular consultation with the Bride and Groom.
- Unlimited email exchange and phone calls.
- Supply of signing table, chairs and PA system for Celebrant use on the day if required
- Celebrant’s travelling costs
Weddings can be expensive: there is no doubt about that. Below are some Fun Facts! Interestingly the Marriage Celebrant doesn’t even rate a mention…..
According to Bride to Be magazine's 2010 "Cost of Love'' survey, the average wedding in Australia is now setting couples back $29,966 for the big day, plus $7,194 for engagement rings and wedding bands, $7,105 for the honeymoon and $4031 in pre-wedding parties, for a grand total of $48,296 per "I do''.
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96
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– Average number of guests at an Australian wedding
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$10,701
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– Average reception cost for food and drink
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$4,043
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– Average spent on bridal party clothes and accessories
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$3,030
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– Average spent to clothe the bride and groom
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$4,234
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– Average spend on photography and videography
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$919
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– Average that couples spend on flowers
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$907
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– Average spent on transport
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$418
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– Average spent on the cake
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$7,105
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– Average that couples will spend on their honeymoon
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These figures are taken from an article by Jessica Irvine, News Limited's National Economics Editor. This article is both interesting and enlightening and certainly worth a read.
I have a fees list on my website as I know how important budgeting ahead can be for some couples. The fees should be taken as a guide however, as there are other factors to be taken into account. Feel free to ask.