Choosing a celebrant is a very personal thing!

I always suggest that people don't choose a celebrant until they have sat down, 'face to face'
with them, and got a 'feel' for them.  A phone conversation can give you a pretty good idea about someone, and a website is useful too, but face to face is best!

I am always happy to have a face-to-face introductory meeting first before you choose me to be your celebrant for the big day.  It is important that you feel comfortable, relaxed and 'right' with your celebrant.


           
Just just to get you started, here's a few informal thoughts on my background
and my approach to it all:

I think I first got involved with ceremonies and weddings at the age of 15 earning $10 for handing out programs and sweeping up the confetti after the ceremonies at the local church my family attended every Sunday! I graduated later to playing the organ for weddings. The money got a little better!

Since then, as a professional keyboard player-musician and singer / actor / reader I have been closely involved in the planning and performing of countless weddings and other rituals over the years.

             I have spent most of my life working in theatre, and in some ways, ceremonies are very similar to theatre, requiring many of the skills a performer learns over the years.

However, the piece of 'theatre' we will devise together is a very personal one-off experience
and it is important that it be tailored to your needs and the vision you have of the day.

I am well-equipped to 'stage-manage' new or unusual rituals as part of a ceremony.
I tend know what will work and what will not, and what is required by the celebrant to make an unusual ritual work; in other words, the preparation and practicalities of 'staging' an event'. 

Civil ceremonies are a relatively new phenomenon in our culture, and as a society we are still working out how to 'do' them, establishing our own traditions and practices.  Being imaginative and trying something new is the most exciting part of planning a ceremony!

The best thing about a civil wedding ceremony compared to a religious one is that, except for a few specific legalities that must be performed a certain way, you have complete freedom to devise whatever ceremony you like!

            My performance skills mean that I have a good clear voice and I will be heard clearly in all environments, (readings will be delivered with appropriate panache if necessary!)

Creatively, I am used to devising my own performances so my style tends to reflect that; constantly looking for the personal touches in each ceremony that will have resonance for you, the other participants, and your guests.   Personalizing a ceremony is everything!

            My standard services for a wedding (usually) include:

            1. A couple of face to face meetings, (first meeting about 2 hours)

            2. Email / phone consults as necessary.

            3. The processing of the "NOIM",
                (the "Notice Of Intention To Marry" (the form that has to be signed
                at least 31 days before the ceremony) 


            4. My presence on the day of course, presenting and guiding your personalized ceremony.

            5. The processing of all forms after the ceremony.

                   Please feel free to phone or email for further info!

             I'm happy to just chat about your ceremony ideas and advise you!

            Geoffrey