the 10 step process - getting married by me

the 10 step process - getting married by me

A quick note on accessibility and inclusion by design

My process has been designed to be digital first because that’s what works for me and most of my couples, and it keeps important information safe and secure. HOWEVER, I know digital doesn’t always work for everyone, so if you have alternate access requirements or even just different preferences, please reach out - I’ve got alternate processes and procedures ready to go. Some examples of what I can offer include: meeting face-to-face instead of online, working via an interpreter or translator, receiving information from you verbally instead of in writing (including interviewing and transcribing), and providing information to you in different formats (Easy Read/visual-first, plain text files, verbal).

An illustrated bouquet of flowers with a pink bow, containing a mix of roses, a tulip, leaves, and Elle's signature celebrant pen and microphone, all tied with a large pink bow.
Sydney's best celebrant sitting on a black leather armchair in an industrial-style room, smiling while looking at her laptop. The room features framed art on the wall, a round wooden coffee table, and a cowhide rug on the concrete floor.

Step 1: Send me an enquiry

The first and most important question is “are you available on our chosen date?” Sending me an enquiry allows me to check the diary and let you know if I’m free. Hopefully I’m available, but in the event I’m not, I’ll hook you up with some awesome recommendations for like-minded celebrants. Please note that I generally don’t book couples in if they’ve not yet chosen a date, except if you’re looking to do a Sydney elopement because I can usually squeeze those in.

Get in touch
Colorful illustration of a pair of white sneakers with pink soles, red hearts on the toes and sides, green and red stripes on the sides, and pink laces, linked by a common theme of love.
Wedding ceremony on a wooden platform at Wildwood in Kangaroo Valley, the woman in a white wedding dress and veil, man in a light-colored suit, Elle the celebrant is wearing a lilac suit and holding a microphone. They are all laughing uproariously.

Step 2: Vibe check

If I’m free on your date, I’ll send you a link to book in a quick virtual catch-up so we can suss each other out. I cannot overstate how important it is to work with vendors you like and trust, and I want you to have confidence when you choose me as your marriage celebrant. This is an obligation-free call full of mutual info dumping and is designed to give you peace of mind before booking in.

An illustration of two dogs, one blue and one orange, playing tug-of-war with a rope toy that features a heart-shaped knot.
Black and white photo of Elle the celebrant with long curly hair, she has her hands clasped together and is crying with joy upon seeing a bride (but also this is her face when you do book your marriage ceremony with her)

Step 3: Book it in!

After the vibe check, I’ll send you all the info and paperwork you need to get booked in by email - you can sign your contract, pay your non-refundable booking fee, and access your client portal with just a few clicks. Note that I don’t generally chase once I’ve sent this information out - ball is in your court, no hard sell here. Not my jam.

A tarot card illustration of Elle the Sydney celebrant with pink hair holding a microphone and a cocktail glass with a lime garnish. The card has the text 'the CELLEbrant' at the top.
Elle's marriage celebrant iPad and Apple Pencil with a digital copy of the required Notice of Intended Marriage form open on the screen

Step 4: Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

The first legal step towards getting married! I have a custom webform for gathering all your information so I can automate all your marriage paperwork and avoid typos. I’ll send you an already-reviewed PDF version of your NOIM and we will do a remote witnessing video call at a time of your choosing to get it signed and lodged a minimum of one calendar month before your big day. Simples!

Close up of two hands with their wedding bands after their marriage ceremony with Elle the marriage celebrant in the Hawkesbury
Illustration of two hands of different skin tones holding each other, with a green rope wrapped around their wrists and hanging down in a handfasting ritual.

Step 5: Couples’ questionnaires

Every single love story is different and unique, and I wanna know yours! Part of me crafting a perfectly personalised and completely custom ceremony means I need to know you REALLY well, and that’s where my couples questionnaires come in. Both parties fill these out separately and with no peeking, spilling the tea and giving me all the info I need to make everyone think we’ve been mates for years. Works every time!

Illustration of a pink rolling suitcase decorated with colorful hearts and rings, with the text 'Just Wed' on it.
A bride and groom holding hands and smiling at each other during their wedding ceremony at The Homestead in Berry, with Elle the celebrant between them laughing and holding a microphone.

Step 6: Planning meeting

About a month before your big day, your final payment is due and we have an online planning meeting to finalise all the details for your wedding ceremony. Using your answers from the questionnaires and my knowledge and experience with customising ceremonies, I guide you through every single consideration and we co-design the perfect ceremony for you. We also talk logistics and timing so I can finalise the run sheet and liaise with your other vendors as required.

Illustration of a microphone with a pink head and an orange handle.
A bride in a maroon dress and a groom in a black velvet tuxedo are posing with Elle the celebrant in a navy suit after their wedding. They are all doing T-Rex arms and laughing in a nod to their neurodivergent selves.

Step 7: Vow writing

Look, sometimes this happens earlier in the process, but not often - most people leave this to the week before. I’m used to it. With my guidance, you’ll each write your personal vows (if you’re doing them). I’m here to help if you’re stuck for words - we can workshop them, I can make proofread, whatever you need. You each send your vows to me a week out from your marriage ceremony for cross-checking and printing into custom vow booklets that I bring with me on the day of your wedding.

A wedding cake that is actually a stack of four wheels of cheese of varying sizes, with a pink flower on top, green leaves, and a green banner that says "brie mine forever". The cake is on a blue stand.
Elle the civil marriage celebrant is holding her iPad Pro and sitting with a groom before his Inner West Sydney marriage ceremony talking him through the DONLIM before he signs it

Step 8: Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage (DONLIM)

The second legal step for getting married gets done just before the ceremony - we sign the DONLIM to confirm your legal availability for marriage. I must speak to each party separately, and it’s usually the day before or the day of the wedding depending on location and logistics. The final thing we do before you say “I Do”!

A hand with red manicured nails holding Elle's signature celebrant pen that has a giant gemstone on top, emitting sparkles like it is her sword.
Two women wrapped in a colorful quilt, standing on a rock near a river with trees and distant hills in the background. One woman is kissing the other's forehead, both smiling.

Step 9: The marriage ceremony!

The third legal step in getting married in Australia is your actual marriage ceremony! Finally, the culmination of all our work together as we share a beautiful bonding moment with all your loved ones and get you hitched. I say some words, you say some words, we have two legal witnesses who saw all of us say those words, then we all sign some paperwork after and TAA DAA just like that, you’re married!

Two illustrated champagne glasses clinking together in celebration with pink liquid inside them.
What are you waiting for?
Elle the marriage celebrant stands between a newlywed couple on the private dining room at Cafe Sydney after their microwedding.

Step 10: Registration

While you party the night away, I head home and register your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages. Depending on your movements in the weeks after your wedding, I will also order your official certificate of marriage from them and have it posted to you. I’ll send you a confirmation email that everything is finalised.

Get started now!

  • "Elle was so wonderful to collaborate with. She made our wedding so special. She weaved in touches into the ceremony that were so beautifully curated and individual to us. She never made me feel.like a difficult customer for wanting something that prioritized connection and ritual without the sappyness. Everyone told me it was the best wedding ceremony they had ever attended and they thought she had known us for years. Would recommend her to anyone, but particularly those wanting a beautiful bespoke ceremony." Maire & David

  • "The entire experience with Elle from our very first meeting right through to the moment she pronounced us husband and wife was inspiring. She revelled in understanding who we were and the kind of ceremony we wanted, and her delivery was breathtaking. Elle's storytelling delivery of our journey together as a couple as told by her, as well as our vows and all the legally required stuff in between... it was just above and beyond! Elle's heart is in everything she does for you and you could absolutely not ask for a better celebrant! " Dom & Leonie

  • "Elle is an absolute gem! Best celebrant ever! She made our ceremony so special, listened carefully to our needs, and took a huge load off our shoulders with her amazing knowledge and skills for ceremonies and all the personal touches we wanted to include. If you’re after a modern celebrant who believes in inclusivity for all, book Elle!" Blossom & Alistair