Blue Mountains & Penrith Wedding Celebrant
I have over 25 years’ experience as a Blue Mountains Celebrant and love helping couples create unique ceremonies that are true reflections of their relationship. I would love to advise you and facilitate in making the celebration of your commitment and the expression of your vows everything you have dreamed of.
Sue was a caring and professional and a lovely person to deal with. Both my husband and I are so glad that we chose her for our ceremony as we both felt it was just what we had hoped for. Many of our guests complimented on how lovely our ceremony was, how beautiful it flowed and how well Sue spoke, she has a lovely and professional manner which made the ceremony perfect. Sue gave us many fantastic ideas for our ceremony which really helped to bring it all together to make it the perfect ceremony for us. I would highly recommend her for anyone considering an indoor or outdoor ceremony. Malynda and Tony x
Thank you Sue for making our ceremony so special. You did such a beautiful job, no stress, seamless and you made it so easy for us. A beautifully bubbly personality (very stylish too) I will be recommending you!
We had such a beautiful wedding in September in the midst of a pandemic and it was wonderful. Susan was our wonderful celebrant. Susan is so professional, has lots of advice and experience and listened to what we wanted which resulted in a ceremony that was so perfect for us. Thanks Susan
Sue ensured our wedding ceremony was personal and supplied some lovely ideas. Sue is very experienced and has a warm and vibrant personality. We felt very comfortable and supported when saying our vows. You can see that she enjoys what she does. Would recommend her to complete any style of wedding as she is very flexible. Narelle
We are so thankful to have found you to perform our wedding ceremony. There could not have been a more perfect person for the job! Thank you for being so easy to deal with, understanding and helping us from beginning to end.
Our ceremony was exactly how we wanted it and Susan made the whole experience easy and meaningful, with her professionalism and warmth. She provided us with ceremonies and readings to choose from, and we added our own touches to customise it. She helped us tailor it to include my mother in the ceremony and also a handfasting, which was particularly meaningful for us. It was a truly special ceremony and we will remember it always. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a celebrant. She will help you make your special day everything you wish for.
Sue created that personal touch for my sisters wedding. A day we still talk about! When I recommended Sue I knew that she would create a ceremony that my sister would remember. With this faith, I was excited to see my sisters day transpire to that romantic and intimate ceremony she dreamed of. Sue was attentive, aware and engaging. She listened to what was wanted and wove her magic. What more could a couple want!
From the moment that we contacted Sue, she was professional and helped us to create a perfect ceremony for our special day. To assist us, Sue provided us with great range of poems and verses. Sue's open and bubbly nature was perfect for our ceremony. Many of our guests commented on Sue's delivery, being clear and expressive. We would definitely recommend Sue to any couple who are looking for a friendly, professional and approachable celebrant.
Sue is the most amazing celebrant. She made out Vow Renewal such a beautiful experience. A lot of thought and love was given to our special day. Sue provided me with a plethora of poems and ideas to ensure my wife had a smile from ear to ear, all day long. She's professionalism was outstanding. She thought through every aspect of the day and my wife and I talk about it all the time. The scene that Sue set was one of beauty, calmness and clarity. Every participant on the day raved about Sue's delivery of her sermon and beautiful words. I can not recommend Sue highly enough for her ability to ensure every aspect of our day as extra special.
A Dedicated & Experienced Marriage Celebrant
They should be words that you come back to in the years ahead, to remind you of the truth in your relationship.
Your vows are the essence of your wedding day, and the joy and strength you will draw upon in your life journey together.
A Knowledgeable & Energetic Marriage Celebrant
The ceremony is about you, so it’s really important for me to listen to your ideas and be sensitive to the tone and style you would like to prevail on your wedding day.
The wedding celebrant should not be the centre of attention, but a facilitator – you or your friends and family can present readings, rituals, music – or I can just guide you through, giving your ceremony legality and making the proclamation of your marriage official.
An Inclusive Ceremony
In December 2017 the accepted notion of marriage changed. No longer can we accept the status quo of marriage being only for heterosexual couples and a compromise ceremony for LGBTQI members of the community. Marriage Equality was secured for all Australians.
A marriage ceremony is not only founded on legal implications but its function is to give formal expression to serious intent and to have this recognised and registered without compromise.
Specialising in Small Weddings
Small, Intimate Wedding Specialist
The term “micro weddings” was coined during the time of covid, but such weddings really are nothing new. Civil ceremonies are often small and intimate, which characterises them as heartfelt and memorable. Just the couple and their wedding party, a gathering of special friends to celebrate a special moment.
Sometimes the group will move into a luxury guesthouse for a weekend, self-cater and celebrate every hour – what a basis for future anniversaries!
Sometimes it will be just the family which gathers – parents, grandparents and perhaps the couple’s children; then the wedding is also the celebration and consolidation of family.
Intimate ceremonies can take place in private homes, too. It is exciting to see a house (or garden) transformed into a chapel of sorts – the arbour, the table-setting, the flowers, the fairy lights which come on as the celebration goes into the night …
Elopements
Of course the most intimate way to be married is an elopement.
What could be more romantic than running off with your beloved to a secret location?
Just you two, your two witnesses and celebrant.
You can choose a sentimental spot, in the mountains, by the sea, indoors or amongst nature – you just have to please yourselves.
The exchange of wedding vows is a private moment – which is what it should be. Those who witness are privileged indeed to intrude into this moment as you declare your intention to commit, “to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily, for life”. Such a private intention, as you call upon your witnesses to remark your taking of one another as partners in marriage, the culmination of dreams and plans not yet made public.
Reaffirmation Ceremonies
A wedding ceremony is the public declaration of the private commitment that you have made and it legalises your marriage.
A reaffirmation ceremony is a beautiful way to celebrate your ongoing commitment to this relationship on a wedding anniversary. It provides a formal occasion on which you can re-state your marriage vows minus the legal trappings. By law you can only be married once, but sometimes reaffirmations can also give friends or family the chance to witness some of the ceremony they may have missed years, months or weeks earlier.
Just Married!
Sue was a caring and professional and a lovely person to deal with. Both my husband and I are so glad that we chose her for our ceremony as we both felt it was just what we had hoped for. Many of our guests complimented on how lovely our ceremony was, how beautiful it flowed and how well Sue spoke, she has a lovely and professional manner which made the ceremony perfect. Sue gave us many fantastic ideas for our ceremony which really helped to bring it all together to make it the perfect ceremony for us. I would highly recommend her for anyone considering an indoor or outdoor ceremony. Malynda and Tony x
Thank you Sue for making our ceremony so special. You did such a beautiful job, no stress, seamless and you made it so easy for us. A beautifully bubbly personality (very stylish too) I will be recommending you!
We had such a beautiful wedding in September in the midst of a pandemic and it was wonderful. Susan was our wonderful celebrant. Susan is so professional, has lots of advice and experience and listened to what we wanted which resulted in a ceremony that was so perfect for us. Thanks Susan
Sue ensured our wedding ceremony was personal and supplied some lovely ideas. Sue is very experienced and has a warm and vibrant personality. We felt very comfortable and supported when saying our vows. You can see that she enjoys what she does. Would recommend her to complete any style of wedding as she is very flexible. Narelle
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Servicing Blue Mountains & Sydney
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Ceremony by Design a registered COVID-safe business?
Yes. You can find more information in my article about COVID Safe Weddings.
Absolutely – read about my Ceremony Planning Session.
Yes, I have probably done more same-sex than straight weddings since January 2018.
Yes, we will have 2-3 meetings to discuss your ceremony and fill out a Notice of Intended Marriage, and after your wedding I send all your documents to Births, Deaths and Marriages and register your marriage online immediately.
Not specifically, but I can write a letter for you to take to the Department of Immigration as evidence of your intention to marry in Australia.
Yes – I have lots of suggestions on giving them a role to play.
Absolutely not.
No, but I can make suggestions.
If you think you need one, I will hire one on your behalf and charge you $75.
No, but it must be understood by the bride, groom, two witnesses and me.
I can conduct ceremonies in French, German and Bahasa Indonesia/Melayu, but for other languages you will need a qualified interpreter.
You must be over the age of 18, not related to one another and not married to someone else.
You must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (provided by me) and lodged (with me) one month before the wedding date and no more than 18 months before.
You must show me your passport or birth certificate and your photo ID.
You must get the permission of a parent or guardian, as well as court approval (in some cases court approval is sufficient). Under no circumstances can both of you be under 18.
I must see your final divorce order or a death certificate.
How long before the ceremony will you arrive?
At least half an hour before.
Your second meeting in my office is our opportunity to go through your ceremony in as much detail as you need. If you need me to travel to your ceremony venue, there will be a charge for that and you must give me a month’s notice and the time must be negotiated.
The Blue Mountains, Penrith and Western Sydney, Northern Beaches, Inner West and Sydney CBD.