Sydney Marriage Celebrant
Vanessa Ballard

If you're anything like me, I like to know how much things cost upfront.  How annoying, not to mention time-consuming to have to meet with a celebrant just to get a quote! I don't do business this way - I prefer to be totally transparent and publish my fee.

 

So, let's cut to the chase:

 

My fee is $995 with an additional $100 if you would like a rehearsal. I don't include a rehearsal because many couples opt not to have one - so why pay for something you don't need?

 

You might think this sounds a bit steep for turning up for half an hour on your wedding day, but there's a lot more to it:

 

• Initial meeting - up to 1 hour

• Second meeting - up to 2 hours

• In the lead up: correspondence, data entry of couples' details into the Births, Deaths and Marriages database, preparation of legal documents, preparation of ceremony - up to 5 hours

• Day before the ceremony: PA check and charge, print ceremony, print and check legal documents, rehearse ceremony to ensure a smooth delivery on the day  - up to 2 hours

• Day of the ceremony: travel to and from the location,  sound-check, liaise with all suppliers ie. photographer, videographer, decorator, wedding coordinator etc, conduct the ceremony, pack up - up to 3 hours

• After the ceremony: lodge marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages, and compose final email - up to 2 hours
   

It's around 15 hours of work.

 

A non-refundable deposit of $300 is payable upon booking, with the balance due two weeks before the wedding.

 

MY FEE INCLUDES:

 

• Completion of all legal paperwork

• I give you a Ceremony Planning Kit which contains vows, readings, poems and ring exchanges

• A professionally written ceremony that is tailored to you as a couple

• Provision of relationship services information

• Conducting your ceremony according to Australian law

• Your keepsake marriage certificate

• Registering your marriage with Births, Deaths and Marriages online

• Top of the range portable PA system with a wireless microphone to ensure all guests can hear the ceremony. You can also play music through my PA if you wish to make up a playlist

 

ADDITIONAL COSTS

 

• Travel beyond a 30km radius of my home in Freshwater is charged at $1/km.

• If the wedding is on the harbour the cost of the return water taxi.

• Standard marriage certificate provided by Births, Deaths and Marriages $60.  This certificate is required if one party wishes to change their name, or if a couple is applying for a spousal visa. If required the fee is paid directly to Births, Deaths and Marriages which is why I don't include this cost as part of my fee. 

 

Payment methods accepted: cash, direct bank deposit or credit card.

 

Fill out the contact form below to see if I'm available for your big day.