Anna Richards - Featured Marriage Celebrant

I wasn’t always going to be a Celebrant. In fact, when I was growing up and I used to sneak around the house when my father was preparing his Sunday sermon, it couldn’t have been further from my thoughts that I would one day be officiating at similar ceremonies myself. I spent the first forty odd years of my career being a nurse, still am a nurse! 

Anna Richards, CMC with Julie & Joe

Funnily enough, one day I went to watch a marriage ceremony because my daughter was one of the bridesmaids and I came to see her looking beautiful. That ceremony changed my life. I kept thinking of myself being the Celebrant and how I would have conducted the ceremony. The thought wouldn’t leave me and even though my husband thought I was nuts and definitely didn’t think I was serious I went ahead and did the course. It was one of those short crash courses and, as I didn’t even know how to use a computer then, it was the most difficult week of my life.

Anna Richards, CMC with Helen & Pasquale

I spent weeks pre-reading and preparing for the course. Most of the others just went home and Googled what they needed to know! I plodded on regardless and got through (teacher was very happy). The problem was the Government decided we had far too many celebrants at this time and I had to wait two years before I was registered even though I was qualified. Finally registration came through! Now for a booking!  Being a rather shy person I didn’t mention to anyone that I was a celebrant so needless to say, I didn’t get many bookings. 

That was 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I love my work and only nurse two days a week so I can spend time expanding my Celebrancy business. In 2012 I updated my qualification to Certificate IV in Celebrancy at The Gordon Institute of TAFE in Geelong to be able to provide my couples with even more resources and to give them the best ceremony possible and something they will always remember because it was just as they imagined it.

I like to think of myself as the friendly Celebrant with a professional image who really cares about and listens to what my couples want. It is their day and it should be all about them. I give them a 20 page comprehensive Celebrant resource booklet which covers everything from the legalities to examples of vows, readings, music, writing your own vows and how to apply for an official marriage certificate.

I have learnt how to use the computer by the way, and my computer guru son is quite impressed how I now manage my own blog, website and various other forms of social media.

I love performing marriages for couples from overseas and have helped many couples obtain their prospective spouse visas.

My most memorable ceremony was in a suburban backyard where the groom decided, after having first said the legal vows, to sing his own vows to his bride.  I was a little apprehensive but she loved it and it was amazing how he kept it all together. We were all in stitches!

Anna Richards, CMC with Annie & Ben

Robbie Fincham - Featured Marriage Celebrant

Melbourne Marriage Celebrant ~ Boronia Wedding Celebrant
 

 

Based in Melbourne's outer east, servicing Melbourne metro, the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley region

 

2012 Gold Rose Celebrant & Secretary of the Civil Celebrations Network, Inc.

Hi, I'm Roberta, but everyone calls me 'Robbie'.

 

I'd never considered a career in celebrancy until my Father passed away 6 years ago. I found it extremely gratifying working with the funeral celebrant in the planning of his funeral. It was one of those 'lightning bolt' moments when I just knew that celebrancy was the meaningful career I had been looking for all my life. I have never looked back.


A wedding ceremony still holds the excitement, optimism and wonder today, as it always has. To be asked to be a part of this special event in a couple's lives, is indeed an honour. I can honestly say I just 'LOVE' meeting with couples and families and helping them plan their ceremony; one that tells their story, their hopes and dreams.



Robbie Fincham, CMC with Jessica & Shane at Chateau Wyuna

I listen carefully to my couples so I understand what's important to them. My aim is to translate their wishes into the 'ceremony of their dreams'.

The marriage ceremony marks an important rite of passage; moving from single to married. It has the potential to be a very powerful occasion. It shouldn't be just a few obligatory words thrown together before the reception party. Paying attention to all the little details can turn an ordinary ceremony into an extraordinary one.

There is no particular ceremony I've officiated at which stands out in my mind, as all ceremonies have been memorable in their own way. They were created with joy and pleasure and reflect the people for whom they were written. It is my endeavour, for every couple that entrusts me with facilitating their wedding ceremony, to exceed their expectations.

Robbie Fincham, CMC with Michelle & Darren at Healesville

To all my couples; past, present and future, I say 'Thank You' for allowing me the privilege of sharing this significant day in your lives.

Robbie Fincham, CMC with Kristy & Luke at Coldstream

Maryanne Sterling ~ Featured Marriage Celebrant

Melbourne Marriage Celebrant ~ Hoppers Crossing Wedding Celebrant

One of my goals in life was that of someday becoming a Civil Marriage Celebrant.

As my children grew up, I found that I had time to myself which allowed me to do the required course.

I love being with people from all walks of life and creating a ceremony that is designed especially for them, one that reflects their personalities. From the traditional service to a specific themed wedding I will work with the couple to ensure that their wedding is every thing they dreamed it would be and as stress free as possible.

I can provide couples with a wide range of ceremonies to suit them and also help them to create their own unique style. Some of the themes and sub ceremonies I have used in weddings have been sand ceremonies, rose, candles, cultural, medieval, releasing of doves, ring warming and the list goes on.

My services also go beyond marriage ceremonies. I also offer Renewal of vows, or Reaffirmation of vows, Commitment ceremonies, Namings and Major birthdays and Anniversaries.

Melanie & Kenan with Maryanne Sterling, CMC & husband

Chelsea & Karl with Maryanne Sterling CMC, & husband, Allan 

Maryanne Sterling, CMC celebrates the wedding of Leayane & Ian

I can honestly say that I do not have a single ceremony that stands out more than the rest. They have all been very enjoyable experiences. I travel to where I am needed even interstate. Weddings can be as simple as in my own garden, in a marquee or as glamorous as a 5 star reception room, each wedding ceremony is just as exciting and memorable.

Suzanne Katz - Featured Marriage Celebrant

Melbourne Marriage Celebrant ~ Canterbury Wedding Celebrant

I have been a celebrant for five years and love writing personal scripts, to celebrate the different stories told to me by my brides and grooms.

I'm keen to have every wedding special enough to reflect the people most closely concerned.  I especially love the stories of the proposals and the funny glitches, as they add a personal magic to the scripts

As a garden guide in the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, I like to weave in an analogy of how a good marriage is like a satisfying garden - full of different colour and foliage, much like all the experiences and traditions couples bring to their relationship and that they are different month to month, year to year and always a work in progress.

In the 3rd photo, my daughter, Georgia Puttock [husband, Tobie is a celebrity chef!] actually turned up as a guest at a wedding for which I was the celebrant!!! A coincidence!

Suzanne Katz, CMC ~ Kim & Stephen's wedding, Botanic Gardens, May 2012

Suzanne Katz, CMC ~ Natasha & Dougal, Parliament House Gardens, Apr. 2012

Tobie & Georgia Puttock with Suzanne Katz, CMC

Suzanne Katz, CMC ~ Sally & Brad's wedding, Lake House Daylesford, Dec. 2011

Barbara Cieslak - Featured Marriage Celebrant

Brisbane Marriage Celebrant ~ Heritage Park Wedding Celebrant

A Celebrant is something I always wanted to be but never had the opportunity until, getting redundancy from my fulltime work I jumped at the opportunity, and I have never looked back.

Barbara Cieslak, CMC - Kris & Lara-Jane's wedding

I love the work, and seeing so many happy couples makes my job very satisfying.







I have a Diploma in Business Management and also being a Justice of the Peace, I get to deal with people from all walks of life.

 Coming from an ethnic background gives me a greater understanding of the traditions of the different cultures. And with this in mind I include this in a lot of the ceremonies I perform.

Barbara Cieslak, CMC - Chris & Allison's wedding

As an example, I recently had the pleasure and the honour of performing a ceremony in 2 languages. Both English and Polish as I am fluent in the Polish language.

The couple in question were over the moon and couldn't thank me enough for making them feel so special, and their guests were absolutely thrilled. The couple were so grateful they came to my home the next day to thank me personally for making their day so unique. This ceremony would have to be one of my most memorable.

I am a very happy person and try to pass this on to all people I meet.

Every couple is special and I do my utmost to ensure their day is one they will never forget.

Julie Maclean - Featured Marriage Celebrant

Bellarine Peninsula Marriage Celebrant - Surf Coast Wedding Celebrant

I love living on the Surf Coast, but I didn't think I'd be a marriage celebrant here.

After the death of my father I wanted to be a funeral celebrant. I really enjoy alternative, personal funerals but I started getting booked for weddings, of friends at first. The more celebrants I spoke to, the more it seemed that they loved weddings for the happy, positive occasions that they are. Then I got hooked.

Julie Maclean, CMC - Andy & Jade's beach wedding

You can probably see from the photos that I am comfortable and enjoy all styles of weddings from backyard to stately home.

Couples who come to me want to be engaged in the whole process. They love to hear their story as part of the ceremony. They want something elegant but relaxed.

I wouldn't be able to single out one ceremony as being more memorable than the next because I get swept up in all of them for different reasons.

Julie Maclean, CMC - Fiona & Claude's special day

I believe in all the couples I meet. I know they go into marriage knowing it means challenges as well as rewards.

I sense there is a new generation that has a strong commitment to the ideal of family life and the strength of life partnerships, as difficult as they are. They go into marriage with their eyes open.

You could say that I am down to earth but an idealist and optimist.

Hear me on Life Matters on ABC Radio National.