Peter Phillips, Marriage Celebrant for Sydney Weddings
As you begin your life’s journey together
Let me make your special day the most memorable ever
Civil ceremonies are an intensely personal and significant occasion. Whether you are pledging your life to your partner, welcoming a new child into the world or saying farewell to a loved one, my aim is to make sure that you have the ceremony you want – formal or informal, sophisticated or simple.
Love is love and it is everyone’s right to marry their chosen partner and to start their journey with a ceremony that reflects their relationship and personalities.
I am confident that I can take you, step-by-step, through this exciting, tender and serious time of your life. Together we can create the most memorable occasion for you.
Memorable Weddings
A civil marriage ceremony is a non-religious legal ceremony and no two ceremonies are alike. It is important that you make the ceremony your own, incorporating cultural traditions, values and beliefs that represent who you are and what your relationship stand for.
I am thrilled with the 2017 changes to the marriage act and welcome all couples to reach out about crafting a ceremony that reflects your love and life together.
You will have unlimited access to me in person, phone or email. As a minimum, I encourage you to attend two consultations with me, for the purpose of signing the legal documentation and to discuss the requirements of your ceremony.
Ceremonies can be performed at anytime and at any location whether you want a traditional or an adventurous ceremony.
Reviews
Other Services
Renewal of Vows
A Renewal of Vows is for any married couple wishing to celebrate their love in a unique and personal ceremony.
Often these ceremonies are associated with a special wedding anniversary such as a tenth, twenty-fifth, etc., but the ceremony is just as appropriate for couples at any stage of marriage. Your ceremony can be as traditional or as creative as you wish. You can replicate your original commitment ceremony as closely as possible, or you can do something different, have the ceremony you would have liked to have had the first time round, but for various reasons, did not.
It is sometimes particularly relevant to those who have been through a difficult period and have put a strain on their relationship but wish to celebrate their renewed commitment to each other.
Together we can create a ceremony that will celebrate your marriage, whether it’s just the two of you or in front of hundreds of loved ones.
Commitment Ceremonies
A commitment ceremony allows you, as a couple, to make yourself heard. It allows you to celebrate something that is significant to you with your loved ones and it gathers your community together, giving them an opportunity to reflect on your words in a formalised manner.
While a commitment ceremony has no legal standing, it is a ceremony that makes public your love that is interior and private. It is therefore an important and moral act that will reaffirm your commitment and love and therefore provide a sense of stability and permanence.
Naming Ceremonies
A naming ceremony is an official welcoming of your child into the everyday world that we live. It is also an opportunity to declare, before family and friends, your promise to be as good a parent as you can, and for adult friends, or relatives to confirm their special relationship with your child. It is basically non-religious, and also recognises the role of Godparents and Guardians, who are important in the life of your child.
Funerals
Saying farewell to a loved one is never easy and it is absolutely imperative that a service is carried out with as little disruption to the immediate family as possible. I will help you send off the departed with the dignity and respect that they deserve, conducting a ceremony that reflects their life and personality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal requirements are in place for Marriage in Australia?
You’ll need to both be over the age of 18 years, and have two witnesses present on the day of your marriage who are also over the age of 18. If either of you have previously been married, you’ll need to produce your divorce papers and/or if either of your spouses are deceased, a Death Certificate.
English birth certificates are required if you are Australian born, otherwise you’ll need a birth certificate and passport from your country of birth.
You’ll also need to sign your Notice of Intended Marriage with me no less than one calendar month prior to the marriage. I can provide this form when you first meet with me.
How far in advance should I contact you?
You’ll need to sign a Notice of Intended Marriage with me at least one month before your wedding, but ideally you should talk to me as soon as you’ve decided on a date, time, and location for your ceremony. You can contact me earlier than this if you need any advice though, I’m happy to help.
What do we need to do after we are married?
You’ll need to obtain a registered copy of your Marriage Certificate. I can take care of this, or you can obtain it yourselves the next working day from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
If you’re a resident from a country outside the British Commonwealth, you’ll also need to obtain an Apostile stamp from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Sydney. This will allow you to register your marriage in your country of residence. Again, I can help with this if needed.
Get In Touch
0431 156 603
peter@peterphillipscelebrant.com.au
