Commitments
A Commitment ceremony is a celebration of the bond of love between any two people, not necessarily same sex couples.
At this time in Australia commitments are not legally recognized as a marriage. However, if you are both residents of the state of Tasmania, 28 days after a commitment ceremony, application may be made to the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages to record your significant caring relationship.
Commitment ceremonies can be celebrated publicly with family and community of friends, or as privately and intimately as desired.
Almost all the key elements of a traditional wedding ceremony can be found in a commitment ceremony. The celebration can be as rich with ritual, readings, poetry, music and song, dance, costumes or film, or as simple and unadorned as you desire.
You will need to think especially about the vows and promises that you will be making to one another.
Most importantly, your ceremony should reflect who you are and how you both feel about your relationship, your hopes and wishes for each other.
Your choice of ceremonial venue may be guided by mutual sentiment, for example where you first met or your favourite getaway location.
Timing for celebrations is often influenced by special anniversaries.
What next?
Make contact with me and lock in your chosen date and time.
We will then need to meet to get to know one another and to discuss questions or queries you may have.A non refundable deposit is paid at this meeting.
At that time I will either give you a package of information or organise to email it to you. This compilation of information contains samples of six ceremonies, additional readings, rituals, music etc to assist in the development of your personalized ceremony.
By mutual arrangement our liaison continues in person, by email, fax, phone or mail.
Close to the ceremony date, we meet again at the ceremonial venue, if possible, for a rehearsal, with as many members of the ceremonial group as possible.The remainder of your fee is also paid at this meeting.
For couples enquiring from overseas and mainland Australia
The procedure prior to the ceremony will probably need to be modified slightly.
- Initial enquiry is usually by email or phone.
- Payment of non-refundable deposit is essential so I can secure your date and time.
- On receipt of your deposit, I will email a package of information to you in Microsoft Word format OR mail it to you via express post.
- We can then email or mail ceremony drafts until you are happy.
- We’ll need to meet a day or two prior to your ceremony for your rehearsal and any last minute discussion that may be required.
- Payment of the remainder of my fee will need to be paid prior to your ceremony.
What does my fee cover?
- Complete choice of personalized ceremony.
- A package of information containing sample ceremonies, readings/poetry, rituals, music/songs etc.
- Loan of “Ceremonies and Celebrations” if desired.
- Unlimited access to me to discuss your ceremony.
- A rehearsal at your chosen venue.
- A commemorative copy of your ceremony.
- A certificate of commitment.
- Appreciation certificates for any ceremonial participants eg readers, ring bearers.
- A guarantee that I will arrive 20 minutes before your ceremony is due to commence.
- A guarantee that I will not rush away immediately the ceremony concludes.
- A guarantee of total familiarity with your ceremony and also that my part will be read with total interest and sincerity.
- To the best of my ability I will dress to suit the occasion.
- Use of a portable CD/tape player.
Payment is calculated as follows: A non refundable booking fee of $100.00 paid on booking, or at the first meeting. The balance of $250.00 is paid prior to the ceremony, usually at the rehearsal. I prefer payment in cash.
Additional costs may include a traveling charge if I am required to travel more than 80 kms (round trip).
A PA system, if required, can be made available on a for-hire basis.