Are your services all inclusive of your fee?

Yes, with exception of two things. The Marriage Certificate Application, at the cost of $60.00. You can arrange this yourself for the same fee, although you will need to physically go into a BDM office with 100 points of ID, to register, taking up a couple of hours of your valuable time. Or, you can allow me to arrange at the same time I register your marriage, as I lodge all your info at the same time! I am very happy to do this as a part of the service I offer. A fee of $1.00 per km will be applied to cover any travel to rehearsal, or the ceremony, that exceeds 80 km from my office.

Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant - Marriage Celebrants Blaxland

OVERVIEW

Why?

Because I genuinely wish to help create the most incredible day of memories, by designing a unique and very personal ceremony for you both to rejoice in.

I will take care of every detail concerning the legalities of getting married while guiding you through the process with enthusiasm and genuine joy.

And, if sharing your love story with your family and friends by having it woven into your ceremony is something that appeals to you, then I'm your celebrant!

I am a happy, friendly and enthusiastic, young 60year old, who can be depended upon to be punctual, practical, calm, helpful, professional, and willing to step outside the box, when necessary!

I would be delighted to have a no-obligation meeting at your convenience, to see if we suit, and another if you decide to proceed.

I can create a ceremony that will be customised to your personalities, your journey so far, and your dreams for the future.

Or, design a simpler ceremony, if you prefer, for a price that will reflect that.

I will also include a wedding rehearsal, and provide a cordless PA system that will supply excellent sound, even in a paddock or on the beach!

So, pick me! Because being married by a person who sincerely cares, can make all the difference! ??

About

I am a genuine romantic and have eagerly performed over 40 weddings, so far. They were amazing experiences, and am told, delivered with the natural, happy confidence of someone who has been doing it for many years, and really enjoys her job! 🌼 I am joyfully building my experience, and as you will find from reading my reviews, it shows! I love meeting new couples, helping them design the ceremony of their dreams, and sharing their love stories with family and friends. So, pick me! 😉

Mrs Michelle Cottell

Marriage Celebrant

Photos

‹ › ×

Easy Weddings Special Offer

Discount on our range of wedding products and services. Simply fill out the contact form or phone us, and mention "Easy Weddings".

Apply my 5% discount

All-Inclusive Wedding Package from $900

Minimum X consultations and face-to-face meetings
Personalised crafted ceremony and service
Unlimited support via phone, email and video conferencing
All legalities, registration and paperwork
Vow writing
Rehearsals
PA system provided
Travel included within 80km

As a special offer, I will arrange for your official Marriage Certificate, to be delivered to your home by Registered Post. This will allow you to legally change your name after marriage.

Enquire to claim offer Enquire to claim offer

FAQ

What do we expect from you, if we engage you as our Celebrant?

I will happily provide you with:

Unlimited phone and email support, plus a second meet, if needed.

A personally designed Ceremony.

A rehearsal at an agreed location.

A presentation copy of the Ceremony.

A decorative Wedding Certificate.

A quality, PA system, with a wireless microphone.

Administration, completion and lodgement of all necessary and legal paperwork, including the lodging of your Notice of Intended Marriage.

All these tasks will be done with the greatest of enthusiasm, professionalism and willingness to please!

Do we need to bring anything to the first meeting?

Yes please!

For the sake of efficiency, if you choose to proceed on the day, you will need to have with you:

Your Original birth certificates.

A photo ID, whether it be a driving licence or a passport.

Any paperwork pertaining to the finalisation of a previous marriage, ie: divorce papers or a death certificate.

These will be used to fill out the first legal document, The Notice Of Intended Marriage, of which all others will be based upon.

Do we get to choose what we want in the ceremony?

Of course! This is your wedding.

I am here to guide you and take the burden off some of your decision-making, by making those necessary choices as easy as possible.

I will email you, or give you a hard copy of the ceremony format, which will include suggestions of readings, poems, rituals, vows, pledges, and ring ceremonies. It is user-friendly, and you will just have to read through it and email me your choices. I will then build the ceremony around your choices and email you the draft, for your approval.

What are the other legalities we need to be aware of?

There are several matters to be abided by, to create a legal and binding Ceremony of Marriage.

Firstly, you need to prove you are free to marry. Eg: Are over 18 years of age, not married now, etc.

That you are, who you say you are, by proof of identity.

Then, there are a few specific sentences that need to be included in the ceremony, to make it legal. But I will take care of that for you.

You will need to choose two witnesses, over the age of 18 years, that will sign the marriage registry and documents, on the day.

Can I use our marriage certificate that we get on the day, to change my name?

No, unfortunately not.

You need to apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for an original Marriage Certificate, at the cost of $60.00. You can do this yourself, after your wedding day, but will need to go in person, and take in 100 points of identification.

Or, you can let me do it on your behalf, when I lodge your wedding documents, for registration of your marriage.

It will still cost you the $60.00, but with none of the inconvenience, or time wasted lining up at the Registry!

3 reviews 5 Write a Review

March 2021

Show moreShow less

We are so glad that we chose Michelle to be a part of our special day. She went above and beyond to ensure that our ceremony was absolutely perfect. The amount of thought and personalization that went into our ceremony was incredible. Michelle touched base with us regularly, asking us lots of questions, getting to know us on a personal level and included all this information in our ceremony. Her professionalism is outstanding. She went out of her way to make sure that everything ran smoothly. This was done with our meetings leading up to the day, our phone calls, a rehearsal and she even popped in to both the bride and groom on the day of the wedding to check in, calm some nerves. She is a beautiful lady inside and out and we loved having her as a part of our special day.

Hannah H.

Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant

You are so, so welcome! 🌷 I really enjoyed every one of our conversations and meetings, especially the rehearsal with your family. You all made it so much fun with your love and laughter, that it didn't seem like work at all, but an evening spent with great friends! I am very touched by your appreciation and wonderful words of praise, but you made my job easy being the genuinely lovely family that you are. Thank you. Seriously, thank you. 💖

January 2021

Show moreShow less

My husband and I couldn’t have dreamt up a more perfect ceremony, Michelle put some much love and time getting to know us and our story and had everyone at the wedding speechless with her elegant and well thought out ceremony. We had some many people share there love for the wedding and more especially the ceremony Michelle put together. I feel like we honestly made a friend for life, we love and adore her more then we can express. The one thing my partner and I have said throughout this process is our sheer joy for choosing Michelle, especially with everything that went on with Covid-19 and postponing our wedding Michelle regularly checked in to see how we were traveling and with all the stress it was just what we needed to keep us excited! So for that we are eternally grateful! So to conclude we couldn’t thank her

Bernice M.

Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant

Oh, Bernice and Luke, thank you so much for such high praise and kind words. Your warmth and sincerity shine through. I am truly humbled... Thank you, for making it such an enjoyable and heartwarming experience. It was a wonderful day and you both looked so beautiful and happy, it must have lifted everyone's spirits, as it did mine! Wishing you much love and laughter, and many blessings, always! 💝

July 2019

Show moreShow less

Michelle gave us our absolute dream wedding. She was so warm and professional and so many of our guests commented on what a wonderful job she did, and what a personal feel our ceremony had. She listened to everything I asked for, and delivered it and I truly couldn’t have asked for a better celebrant. The whole ceremony went off without a hitch and Michelle made sure everything was organised for me and that I had nothing to worry about. Thank you so much Michelle- and whilst I hope not to have to use your services again haha (unless it’s a renewal of vows), I’m so happy I chose you and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Rachel A.

Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant

Dearest Rachel, although you were my second wedding, you and Josh were the first couple to trust me with your incredibly important day. For that I will be forever grateful. 🤗 It was such a fabulous setting, for such a beautiful bride, and the happiness that you both radiated was contagious! We all felt and shared it. Plus, it was fun, too!! Thank you so much Rach and Josh. 🌹

Expert Advice

As a wedding professional, Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant offers expert advice to help couples plan their perfect day. Ask a question or read their expert advice.

Get Expert Advice

Do celebrants charge more for new year's eve weddings?

Wondering if there are surcharges for special dates like this.

Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant

Perhaps, some Celebrants do, but I am not one of them. If I would rather not work NYE I won't take the job!

Should we have signs at our ceremony to leave the front row vacant for immediate family?

I was thinking maybe this is tacky, but then maybe it's necessary. (Or am I really just overthinking it?) Someone suggested that this is the role of the celebrant - to ensure that it's family in the first row. Is that generally true?

Michelle Cottell - Marriage Celebrant

Dear Bride,

that's a great question, and not tacky at all!

In my experience, everyone invited to the wedding knows it is an unspoken rule that the front row is reserved for the family, if not the first two rows!

At my last three weddings, I had to encourage people who were standing, to come and sit in the empty chairs in other rows, so it looks much better in the photos!

But if you wish, it would be easier and more discreet to place a sign in the middle of the front rows, on both sides, saying 'Reserved for Family' with arrows going either side.

Just think, unless all the family have been introduced to the Celebrant, she/he would not know which family members were included in the reserved seating!

Also, I believe that it would be an unnecessary burden for the Celebrant as they have other essential duties to perform leading up to the start time, so all is set to run smoothly.

Wishing you all the best on your wedding day.

Warm regards, Michelle ??