A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
OVERVIEW
Are you looking for someone to help you make your big dream day come true? One that everyone will enjoy but especially you? Do you want to have FUN?
Well, I’m your guy. Lou, - Lou Szymkow.
I’m a Life Celebrant with over 40 years of experience in public life and creating ceremonies to ensure that it is uniquely and authentically your own; an enriching, memorable and fun experience.
We can confidently work together to ensure your ceremony will be exceptional. It is all about you and your wedding ceremony.
I’m also more than happy to travel at your convenience. I work toward Marriage ceremonies celebrating your individuality and choices, while carefully including the legal requirements needed for your wedding.
About
I love what I do.... and so do my couples & their families. The most frequently heard words after one of my Ceremonies is "that was beautiful" and "we had so much fun" I make it easy for you, I listen to you, and work with you., and I add my own unique touches to your ceremony to make it uniquely yours. I want your Ceremony to be one that you and all of your guests will enjoy and will remember
Mr Lou Szymkow
Marriage/Civil Celebrant
Videos
FAQ
Give me the date and location, I will advise immediately.
I typically will accept only one booking per day to ensure you have my full and undivided attention.
I have been involved in Celebrancy in one way or another for over 30 years but only registered as an Authorised Marriage Celebrant in December 2015. I have performed to crowds from 8 to about 5000, from backyards to major venues.
I mentor a large number of other Celebrant across Australia and have acess to incredible resources so am sure to be able to assist in almost any circumstance (though can't deep sea scuba dive anymore).
Free free to ask any questions or even have a look at my webpage where I have answers to well over 220 wedding questions, (some of which are a bit curly), so don't be afraid to ask me. You may also occassionally here me on radio interviews.
All my prices are freely available on my website but let's have a chat about where what and when you need with any inclusions, to make your ceremony perfect, and then we can finalise your investment amount.
I typically spend around 20-30 hours preparing your ceremony and about 4 hours afterwards (more if editing a video for you). You will find I am very reasonably priced given the work I put into each and every ceremony and the level of support you will receive.
I have over 300 wedding questions answered on my webpage, so feel free to throw any questions at me
You may scan documents to me but I will still need to sight original evidence of eleigibility, date & place of birth, and a photo ID before the ceremony in order to make certain your marriagewill be valid under Australian law.
I have over 200 wedding questions answered on my webpage, so feel free to throw any question at me ??
I have a list of over 400 songs on my web page that you might like to consider and you can of course play your music through my PA but depending on the size of your wedding party, it is always best if you appoint someone else to specifically manage the music so that I can concentrate exclusively on your Ceremony without distraction.
I can of course run your music remotely from my ipad placed on a stand to one side but do you really want that distraction?
So yes, I can manage your music if necessary but it is always best if someone else does.
I have over 200 wedding questions answered on my webpage, so feel free to throw any question at me or explore the questions already answered ??
As a part of my ongoing personal improvement & development, I usually place a video camera on an unattended tripod so that I can review my each and every performance as a Celebrant. Sometimes guests stand in front of the camera or bump it and so the it is not always a perfect result. It is certainly not of the standard that you would expect if you hire a videographer who will endeavour to get the very best angle and close-ups, but I am always happy to provide a free copy of the video to you.
I have over 300 wedding questions answered on my webpage, so feel free to throw any question at me ??
Certainly do!
As the Sth Coast Regional Coordinator for the Association of Marriage Celebrants, and a member of several other associations, I have access to many Celebrants but have a particular connection to select Celebrants on the South Coast and Penrith to the Blue Mountains,
January 2021
December 2020
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
Thanks Abbey. Was an incredible privilege to be a part of your incredible day
July 2020
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
Such an amazing day with so much happening. It was a privilege and honour to play a part
October 2023
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
It was such an incredible joy being a small part of your day. Retelling your love story was such a privilege as I have never seen so many tears of happiness from an entire gathering. It was wonderful and amazing
September 2022
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
It was such a joy to be there :).
Expert Advice
As a wedding professional, A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow offers expert advice to help couples plan their perfect day. Ask a question or read their expert advice.
Get Expert AdviceNon-religious Celebrant in a Chapel
Hi, My Fiancé and I have booked in through the Cooma Parish to use the Thredbo Chapel for our big day (and paid in advance). If we have declined using the catholic priest can we use a non-denominational Civil celebrant, or are we required to use a religious celebrant?
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
Sounds like you are referring to the Chapel of Mary MacKillop at the John Paul II Ecumenical Centre which I believe is owned by the Catholic Church
As such, you will need to speak with the parish priest.
Some churches will allow a visiting minister or civil celebrant but others will not as it is consecrated grounds used for prayer & church services.
The reference to an 'Ecumenical' centre does suggest some possibility that the priest might agree but if it is consecrated grounds owned by the church, it is entirely up to the priest and church policy.
I am a Civil Celebrant on the NSW South Coast but coincidentally have a wedding booking for Thredbo on the weekend of 11/11/2023. I'd be happy to assist if needed.
Celebrant for a small, intimate, midweek wedding
Hi, We are from NSW and coming on a camping trip up to 1770 in the week beginning the 14th of August. Our close friends and family are coming along too. Looking for a fun enthusiast celebrant. And recommendations of a photographer — for the ceremony and maybe 30 mins after. Vibes: low key, barefoot and not formal. Not sure where to start
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
You must have a very special reason for marrying in 1770 but the location does limit your choices in that the further you go north, the fewer Celebrants there are.
You could consider the wonderful South Coast of NSW.
Incredible scenery, 200 beaches to choose from, lots of camping grounds, and fantastic National Parks, .... and this fun Celebrant could then fall within your budget and offer you a free video of your ceremony.
I am happy to travel the 1600klms but you may find that cost prohibitive.
You are running out of time though as you MUST complete your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) no later than a month before your wedding day!
Example bride’s father speech?
Hi, I'm looking for speech ideas for a short speech for my father? I am the bride. What kind of things should he include, thank, say, etc.
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
Traditionally, the Father of the Bride, if he has paid for the wedding, is the Host and so welcomes all the guests, and then offers a Toast to the Bride and Groom. However, most create their own traditions and so the father of the bride would perhaps say a few words about his dreams for his daughter as he watched her grow, speak of early impressions of the groom, of his joy at them deciding to marry, and of his very best wishes for them as a couple.
If the mother of the bride is not speaking, the Father should make his speech inclusive of the mother. If they have been married happily for many years, he might wish for the couple to share similar longevity of love, hope, and happiness.
It should be a positive and uplifting speech from the heart with at least one funny anecdote and perhaps a word of wise advice eg never go to bed angry, always forgive, always remember your vows, and always be each other's greatest support.
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A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
A Life Celebrant - Lou Szymkow
Thanks Rhy-ann. I had ball. Was so much fun and such a pleasure to play a part in your incredible day