Wedding Celebrant

Ballarat, Victoria and Australia Wide

Planning a wedding is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. My goal is to make the ceremony process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. With a step-by-step approach & personalised guidance, I’ll help create a memorable day that reflects who you are as a couple. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect.

The MG Experience

Let me guide you

Below is a brief overview of the process from Enquiry right through to you legally married, and all the wonderful bits in-between.

Get in Touch

After you’ve explored the website and feel like we might be a great fit, fill out the enquiry form on the Get in Touch page. This form will ask for your basic details and wedding date. Relax, I’ll be in touch when back in the office.

Lock in the day

Now that the day is available, we need to locking it in. By signing a service contract and paying the booking fee you can be assured that your wedding will be the only wedding I will attend ‘to the exclusion of all others’.

Wedding Questionnaire

Each of you will receive an email with a questionnaire. Remember lots of this is secret squirrel stuff that will set the tone, gather the stories & help draw out your love story from which the ceremony will be built.

Create the script

Together your wedding script will be created to reflect the vibe you wish to create for your Wedding.

Let’s meet

Now is the time to meet, go through the legal documents, procedures, the ceremony, your vows, and all the details of your Wedding Day.

Final look before the big day

As your Wedding approaches, official forms will be checked for accuracy & time will be given for you both to become familiar with the documents to be signed on the Day.

Your Wedding Day

The day is finally here. I will arrive early to welcome guests, help create the vibe, and to LEGALLY MARRY YOU BOTH. Woohoo. Now Party.

It’s Official!

Congratulations—you’re officially married! I’ll take care of the final paperwork, ensuring your marriage is official & registered. Of course, a few pictures of the day may now feature on my socials.

What’s Included

Meetings

Connect with me as you need to feel fully prepared and confident in your ceremony.

Customised Ceremony Script

A unique ceremony created just for you, with drafts provided until it suits your style.

Professional Sound Setup

High-quality PA system with a range of microphones for vows, readers, and guest speakers.

Personalised Vow Cards and Vow Writing Guide

Beautifully printed vow cards if requested, plus a guide and coaching to help you create meaningful vows.

Signing Table and Chairs

A signing table with chairs available for use, if needed.

All Legal Paperwork and Certificates

Completion, lodging, and processing of all legal documents, including a keepsake Ceremonial marriage certificate and your official marriage certificate posted directly to you.

Travel Within Local Ballarat Area

Includes travel within the Ballarat region, (For weddings beyond 100km of Ballarat Central, travel costs may apply).

Support from Start to Finish

From the moment we begin to the last detail on your wedding day, I’ll be there to ensure every part of your ceremony flows smoothly.

Ready to Create a One-of-a-Kind Ceremony?

Let’s make your wedding day an unforgettable celebration, designed just for you. Get in touch today.

Get in Touch

	Option One	Option Two
	Marriage party entry (optional) If one or both parties are being presented by a family member or friend.	Introduction
Celebrant	Who brings this woman/man/person to be married to this woman/man/person?	Good morning / afternoon / evening, my name is Martin Godwin and I am an authorised Marriage Celebrant. I am privileged to be here today to officiate at the marriage of [Bride/Groom/Partner's full legal name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner’s full legal name]. I also want to wish you much happiness in your future lives together. Declaration
Celebrant		Do you [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and do you [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] declare before me and your witnesses that you are free by law to be married to each other today?
Family Member / Friend	I do. Introduction
Celebrant	Welcome family and friends. We have come together today to witness the promises in marriage of [Bride/Groom/Partner's full legal name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner full legal name]. This commitment is between two people who love each other and wish to share each other’s lives, who will grow and change in the years to come, welcoming each other’s growth with mutual love and respect. Or This ceremony gives social recognition to a union that has already taken place in the hearts of [Bride/Groom/Partner's full legal name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's full legal name]). My name is Martin Godwin and I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law and to officiate at your marriage today. I take this opportunity to wish you both much happiness in your future lives together. Declaration
Celebrant	Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's name], do you declare before me and before your witnesses here present, that you come here voluntarily and without reservation and that you are free by law to be married to each other today?
Couples Respond	Yes, I do. Monitum from the Marriage Act	Yes, we do. Monitum from the Marriage Act
Celebrant	Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to the law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. Reading (optional) Choose a reading of your own if you prefer. You can ask a family member or friend to recite the reading. Vows - The couple, one at a time, repeat the vows after the Celebrant.	Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to the law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. Vows
Bride / Groom / Partner	repeating after Martin - Celebrant): I call upon the people here present to witness that I [Bride/Groom/Partner's name], take you [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life.	(repeating after Martin - Celebrant): I call upon the people here present to witness that I [Bride/Groom/Partner's name], take you [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] to be my lawful wedded [Husband/Wife/Spouse].
Bride / Groom / Partner	repeating after Martin - Celebrant): I call upon the people here present to witness that I [Bride/Groom/Partner's name], take you [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse. I promise to love you, to care for you and to respect you for all of my life. Ring Ceremony (optional)	(repeating after Martin - Celebrant): I call upon the people here present to witness that I [Bride/Groom/Partner's name], take you [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] to be my lawful wedded [Husband/Wife/Spouse]. Ring Ceremony (optional)
Celebrant	Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] have chosen to exchange rings as an outward symbol of their commitment to each other. The band of the wedding ring represents everlasting love, the ring a never-ending circle with no beginning and no end. The couple, one at a time, repeat after the Celebrant [Bride/Groom/Partner's name], accept this ring with all my love. Conclusion of Ceremony	You have both made the declarations by law. In front of your family/friends as witnesses, I have great pleasure in pronouncing you husband/wife/spouse and husband/wife/spouse. Signing of Marriage Certificates The couple sign first, then Witnesses and then celebrant. Presentation of Marriage Certificate
Celebrant	Ladies and gentlemen, (and children) / Family and friends, [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] have declared before all of us that they now wish to live and love together in marriage. Let us hope this day will form a milestone in your lives, one that you will look back upon with much joy and happiness. It therefore gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations, you may now both kiss, if you wish. Signing of Marriage Certificates Couple sign first, then Witnesses and then celebrant. Presentation of Marriage Certificate	Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, on behalf of the Attorney General Department and the couple, thank you all for coming here today to celebrate with [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] on their Wedding Day and for making their day so special. Congratulations again to [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's name].
Celebrant	Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, on behalf of the Attorney General Department and the couple, thank you all for coming here today to celebrate with [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] on their Wedding Day and for making their day so special. Congratulations again to [Bride/Groom/Partner's name] and [Bride/Groom/Partner's name].