Kathia Bardati Faranda - Civil Marriage Celebrant

Celebrating love in every season of life…

As a celebrant I am delighted to be part of such personal and happy event.

In my opinion, the ceremony is the most important element of your wedding day and should be made to feel relaxed, comfortable and happy to express your commitment and love to one another.

Our initial contact will be by telephone to secure your chosen date and to arrange a suitable time/date for our first meeting, we will also discuss the legal requirements (documentation needed) prior to the day. At our first meeting we will deal with the legal requirements for marriage in Australia and my role as a celebrant, followed by a discussion of your ideas and how you would like your ceremony to unfold, one that reflects your personal style and theme.

There may be family, cultural traditions or different language readings you would like to incorporate in your ceremony… anything is possible and a selection of vows, poems and readings are available to you. closer to your special day the ceremony format and any remaining paperwork is finalised, and a rehearsal can be arranged to make sure your ceremony runs to perfection. With a wide range of services and venues at your disposal, the style can be formal, themed, relaxed and romantic… the choice is yours! Your ceremony can be conducted anywhere at anytime and a professional wireless P.A. system is available to ensure all your guests can hear the ceremony.

As an experienced wedding celebrant I can help you with every aspect of your wedding… from helping you write the perfect ceremony to recommending the most affordable venue.  As a Currumbin local and as someone who’s own wedding was by the beach (Byron Bay Lighthouse), I am a big fan of beach weddings, as I believe in taking advantage of our amazing landscape and turning it into your unique backdrop.

It is important for you as a couple to be happy with all aspects of your celebration and I am here to help!

* Ceremony Format

Your unique ceremony can be divided into the following sections and can appear in any order. These can be added to, re-arranged or deleted to suit your wishes and needs.

There are four essential elements for the marriage to be legal:

1. A declaration of your intention to marry
2. The Monitum
3. The exchange of vows
4. The identification of the celebrant

The remaining elements are up to you… This is your ceremony and it should reflect both of you, so please feel free to be creative. The following is only a guide to give you a sense of what can be included:

• Walking down the aisle (music)
• Information e.g. mobile phones, pagers, confetti etc
• Welcome
• Reason for the ceremony
• Brief history and highlights of your life together
• Readings/poems/songs etc
• Monitum (Legal Paragraph)
• The asking (I do part)
• Personal Vows
• Exchange of rings
• The kiss
• Rituals
• Acknowledgement of absent or deceased friends and family
• Conclusion
• Information about photos and reception
• Signing of register and marriage certificate (music)
• Presentation of the newly married couple

Formalities

It is imperative that you book your wedding date and time with the celebrant as soon as you can. Call me for an informal chat or an appointment at your earliest convenience on (07) 5525 0154 or 0405 099096.

At the first meeting, we will discuss what you would like and also cover what needs to be done. This will give you a clear sense of direction and also give you some great ideas to work with… At this time I will also assist you to complete a notice of intended marriage, which is legally required to be filled out and lodged with your celebrant at least one month and one day before your wedding. The other legal requirements state that you must be over 18 years of age and not be currently married to any other person.

Before your wedding I am required to establish your identity and will need to sight your original birth certificates (or certified copies). If you were born overseas, a current overseas passport will also be necessary. If you have been married before I will need to sight evidence as to how your last marriage ended, either a Decree Absolute (Divorce Papers) or Death Certificate.

To apply for a birth certificate visit www.australia.gov.au/Births,_Deaths_&_Marriages_Registries

At your wedding you are required to have two witnesses over the age of eighteen years.

If any documents are in a foreign language an official translation into English will be required. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters can be contacted on 1300 557 470 or visit their website www.naati.com.au

You will be given a commemorative copy of your wedding certificate following your ceremony. To obtain your own Registered Marriage Certificate you will need to apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages and pay the nominal fee, which the application form will be given to you at our first meeting.

Traditions

Whether you are superstitious or not, many brides follow the centuries-old tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”  Here are a few suggestions.

I. Something Old - This represents the bride’s ties to her family.  The mother’s wedding dress is said to bring good luck to the bride, although most brides put today’s fashion first.  A garter from a happily married woman, pearl or diamond earrings or necklace belonging to your mother or grandmother, or even an antique brooch or bracelet.

II. Something New- This represents the start of a new life with your husband. It can be your wedding gown, wedding shoes, lingerie (most thought of) and a headpiece.

III. Something Borrowed- This represents the couple’s reliance on family and friends.  Bridal veil from a blissful wife.  When Princess Elizabeth, now Britain’s reigning queen married she borrowed her mother’s tiara.  When her mother the Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married she borrowed the veil belonging to Queen Mary, unless you have royal blood, a bible belonging to the groom’s family or a satin dilly bag from your own family works just as well.

IV. Something Blue- The symbol of faithfulness. A garter with a blue ribbon, blue handkerchief, sapphire ot turquoise jewellery.

Don’t forget to add a coin into your shoe… this promisses future wealth.  Put a silver or gold coin in your shoe before walking down the aisle!