Sally Hughes

MY SERVICES

FULL SERVICE MARRIAGE CEREMONY

My services include:

• An initial, obligation-free meeting to listen to your ideas and discuss how we can create a bespoke ceremony together. During this meeting we’ll discuss the process of writing your ceremony and the legal requirements for your marriage. You will also receive an information kit. Should you wish to proceed, I would ask that you complete a booking form, sign my service agreement and pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable booking fee to secure my services.

• Access to my resources (poems and verse, sample vows, ritual ideas and music suggestions).

• A second meeting, during which we will discuss the first draft of your ceremony and attend to the lodgement of the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). I will also need to sight the identification documents relevant to your circumstances. Shortly after the second meeting I will email you the first draft of your ceremony. We can meet again to discuss or correspond as often as you like via Skype, email or telephone. The choice is yours.

• A final meeting at my home office or at the venue (venue permitting) in the days prior to your ceremony.

• A professionally printed commemorative marriage certificate.

• A bound copy of your marriage ceremony script.

• Completion of all legal paperwork and lodgement with the relevant authorities on your behalf.

• A Change of Name Kit (for Australian residents) if either of you wish to change your surname via marriage.

• A professional quality PA system with smartphone connectivity to play your music.

• I will dress appropriately to ensure that I complement the wedding party and reflect your dress code.

• Please note:  I cannot provide musical services for a couple whose marriage I will solemnise

MICRO WEDDING CEREMONY

Shorter than a full service marriage ceremony yet longer than an elopement ceremony, the duration of a micro wedding ceremony is approximately 15 minutes. Though personalised, these ceremonies do not include a section which retells your relationship story.

Micro wedding ceremonies are often requested by couples who want a brief ceremony, conducted before a small number of guests (twenty or fewer). They still want their celebration to be meaningful and feel every bit like a wedding, but they don't care for the fuss or expense that often comes with a “typical” large scale wedding.

Most couples dress up (because marriage is a big deal!), hire a photographer (though just for a couple of hours) and marry with all the emotion of a marriage ceremony. Micro wedding ceremonies are usually held mid-week (when venues don’t require a minimum spend) and are followed by a celebratory lunch or dinner.

My services include:

• An initial, obligation-free meeting to discuss the legal requirements of a marriage and ceremony content. Should you wish to proceed, I would ask that you complete a booking form, sign my service agreement and pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable booking fee to secure my services.

• A second meeting, if required, during which time we will discuss the ceremony draft and attend to the legal documentation. I will also need to sight the identification documents relevant to your circumstances.

• A professionally printed commemorative marriage certificate.

• Completion of all legal paperwork and lodgement with the relevant authorities on your behalf.

• A Change of Name Kit (for Australian residents) if either of you wish to change your surname via marriage.

• I will dress appropriately to ensure that I reflect your dress code.

ELOPEMENT CEREMONIES

Elopement ceremonies suit couples who wish to marry with only two legal witnesses present.

Traditionally defined as "marrying unbeknown to family and friends", elopements are often requested by couples who wish to marry without fuss or fanfare, but at a special location (think clifftops, beautiful gardens, redwood forests, wineries, city rooftops or at home). Elopements are brief, but wonderfully intimate and unhurried.

My services include:

• A face to face meeting at my office, held at least one calendar month prior to your ceremony.*

  During this meeting, we can attend to the lodgement of your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). I would ask that you complete a booking form, sign my service agreement and pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable booking fee to secure my services.

• A professionally printed commemorative marriage certificate.

• Completion of all legal paperwork and lodgement with the relevant authorities on your behalf.

• A Change of Name Kit (for Australian residents) if either of you wish to change your surname via marriage.

• I will dress appropriately to ensure that I reflect your dress code.
  

  * Couples who reside interstate or overseas can execute the NOIM in their state or country of residence. It is not essential that we meet face to face prior to the day of your ceremony.

* CLICK HERE FOR MY SPECIAL ELOPEMENT PACKAGE *

LEGALS ONLY CEREMONIES

As the name suggests, this is a very brief ceremony conducted before two legal witnesses, usually in my office. I make a statement, you each make a statement and then we, together with your witnesses, sign the required documentation. The ceremony duration is less than five minutes.

Legals Only ceremonies are often desired by couples whose intended overseas ceremonies are unlikely to be legally recognised in Australia (such as those in Bali, where the validity of marriage can often be uncertain). 

My services include:

• A face to face meeting at my office.*

  During this meeting, we can attend to the lodgement of your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). Please note, a NOIM must be lodged one calendar month prior to your ceremony. I would ask that you complete a booking form, sign my service agreement and pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable booking fee to secure my services.

• A Legals Only ceremony.

• A professionally printed commemorative marriage certificate.

• Completion of all legal paperwork and lodgement with the relevant authorities on your behalf.

• A Change of Name Kit (for Australian residents) if either of you wish to change your surname via marriage.

• I will dress appropriately to ensure that I reflect your dress code

  * Couples who reside overseas can execute the NOIM in their country of residence before an authorised witness and forward the document to me. It is not essential that we meet face to face prior to the day of your ceremony.

VOW RENEWAL CEREMONIES

Perhaps you’re looking to celebrate a milestone anniversary or you’re keen to "re do" your ceremony in a vastly different location or style or with different guests. If so, a vow renewal ceremony is a wonderful way to reconfirm your commitment to one another.

My services include:

• An initial, obligation-free meeting to listen to your ideas and discuss how we can create a meaningful and unique ceremony together. During this meeting we’ll discuss the process of writing your ceremony. Should you wish to proceed, I would ask that you complete a booking form, sign my service agreement and pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable booking fee to secure my services.

• Access to my resources (poems and verse, sample vows, ritual ideas and music suggestions).

• A second meeting, during which time we will discuss the first draft of your ceremony. Shortly after the second meeting I will email you the first draft of your ceremony.

• A professionally printed commemorative certificate, if required.

• A bound copy of your vow renewal ceremony script.

• A professional quality PA system with smartphone connectivity to play your music.

• I will dress appropriately to ensure that I reflect your dress code.

NAMING CEREMONY

A naming ceremony is a wonderful way to welcome a new member, of any age, to your family or wider community. As a mother of two young girls, I particularly enjoy these happy occasions. Whether you wish to celebrate the arrival of a new baby or unite foster or step children within your family, I will work with you to create a ceremony befitting of such a joyful occasion.

My services include:

• An initial, obligation-free meeting to listen to your ideas and discuss how we can create a meaningful and unique ceremony together. During this meeting we’ll discuss the process of writing your ceremony. Should you wish to proceed, I would ask that you complete a booking form, sign my service agreement and pay a non-refundable and non-transferrable booking fee to secure my services.

• Access to my resources (poems and verse, ritual ideas and music suggestions).

• A second meeting, whereupon we will discuss the first draft of your ceremony. Shortly after the second meeting I will email you the first draft of your ceremony.

• A professionally printed naming ceremony certificate.

• A bound copy of your naming ceremony script.

• A professional quality PA system with smartphone connectivity to play your music.

• I will dress appropriately to ensure that I reflect your dress code.

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SALLY HUGHES - MELBOURNE MARRIAGE CELEBRANT

2018, 2022 & 2023 WINNER - ABIA Australian Marriage Celebrant of the Year

2013, 2014, 2015, 2020 & 2023 WINNER - ABIA Victorian Marriage Celebrant of the Year