ALISON ANN - THE CIVIL CELEBRANT

I am really good at what I do.

I just love people, getting to know them, what makes them tick, both as individuals and as a couple.  I want your ceremony to be personal.  No two of my ceremonies are the same.  I also have a theatrical flair that you won't find with other celebrants, that makes your friends and family feel safe in my care.

As a firm ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, it's a no-brainer.  I have worked in the community for over 30 years as a singer, performing at major PRIDE events all over the world.  I opened Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 2009 with my hit dance track I JUST WANNA FUCKING DANCE.

It's important to me that LGBTQIA+ couples have the ability to work with celebrants who simply get them!  But more than anything ... many couples don't want to actually make a big thing out of the fact that it's a 'Gay Wedding'.  It's a wedding!!!!   Two people committing their love and their lives to each other.  That's what it's about right?

I bring a multitude of transferable skills to the table as a Wedding Celebrant: excellent creative writing skills, public speaking, a warm, friendly voice with clear diction, the natural ability to hold a room and make your guests feel like they've  known me for years.  I work with my couples to write a ceremony that is the perfect balance of love, emotion, light-hearted humour and of course, the appropriate amount of gravitas at key points in the service.

It's all about you!!!  Your beliefs.  Your Wedding Day.

Working with couples and bringing their special day to fruition.

I always look forward to writing my couples' Love Story.  This is where my skills come into full swing. Creating a journey for the congregation to follow, with highs and lows, sharing quirky things about the couple that their friends and family may not know ... it's so much fun.

From the moment you book me, I'm all yours til you say "I Do."

I give you a really clear outline of the schedule leading up the Wedding Day and set clear deadlines of when certain things will be done. We have a planning meeting on zoom to discuss your vision for your wedding day.  I send you a fun questionnaire to complete by a certain date, and then I start writing your wedding.  This usually happens 3-4 months before the Wedding Day. I'll help you with readings, liaise with those contributing, liaise with the venue and any relevant suppliers to ensure everyone's on the same page.  I work closely with my couples, helping them to write "Secret Vows": this is done in addition to a more traditional "I Do", kind of vow... if you want that. I can also offer additional elements such a hand fastings, ring-warming (love this). (POA) I am able to offer an additional service to my couples by singing at the wedding.  I can either sing you down the aisle, when you're signing your commemorative certificate, or finish the service with a bang!  (POA) We work together to ensure that everything is 100% as you want it.  This is your day, so everything I say on the day is approved by you. I arrive on the day prepared and ready to give your guests, and YOU, the best Wedding Day ever.

I don't like to cover more than one wedding in a day.  Depending on the timings it is possible, as the majority of the work is done well in advance.

I like my couples to think that that day is JUST for them.

I charge per event, but sometimes my couples ask me to stay on and MC the evening.

There is an additional charge for this.

Depending on the size of the venue, I may need a microphone but venues usually provide this. I have an amp and mic that can be hired if needed.

Bank transfer.

I require a 10% deposit (depending the lead time) to secure the booking, AT the time of booking.  Full balance is to be paid one month before the wedding. For shorter lead times, a payment schedule is agreed with the client.