Welcome, my name is Lena Yeomans and I am a Sydney based Authorised Marriage Celebrant. I live on the northern beaches of Sydney, where there is a perfect spot for anyone wishing to get married. There are so many beautiful locations to choose from, sandy beaches to beautiful parklands, a haven for the bride and groom.
If you are looking at my website, thank you and congratulations on your engagement, exciting times ahead as you plan your dream wedding. I will help you create your ceremony the way you want it to be, with the confidence and ease so your wedding will be remembered forever.
I am a hopeless romantic, I love everything about weddings, from our first meeting right through to the big day, seeing the love between my couples is truly beautiful. To be a part of your special day as your journey as one begins is an honour.
Becoming a celebrant has been a long time desire for me, having worked in the corporate world for many years, I followed my heart, now its time to follow yours - To Get Married.
Much love
Lena Yeomans
Make contact with me via phone or email to discuss type of ceremony you want and my availability. This also gives you a chance to ‘get a good vibe’ whether you like the sound of me.
We meet, this could be at my home office, casually in a coffee shop, or I can come to you. This is a preliminary meeting at no charge, and here we will discuss what is required, the forms that I will be needing and the documents that I will need to sight. We will generally discuss your wedding day. If this meeting goes well and you would like to go ahead and book me, the next step is:
A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form will need to be filled out by the couple and lodged with me one clear calendar month prior to your wedding day. This (NOIM) has an 18 month validity. Click Here to download the Notice of Intended Marriage The NOIM can be filled out and witnessed (see page 4) and emailed to me (please note, original NOIM would need to be sent to me prior to your wedding) or alternatively I am happy to help you through this process.
We meet again, to discuss the “draft” ceremony, any changes which will need to be actioned and to discuss anything you might like to discuss.
Rehearsal - We meet at the wedding site (if possible) one week prior to the wedding. This allows family and your close friends to bond. It also gives us a good idea on light and sun, positioning of the bridal party and the readers obligations. This also is the perfect opportunity for your photographer, musicians and maybe your florist to also come along to the rehearsal. Final paperwork to be checked and signed.
THE BIG DAY has arrived.
I will arrive 1 hour prior to your wedding, set up signing table and chairs (if necessary), PA system, liaise with other services on the day and meet and greet your family and friends. I will also help calm down any nerves the groom might be having.
Choosing a Marriage Celebrant is one of the most important decisions with regards to your wedding. When you choose a celebrant, you should feel comfortable and at ease. You will be working closely with the celebrant, so please contact me for an obligation free preliminary meeting to discuss your day.
Each couple have their own love story, therefore each ceremony is personalised and unique and is tailored around you. For me to establish a reasonable fee, we would need to discuss your requirements - so please call me for an obligation free meeting.
There are no hidden costs in my fees, unless the return journey from my home is more than 100km. Destination ceremonies, interstate and or overnight accommodation would need to be discussed and these charges would need to be included.
No fuss ceremonies can also be arranged with two witnesses provided.
Thinking of eloping, why not call me to arrange a meeting to discuss your needs.
Public Holidays - will incur an additional fee
The ceremony should take approximately 20 minutes
Not mandatory but I fully recommend that we include some personal information and a little bit of history about the couple
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Must be said before the Vows or during the Vows (this can be said by the couple)
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Legal element from the Marriage Act - to be said by the Celebrant
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Legal vow must be said along with anything you want to add- repeated after the Celebrant
Optional. this will give your ceremony an even flow (maybe read by a family member or friend)
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Optional. This is generally done by both or one parent or a family member/close friend. I recommend you take this option as you are very nervous and having someone by your side will help you enter with ease
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I will ask you, If you take one another as husband and wife. The answer being “I do” or “I will”
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This will be your choice. Each to have a ring or just the bride, up to you
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I declare you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride
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This is where you sign your Official Certificates of Marriage and your Marriage Certificate
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Two witnesses over the age of 18 years of age are required to sign the Marriage Register and Certificates
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Before you can be married in Australia you will need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form (NOIM) no later than one month prior to your wedding day. Once lodged, the NOIM has an 18 month validity. I accept this form via email, with the hard copy to follow via post or in person. A booking fee is required at this stage with the balance of the fee due 2 weeks prior to the wedding.
The documents I will need to sight are:
Please ensure all the above documents are in English - (suitably translated as necessary)
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It may be possible for a couple to be married sooner than one month, which is Shortening Of Time. The couple must have a reason that complies with Section 42(5) of The Marriage Act 1961 and Schedule 1B of the Marriage Regulations 1963.
The NOIM must be completed and lodged with a Celebrant, you can then apply to a prescribed authority for approval (your local court or Reigistry Officials). They are the only ones to authorise a Shortening of Time (not automatic) provided they are satisfied that the circumstances prescribed in the regulations are met. These circumstances are:
*Medical reasons
*Legal proceedings
*Error in giving Notice
*Employment related or other travel commitments
*Wedding or celebration arrangements or religious considerations
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This is your choice but I recommend 4 songs:
*Guests Entering
*Processional
*Signing of the Register
*Recessional
