Hi, I'm a Member of the Association of Authorised Marriage Celebrants Australia Inc, and have been celebrating Weddings and Baby naming, Reaffirmations of Vows, commitment Ceremonies, house warming, coming of age and funerals, for more than 15 years.

Traveling to most areas, as long as it fits in with other bookings.

My ceremonies aren't set, as quite often the bride and groom like to write their own vows, or even go so far as to write most of the ceremony.

The personalised touch is what I like to offer, that's why I give you so much to choose from so that it reflects yourselves throughout the ceremony. Always taking into consideration your likes and dislikes it should feel very special for your special day.

The readings you choose can be done by friends, or someone who may be very close to you.

There are plenty of verses to look through, or you may have a particular one that we can include.

You don't have to memorise any part of the ceremony unless you want to, as I ask you to repeat after me. That makes it less nerve racking and easier to get through and more enjoyable for all concerned.

Most of the ceremonies that I conduct, last for 15 or maybe 20 minutes, it all depends on what you choose, we don't want your guests to get bored and not listen or watch the proceedings. After all you have invited them to something special so we want them to enjoy it too.

Its always advisable to ask your guests to arrive at least 15 or even 30 minutes before you are going to be there, so that when you get there (on time) they will think you are fashionably late.

Bookings for weddings can be made as far ahead as you like, but we can only fill in the legal papers 18 months at the maximum or 1 month and 1 day at minimum before the wedding.

At our first meeting I have you fill in your Notice of Intended Marriage form, bring along the papers required, and also pay a deposit, (which is not refundable should you change your mind.) then we go through all of the ceremonies and you both decide on what is best for you. Usually this meeting can take anything from 30 minutes to about an hour.

Later I send you a copy of the ceremony so that you can see how it flows, and also if other people are going to read you can give them copies of the verses. If there are any changes to be made we will still have plenty of time.

Now the documents that are required are,

• Birth certificates, or in the case of a non Australian, a current passport.
• Divorce papers, (decree nisi)
• Or a Death certificate where applicable.

These documents are returned to you at our first meeting after being sighted.

The next time we meet is usually during the week before the big day. You have to sign a Statuary Declaration stating that there is no legal reason why you can't marry, for instance that you are both over 18 years of age, and that you are not still married to somebody else.

We go through everything step by step, you pay the last of your fee (it's a bit tacky on the day) we iron out any queries, and when you are satisfied with everything we've discussed you go home and I see you on THE DAY.

I would prefer you to phone me as speaking to you is preferable to e-mails or faxes, in that way either of us can ask about anything that comes into our heads at that time.

I am in Mayfield West, Newcastle, Hunter Valley area

To contact Louise Twemlow CMC. J.P.