these gorgeous shots of Carly & Chris' glam wedding day by Simon Harrington

I really want to know........

There’s no such thing as a silly question. Go ahead and ask me  - I’m here to help. But you just might find what you are looking for here…..

Do we have to memorise our vows?

No!  Almost nobody does. If you just relax and enjoy the ceremony, without having to worry about what you have to say, I will take care of everything. You can repeat them after me (and no-one else will hear me, but you). Easy!

Can we write our own vows?

Of course!  And if you need a little help, getting them right, just ask. That’s what you have me for!

Do we have to? 

No!  You should see all the options I have for you in my homework books. Writing the perfect ceremony for you couldn’t be easier. Just watch things bounce off the page, when they feel good to you. 

How long will the ceremony go for?

I always ask that you budget for about 30 minutes, from the time we first see a bridesmaid on her way down the aisle, until the time the happy Mr & Mrs are making their exit down the aisle. Most ceremonies will fit perfectly into that time frame.

I thought a celebrant only cost $300?

Some of them do. Some of them cost $1000. I’m in the middle. I’m also the least expensive - and most important - part of your wedding day. Do you really want to scrimp on the one part that truly matters? No, I didn’t think so. You know what they say about monkeys and peanuts…..

What will you wear, Robyn?

Let’s play dress ups! What would you like me to wear? I always make every effort to co-ordinate as best I can to your bridal colours and styles, so tell me what colours your bridesmaids are wearing, what flowers you will carry, and the theme of your wedding, so I can fit in as best I can. (I like shopping, so my wardrobe is huge, and you should see my collection of hair flowers!)

Should I be late?

No. Think of your guests. Treat them with respect. Think of your groom - he's waiting for you.  Think of your schedule for the day. You'll probably run out of time for your photos, if you are late.  If you are worried about guests arriving late, invite them for 15 minutes, before you plan to arrive. No more than 15 minutes. Being any later than 15 minutes is plain rude.

What about music?

You can load up your ipod/ mp3/ laptop/ iphone/ ipad with the music for your ceremony and play it through my PA system. BUT you need to give someone else the job of pressing the buttons, and make it easy on them to know what to do. 

How do I do that?

Playlists! You will need a song to come down the aisle. Choose something you love – it doesn’t have to be traditional – and put it in a playlist called AISLE SONG. You’ll need 2 songs to cover the signing. Put the one you like most first, then the other one, after that. Call that playlist SIGNING SONGS. 

But what music do I choose?

Pick something you love – your favourite song is always a good choice. Something that will relax you, and make you smile. That’s your best choice.

Check out my music suggestions page, if you are having trouble deciding what to play.

Will you bring the readings for the ceremony?

Yes! Always. I will have a printed copy and a copy on my ipad for all readings. Your readers can choose which one they prefer. I bet your friends will go for the ipad, but your mum will definitely want the paper version. PS I print them really big.

Ipad?

Yes!  On my ipad, I don't have to worry about turning pages or papers flapping in the breeze - but it's in a cover that looks just like a book, so it looks nice in the photos, too.

Do we really need a back-up plan?

Yes!  You really do. We all hope that your day is shiny and bright blue – but you never know…. It is worth spending a little extra, or making arrangements with your reception venue, for just in case. Your guests will not thank you for making them stand in the rain, unprotected. They won’t hear a word we say – they’ll be too busy thinking about getting wet. Besides, if you get your shoes wet and muddy, they’ll get ruined…. (and we hate that, don’t we?)

And what if it’s super hot?

Shade! We need shade!  And water – for everyone. It costs very, very little to fill a couple eskies with water bottles – and there is always a couple of friends willing to help – but this small gesture will make all the difference to your guests’ comfort on the Big Day.

Do you really hire umbrellas out for ceremonies?

Yes!  I do! Talk to me about hiring umbrellas for those days that might rain or for hot sunny days. Mine are much cheaper than the going rate –  (less than half)  - and I have loads of plain black and plain white golf umbrellas available for just-in-case. 

We aren’t really very traditional….

You don’t have to have a formal, traditional ceremony, at all. You can be light and friendly and casual, or funny, or elegant and simple – or anything you like. No need to pretend you are anything that you aren’t…..

Do we really need a rehearsal?

Aaah! That one. Well, if you want one, or if it will make you feel more comfortable, of course we can do one. But if it’s not possible, or you don’t have to time, don’t worry, I will be there in plenty of time to sort everything – and everyone  - out,  before the ceremony. 

Can you bring a signing table & chair?

Yes. I can, but if you are having decorators do setups, get them to provide it as part of a package. Then I don't have to lug everything around and get sore feet :). If you need mine, I need you to get me  a helper, to carry it for me, to and from the ceremony.

Our parents don’t speak English!

No worries. More than half of my gorgeous couples are just like you . I have lots of lovely ideas to make your parents, guests and grandparents feel more welcome. I’ll practise just about any language you give me – so long as you give it to me in phonetics and coach me a little – I am getting pretty good – especially at Cantonese and Mandarin! I’ll do anything you like to help

You married our friends….

Excellent!  I love a reunion. Tell me who it was, and I bet I remember every detail….. 

It’s only a little wedding…..

Big or small, it’s your wedding day, so let’s make it as beautiful as we possibly can. Some of the most wonderful weddings I have been a part of have been 12 people or less.

We want you! We really do! But we are on a really, really tight budget…

Talk to me. If you can be flexible with time or date, I can help. I would rather you talk to me about it, and let me help you, than let you end up not getting what you want. I’m nice. Really.

But what if you are sick on the day?

How sick? Very sick? Very, very sick? Ok, if I am in the hospital, on a drip, I will get you someone else. It would have to be really serious. For anything else, I will be there for you. I have NEVER double-booked, got sick, been late, let anyone down. NEVER. And you won’t be my first.

Do you know any good florists? Or photographers? Or musicians?

Yes!  I do. I do lots and lots of weddings. I see lots of great people’s work. My favourites are on my Suppliers I Love page. They are all fabulous!

Do you do more than one wedding a day?

Yes. Of course I do. ( I am a busy girl!)  Most of my work is on weekends, so there are days when I do two or three. But never less than two hours apart. Never if it's too far, from one to the other. Never if there is any likelihood of  one clashing with the other.