So yes, I’m a Celebrant, and have been since 2008. I’ve won awards, been voted number 1 female Celebrant in Western Australia, and written the book on marketing for Celebrants.
But nothing brings me as much joy, as the smiles on my couples’ faces when I’ve kicked their ceremony goals.
Traditionally, I’ve written and presented ceremonies at wedding organised by planners or the couples themselves.
Then I pioneered the Quickie Wedding Days, and was at the frontline of the elopement revolution.
I’ve helped couples plan Full-Day Elopement Experiences, which grew to Multi-Day Destination Elopement Experiences.
But more recently, a trend is emerging. Couples are asking me to help them plan their micro wedding.
What is a micro wedding?
A micro wedding has all the traditional wedding elements, but without the big guest list. It can be as relaxed or elegant or quirky or boujee as each couple’s individual tastes, but it doesn’t cut corners on creating a memorable experience. Essentially, the couple are choosing to splurge on their “big day” but on a smaller scale. The guest list ranges in size, from zero-10.
Since birthing my tiny chapel on wheels last year, Celebrant life feels full on. I’m planning pop-up wedding days at iconic venues, and coordinating beautiful locations for the private hires.
The whole experience is breathing new life into my almost-16-years of being in the wedding industry.
If you’re still reading, thank you, and well done you! There is a reason I’m giving you the whole back story: it sets up what my 2023-24 season looks like. There are many more micro weddings now than the elopements of the past couple of years, and I have a big hand in designing them with the couples.
Read on, to decide whether a micro wedding could be an option for you, based on these real life wedding experiences I’m sharing with you. Some of these were designed without my help, but many are stamped with my input at some level.
Greg & Marnie: Married by the Portal at Margaret River Heartland, in between showers of rain, but with the biggest smiles that became the sunshine. It was a Quickie ceremony (with the kids leading the repeat-after-me vow exchange) before a degustation at a fave: Rustico Hay Shed Hill … Me hugging the bride in her velvet jacket took longer than the ceremony itself — it was super divine 😍 And the cut — Pride and Prejudice vibes. So romantic!
Paul & Elaine: Their dog Oz was the best man. He was the goodest boy during the ceremony… he took a deep breath with us at the start, wagged his tail when he heard his name, and barked when it was time to say “I do”.
Lynene & George: I posted a Reel saying this was my first wedding back for the 2023/24 season. Whoops. It was my third! They booked out an entire accommodation space, filled it with their guests, and married under an ancient tuart tree on the grounds.
Kerryn & Louise: Louise had tears in her eyes immediately following the ceremony, saying it was perfect. The girls did a beautiful job writing their own personal vows
Kelly & Mark: It was touch and go in the lead up to their big day, with Kelly in hospital in the lead up. She pulled through and rallied though, and married her 14-year beau in the bush chapel at Eight Willows Retreat. It poured with rain at the end of the ceremony, but rather than being disappointed, the bride was thrilled — she loves rain!
Valentina & Matthew: The Chilean girl met her Aussie boy in Canada, followed him here, and voila, here we are today on the porch of their AirBnB overlooking the ocean.
Andrew & Som: This was a backyard wedding in Margs, supposedly a “legals only”, but which grew to embrace the couple’s friends from around the country and Thailand.
Jan & Kevin: the couple flew from QLD to marry in Big Love Tiny Chapel on the grounds at Hay Shed Hill. Jan had seen the chapel on the ‘gram, and just knew that was the vibe she wanted.
Daniel & Poppy: Married on the lawn by the beach in Gracetown, the site of their holidays and getting to know each other as a couple.
Ben & Lauren: A “legals only” ceremony, which was presented by the groom’s sister. I was only there to state the legal words, and oversee the ceremony to ensure their marriage is valid. The couple were delighted to have their ceremony presented by a family member. It was bare bones, but this only served to shine a brighter light on their personal vows, which were thoughtful, generous, and inclusive of all present.
Joshua & Michelle: By the Portal sculpture at Margaret River Heartland, witnessed by my brother-in-law George, and my gardener!
Rhea & James: Travelled from America, and as small worlds tend to happen, live just a few blocks from my in-laws in Washington State.
Steven & Jaimi: His mammy streaming in from Ireland and her parents from Canada, on a remote part of the Eagle Bay beach, the sand swept smooth, on a perfect-weather day. It was just one of those days where everything was *perfect*. (Sorry to every couple who had a challenge or two!)
Mark & Marjory: Gosh the Phillippinos are a lively lot aren’t they? The matron of honour had her phone out most of the time, and the whole lot of them giggling and having the best time ever. It was such an uplifting vibe!
Stephen & Sharron: Married in Big Love Tiny Chapel at their property in Cowaramup, before three friends and a dog. Sharron wore a custom-made blue dress that really set off her eyes — not that Stephen noticed — he had too many tears in his to see properly ha ha.
Matt & Bill: Pair of spunks didn’t mean to choose the windiest day on record for their beach wedding, but needless to say, we were all “blown away” by how moving their ceremony was regardless!
Ryan & Kayla: Kayla wore the most stunning pantsuit that made me want to get married again. Just joking, but seriously, the outfit was gorgeous.
Julie & Steven: down to earth, their warmth shone through in their ceremony by the Portal at Margaret River Heartland. This was a destination elopement for the couple, staying at Settlers Rest off-grid cottage on the farm.
Chris & Gridtiyaporn: The couple wanted a legals only ceremony, but managed a real -pull-it-together at the last minute, with an arbor and a guest from the hotel stopping by to act as a second witness.
Darryn & Samantha: Another destination elopement, for this couple from Melbourne. They organised everything from home, including a few days at the cricket for Darryn, and polishing gemstones they foraged themselves, to set into the rings. Gorgeous little elopement on the Gracetown beach with Socially Flourished there to capture content on video. So modern!
Sarah & Rounak: Prior to heading to India for their BIG wedding, the couple had an intimate 20-person micro wedding at Lleuwin Estate. The group went to dine in the private dining room afterwards. I particularly loved that their dress code was “floral and colourful”. Of course the Indian guests brought that element and more!
Rod & Cecelia: Did someone say “destination elopement”? Yes, another one! This couple came from QLD for their “I do’s” on one of my favourite little beaches in WA at Shelley Beach.
Rochelle & Andrew: When couples say they want something low-key, I’m really starting to believe it — this couple married in the car park at Woody Nook, before driving off to have a celebratory lunch somewhere!
Skye & Clinton: Disco themed and a special request to be cheered down the aisle — this cruisey duo knew how they wanted their day’s vibe to be and they absolutely pulled it off.
Tamara & Josh: A stunning and elegant micro wedding in a secret forest… I met them for the first time, just minutes before they walked down the aisle, but it felt like I knew them forever.
Greg & Toni: There’s something to be said for rocking up to your beach wedding in a 4WD ute, jumping out, and getting hitched. So legendary.
Gemma & James: Jimmy, who comes across as shy, blew us all away with his romantic, thoughtful and deep marriage promises — and he did it all without notes. I see you Jimmy, I see you!
Jordan & Lucy: Suuuuper simple little elopement in Boranup Forest with simply the photographer and another Celebrant as witnesses. Oh, and an emu strolling past!
Joseph & Maria: Simple simple simple, just the required words on their porch. They’d already married in Spirit, so this was a heartfelt legals-only to cement their commitment.
And with that, I took a deeeeep breath and closed my Office for the rest of 2023. Not for long though! 2024 weddings are just around the corner, so I’ll be back on deck soon.
See you in 2024 my lovelies. Have a safe holiday season, and a glorious New Year!
Big loves,
Anita
