Yes I Do (Surprise!) Weddings
Got a party happening for whatever reason, hey, while everyone’s here, why not turn it into a surprise wedding? Talk to me about creating a surprise wedding, at your venue.
Surprise weddings suit those couples who want to marry fuss-free — quit the drama and endless to-do lists that comes with wedding planning. Just plan your party, have the guests turn up, and… surprise! You still get the ceremony, the celebration, and the guests mile-wide smiles, just, without the politics and stress!
Lodge your paperwork with me one month out from your surprise wedding, and you could be enjoying a vibey ceremony at your venue. All the essential details are sorted, so all you have to do is look radiant, and we’ll do the rest.
Get married in a surprise wedding…
You choose the date and venue,
and I’ll turn up with my kit (and back-story while mingling with the guests), and get you married!
Psssst! Check the events calendar for other wedding events.
What is a Surprise Wedding Day?
A surprise wedding is one where you’ve organised the party and venue, and at some point (pre-determined), I’ll turn up and get you hitched mid-party. It can be a surprise for your guests, to really add some kick to the celebrations.
It becomes a wedding that is arranged without the stress, fuss or politics that can come with a big wedding. It really is an easy wedding — all the good feels and none of the bad. The simplicity of a Registry Office wedding, but way more personal, and in a beautiful setting!
How it works…
- You tell me your ceremony goals
- Choose your package and I’ll arrange the ceremony, and any optional extras, so…
- … all you have to do is look gorgeous and turn up!
Surprise weddings make it super easy for couples to get the big wedding feel, without the big wedding politics. Packages start from a teensy $650.
INCLUDED in a Surprise Wedding package: $650
- Celebrant: Anita Revel, one of the most popular Celebrants in the South West;
- Celebrant travel: Includes 50km travel from wherever I am that day;
- Mic & Amp: to ensure all your guests can hear you getting hitched;
- Venue*: Your own;
Optional Extras:
- Photographer: A super talented local photographer to capture your candid moments as well as your official wedding photos;
- Guests: Unlimited;
- Witnesses if you don’t have your own.
- Hair and Make-up in your hotel room.
* Weather permitting — please have an alternative venue option in case of rain or extreme heat.
More Optional Extras — ask me for a quote:
- flowers,
- cakes,
- catering,
- a restaurant booking,
- an epic car hire,
- a horse trail-ride through a private forest,
- and so on and so on.
Book Anita as your roaming Celebrant for your surprise wedding day
Simply register your interest below, letting me know which date/time you’d like, and I’ll contact you with “Next Steps”.
Note: You will be required to pay a non-refundable fee of $650 to reserve your time-slot.
Step 1: Book your date/time. Payment Options…
For a marriage to be considered legal, your wedding paperwork needs to be lodged one calendar month out from your surprise wedding day, sooooo….. time is of the essence! To help speed up the process, you can pay instantly online (credit card / PayPal)…
Step 2: Lodge your paperwork with your Celebrant
Download the NOIM form here, fill it out, get a qualified person to witness your signatures, then get a copy of your NOIM to me as a top priority.
You can get a copy to me by:
a) Scan / email
b) Photo / MMS to 0417 937 436
Step 3: Organise your other paperwork
Pack your original NOIM in your suitcase — you will need to give it to me prior to your ceremony! Other documents I will need to sight from you:
- Original birth certificates and/or
- Passports
- If either of you were married before, proof of how that marriage ended
If your birth certificate(s) are not in English, they will need to be translated by a certified NAATI translator.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Once I pronounce you married, we sign the paperwork, and voila, you can then get ready to party!
Tips…
Pick a date/occasion that works for you. Don’t be persuaded to change it because it doesn’t suit a few friends. If they can’t be there for your 40th birthday / house-warming / baby naming, that’s OK — it means they can’t be there for your wedding either. This might sound tough, but you’ll never find a date that suits everyone, so go with what’s right for you.
Ask your Celebrant to park around the corner, especially if they’re driving a car with “Celebrant” decals all over it!
Have a story worked out with your Celebrant — the first ever surprise wedding I did, I was introduced to guests as “the stripper”… Ever since, we now have a more viable story worked out beforehand LOL.
Case Study: Surprise Wedding in Margaret River

FAQ about having a surprise wedding…
Q: Can I surprise my partner with the wedding?
A: The guests are allowed to be surprised by the wedding ceremony, but your spouse-to-be can’t. You must both be aware and willing to alter your legal status to “next of kin”…
Q: Is it as simple as turning up?
A: Yes! You need to lodge your NOIM form with me at least one calendar month prior, but that’s the only limitation with regards to “time”.
Q: How many guests can we have?
A: You need at least two people over the age of 18 who speak English to act as witnesses. There is no upper limit for guests, but any more than 150 becomes slightly crazy! ;-P
Q: What are the legal requirements?
A: Just like any regular marriage ceremony, you will need to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage form with Anita, at least a calendar month out from your wedding day. I will let you know the rest with my “Next Steps” information.
Q: How long does does a surprise wedding go for?
A: Simple ceremonies generally take less than 30 minutes — it depends on what readings etc you’d like included.
Q: I have more questions! Can I contact you?
A: Yes! Phone me on 0417 937 436 (I’m GMT+8 time zone), use the contact form to ask your question 😀 I’m at your service!!