Ink & Vows with Clare

Because your wedding doesn’t have to be traditional just because weddings are traditionally done that way.

I’m here for couples who want something personal, genuine, fun and a little bit different.

I’m not interested in giving you a cookie-cutter ceremony.

I’ll listen to your story, get to know what makes you tick and create a ceremony that feels like the two of you.

No beige.

No boring.

No pretending you’re someone you’re not.

Just your love story — with a little edge.

As soon as you have your date and venue locked in, I recommend getting in touch.

Popular dates, particularly Saturdays and dates with a bit of numerical magic, can book well ahead. That said, if you’re planning a last-minute wedding, don’t assume it’s impossible — ask me! If I’m available, we’ll make it happen.

For a legal marriage in Australia, your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) needs to be lodged with your authorised celebrant at least one month before your wedding and can be lodged up to 18 months beforehand.

A lot more than stand at the front and read a script!

I’ll guide you through the legal requirements, help you create a ceremony that actually sounds like you, work with you on your vows and ceremony content, coordinate the ceremony with your venue and other key people, and make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

And yes — I’ll be there with the microphone, the paperwork and the calm voice when everyone else is running around saying, “Where are the rings?!”

Absolutely — but it will be your story, not a generic wedding script.

I’ll get to know you both, discover the stories, quirks, adventures and moments that make your relationship yours, then turn them into a ceremony that feels personal and genuine.

Want romantic? Funny? Emotional? Wildly romantic? A little bit unconventional?

I’m in.

Absolutely.

In fact, I encourage it.

Your vows don’t need to sound like a greeting card or Shakespeare. They need to sound like you.

If you’re staring at a blank page thinking, “How the hell am I supposed to write this?”, don’t panic. I’ll give you guidance, prompts and plenty of support.

The legal requirements for marriage are set by Australian Commonwealth law rather than Queensland-specific wedding ceremony rules.

Generally, you must:

• be legally free to marry
• be at least 18, subject to limited exceptions
• lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
• have an authorised marriage celebrant conduct the ceremony
• have two witnesses who are at least 18
• include the legally required wording in the ceremony
• sign the required marriage documents.

I’ll guide you through the paperwork and legal requirements so you don’t have to become an expert in the Marriage Act.

NOIM stands for Notice of Intended Marriage.

It’s the official form that tells the Australian Government that you intend to marry.

It needs to be given to your authorised celebrant at least one month before your wedding, and no more than 18 months beforehand.

I’ll help you complete it and make sure I have the documents and information I need from you. This can be done online via the Celebrant Suite and I will guide you on how with providing you with log in details.

Absolutely not.

There is no rule saying your wedding has to look, sound or feel a particular way.

Want a huge celebration? Fantastic.

Want something tiny and intimate? Perfect.

Want tattoos, alternative rituals, your dog involved, ridiculous inside jokes, a killer playlist and vows that aren’t remotely traditional?

Now you’re speaking my language.

The legal requirements still need to be met, but what we do around those requirements is completely personal to you.

That’s completely up to you.

Some couples want something short, sweet and meaningful. Others want a ceremony packed with stories, laughs, rituals, readings and personality.

We’ll create a ceremony that suits you, your guests and your day rather than trying to squeeze everyone into a standard timeframe.

That’s generally determined by your venue and what you want for your wedding.

Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a celebration with a crowd, I’ll work with you to make sure the ceremony fits the occasion.

You need two witnesses who are at least 18 years old.

They can be family members, friends or other people you choose. They don’t have to be Australian citizens.

If you want two people who are genuinely important to you standing beside you, choose them. If you don’t particularly care who signs the paperwork, we’ll work through your options.

YES.

This is one of the reasons Ink & Vows exists.

Your ceremony doesn’t have to be beige, predictable or copied from someone else’s Pinterest board.

Whether you’re into gothic, geeky, rock ‘n’ roll, fantasy, tattoos, gaming, pop culture, alternative traditions or simply doing things differently, let’s talk.

Your wedding should reflect your relationship, not somebody else’s idea of what a wedding is supposed to be.

Absolutely! Love, life and milestones come in all shapes and sizes — and they’re all worth celebrating.

As well as weddings, I offer vow renewals, baby naming ceremonies, milestone celebrations, commitment ceremonies, celebrations of life and other meaningful life events.

If you have something special in mind that isn’t on the list, let’s talk. I’m all about creating a ceremony that feels personal, authentic and uniquely yours — with a little Ink & Vows edge.

I’m a big fan of involving the furry members of the family where the venue allows it.

Dogs as ring bearers? Absolutely.

A beloved pet appearing in your ceremony? Love it.

Just make sure your venue is happy with the arrangement and that someone is responsible for your pet on the day so you can concentrate on getting married.

Of course.

Your entrance, signing and exit music can all be chosen to reflect your personalities and your relationship, subject to your venue and equipment arrangements.

And yes, your wedding doesn’t have to begin with the traditional wedding march.

Celebrancy and photography are separate services, so photography isn’t included in my celebrant packages. Except as an add on for my elopement package.

However, if you need help finding suppliers, I’m happy to point you towards professionals who may suit your style and budget.

Absolutely! If you want someone to keep your celebration flowing, the guests informed and the good times rolling, I can step in as your MC.

From welcoming guests and introducing speeches to keeping the timeline on track and making sure everyone knows what’s happening next, I’ll help create a fun, relaxed atmosphere while taking the pressure off you.

And if I’m already your celebrant, having me stay on as MC means one less person to brief and one familiar face keeping your special event running smoothly!

Equipment depends on the package and requirements of your ceremony.

If you need PA equipment, microphones or additional ceremony equipment, I can provide it.

My pricing depends on the type of ceremony, level of support and any additional services you require.

I offer a range of wedding options so you can choose the level of involvement that’s right for you.

You can view my current wedding packages on this page https://inkvows.com.au/weddings/

Yes!

I’m based on the Fraser Coast and can travel for weddings throughout Queensland and beyond.

Travel arrangements and any applicable travel fees will be discussed clearly before you book.

Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Byron Bay and destination weddings!

Let’s talk.

Once you’ve booked, I’ll guide you through the process.

We’ll get to know each other, work through your ceremony ideas, complete the necessary paperwork, create your ceremony and vows, and make sure you know exactly what is happening on the day.

You won’t be left wondering, “What are we supposed to do now?”

I deliberately keep my wedding bookings limited so every couple gets the time, preparation and attention they deserve.

For weddings I accept a maximum of one wedding per week to allow for travel, preparation and any unexpected delays.

Because I limit my bookings, your date is not secured by an enquiry or initial conversation. Your wedding date is only confirmed once your service agreement has been signed and the required booking payment has been received. Until then, the date remains available to other couples.

Once your booking is confirmed, that time is set aside for you — I don’t squeeze in extra ceremonies beyond my booking limits.

I’d much rather give a small number of couples my full attention than pack my diary with weddings. Your ceremony deserves more than being just another booking in the calendar.

You’re getting married — you’re allowed to be nervous!

You don’t need to be a professional public speaker, and you certainly don’t need to memorise a speech.

I’ll guide you through the ceremony and help you feel comfortable with what is happening and when.

And if you cry, laugh, stumble over a word or completely lose your train of thought?

We’ll roll with it.

Real moments are often the best moments.

Tell me!

Your ceremony isn’t set in stone the moment you book me.

As we get closer to the wedding, we’ll refine the details together and make sure the ceremony still feels right for you.

My job isn’t just to stand there and read the ceremony.

I’m there to help the ceremony run smoothly.

I’ll arrive prepared, make sure the necessary paperwork is in order, liaise with the relevant people where appropriate and deal with unexpected hiccups as calmly as possible.

Because let’s face it — weddings can go the opposite way to the plan.

Queensland weather can be unpredictable, so I always recommend having a Plan B for outdoor ceremonies. We’ll discuss your wet-weather option during the planning process so everyone knows exactly what will happen if the weather turns. A change of location doesn’t have to change the magic — we’ll simply adapt and keep the celebration going.

Absolutely.

In fact, I encourage it.

Choosing your celebrant is personal. You need to feel comfortable with the person standing beside you on one of the biggest days of your life.

Let’s have a chat, tell me what you’re planning, ask me anything you like and see if we vibe. I offer a free 30 min video chat via whats app or zoom if you prefer.

Easy.

Get in touch and tell me a little about yourselves, your wedding date, location and what you’re dreaming up.

We’ll have a chat about what you want, I’ll answer your questions and we’ll work out whether Ink & Vows is the right fit for you.

Once your date is secured, we start creating a ceremony that feels completely you. I’ll guide you through the process, from questionnaires and planning conversations to writing your personalised ceremony, choosing vows and meaningful elements and organising the legal requirements. We’ll stay in touch along the way, and depending on your package and ceremony needs, we can also arrange additional meetings or a rehearsal. You bring the love story — I’ll help turn it into a ceremony.

Code of Practice for Marraige Celebrants

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/code-practice-marriage-celebrants

Concerns & complaints

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/marriage/complain-about-marriage-celebrant

Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

Please chat with me before completing your NOIM—I’ll guide you through the form and explain who can witness your signatures.

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/notice-intended-marriage

Happily ever…before and after brochure

This government brochure explains the legal implications of marriage and the relationship education and support services available to you as a couple. You’ll each receive a copy when we sign your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM).

https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/happily-ever-and-after

Changing your last name after marriage

The ceremonial certificate you are given on your wedding day cannot be used for official name updates. You need to apply and pay for the official Registry certificate; it isn’t automatically sent when the celebrant registers your marriage. For weddings outside Queensland, apply to the registry in the state or territory where they married.

https://www.qld.gov.au/family/name-changes/marriage-or-separation

Get a marriage certificate

https://www.qld.gov.au/family/marriage-and-civil-partnerships/marriage/get-marriage-certificate

Get a birth certificate

https://www.qld.gov.au/family/births/births-and-registrations/get-birth-certificate