Memories are Precious

Gold Coast, Brisbane
Tweed & Byron Bay Commitment Ceremonies Only


MY PLEDGE TO YOU
I conduct commitment ceremonies only not official weddings. I will meet with you and craft a ceremony with the balance of formality, romance, even humour or spirituality that you desire. All with your input and approval. Your ceremony is your special day. Together we will make it all you want it to be.

CHOOSING A CELEBRANT

Celebrants officiate at personalized civil-secular, nondenominational, religious, spiritual and multicultural wedding ceremonies.

Your Celebrant will help you create a ceremony that reflects the beliefs beliefs and traditions you find important. You should be able to talk with a celebrant before you book them. After all, you need to ensure that the celebrant is on the same page as you.

Once booked, celebrants interview you to learn your personal story, collaborate with you to write the ceremony, rehearse with you, if necessary, and officiate on the big day.

 

 

VOWS FROM MOVIE STARS
Why let not having an A-list Hollywood scriptwriter prevent you from having celebrity vows? If you're going to copy ... always copy from the best. And sometimes you'll see that even movie stars opt for simplicity.

Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller
White Plains, New York-June 29, 1956

We are here today to participate in a most joyous occasion, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, by acknowledging the wedding of Arthur and Marilyn.

Arthur, do you take Marilyn to be your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honour, and protect her? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep her in sickness and in sorrow and to be faithful to her forevermore?

Marilyn, do you take Arthur to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honour, and protect him? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep him in sickness and in sorrow and to be faithful to him forevermore?

I give you this ring in token and pledge as a symbol of all that we share with my constant faith and abiding love.
Now that you have joined yourselves in matrimony, may you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed and you may now call yourselves by those old and respected names, husband and wife. May God bless this union. You may kiss the bride.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Las Vegas, Nevada-January 29, 1958

We have come here today in the presence of God to join in holy matrimony Paul and Joanne.

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the Art of Marriage: The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say 'I love you' at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

Paul, will you have Joanne to be your lawful wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?

Joanne, will you have Paul to be your lawful wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?

This ring I give in token and pledge as a sign of my love and devotion, with this ring I thee wed.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu
Las Vegas, Nevada-May 1, 1967

Marriage is an honourable estate. It is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly, but discreetly and soberly. Into this relationship these two persons come now to be joined. I ask you both that if you know any reason why you should not be joined in marriage, you make it known at this time.

Elvis, do you take Priscilla to be your wedded wife, to live together in bonds of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, so long as you both shall live?
Priscilla, do you take Elvis to be your wedded husband, to live together in bonds of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, so long as you both shall live?

I, Elvis, take thee, Priscilla, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish.

I, Priscilla, take thee, Elvis, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish.

Inasmuch as you have consented together in marriage, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore
Las Vegas, Nevada-November 21, 1987

I, Bruce, take thee, Demi, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. With this ring I thee wed, in here with, I pledge to you my love and devotion, so long as we both shall live.

I, Demi, take thee, Bruce, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. With this ring I thee wed, in here with, I pledge to you my love and devotion, so long as we both shall live.

Inasmuch as Bruce and Demi have consented in holy wedlock and have witness the same before God, according to the powers vested in me by this state and being an ordained minister of the Gospel, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, those whom God has joined together let no one out asunder

Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett
Marion, Indiana-June 27, 1993

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given one another during prosperity and adversity, and when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purpose for which it was instituted by God.

I, Lyle, in the presence of God and these witnesses, take you, Julia, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us, and I pledge you my faithfulness.

I, Julia, in the presence of God and these witnesses, take you, Lyle, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us, and I pledge you my faithfulness.

Receive this ring as a pledge and token of wedded love and faithfulness.

Harry Connick, Jr. and Jill Goodacre
New Orleans, Louisiana-April 16, 1994

I, Harry, take you, Jill, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honour you all the days of my life.

I, Jill, take you, Harry, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honour you all the days of my life.

Jill, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Harry, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love
Waikiki, Hawaii-February 24, 1992

True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of two persons. In its right relation, it's the uniting of two souls already attuned to each other. When such a true bond already exists between man and woman, it is fitting that an outer acknowledgment be made. This acknowledgment is the prime object of this gathering and this ceremony. We are here to bear witness to the entry into the closer relationship of husband and wife of these beloved friends who are already one in spirit.

You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in all the world whom you love best. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust as well. You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities and to share love.

At the end of this ceremony, legally you will be husband and wife, but you still must decide each and every day that stretches before you, that you want to be married. Make such a decision and keep on making it, for the most important thing in life is to love and be loved.

May you always need one another, not so much to fill the emptiness as to help each other know your fullness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you embrace one another, but not encircle one another. May you succeed in all-important ways with each other, and not fail in the little graces. Look for things to praise, often say 'I love you' and take no notice of small faults. May you have happiness, and may you find it in making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it in loving one another.

This ring by its shape is a symbol of the undying love that exists between you. The substance of which it is composed is a symbol of purity, which shall ever characterize your mind and hearts in all your relationships together.

EIA IHO NO, KA MALUHIA, O NA LANI, ME OUKOU A PAU (The peace and serenity of the heavens be with you all). And so it is ... Amen ... and ALOHA!

Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere
Las Vegas, Nevada-December 12, 1991

We are gathered here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. The love of God is an example for your devotion, and you are not left without guidance concerning the meaning of that love because God is love and love is all. A wedding ceremony is the perfect place to read from Corinthians. This is what God said love is: Love is patient and kind, knows no jealousy, gives itself no false airs or false pride. Never irritated, never resentful, love is neither glad when others go wrong or become hurt. Love is guided by goodness, always eager to believe the best, always hopeful.

Remember, anything beautiful that you have, came from God. In the beginning, God gave us our free will and our identity to walk this earth. Don't ever try to change each other, because if you do, you will lose exactly what you fell in love with. So, each day try to find one more thing that is beautiful in your mate and each day know that the next day will be more beautiful than the one before. As long as you are doing this, you are seeking beauty, joy, and love in each other.

Richard, do you take Cindy to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in times of good and bad?

Cindy, do you take Richard to be your wedded husband? To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in times of good and bad?

I, Richard, pledge to you, Cindy, as my friend, my love, and my companion to love, honour, and cherish as long as we both shall live.

I, Cindy, pledge to you, Richard, as my friend, my love, and my companion to love, honour, and cherish as long as we both shall live.

I give this ring in token and in pledge of my constant faith and abiding love with all that I am, and all that I will become.

Michael Jordan and Juanita R. Vanoy
Las Vegas, Nevada-September 2, 1989

Marriage is not only a commitment between lovers; it is also an agreement between two friends. Allow each other time to be an individual, respect each other's wishes as well as their dreams.

Selfishness has no place in a lasting relationship. Happiness is what each of you should seek for the other. Ask less for yourself than you are willing to give. Love can be shown by a word or touch or two thoughts entwined as one. In every relationship, trust is very important; never break that trust.

With this ring I thee wed, pledging to you all my love and faithfulness forevermore.

Beverly Hills 90210-David & Donna (TV's scripted vows)

David: When was it that we fell in love, when we were 18 or 16, maybe 10? I don't know 'cause the truth is I can't picture a time that I wasn't in love with you. I always knew you were the one that could look into my eyes and see my soul. I don't question your commitment to us and I know there's nothing we can't work through. And I except you as my partner and as my best friend above all others. It's a miracle to find the kind of peace and happiness that you've given me and in honour of that miracle, I pledge before our family and friends to love and to cherish you forever.

Donna: I look at you and I see my best friend, your energy and your passion inspire me in ways I never thought possible. Your inner beauty, so strong, that I know longer fear being myself. I know longer fear at all. I never thought that I could find someone that I could love that would love me back unconditionally. Then I realize that although we were often apart you were always with me, and you were my soul mate. You give me purpose when I feel I have none. Without you my soul would be empty, my heart broken, my being incomplete. I thank god everyday that you were brought into my life, and I thank you for loving me.

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, that moment when you pledge your lives to each other
for life. Choose a celebrant early so that you are
not left with too few choices.

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
Germaine Greer

QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL CELEBRANT

If you are not having a church wedding (70% of Australians don't), finding a suitable civil celebrant for your wedding is extremely important.

START EARLY
& ASK QUESTIONS

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning the reception but the ceremony is the core of your day. Many couples leave choosing the celebrant too late and find that their preferred celebrant is already booked months in advance and they end up with a celebrant who does not make their day the special event it should be. Book early and ask these questions:

How do you create the ceremony?
Your celebrant must interview you to understand your beliefs, your values, and what makes your love so special. Then creates a ceremony based on your needs.

Do we have final approval overwhat will be said?
It is your wedding, don't be railroaded.

When will you be there? The officiant must be there at least 20 minutes before the ceremony to coordinate details with readers, musicians and people such as photographers.

Does your fee include a rehearsal at the venue? Most celebrants are happy to have a rehearsal but for an additional fee for their time. If the celebrant is made aware of everything that you have planned, there may be no need for a rehearsal.

Do you provide a public address system? For large weddings or difficult outdoor venues, the celebrant may provide a PA system for the ceremony only not for the reception. Most often it is not required.

Can we face our guests? Yes. After all the guests are there to see to you married, not see the celebrant.

What training do you have? Barry Pierce's Bio
In Australia all wedding celebrants must be authorised by the Australian Government and are governed by a Code of Conduct.
. Your celebrant will have a registration number which you can ask for. Celebrants do re-training courses each year.

How will you work with our wedding photographer? Your celebrant should be aware that you'll want wonderful keepsakes of this day and will work with musicians, photographers and videographers to enable them to get the best shots.

Will you provide us with a copy of our ceremony? If you require a written copy of the words spoken at your wedding, your celebrant should provide them for you, preferably printed on quality presentation paper.

FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Call Barry Pierce




Ceremonies, poems
& info to plan
your wedding

Please feel free to use anything you find ... even if I don't have the honour of being your celebrant.

NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE

A completed Notice of Intended Marriage form must be lodged with your chosen authorised marriage celebrant within 18 months of and no later than one month and one day prior to your proposed marriage. You can download the form or fill it in online by using the link on the right.

When meeting with your celebrant, ensure that you have all your required documentation with you eg. birth certificates and evidence that any prior marriage has been dissolved. If you were not born in Australia, other documentation will be required. Your celebrant will also require photocopies of the original documents for filing.

WHAT YOUR VOWS MEAN
With your marriage, you are entering into solemn vows each with the other but you are creating more than a loving partnership. You are creating a legal partnership with tax, property, banking, and other implications. We recommend that you read the brochure "Happily Ever Before and After" available free here.

YOUR WEDDING VOWS
In Australia, as well as the vows you personally choose, all legal marriages must include the following statement (or words to the same effect) known as the Monitum. It is spoken by the accredited celebrant:

Now, I am duly authorized by the law to solemnize this, your marriage, according to the laws of Australia. Before you, (name bride), and you,(name groom), are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the witness of these, your family and friends, I am bound, as you know, to remind you publicly of the solemn, the serious and the binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to the laws of Australia, is a voluntary and full commitment of a man to a woman, and a woman to a man. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and is entered into with the firm intention that is will last for life.

CERTIFICATES
After they are signed and witnessed at your wedding, your certificates will be sent by the celebrant to the Registrar of Marriages in the state in which the wedding took place. The celebrant will keep a copy and, at the wedding, you will be given a presentation wedding certificate. Chances are your mind will be full on your wedding day so the celebrant may entrust the presentation certificate to a trusted friend or family member.


Home | Weddings | Commitments | Namings | Funerals | Memorials | Contact