Ticking Off Your Ceremony To-Do List... and How We Help You Make It All Happen!

Once you’ve set your wedding date and booked your venue, you might be wondering — what is next on the list?

The ceremony is the heart of your day, and there are a few key things you’ll need to have sorted before you can officially say “I do.”

At Michelle and Dusty Wedding Ceremonies, we like to make things clear, simple, and stress-free — so here’s everything you need to know to tick off your ceremony checklist, plus a few tips on the other amazing vendors who’ll help bring your whole day together.

1. The Legal Paperwork

Before anything else, let’s talk legalities.

The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form is the big one — it needs to be lodged with your celebrant at least one month before the wedding. We make this super easy with our online pre-fill link, so all your details are entered automatically and ready to go.

Then, on your wedding day, we’ll have you sign the final legal documents — including:

• The Official Certificate of Marriage (Form 15)

• The Marriage Certificates for the Couple

We’ll handle the lodgement with Births, Deaths and Marriages after your ceremony, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

(If you haven’t read our full blog on the NOIM yet — that’s a great place to start!)

2. Choosing Your Ceremony Style

Once the paperwork’s underway, it’s time to plan the ceremony itself — the part where all the love, laughter, and happy tears happen!

We’ll help you:

• Decide on the tone — romantic, relaxed, funny, heartfelt, or a bit of everything.

• Choose a structure that fits your story — from simple elopements to beautifully styled ceremonies.

• Write your vows (yes, we help with those too — no writer’s block here!).

  
  

We make sure it all flows smoothly from start to finish so your ceremony feels like you — genuine, meaningful, and memorable.

3. Ceremony Styling

We know how much it matters that your ceremony looks as beautiful as it feels — which is why we offer ceremony styling packages too.

Our styling includes:

• A choice of 8 stunning arbour designs

• Artificial florals and draping

• Seating for up to 60 guests

• Welcome signage, candles, and décor accents

• Raked and ready grounds for that perfect setup (no tripping over sticks or stepping in dog poo)

You can come see our Styling Suite in person to mix and match your favourite looks — from elegant and romantic to coastal and boho.

Even if you’ve chosen another celebrant, our styling-only service is available for anyone wanting a gorgeous setup for just $1,500.

Photo by Rope and Pulley

4. Your Ceremony Music & Atmosphere

Music sets the tone — from that emotional walk down the aisle to the moment you both dance back as newlyweds.

You can choose to work with talented local musicians to create a live, heartfelt atmosphere or add on our Music Assistant service — an option we highly recommend!

Having a Music Assistant means there are no Bluetooth dramas, no dodgy connections, and no panicked friend downloading songs at the last minute. We’ve seen it all — phones on silent, playlists out of order, and poor unsuspecting guests suddenly realising they’re in charge of the music!

Our music assistant makes sure every song starts at the perfect time, runs smoothly, and creates the right mood for each part of your ceremony — stress-free and beautifully seamless.

Because when it comes to your wedding day, your only job should be to soak up the moment, not worry about who’s pressing play.

5. Rehearsal Time

We always recommend having a quick rehearsal before the big day — even if it’s just a walk-through at home or at your venue. It helps calm the nerves, sorts out timing, and makes sure everyone knows where they’re standing.

We can guide your bridal party, show you how the processional and recessional work, and help you feel comfortable and confident before the ceremony begins.

If you’d prefer to run it yourselves, we can send you our DIY Rehearsal Checklist, which covers all the key steps so you can practice easily in your own time.

Or, if you’d like a little extra support, you can add on a Rehearsal Session with us — a relaxed 30-minute to 1-hour run-through the day before your wedding to make sure everything flows perfectly.

Because the more confident you feel before the big moment, the more you can truly enjoy it.

6. The Little Extras That Make It Yours

Here’s where the fun details come in! You might like to:

• Include a reading or poem from a loved one.

• Add a signing song that means something special.

• Write personal vows that make everyone smile (or cry!).

• Choose a ceremony layout that suits your space — circle, aisle, or even barefoot on the beach.

  
  

We’ll help bring your ideas to life and make sure it all comes together beautifully.

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And What About the Reception?

While we focus on creating a heartfelt ceremony, there are plenty of amazing wedding experts who’ll help bring your reception to life.

Once you’re officially married and ready to celebrate, you might work with:

• Photographers & Videographers – to capture every smile, kiss, and dance floor move.

• Caterers & Cake Artists – to serve up all the good stuff.

• Florists & Decorators – to match your ceremony styling to your reception space.

• Wedding Planners & Coordinators – for seamless transitions and stress-free timelines.

• DJs, MCs or Live Bands – to keep the party going well into the night.

We love working alongside local creatives who share the same passion for making your day truly unforgettable.

In a Nutshell:

There’s more to your ceremony than just showing up and saying “I do” — but that’s the fun of it! With a little planning (and a lot of heart), it all comes together beautifully.

At Michelle and Dusty Wedding Ceremonies, we’re here to guide you through every step — from the first form to the final kiss.

We’ll take care of the paperwork, styling, and ceremony flow — you just bring the love!