Danika + Drew’s Pre-America ‘Legals Only’ Wedding | Merewether Beach
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Deciding to legally marry before or after the big day
This is story of how I got to be part of the most epic Merewether Legals Only Wedding……..
Sometimes a good old ☎️ phone call beats an email!
So, this gal named Danika reached out to me, all curious and excited, about my Legals Only ceremony. She’s planning to tie the knot with her partner Drew in August back in her homeland, America. I was intrigued so I picked up the phone and give her a buzz. ?
During our chat, I broke it down for her, explaining the nitty-gritty of the paperwork (yep, that NOIM form needs to be completed a month prior to the big day). We even dove into a discussion about the possibility of getting hitched before the grand celebration. No need to wait! Danika was worried about jetting off as a newlywed with her passport still rocking her maiden name. I assured her that as long as her flights match the name on her passport, she’s good to go. ✈️
It’s a lot to navigate. As she said herself “I’m a newbie at this whole marriage thing!” I was delighted to lend a helping hand, guiding her through all those legal particulars and whatnot. It’s a great feeling to share my expertise and wisdom! ??
After discussing it with Drew, they made the brilliant decision to get married before they head overseas. I married them in a short and oh-so-sweet ceremony near the Blue Door Café in Merewether, exactly one month before their big wedding.
They told me that doing it beforehand was the best decision for them as it took away some of their pre-wedding nerves???
Merewether Legals Only Wedding- How we made a Small Wedding Special
When you are having a big wedding in a forest in Washington DC in a month’s time, it makes sense to keep things simple for your Australian ‘Legals-only’ wedding.
For Danika + Drew this meant:
(i) Embracing the familiarity and significance of their favourite haunt. They decided that the Blue Door café was where they wanted to be married with just two friends as witnesses.
(ii) Danika chose not to wear her designer wedding dress, opting instead for a lovely blue dress and comfortable sneakers, which didn’t look out of place strolling along the Merewether promenade. Stylish and comfy.
(iii) They didn’t swap rings during this ceremony. Instead, I got them to place their hands on each other hearts as they said the legal vow.
(iv) They decided to reserve their personalised vows for the grand occasion. In its place, I asked them to answer a few impromptu questions about each other during the ceremony. Added bonus: that might actually get the creative juices flowing for when they go to write their vows next week.
(v) Drunk on love, we all sipped champagne out of plastic cups in the car park afterward to celebrate. Unforgettable and fun!
Danika and Drew shattered the notion that a Legals-only ceremony can’t be special or memorable. They proved that even in its simplicity, it can stand on its own, without overshadowing or taking away from the big wedding day.
Together, we proved that sometimes it’s the smallest moments that leave the biggest impact.
THE BIG WEDDING
In case you were wondering what Danika and Drew’s big wedding in the woods was like, check out these stunning photos by Alder + Pine Photography from Washington, USA
REVIEW- Merewether Legals Only Wedding Ceremony
” Julie truly went above and beyond to make our Merewether Legals Only Wedding a memorable and enjoyable experience for us. From the moment we met Julie, she radiated warmth and genuine care for our special day. She took the time to get to know us as a couple, and her personalized approach made us feel comfortable and at ease throughout the entire process. Her attention to detail and professionalism were evident in every interaction we had with her. What impressed us the most was Julie’s ability to transform what could have been a quick and simple ceremony into something fun and cute. This was a ceremony for legal paperwork before we have our big day abroad over in the US. She added personal touches and elements of joy that made the occasion truly special.
Julie’s creativity and sense of humour were evident, and she managed to bring out smiles and laughter from both of us, even during a legals only ceremony. Julie’s passion for her work shone through every step of the way. She guided us through the legal aspects of the ceremony with ease, ensuring that everything was done properly and according to our wishes. Her knowledge and expertise were invaluable, and we felt confident in her ability to handle all the necessary paperwork and requirements.
Overall, Julie Muir exceeded our expectations in every possible way. She made our legals only ceremony at the beach a truly delightful and memorable experience. We cannot recommend her enough for anyone seeking a marriage celebrant who will make their special day even more extraordinary. Thank you, Julie, for your exceptional service and for being such a wonderful part of our journey to marriage. We are forever grateful to have had you as our celebrant. ”
Hey there, lovebirds! If you’re planning to tie the knot overseas but need to deal with the legal stuff in Newcastle before or after your adventure, don’t sweat it! Just hit me up, and I’ll sort you out. I’m a wedding paperwork wizard, here to make your journey to happily ever after as smooth as possible.
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