Elizabeth Jesse | Gold Coast Marriage Celebrant
Elizabeth Jesse | Gold Coast Marriage Celebrant
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED
I was a wedding guest at a wedding in 2009 in Sydney was left scarred by the celebrant who read the ceremony word by word from a bloody clipboard with no eye contact and managed to pronounce the groom’s surname incorrectly. To top it off she wore a grey suit, court shoes and used a feathered pen that was so long I thought she’d pinched it from a props and costume box from a 1800’s movie set. That was my catalyst that encouraged me to seriously think about hitching love bugs ups. I really need to thank ole love!
I’m a weirdo who isn’t afraid of public speaking and it comes easy to me when I’m passionate about it. I am also passionate about Rick Astley’s long overdue comeback, bright shoes and malteasers!
I officiated my very first wedding on 27 November 2010 at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane. I will treasure it. Trudy and Regis were sublime and were so incredibly kind and trusting. My husband came along for moral support and hid behind a bush – I knew he was there with me – lol.
Trudy, Regis and I have kept in contact over the years and only last year I married Trudy’s beautiful sister Teagan at An Island Hideaway at South Stradbroke Island.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING LAST SEASON
So many favourites however 17 December 2016 holds a very special place in my heart as I married my beautiful friends Lucy and Dean at Oskars at Burleigh Heads. This pair rocked my world and will continue to do so. Lucy and I are quite literally “sole sisters”. We share a love of fabulous shoes and when she glided down to Dean wearing divine Christian Louboutin’s and her darling sister Elle in Sophie Webster heels well needless to say I was bloody spellbound.
Oskars is breathtaking. The staff and setting is insanely beautiful. Amey from The Perfect Party Co styled the space to absolute perfection.
I really treasure the chats that I have with my couples whilst we are standing front and centre. The little laughs and giggles and tears we share- just the three of us as I whisk my trusty mic about of ear shot. Lucy, Dean and I did just that.
We laughed hard and we also teared up – how could we not?
HOW FAR OUT SHOULD A BRIDE PAY A DEPOSIT TO SECURE YOU FOR A WEDDING DAY?
I already have two wedding dates secured for the 2019 wedding season. As far out as couples like is book isn’t a problem for me at all.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WHEN A COUPLE BOOKS YOU FOR THEIR WEDDING?
The following are included in my service:
* Consultation Meetings
* Unlimited phone calls, emails and skype sessions
* Personal Ceremony Scripting
* Unlimited Resources
* Downloading of your personal song selection
* Use of my PA
* Complete lodgment of official documentation
* Unlimited laughs, tear wiping and dress fluffing
* Close liaising with chosen wedding professionals in the lead up to the ceremony to ensure that the magic is captured perfectly
* My impeccable presentation – No “Golden Girls” attire on mywatch
With my ceremonies we bust out the legalities and the rest is is completely up to us on how we want to roll - lol! I also really like to introduce myself to the photographers and videographers to assure them personally that whatever they need from me they have! Personalisation isa MUST!
HOW DO YOU HELP COUPLES CUSTOMIZE THEIR WEDDING?
With me it’s all about the customising. That’s the best part. I really insist on meeting my gorgeous couples as soon as possible. I take notes both mentally and scribble away on my trusty notepad. I also provide my couples with a “Getting To Know You” form which features some really fun questions and some ideas to get their little minds clicking into wedding mode.
I also speak to their family and friends where possible which allows me to personalise the ceremony that little bit further as I can bust out quotes from them as a surprise for the couple at the ceremony.
WHAT’S ONE INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
I have a little ritual and that is I replace the microphone battery for every single wedding – even when I have a two a day sitch. You will never ever find a feathered pen tucked away in my celebrant bag.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE?
Definitely the purchase of more fabulous shoes to wear to my ceremonies.
WHAT’S ONE TIPE YOU WOULD TELL ALL OF YOUR BRIDES?
As cliché as it sounds I always bang on about it “being your day”. So many couples are influenced and even pushed in directions they don’t want to go. If you see and article in a mag and it says “Bridesmaids dresses are so yesterday” – who cares!! If you want bridesmaids you bloody have them!! It’s your day and it’s over so quick. I always check in with my couples during the ceremony “Are you ok, are you having fun?” I have been known to bust out the ole Jazz Hands to make a couple giggle – whatever it takes my friends whatever it takes lol.
WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS UNIQUE?
There are no “cut and paste cookie cutter” ceremonies on my watch. Sure there are legalities that are present in every ceremony however I pride myself in ensuring that every ceremony is different – it has to be. There is absolutely no tolerable excuse to use a ceremony format and just change names.
As I celebrant, I am a personal story teller, a trusted confidante, and a friend who is always in your corner.
I am also have a celebrant who has never ever been late, used a feathered pen or proclaimed “We are gathered here today” nosir ree none of that jargon on my watch.