Who’s Marry Me Nicky anyway? Ew.

IYKYK… but my pre-ceremony playlist these days is all Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Harry Styles. Honestly, at this point I think I’m just turning into my teenage daughter

 

I’m also a Marriage Celebrant, creative writer, wet brow wiper, problem solver and only child who is all about creating fun and relaxed ceremonies.

But becoming a Celebrant wasn’t always on my bingo card. 

I was in the corporate world, climbing ladders (not literally) and drinking waaaaaay too much Red Bull (still a bit of a habit but I’m working on it).

But having my daughter changed my perspective on work/life – if I was giving up my time with her, it had to be for something that had purpose. I wanted to be part of something that mattered.

Around that time two friends who I had introduced and who went on to get married asked me if I would be part of a vow renewal ceremony for their 10th anniversary. What an honour. I don’t do things in halves (maybe that comes back to the only child thing?) and so I dived right in, hired a PA system, wrote their a ceremony and delivered it in front of 60 of their family + friends. To see the impact our words had not only on my mates but their loved ones – I was hooked. This was what ceremonies should feel like. And how lucky was I to have played a small part in creating that moment.

And so I took a chance, backed myself and became a full-time Marriage Celebrant and part of the modern ceremony movement, creating;

Ceremonies that tell your story in a heartfelt and meaningful way.

Ceremonies that your family + friends are a part of.

Ceremonies that are full of laughs and good vibes.

Ceremonies that help you feel comfortable in, when you think about it, is a bit of an uncomfortable moment.

And I have never looked back.

When I’m not getting my wed on I’m also a…

Wife (hub and I got married in a stretch Hummer in Vegas back in 2008, would do it all again in a heartbeat!)

Mum of one (two if you include our British Bulldog, Vic… yes, my dog’s name is Vicky Surnicky)

Chelsea FC and Matildas tragic (fun fact: I worked as a match day steward at Chelsea for a couple of seasons many years ago. Up the Chels, and Never Say Die Tillies!)

Girls long lunch with a couple of margis lover (need I say more!)

Adventure seeker (I’m always planning our next getaway and loved the experience of living abroad in London during my 20’s – SW6 represent!)

Tomboy turned wedding attire wearer (but still most comfy in my sneakers)

Wannabe craft beer connoisseur (my current Top 5 beers for no particular reason other than I love them can be found here)

But why weddings? It’s not just the wedding day itself that I love.

Or the challenge of telling a couples story in a uniquely personal way.

Or juggling all of the ‘what if’ scenarios we might come across – like that one time when their venue’s only access road was washed away the morning of their wedding… or when their photographer cancelled an hour before their ceremony was due to start… or when the Best Man lost their rings in one of Sydney’s busiest parks.. or when we were mid-ceremony and could suddenly *safely* see fires burning on the nearby mountain ridge – should I go on?

I love being the person my couples trust to guide them and keep them calm during such an important and exciting moment in their lives.

But this doesn’t just happen by accident. The way I approach getting to know my couples is deeply personal.

We chat for as long as we need, and I’m here to help you feel comfortable sharing your stories with me. Getting you to fill out a questionnaire about your relationship just doesn’t feel natural and isn’t my style. We create a genuine connection and on the day that shines through. Because it is real.

I’ve married couples on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, and on boats on Sydney Harbour; at the most magical wineries overlooking the vines, and atop spectacular bush lookouts.

I’ve hitched on beautiful beaches, inside glasshouses, in formal gardens, National Parks, and on working farms (where I’m usually searching for if they have Highland Cows – here I am sneaking in a hug with bubba Dutton @ Adams Peak).

I’ve conducted ceremonies at homes, in backyards, and on back decks, with just a handful of the couple’s nearest and dearest.

I’ve even married couples during that joyful time when weddings were limited to just five people – the couple, two witnesses, and a Celebrant. How could I not mention Alice + Andy, who, among the randoms passing us by at the time, happened to have an ABC journalist ***you can listen to our ad-hoc interview below, along with a couple of other fun media things I’ve been part of.

And the couples I work with often tell me that while the ceremony was the moment they were most nervous about, it ended up being their favourite part of the day.

… which is kind of cool as it’s also the moment you became married! That’s really the point of having a wedding in the first place, right?

Could I see myself doing anything else? Nearly 500 weddings in and I’m still as passionate and excited for the couples I marry as I was for my first (shout out to my OG’s, Kate + Prue!)

My goal has always been the same – to bring a fun, relaxed and flexible approach to what your ceremony can be. Together, we combine your ideas with my experience and create something that fits just right for your big day.

Your ceremony sets the tone for your whole day and is a wonderful opportunity to share with your loved ones why your relationship is so special.

Have a few laughs at how bad your partners hair was when you first met, or how cheesy their attempted pick-up lines were (clearly they worked), or reminisce at how they somehow made it out of the friend zone.

Right through to what it was you remember falling in love with in each other, to what your life is all about now. Shed a few tears, don’t be afraid to show emotion, or even stumble through your vows, because that’s all part of it being real. Real, authentic moments, over staged, everything has to be picture-perfect. Always.

So if you’re looking for a Celebrant who will approach your day with the same amount of excitement that you have, and who will tell your story in a fun and engaging way, please be sure to reach out.

Nicky xx