Mechanic expensive? Try a marriage celebrant!

**p.dath** · 12th January 2011, 08:01

My partner and I are getting married the middle of this year, and cash is a serious issue. We have been thinking about getting married at the registry office, but having visited the place, well lets just say it doesn't spin my wheels.

So I thought I'd look into getting married in our garden. I got the minimum legal requirement from Department of Internal Affairs (the celebrant has to say about 8 sentences). Each sentence should take less than 1 minute, so the whole legal process should be complete within 10 minutes. They also have to file a form with Births, Deaths and Marriages after the process is complete. So some time to post a letter as well.

So I have approached a number of wedding celebrants in my area, with the DIA wedding vows, and asked them for a price (I have to have a celebrant present to make the wedding legal). That's all I need. Just for them to be present to make the process legal.

Best price so far - $350. That's $2,100 per hour. No one has been prepared to negotiate their price down. I have a couple wedding celebrants to go, but it looks like we might be going to the registry office after all.

Needless to say I feel a bit down on wedding celebrants at the moment. I feel like I am being blackmailed.

So next time you think your bike mechanic is taking you for a "ride" be thankful your not having to marry them.

**Genie** · 12th January 2011, 08:07

That is rather expensive....gee when I got married (was awhile ago), got the man from the church, the church band and all for a donation to the church. You dont' even have to belong to the church...try one and see.

Congrats and may you both have many days filled with happiness and laughter.

**jim.cox** · 12th January 2011, 08:19

If you think getting married is expensive, then wait till you see the cost of a divorce

My advice - Just DONT do it

**Virago** · 12th January 2011, 08:21

Originally Posted by p.dath

...the whole legal process should be complete within 10 minutes...

Best price so far - $350. That's $2,100 per hour...

That's a pathetically distorted calculation. Jeez, 10 minutes wouldn't even cover the time waiting for the bride to be fashionably late.

All up, you're probably looking at around four hours of the celebrant's time to complete the process.

Like many who work in IT, you over-value your own services, while under-valuing the services of others.

If you want someone to do it for "love", then join a church and start praying.

**Grasshopperus** · 12th January 2011, 08:26

Go to the registry office and do the paper work then have a big party and call that your 'wedding celebration'. Give a short speech and everyone will be happy.

Spend the $$ you would've spent on a celebrant towards a spit roast company to come around and do all the catering.

**scissorhands** · 12th January 2011, 08:27

The Warehouse sells rings now, but I'd just wack one up in the vice with a file out of a piece of brass tubing.

My mate took his new wife to Raglan for the honeymoon. Surf was excellent too

May as well get her used to it early I reckon.

Congratulations to the both of you, I'd say she landed on her feet with you p.dath

**HenryDorsetCase** · 12th January 2011, 08:42

Wait two years and try divorce lawyers...... just saying.

**Ronin** · 12th January 2011, 08:43

Originally Posted by p.dath

My partner and I are getting married the middle of this year.

I hope you and your man are very happy together and he takes good care of you.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 12th January 2011, 08:43

Originally Posted by Genie

That is rather expensive....gee when I got married (was awhile ago), got the man from the church, the church band and all for a donation to the church. You dont' even have to belong to the church...try one and see.

Congrats and may you both have many days filled with happiness and laughter.

Presumably the downside is the amount of God bothering involved though?

**imdying** · 12th January 2011, 08:47

I'll can do it for you, I only charge $50 an hour.

Mind you, you're only going to pay me $12.50 for the amount of time you think it takes, so you'll have to come to me (I can't afford to travel on what you want to pay) and I won't be washed or showered (can't afford the power to heat the water let alone the time to do it on the pittance you want to pay me).

Cheaping out that much on your wedding...? Wow, you're a real catch.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 12th January 2011, 08:49

Originally Posted by p.dath

My partner and I are getting married the middle of this year, and cash is a serious issue. We have been thinking about getting married at the registry office, but having visited the place, well lets just say it doesn't spin my wheels.

So I thought I'd look into getting married in our garden. I got the minimum legal requirement from Department of Internal Affairs (the celebrant has to say about 8 sentences). Each sentence should take less than 1 minute, so the whole legal process should be complete within 10 minutes. They also have to file a form with Births, Deaths and Marriages after the process is complete. So some time to post a letter as well.

So I have approached a number of wedding celebrants in my area, with the DIA wedding vows, and asked them for a price (I have to have a celebrant present to make the wedding legal). That's all I need. Just for them to be present to make the process legal.

Best price so far - $350. That's $2,100 per hour. No one has been prepared to negotiate their price down. I have a couple wedding celebrants to go, but it looks like we might be going to the registry office after all.

Needless to say I feel a bit down on wedding celebrants at the moment. I feel like I am being blackmailed.

So next time you think your bike mechanic is taking you for a "ride" be thankful your not having to marry them.

why do you need to get married?

We've been happily unmarried for nearly (get this) 30 years. You already live together it sounds like, if you've been together more than three years you basically have the same legal rights and obligations, and its nothing but a a hassle for your wife if she elects to change her name. (Hint: never ever refer to the marriage notice thingy as "Change of ownership papers")

completely pointless in my view, but whatever spins your wheels. Why not have a large party, and put $350 towards grog for your nearest and dearest? or a relatively nice hotel room for a couple nights (bonus, you might get a baby out of that).

**nodrog:Me** · 12th January 2011, 08:52

how romantic

**Grasshopperus** · 12th January 2011, 08:59

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

(Hint: never ever refer to the marriage notice thingy as "Change of ownership papers"

I'm now looking for an opportunity to use that phrase in the course of my day.

**neels** · 12th January 2011, 09:19

Originally Posted by Genie

That is rather expensive....gee when I got married (was awhile ago), got the man from the church, the church band and all for a donation to the church. You dont' even have to belong to the church...try one and see.

Congrats and may you both have many days filled with happiness and laughter.

+1, it was a couple of years ago now, borrowed the church and the nice priest man for the day for a nominal donation.