Marriage Celebrants - Karina Pearson
- Business: Ceremonies By Karina
- Location: Central Coast, New South Wales
- Experience: 9 Years
- Profile: Ceremonies By Karina
- Website: www.weddingdiaries.com.au
1. Introduction: What's your story?
My name is Karina and I have been living on the Central Coast of NSW for 26 years after getting a transfer in my then job as a school teacher in Tamworth to the coast.
So why did I become a celebrant? Well it really was at my son's wedding and it was like a light bowl moment where I literally said to myself I can do this. I knew from that moment it was what I was going to do and so glad I did. I retired and became what I always say doing the best job in the world.
It is an absolute joy meeting couples and getting to know them ,helping them on their ceremony journey and then to officiate their wedding in amazing venues is simple a blessing. And I have to say there are times where I shed a few tears as the bride walks down the aisle and the groom has his bottom lip quivering.
Fun facts:
I have three boys and three granbabies who all live along the east coast, so I travel a bit with my Spotify on.
I spent a huge amount of time on the side of a cricket pitch and rugby oval watching my sons play.
I love to decorate ,move things around including my many cushions and picking up interesting pieces of furniture on market place .I bought a little house on the lake and it has been so much fun to renovate.
I am a clothes freak! I adore clothes , (my dad was in the fashion industry that's my excuse) and helping friends pick out outfits for when they have a special occasion. I am pedantic with what I wear to my couples weddings. I always know their colour pallet and I send photos to them to choose which one is appropriate.
I love watching live musicals.
I grew up playing state tennis. I was always in the schools PSSA tennis teams but I now spend my time at the local ocean baths.
I still keep my hand in education tutoring and tutoring children for Ronald McDonald House.
I was a backpacker in my early days, when places like Koh Samui was only known by backpackers and accommodation was a hut on the beach. Travelling is still a passion
2. What's your experience as a marriage celebrant? How many weddings have you done?
I have been a celebrant for nine years and I have done over 40 weddings in varied and beautiful venues all over NSW .
3. How far in advance do couples need to secure your services?
I have had couples who have booked me 18 months in advance to six weeks prior to their wedding date.
September, November, March and April have become my peak months.
4. How would you describe your ceremony style?
I am definitely the mumma bear type celebrant, holding your hands from the very first meeting till the actual ceremony . I am available for any questions you may have even if you think they are silly ones. It is like when we don't know something we just don't know!
I am calming in my misdemeanor and supportive with any concern you may have. I am here to help you on your ceremony journey, making it super easy and stress free . I listen to your ideas and more than happy to write them into your ceremony in a way that is a reflection of you both and your personalities.
Recent quote form Hayley.
"Karina was amazing to work with during the whole planning process of our wedding. Her caring nature, thorough communication and abundance of ceremony ideas really helped to put us at ease.
She handled all the legal paperwork which made working with her easy and stress free on our end. She was always happy to meet with us in the lead up to the wedding and rehearsed with us the day before to make sure we felt comfortable with everything. No regrets choosing Karina!"
Hayley B.
5. What are your fees for a wedding?
I have three packages:
Legals only from $600 ( excess travel and expenses not included)
This is a registry, intimate, style wedding for couples who only want the legality aspects of a wedding.(10-15 minutes)
Includes
*Legals only with two witnesses at your chosen venue
*Pre wedding meeting to complete the legally acquired paperwork
*All legals taken care of before and after your ceremony.
* Free travel 20klms from Killarney Vale, anything further will incur a fee at $1.00 per klm
Elopment from $870( excess travel and expenses not included) My most popular
This is for those couple who want to keep it short and sweet ,get it over and done with then head to the reception to party with family and friends.(20-25 minutes)
Includes
*A short sweet bespoke ceremony, including a tiny bit of your love story in front of 20 of your closest and dearest.
*Meetings to complete the legal forms
*Consultation on draft script prior to your ceremony with constant contact until the ceremony draft is perfect. A meeting to finalise and AOK the final draft and run a through.
*All legals taken care of before and after your ceremony, completed and lodged.
*Ongoing support through texts and phone calls as often as needed
*Help with vow and ring exchange ideas from my extensive library of up to date ideas.
*Option for a rehearsal prior to wedding day.
*Take home presentation folder of your ceremony
*Use of my PA system
*Free travel 40 klm within the Central Coast region anything further will incur a fee at $1.00 per kilometre
Just how you always wanted it to be from $970 ( excess travel and expenses not included)
This package is for those who want to have a personlised meaningful ceremony enjoying every second of the important committment they are journeying into.
Includes
*Pre wedding meetings for the completion of legal forms and to discuss ideas for your ceremony
*Help with vow and ring exchange ideas from my extensive library of up to date ideas.
*Ceremony planning and creation, exactly how you want it to be with constant contact until the ceremony is perfect. A meeting to finalise the final draft and run a through .
*All legals taken care of before and after your ceremony, completed and lodged.
*Unlimited support available through texts and phone calls
*Library of poems
*vow cards/booklet to take home in a presentation folder of your ceremony
*Use of my PA system
*Choice of what I will wear
*Ceremony rehearsal prior to wedding day
*Covering the Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie
* Free travel 40 klm within the Central Coast region anything further will incur a fee at a $1.00 per kilometre
6. What do you wear when you officiate a wedding?
What I wear on your day is discussed in our early meetings .I ask you what your colour scheme is in regard to your flowers and what the bridal party is wearing and I match my outfit to suit.
I will send you photos of myself in dresses /outfits prior to your wedding that are in your colour way and you let me know which one is right for you both. After all I will be in some of your photos. I recently had a pink wedding theme .I sent photos of myself in a number of pink outfits. The bride said not to go with one style as it was similar to her maid of honours.
7. How many pre-wedding sessions will the couple need to have with you?
I like to have a few pre wedding sessions before your wedding usually 2-3 sometimes more.
The first is our initial meeting filling out the NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage).
Second is discussing how you want your ceremony to sound and look like. Here is where I give you a multitude of ideas.
Third session is running through the ceremony that I have written, and changes can be made here too if needed.
Finally, a rehearsal is a great idea in that we can run through the ceremony. Usually it is at the venue but some couples are just happy to have it at their home.
8. Will you be able to create a personalised ceremony?
Absolutely ,it is your ceremony your day .Apart from the legal words as a celebrant that I have to say the rest is all yours. You probably want your story written in ,maybe a poem or a reading anything that is personal to you both.
9. Are you available to travel if needed?
I am more than happy to travel and would love to. I have done weddings in The Hunter Valley, Kiama , Snowy Mountains and many different venues on the Central Coast and hinterland
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
I take a deposit of $200 when the NOIM is filled out . This booking fee is non-transferrable and non-refundable.
The remaining balance in clear funds is by direct deposit to my nominated bank account no later than one month prior to the day of the ceremony; or by alternative method as agreed in writing with me.
The refund of any paid fee is at the discretion of myself.
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