Julia Carlino – Celebrant & MC: 10 Questions with Julia Carlino

Marriage Celebrants - Julia Carlino

Business: Julia Carlino – Celebrant & MC
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Experience: 2 Years
Profile: Julia Carlino – Celebrant & MC
Website: www.juliacarlino.com.au

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi, I'm Julia Carlino, Authorised Marriage Celebrant and MC who is dedicated to bringing a youthful, modern approach to weddings. My services are committed to personalisation which means your ceremony will be a reflection of you as a couple, and an enjoyable experience for your guests.

Ultimately, I ensure that every part of the script that can be tailored will be thoughtfully adjusted to reflect each couple's unique love story, with words that resonate with them, and add to their vision for their day. This attention to detail ensures that your ceremony feels truly authentic and meaningful to you as a couple, and for your family and friends.

Whether it’s a small, intimate gathering or a grand celebration, I make sure every wedding is truly special.

2. What's your experience as a marriage celebrant? How many weddings have you done?

I have been a part of weddings for over 10 years, and during that time, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing some truly incredible celebrations. My role as an MC has taken me to stunning destinations like Bali, Thailand, and Melbourne, where I’ve had the honor of helping couples celebrate their love in breathtaking locations. Since I became an Authorised Celebrant, my journey has been nothing short of a whirlwind, with over 40+ weddings under my belt and countless beautiful couples by my side. This journey has taken me all across Sydney, from the vibrant city to the scenic coastal areas of Wollongong and Palm Beach, to Melbourne’s elegant venues, and even to the picturesque island of Samos in Greece!

But my involvement in these weddings extends far beyond just being present on the big day. I take great pride in being a hands-on celebrant and MC, and my commitment to every couple starts long before the ceremony itself. I begin with introductory calls to get to know each couple and their unique vision for their wedding. From there, I schedule in-depth, in-person meetings where we dive deeper into their love story, preferences, and any special requests they have for their ceremony. These meetings allow me to tailor every aspect of the ceremony to ensure it reflects who they are as individuals and as a couple.

I also believe in fostering strong relationships with the venues and suppliers involved, working closely with them to ensure seamless coordination and that everything runs smoothly on the day. This collaboration is essential to creating a stress-free, enjoyable experience for the couple and their guests.

Additionally, I provide ongoing support throughout the entire wedding planning process, making myself available for any questions or concerns that may arise. I’m dedicated to helping my couples feel completely supported, knowing that they can rely on me to handle the details and ensure everything is in place.

One of the most important aspects of my role is the curation of the ceremony script. I dedicate considerable time and care to crafting a personalized script for each couple, ensuring that every word reflects their love story, values, and vision. Whether it’s incorporating meaningful readings, special rituals, or crafting the perfect vows, I take great pride in creating a ceremony that feels deeply personal and memorable.

With my extensive experience and passion for what I do, I strive to ensure that every couple I work with has an experience that goes beyond expectations. From the first call to the final moment of the ceremony, I am there to guide, support, and make sure their wedding day is everything they’ve dreamed of and more.

3. How far in advance do couples need to secure your services?

The short answer is as soon as possible, especially if your wedding falls in peak season.

It’s always hard letting couples down after a great intro call, but following up with I’m no longer available because another couple has sent their deposit to lock in the date.

But I understand that there’s a lot to consider when it comes to weddings, so I believe communication and transparency is key. I will always give my enquiries a heads up if their wedding date is sitting with another couple or if another enquiry comes through whilst their still deciding, but unfortunately for them it’s the quick acting couples that will secure my services with a deposit. Due to the nature of the business, this is the fairest way to ensure the least amount of people are let down!

4. How would you describe your ceremony style?

When it comes to my couples, their ceremony isn’t entirely about me or adhering to a specific style. Instead, I ensure I listen to their brief, understand the vibe and energy they want for their day and curate a script that delivers to their expectations. I’m not a once size fits all celebrant, I create an experience that feels personal and meaningful to them and their friends & family.

Whether they want something intimate and heartfelt, fun and bubbly, or traditional with a modern twist, or all of the above, I work closely with them to ensure the ceremony matches their wishes perfectly.

I am incredibly interactive through the whole process, offering ideas and suggestions to ensure everything has been considered, but always with the goal of creating a genuine and memorable ceremony that is authentically theirs, facilitated by me.

5. What are your fees for a wedding?

My fees and packages include Ceremony only, MC only or Celebrant & MC. I offer a full service approach with no hidden or additional fees from my initial quote. For weddings outside of Sydney, I will be upfront with travel and accommodation requirements but I always look to avoid the cost of accommodation if possible to save my couples that extra cost that goes to the accom host. I also love providing bonus services where I can, like family photo wrangling after a ceremony and help the photographers co-ordinate group photos to get through them as efficiently as possible!

6. What do you wear when you officiate a wedding?

One of my FAVOURITE things about being a celebrant is complimenting a wedding colour pallete.

The colours chosen by a couple are often an integral part of their wedding vision, and of course the photos! As a celebrant, I love finding a the perfect outfit that complements the florals, styling and bridal party. I've been known to purchase dresses specifically for a couple if I don't already have it in my wardrobe.

Ultimately, it’s these personal touches—like complementing the wedding colours—that make the ceremony feel even more intimate and tailored to the couple. It’s a part of my role that I truly love, as it allows me to connect with the couple’s vision on a deeper level and to be a part of creating something that feels truly unique.

7. How many pre-wedding sessions will the couple need to have with you?

In addition to the initial intro call, the majority of what we need to cover will be achieved in our in-depth, in-person meeting, which typically lasts about 2.5 hours and takes place around 6-8 weeks before the wedding day. This meeting is crucial for ensuring that the ceremony is as personal and tailored as possible. Unlike many celebrants, I don’t rely on sending out generic template questionnaires for couples to fill out beforehand. While these forms can be efficient, I find that they don’t allow me to really connect with my couples or truly understand the nuances of their relationship. I prefer to sit down with them face-to-face, as this gives me the chance to ask open-ended questions and engage in an interactive conversation.

During this meeting, we’ll explore all the essential elements of the ceremony, but it’s also a time for me to pick up on the subtle details that can make the ceremony feel uniquely theirs. I pay attention to their body language, the way they laugh when they talk about each other, and the special references or inside jokes that only they share. These little quirks and moments provide valuable insight into who they are as a couple, and they’re the things I want to weave into their ceremony script. It could be a shared hobby, a memorable trip they took together, or even a funny moment that highlights their relationship dynamic—whatever it is, I want to make sure that their ceremony reflects the personal, intimate nature of their bond.

This interactive approach also allows me to ask questions that help me understand the emotions and deeper meaning behind their wedding day. For example, I might ask about how they met, what they love most about each other, or what their wedding day represents to them. By listening closely to their answers, I can not only tailor the ceremony script but also create an atmosphere that feels authentic and true to their personalities.

By the end of our meeting, I’ll have gathered all the information I need to craft a meaningful, heartfelt ceremony that aligns with their vision. But more importantly, I’ll have developed a deep understanding of their relationship, so I can bring their story to life in a way that feels natural and personal. The in-person interaction ensures that every ceremony I create is not only tailored to their preferences but is also infused with the essence of who they are as a couple—something that a generic questionnaire just can’t capture.

I find this approach so much more rewarding because it allows me to build a genuine connection with my couples. It also enables me to offer them a truly bespoke experience, where every word spoken in their ceremony feels like it was crafted just for them. The end result is a ceremony that doesn’t just reflect their wishes but is a heartfelt representation of their love story.

From there, it's just reviewing and approving final details before the big day!

8. Will you be able to create a personalised ceremony?

Creating a personalised ceremony is at the heart of what I do. I believe that every couple deserves a ceremony that reflects their unique love story, personalities, and vision for their wedding day. Anything outside of the legal requirements of the ceremony can be tailored and I am very passionate about giving my couples all the options to consider. I have been fortunate to include some incredible rituals throughout my ceremonies such as introducing a tea ceremony a Chinese tradition, exchanging wedding crowns a Greek tradition, tying of the tying of pirith nool, a Sri lankin tradition, to name a few. Plus, many couples choose to include elements such as a Welcome to Country, Opening Prayer, or poems and readings. There are so many meaningful options to consider, and I help guide you through these choices, ensuring they are thoughtfully and seamlessly incorporated into your ceremony. By the end of our meeting, I’ll be able to create a ceremony that is heartfelt, personal, and truly unforgettable.

9. Are you available to travel if needed?

Absolutely, there are so many incredible wedding destinations outside of Sydney and I feel so fortunate being able to visit the beautiful properties and venues Australia has to offer. But to put how keen I am to travel for a wedding, I was a celebrant and MC for an incredible wedding in Samos, Greece! I just received the wedding video from my couple, and can't wait to share how amazing this wedding was with everyone.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

A Booking Fee equivalent to 50% of the Ceremony Fee must be deposited via direct deposit to lock in wedding date

• The remaining 50% of the Ceremony Fee must be paid no less than 1 month before the confirmed date

• The 50% deposit is non-refundable after receipt of the Notice Of Intended Marriage (NOIM) is provided

• If a client advises the ceremony cannot take place with Julia Carlino (for whatever reason) after full payment is
made, the initial deposit of 50% the ceremony fee is non-refundable.