Marriage Celebrants - Dan Ford
- Business: Dan Ford Celebrant & MC.
- Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Experience: 8 Years
- Profile: Dan Ford Celebrant & MC.
- Website: www.danfordcelebrant.com.au
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hi, I'm Dan, CEO and mailroom guy at Dan Ford Celebrant & MC. My wedding journey began over 8 years ago when I was asked to MC my oldest nephew's wedding. I must have done a decent job (and I had a lot of fun at it), as all of my nieces and nephews, as they got engaged, asked me to MC their weddings after that (apparently, I'm the 'fun uncle').
Somewhere along the way, my sister-in-law (a florist and stylist) said, "Why don't you become a Celebrant, then you can add on MC and make a career out of it." Back then, I was a military instructor at ADFA, and I was like, "A career? People get paid to do this?" - Lightbulb moment, much!
2. What's your experience as a marriage celebrant? How many weddings have you done?
7 years as a Registered Marriage Celebrant, and I have officiated 486 Marriages (as of December 2024). I'm also grateful to each of my couples for trusting me with such an important role (or roles if I'm MC'ing as well) in the most memorable, and uniquely important experience in their lives.
3. How far in advance do couples need to secure your services?
As I'm a regular at many of the most stunning venues on the Sunshine Coast, my services tend to book out 12 months in advance on weekends. I also love a cheeky weekday elopement or micro-wedding too, so get in touch asap so we can get chatting about your wedding plans!
4. How would you describe your ceremony style?
My style has been described as modern, engaging, and fun, with undertones of sincerity and endearment. Above all, I pride myself on being adaptable and allowing each couple's personality, relationship highlights, and vibe (fun/romantic/chic/reserved/extraverted/relaxed, etc.. can be a mixture!) to guide the content within the ceremony and reception. This ensures a unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience for all in attendance. NO route, cookie-cutter-blah-love-blah-marriage-means-this-blah-did-blah-ChatGPT-write-this-bullshit! It's handcrafted and co-created with each couple, all the way :)
5. What are your fees for a wedding?
I ask that you get in touch via my website for this, as depending on location and venue (I give a discount for my Preferred Venues and another discount if you bundle my Celebrant & MC services). I promise to get back in touch promptly, share my package inclusions, and send you an official quote after we communicate and get clear on the vision of your dream wedding!
6. What do you wear when you officiate a wedding?
I'll always ask what the Groom and/or Groomsmen are wearing and if there is any themes (black tie, cocktail, natural tones, etc) or theme colours. I'll show up on point, as I have many, many, many selections to choose from. Check out my insta to gauge what I mean there ;)
7. How many pre-wedding sessions will the couple need to have with you?
Before the wedding, I always meet up with my couples for a face-to-face initial meeting, or a FaceTime or Zoom to walk you through what your wedding day will look and feel like as me as your Officiant. If you choose me as your celebrant/MC, I always offer a pre-wedding day catch-up AND an informal rehearsal for my Sunshine Coast weddings. I'll drive to where everyone is staying the evening before the wedding, and we practice positioning, timing, the bridal walk and the ring exchange so you get the best photos. I also get to meet and form a rapport with the BP and your parents at the rehearsal. This creates the best vibe on the day!
8. Will you be able to create a personalised ceremony?
Ohhh yes! No cookie-cutter, Chat GPT rubbish - we will co-create the content together :)
9. Are you available to travel if needed?
I stick mostly to the Sunshine Coast, but do venture to Toowoomba and Brisbane now and then.... for the right couple ;)
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
Thank you for choosing the services of Dan Ford Celebrant & MC. Please take the time to review these terms and conditions concerning your booking. Should you have any queries relating to this document please do not hesitate to contact me.
CONFIRMATION AND DATE BOOKING FEE
Your event is only considered confirmed upon receipt of the signed terms and conditions, and payment of the requested date booking fee which includes a non-refundable fee of 50% of the service fee quoted (30% for celebrant and MC packages). This enables the lodgement of the Notice of Intended Marriage form, and many other administrative services required before the event. This also schedules your event, on the date you have requested in my event calendar.
FINAL PAYMENT
Payment in full of all fixed costs is required no later than 31 days before the event, unless otherwise agreed. Payment may be made by online CC payment or a bank-to-bank transfer. The booker will receive an email reminder 31 days before the event, and every consecutive week if the payment falls into arrears.
POSTPONEMENT - SHIFTING OF DATE / EVENT BY BOOKER - BY CHOICE - PLEASE NOTE:
The Notice of Intended Marriage form is active for 18 months. If you postpone outside of the date it was completed, you will be required to complete a new form and have it signed by an authorised witness as noted on the form. Note: A simple date switch is offered once, providing it is within 6 months of the original booked event, and my availability of that date is open. If the booker moves the event over 6 months from the originally booked event, they will be subjected to paying a $500, 'Extended date moving fee'.
CANCELLATION OF EVENT BY BOOKER – BY CHOICE.
If canceled, the date booking fee paid will be retained, however, any other funds paid will be refunded in full within 7 days. If canceled within 31 days of the event, all monies paid will be retained except 25%. This 25% will be refunded within 7 days instead of the ceremony delivery and lodgement of legal paperwork thereafter.
PLEASE NOTE: 75% of all duties performed by your celebrant are done so before your event. In the event of any air travel or accommodation bookings being required, this will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any non-refundable expenses incurred by Dan Ford Celebrant will not be refundable.
CANCELLATION BY CELEBRANT
In the very unlikely event I am unable to fulfill my duties, I will to the best of my ability, source a replacement celebrant for the remainder of your ceremony requirements. I will arrange the transfer of all existing paperwork and correspondence and forward any monies paid to them. Otherwise, 100% of all funds paid by the booker will be refunded after my replacement attempts.
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