Trevor Rice Celebrant: 10 Questions with Trevor Rice

Marriage Celebrants - Trevor Rice

Business: Trevor Rice Celebrant
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Experience: 10 Years
Profile: Trevor Rice Celebrant
Website: www.trevorrice-celebrant.com.au

1. Introduction: What's your story?

HI, I'm Trevor Rice and 2025 will be my 19th year of conducting weddings. My love for celebrancy comes from my desire to assist people to celebrate milestones in their life, from weddings to funerals and all in between. Having attended weddings previously I was shocked that many celebrants did not have presence or could be heard by guests.

After one of these weddings a friend told me that I would make a great celebrant as I was a people person and had a voice that would carry and had presence. As I was considering on changing careers I enrolled in a course and found my true calling. I am constantly moved as I learn more about the lives of my couples, their successes and struggles and marvel at how they cope with adversity.

I was terrified when I conducted my first wedding in February 2016 as it was for my partner's nephew and he told me that just looking at me prior to the ceremony he felt better as he was nervous. That said, the ceremony was a success and acted as a spring board for me to commence in my new career.

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

Since February 2016 I have conducted 380 weddings plus a large number of Commitment and Renewal of Vows Ceremonies. My ceremonies have been held at a wide range of venues from local and interstate from the stage of the Atheneum Theatre, to wind blown beaches and mountain vistas. I travel to where my clients wish to have their wedding whether it is rainy, blowing a gale or in sunshine.

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

Clients may book at any time but for weddings specifically, the Notice of Intended Marriage must be signed and witnessed and be with me a month prior to the wedding. There are specific reasons why a marriage can be brought forward but this is at the discretion of the Registrar of Birth, Deaths and Marriages in the Relevant State. Once signed the NOIM is valid for 18 months from submission.

Normally weddings are booked from 12 months in advance though some get booked in a shorter time frame. It's always a good idea to ask if there is availability on a certain day, and a wedding for January 2026 was booked in October this year. Once a wedding is booked and the booking fee paid the date and location of the wedding is set.

In the case of couples wishing to marry when one party is a citizen of another country the party in Australia must complete the NOIM and suggest a date and location of the wedding. I then issue a letter addressed to Home Affairs to the effect that the couple have requested to marry on a certain date and that the NOIM is in my keeping. This letter is then sent to the relevant body with papers requesting a spouse visa. Often this takes a long time so when permission is granted and the other party is in Australia I am then able to conduct the wedding.

4. How would you describe your ceremony style?

Most of the time I aim to deliver weddings in a relaxed style in order for the couple and guests to be relaxed and involved during the ceremony. I also like to weave readings and rituals into the ceremony and make it about the couple and their journey towards marriage. Even though I am not religious I include religious content into the ceremony at the request of the couple as I wish the ceremony to reflect the couple's personality and beliefs.

5. What are your fees for a wedding?

I offer two packages though the location of both the wedding and rehearsal is dependant on travel time and mileage. As I am able to order the Certificate of Marriage directly from Births, Deaths and Marriages the issuing expense is included in my fee. Packages Include:

1. Express wedding (Legals Only): $788. Mileage allocation is 50 kilometres for both. Additional mileage calculated at 0.78 per km and travel time at $50. per hour.

2. Personalised (Metropolitan): $1388. Mileage allocation 120 kilometres for both rehearsal and ceremony. Mileage allocation is 50 kilometres for both. Additional mileage calculated at 0.78 per km and travel time at $50. per hour.

3. Personalised (Yarra Valley and Dandenongs): $1488. Mileage allocation 200 kilometres for both rehearsal and ceremony. Additional mileage calculated at 0.78 per km and travel time at $50. per hour.

4. Personalised (Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula: $1588. Mileage allocation 200 kilometres for both rehearsal and ceremony. Additional mileage calculated at 0.78 per km and travel time at $50. per hour.

I also charge an additional fee if I am asked to act as Master of Ceremonies.

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

I normally wear a suit and tie to conduct a wedding. I have a selection of ties and blue and grey suits plus a dinner suit that can be worn. If relaxed attire or if there is a need for a costume I will be guided by the couple’s wishes. If there is a need to hire a specific costume the hire fee will be passed on to the clients.

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

Including the initial briefing session, I can conduct two additional meetings plus the rehearsal prior to the wedding. These sessions will include at least two face to face meetings. Other meetings can be conducted using Zoom or FaceTime.

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

Apart from offering my express, legal only ceremony I offer a range of personalised ceremonies. My personalised ceremonies can contain the couple's love story, a selection of poems or readings, plus a number of rituals that can be included. Some rituals can include a Unity Candle Ceremony, a wine Ceremony, a Memory box or Tree Planting.

When a couple officially books me I send them a desktop published selection of ceremonies and readings that they can choose to include.

9. Are you available to travel if needed?

I have conducted weddings in the Gold Coast and Adelaide and Margaret River and charge for airfares, car hire and accommodation if needed.

Having travelled to the Victorian high country near Bright I charged an additional fee for travel and accommodation. Other country areas include the Yarra Valley, the Dandenongs, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas and Kyneton. Fees and travel expenses are listed in the packages section.

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

When I am booked by a couple I charge a non-refundable booking fee. If the couple cancels less than two months prior to the wedding an additional cancellation fee will be charged. All fees are displayed on the booking form which the client's sign when booking.