10 Questions with Cathy Wolfenden

Wedding Diaries interviewed one of the most popular and a highly sought-after marriage celebrant from Western Australia, Cathy Wolfenden of Weddings with Cathy. Perth based Cathy is the founder and owner of Weddings with Cathy.

Marriage Celebrants - Cathy Wolfenden

Business: Weddings with Cathy
Location: Perth, WA
Experience: 4 Years
Profile: Weddings with Cathy
Website: www.weddingswithcathy.au

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi, I"m Cathy Wolfenden, the face and the name behind Weddings with Cathy. My journey started with the lead up to my own wedding, nearly 15 years ago. From the first meeting with our celebrant, Lee Hall from Dream Day Ceremonies, both Geoff and I were blown away by how warm and personable she was. I remember thinking at the time that being a celebrant must be a really lovely job, but I was a teacher, working long hours, and I had no room left in my life to do more than briefly consider how much I'd like to be a celebrant.

Fast forward over a decade. After over 25 years in Education, it was time to move on. I retired from full time work, although kept on relief teaching for a while. And around the same time, I attended my own daughter's wedding to her beautiful wife. This re-ignited my desire to be a celebrant. Now I had the time and space to re-consider celebrancy. I completed my Certificate IV in Celebrancy very quickly and am now able to use my love of words and storytelling (and, let's face it, my love of public speaking) in a very different arena to the classroom.

To my absolute delight, what I initially thought may be a nice little hobby has turned into a successful business. I love my job and fall just a bit in love with every couple I work with.

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

In my first year, I officiated 17 weddings. Last year, my second year, I officiated 70. This year is shaping up to be more than that.

I've been the celebrant in a wide variety of weddings, from teeny ones in my own home, where couples want to marry very privately and where I've even supplied witnesses for them, to much larger ones in beautiful venues. I've climbed a fence to get down to a secluded beach, driven to South West forests in the rain, stood at the top of the Bell Tower. I've married family members of previous couples (always very special to do that). I've married a couple in a hospital room, several in their own homes, and had sandy feet in several beach weddings. I've conducted ceremonies when it's been over 40C, and under 10C. I've married neighbours, friends and colleagues.

The oldest couple I've married were both 85 years old. The youngest couple were very early 20s. I've married couples in each decade between these. Each and every age has been beautiful.

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

At least a month ahead, unless there are extreme circumstances that need a Shortening of Time. This is a legal requirement.

If you want a Saturday afternoon during October or November, I'd suggest at least 6 months ahead. These book very quickly.

I do take bookings up to about 18 months ahead.

4. How would you describe your ceremony style?

I'm classy, relaxed, gentle and grounded. I love blending heartfelt moments with a touch of humour, striking that balance between meaning and lightness. With a calm, organised approach, I aim to make the whole experience stress-free and enjoyable. I want your ceremony to feel like you—real, joyful, and unforgettable. I can be a little bit bossy - I will get your guests to take their seats, to stand, to applaud all at the appropriate times. I encourage laughter.

Now for what I'm not. I'm not loud, I don't use any humour that your grandparents might find offensive, and while I do love light humour, I'm not a comedian. I use incidental humour well, but don't plan jokes to go into your ceremony.
I don't want the limelight - that's for you. I stand to the side to deliver your ceremony as much as possible, coming between you for your ring exchange and vows, then moving to the side again. Your photos will be of the two of you, without your celebrant in each and every one of them.

5. What are your fees for a wedding?

My fees range from $400 to the five-minute legals only ceremony to $1,050 for a fully personalised 20 - 30 minute ceremony. I have two other ceremonies in between these two. The first is a minimony which is $650 and goes for between 10 and 15 minutes. This isn't particularly personalises. The other is fully personalised and goes for 15 - 20 minutes.

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

I'll wear or avoid wearing any colours you like. Generally couples tell me to wear whatever I feel most comfortable in, but I'm happy to dress to suit the occasion. More formal dresses for more formal occasions, of course. Bare foot on the beach at times. Heels and a long gown for a black tie wedding.

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

That depends on individual couples. I prefer at least one face-to-face session, but it doesn't always work that way. Some couples prefer a video chat and then email or phone communication. Others prefer several face to face meetings. I'm fine with whatever couples want.

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

Absolutely! My top two ceremonies are completely personalised. The difference between the two is the amount of information I gather to write the script. I either send questionnaires to couples to complete or meet them in person to go through the questions. There are benefits to both these - emailing the questionnaires give couples time to think about their answers, while meeting them to go through the questions allows me to dig a bit deeper. With some couples, I've met with one, while the other has chosen to take the questionnaire and complete it in their own time. Every couple is different, so I take these differences into account when creating their ceremonies.

9. Are you available to travel if needed?

I'm completely open to travel. But, I do charge for it. For a flight or a boat trip (Rottnest, any one?), you'll need to pay for my fare. If I'm driving, I charge 80c/km - one way only. If I have to drive and stay the night, I don't charge accomodation.

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

I charge a $200 booking fee which comes off the total cost of your ceremony. If you cancel with more than four weeks notice, I refund everything except the booking fee. If you cancel with under four weeks notice, I don't refund unless there are exceptional circumstances.