Question 1

Are you an insured business and do you guarantee your work?

Accepted Answer

Yes I am insured and I guarantee that I will deliver a professional service and that all legal paperwork will be submitted in a timely fashion

Question 2

Will you require customers to share their COVID-19 vaccination status?

Accepted Answer

I am fully vaccinated and would consider it appropriate to know the status of anyone coming to my home so I can make appropriate arrangements eg wear a mask

Question 3

What COVID-19 measures do you have in place?

Accepted Answer

I have sanitizer and practice social distancing. I am fully vaccinated including having had a booster so feel that I am protecting anyone who comes to my home

Question 4

How did you decide to get into your line of work?

Accepted Answer

Celebrations and honouring life events have always been important to me. Marriage is one of the most important life changing events in your life and i feel honoured to be a part of such an important occasion. I knew very little about celebrants until I chose to be married by one ( 2005) and I have to admit the ceremony and delivery was pretty ordinary. I decided for such an important occasion I wanted someone who could capture what was important to us and to deliver in a professional way the service. Given my background in public speaking including having won awards in Toastmasters, I knew I could do this. I am also calm and organised and that is a great asset on such a big day.

Question 5

Do you have a favourite customer story you would like to share?

Accepted Answer

One of my favourite stories comes from a wedding I did at the home of the couple. Everyone was going according to plan until their dog decided that he did not want to be left out. He came and sat between them and would not be moved. Thankfully the couple agreed and noted that he was the centre of their attention on most days so why not on their wedding day. I couldn't help wondering what might happen once they had children!

Question 6

What do you like most about your job?

Accepted Answer

I love having the opportunity to meet couples and sit with them and find out exactly what they want for their special day. Every couple is different and so should their ceremony. My mantra is 'one size does not fit all'. I enjoy the challenge of listening and then creating something special. Many of my ceremonies involves the extended family and it is a joy to see the love that emanates on that day. I love being a part of the whole experience - in addition I get to get dressed smartly and look my very best as I think it is important as the celebrant will be in your wedding photos.

Question 7

What questions should a customer ask to hire the right service professional?

Accepted Answer

How many ceremonies do you perform in a day?  What is included in your fee?  Is there a discount for mid week weddings?  Do you have a reliable PA system that I can use?  Are you insured?  Do you provide me with a draft electronic copy of my ceremony in timely way so that I can peruse and edit it? Can I include rituals and readings that I desire? Do you travel and how long before the ceremony do you normally arrive?

Question 8

What questions do customers commonly ask and how would you answer them?

Accepted Answer

I am asked what is needed to get married and I normally take the time at the very beginning to outline the legal requirements. Whilst a wedding is a wonderful celebration, I think it is important to remember that it is also a legal contract and that at the end of this incredibly happy day you want to be legally married. Inevitably couples ask about cost and I fully understand this as weddings can be expensive. I am honest about my fees and from the outset detail if there are any travel costs. I normally charge $50 travel for outside Brisbane-this covers fuel but does not account for any extra time involved - I accommodate that. Whilst cost is important I also think one should consider what is offered for the fee including the level of experience the celebrant has, if they have a PA system and how many meetings are included. From my perspective whilst there is an average time usually spent with couples, I always say I will continue to communicate with the couple until we feel we have the ceremony right.

Question 9

What makes you the most reliable and trustworthy person for the job?

Accepted Answer

I have been a celebrant for 16 years and have officiated at the weddings of many hundreds of couples. I have never had a complaint lodged about my services and I routinely receive very positive feedback and often couples will recommend me to their friends. I am also a qualified social worker and have worked in senior positions within Qld Government for many years. I am a qualified JP in recognition of status as law abiding citizen.

Question 10

Why should a customer hire you over another service provider?

Accepted Answer

I consider I am warm and engaging. I am flexible in terms of times to meet up and work in with the couple. I am respectful of their busy lives and not intrusive in terms of my communication. I love hearing people's stories about how they met and what is important to them and enjoy weaving that into their ceremony hence ensuring that their ceremony is unique and very peronalised to them. I am guided by what the couple want -some want a very brief ceremony which simply covers the legal aspects. I am happy to do this. Others want rituals included -again I have no concerns with that. I also am happy to travel within a reasonable distance from Brisbane. Included in my fee is access to my top quality PA system. The only think I require is for the couple to check their music before the ceremony and to organise someone to be in charge on the day.

Question 11

What are the typical things that you need to know before you can provide a quote to a customer?

Accepted Answer

I need to know where the venue is and time of ceremony. I also need to know if it will simply be a ceremony to cover the legal requirements of getting married eg equivalent to a registry office wedding

Question 12

How can a customer save money before you start the work? Please give 3 tips

Accepted Answer

I don't necessarily say that there are any tips to save money per se but what does help to ensure the meetings progress efficiently is  1 . Ensure that you confirm details of initial obligation free meeting 2. Bring along relevant identification as outlined prior to meeting 3. Be clear if you are simply seeking a basic registry style wedding rather than a more comprehensive ceremony

Question 13

Are there any special offers you would like to offer to Oneflare customers?

Accepted Answer

I am prepared to give One Flare customers 10% discount. I do not believe in discounting any further as I consider I offer a highly professional service as an experienced celebrant.

Question 14

What makes your pricing competitive?

Accepted Answer

My travel expenses are very modest. No extra costs up to 50 kms from Brisbane and thereafter $50 regardless of time involved. I have kept my fees reasonably low in comparison to many celebrants especially the more experienced ones. I recognise for many young couples a wedding can be extraordinarily expensive.

Question 15

How do you normally charge for your service?

Accepted Answer

I generally have a set fee and add $50 travel if I am travelling more than 50 kms from Brisbane. I offer a discount fee if a couple are simply seeking the legal aspects of the ceremony.

Question 16

Is there a particular aspect of your trade or industry that you specialise in?

Accepted Answer

I bring to my work a passion about helping people tell their stories and to that end I was honoured to receive a Churchill Fellowship to learn more about how to capture this information in a meaningful way. I use these skills to enhance my marriage ceremonies.

Question 17

What experience, skills, qualifications or training do you have to make you the right person for the job?

Accepted Answer

I have been a marriage celebrant for 16 years. I am also a trained experienced social worker having worked for many years within the health arena. Having worked in a management role it has helped me to develop good communication and time management skills - so very important on the wedding day. I am aware that weddings can be stressful and I bring a calm flexible approach and feel confident I can manage any unexpected event

One Wedding Celebrant Sherryl Searles

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