Business Feature : Knots Tied by Kylie

My name is Kylie and I run and operate Knots Tied by Kylie. I’m a celebrant.

I perform elopements, weddings, naming, change of name ceremonies, commitment ceremonies, same sex ceremonies, memorials, ash sprinklings, Vow renewals, house and boat warmings/naming and so many more ceremonies!

When a lot of people hear the word celebrant they think of the person who does the legal part of your big day, ½ an hour’s work, then just go home. I can assure you there is a lot more going on than ½ an hour’s work. We work hard for our money!

2 years ago I got married. My celebrant made it look effortless and from that day (ok so about a week later when the wedding glow wore off) I decided I was sick of being the complaints department at the job I was doing and be a part of people’s happiest days.

It’s taken 18 months of blood sweat and tears to get up and fully running but helping couples marry fulfills 2 of my basic desires. Helping people and seeing happiness being created.

I mainly do weddings and no 2 weddings are ever the same and I never treat them as such. Each couple is unique. I work closely with my couples to try and figure out what exactly it is they want to promise each other even if they don’t know how to put it into words themselves.

There are usually 3 types of wedding structures:

1. An Elopement. Consisting of the couple, me and 2 witnesses (over 18 for legal reasons) I allow up to about another 10-20 guests but all celebrants run their businesses differently.
2. The standard wedding size. Usually under 150 guests. Ceremony lasting about 25 minutes. Ceremony and reception usually in 2 different locations.
3. The whopper. 150+ guests. 45 minute ceremony ALL the trimmings and usually loads of people involved in the bridal party.

From the time a couple books me, it’s all systems go.

There is a mountain of legal paperwork that needs to be filled out (which I do), ID to be collected and sighted and then the couple must have all of it explained and signed.

I give my couples a pack that contains information about counseling services (which is a legal requirement), local vendors I’ve previously worked with and was WOWed by, a kit on how to change your name after the wedding (the ceremonial certificate you get on your wedding day cannot be used to change your name on anything), information about how to make a complaint if they are unhappy with my service and a feedback form.

I also give my couples a questionnaire each to fill in (no peaking at each other’s) so I can get to know them as individuals as well as a couple. From this form I can determine their core values and what means the most to them. I don’t know if other celebrants do it this way but I like to be outside the box a bit when writing a ceremony. I don’t believe in cookie cutter ceremonies and I write each ceremony from scratch from the little snippets of their lives they choose to show me.

All up writing a whole ceremony can take 10 hours maybe more dependent on what they want, what package they’ve chosen and if they want to write their own vows. Once I’ve finished drafting their ceremony I email it to them for approval. My couples have up until the day before to make any changes.

Then the next step is a rehearsal or planning meeting. This is where we all sit down and go thru the ceremony together.

You show me where the ceremony is; tell me who the key players in the bridal party are, we work out a plan “B” in case of inclement weather and run thru the order of what will happen that day.

If we need to have another meeting or rehearsal closer to the day we also do that.

Ok, so now it’s the big day. I arrive a lot earlier than everyone else (possibly an hour or 2 beforehand) to set up my PA system, signing table and chairs. I make sure that everything is perfect and under control by the time the groom’s party arrive. I have a chat with them and calm their nerves…..and then the bride arrives.

The bride walks down the aisle, the groom tears up, we say the words, exchange rings, sign some more papers, pose for some photos with your certificate and I pronounce you man and wife, everybody cheers.

You walk back down the aisle and off to enjoy your reception/ photo opportunities and are showered with love from your guests.

While the focus has been taken off the ceremony I then pack up my equipment and discreetly leave a congratulations card on your table and make my way home.

When I get home I unpack my equipment and stick it all on charge to be ready for the next event, I gather all your signed paperwork and either mail it all in to the closest Births Deaths and Marriages or I go and hand deliver it myself.  I then check my mountain of emails I’ve gotten about enquiries, pricing requests and ceremony changes. I go on all the social media outlets to advertise and catch up with brides in need of assistance or simply catch up with other celebrants and bounce ideas off them. I check my phone messages and call back anxious brides or enquiries I’ve had.

And this is just a wedding ceremony!!

If I make it sound easy I haven’t even gotten to the part about ongoing professional training we all must undertake every year, the business side of things like spreadsheets, professional memberships, websites and business analysis. But that’s just boring!

A celebrant is so much more than someone that just says the words at your life events. They are so much more than just another vendor you pay. They do a lot of behind the scenes work to make sure your day goes smoothly and everything is legal. They are the creative writer behind the ending of a chapter that leads to the next.

Becoming a celebrant is the best decision I ever made.