IMAGE CREDIT: BLAKE HEYWOOD
For the lovers seeking a marriage celebrant with an engaging warmth, a kind energy & an effortless style…
I’m the celebrant for couples who want a ceremony that feels like an honest reflection of them. Relaxed, a little emotional, and nothing borrowed from someone else’s wedding.
IMAGE CREDIT:Blake Heywood
IMAGE CREDIT: Simon Bills
IMAGE CREDIT: Good Lovin
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS
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Fill in the enquiry form on this site and I reply personally within 48 hours. If you’d like to see whether we suit first, we can set up a vibe check call.
1. Say hello
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Your date is secured once the booking fee is paid and the contract is signed. You’ll get a welcome pack covering the process and timings from here, plus access to Lovers’ HQ on my website with plenty of useful info and extras, as well as a questionnaire to help me understand your story, personalities, values and vision for the ceremony.
2. Planning
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I write your ceremony from scratch and send it to you for your review. You also get vow guidance and vendor coordination.
3. Written, then polished
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One last catch-up before the day to confirm the details and settle any nerves. We complete more of the legal paperwork at this step. If you’ve added an on-site rehearsal to your package, we do it here.
4. The pre-wedding check-inIMAGE CREDIT: Blake Heywood
I take care of ceremony logistics, cue the music, guide your wedding party and keep everyone calm. You’re legally married by the end of it and have kicked off your celebrations with all the right vibes.
5. Your wedding day
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I submit your marriage paperwork promptly, so the legal side is finished without you having to chase it. I’ll send you a note after the wedding with some post-wedding tips, and if you were happy with how it all went, a Google review is always a blessing.
6. After the dayWelcome! I’m Ali (she/her), the champagne-drinking, romance-loving party starter behind Married by Ali
Also known as “Chieftain” to my inner circle, I’m an Adelaide-based authorised marriage celebrant dedicated to writing beautiful stories, with a dash of humour, delivered in a meaningful way that resonate and delight.
I thoroughly enjoy getting to know each and every one of my clients so that your ceremony is a true reflection of who you are. It's about asking the right questions and really listening to make sure I kick off your festivities with all the right feels - no cookie cutters here.
I am a big believer in not just talking the talk, so me and my business, are underpinned by some central values including:
Inclusion + Equality
Professionalism
Kindness + Love
Reconciliation
Collaboration
I strive to always make sure everyone I work with feels that they are seen, heard and understood. This is a judgement-free zone.
And to finish, here’s 5 fun facts about me:
My love languages are food and random acts of kindness
I have double-jointed thumbs
Have a hippy side that loves all things astrology + crystals
My childhood idol was Sir David Attenborough, who I used to impersonate as a 12-year-old when I made home movies about our Golden Retriever puppy - full British accent and all!
My dream came true when I got to meet the great man himself in the late 2000s, when I organised a press conference for him.
Big love,
IMAGE CREDITS: Georgy Keen Photography
Why Get Married by Ali (a.k.a. me)…
SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS CELEBRANT
I am a big believer in giving back to our community, shopping local to support small businesses and being environmentally responsible. I volunteer my time on a school board and committee, and also chair a foundation. I’ve also been a blood donor with Red Cross Australia for more than 20 years now!
MARRYING COUPLES SINCE 2015
A bit of a master hitcher, I’ve been a celebrant for more than 10 years. I was voted The Advertiser’s Best Adelaide Celebrant 2023 and Runner-up in 2026. An accolade I was so incredibly humbled and honoured to receive.
With a career background in journalism, public relations, marketing, and business operations, I come with a specialist set of communication skills. These perfectly complement my role as a celebrant.
HERE TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE
Beyond the altar, I’m a married mum of two who loves the simple things in life - cooking, eating, drinking, family + friends.
I bring this easeful energy into the planning of your wedding ceremony. My mission is to help make your journey to the altar a fun and memorable one. Highly organised, I’ll guide you through all of the in’s and out’s of getting married. From the legalities to the logistics, I’ll break it down and keep things as simple as possible to manage.
“We are so happy we chose Ali to be our wedding celebrant…”
Not only does she have a warm, friendly nature, she's also professional and organised. Ali offered us sound advice and helped us bring to life our vision for our wedding day.
We wouldn't hesitate in recommending her.
- EMMA & BEN
IMAGE CREDIT: DAN EVANS PHOTOGRAPHY
Frequently Asked Questions
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As early as you can. Peak-season dates often go 18 months to two years out, and I take a limited number of weddings each year. If you have a date in mind, send an enquiry and I’ll tell you where my calendar stands.
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A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) has to be lodged with your celebrant at least one calendar month before the ceremony, and no more than 18 months before. In some circumstances the one calendar month notice period can be shortened with approval from the registrar at your state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages office, so if your date is closer than that, ask me before you rule it out.
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Yes, and they’re short:
You can’t already be married
You can’t be in a prohibited relationship
You both need to be freely consenting
You both need to be 18 or over (one of you can be 16 with court approval)
You need to give at least one calendar month’s notice using a NOIM, which I handle
You need two witnesses aged 18 or over
You need ID that proves your identity, date of birth and place of birth
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All of it. I send you a link to fill in your NOIM details, have the form ready for your signatures at our planning meeting, and make sure its lodged with me afterwards. After the ceremony, I submit all your legal marriage documents to Births, Deaths and Marriages.
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I need to sight ID for each of you when completing your NOIM. Either of these works:
A valid passport (Australian or international), which is the simplest option
Your driver’s licence and your birth certificate, if you don’t have a passport
If either of you has been married before, I also need your divorce certificate or death certificate to confirm the previous marriage has ended.
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For a full ceremony, set aside 30 minutes in your run sheet. The ceremony itself usually runs 20 to 25 minutes, depending on how many laughs and tears it collects. A micro wedding runs 10 to 15 minutes. A legals-only ceremony takes under five minutes, and you’ll be married by the end of it.
Eat, Drink + Be Married by Ali
Eat, Drink + Be Married by Ali
IMAGE CREDIT:Josh Starke
So if you’re looking for a celebrant who’s the perfect marriage of fun and organised, caring and classy, engaging and energetic, I’m her.
Think we might be a match?
Get in touch today. I can’t wait to hear from you!