Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell

Hi and congratulations! I am proud to be one of Sydney's professionally trained civil marriage celebrant, especially since Australia became the 26th country to recognised marriage equality on 9th December 2017.  So I look forward to the opportunity of being able to work together with ALL couples to celebrate their love and commitment in marriage.  My motto is "Your wedding, your ceremony!" So please allow me create your ceremony that will be moving and memorable. Next, a very BIG THANK YOU to the wonderful couples who have provided lovely reviews about their experiences with my service. Every couple is important to me and as your celebrant I will give you the exceptional customer service that you deserve. While getting married is a serious commitment, it doesn’t mean that your day has to be serious too. It should be a day of excitement, happiness, fun, laughter and maybe a few happy tears included - the perfect mixture of emotions that leads to the creation of a beautiful memory to cherish forever. Together we will create your ceremony. I’ll take the time to get to know you - how you met, what are some of the special moments in your relationship - which I will incorporated into your ceremony - making it uniquely yours. So whatever your dreams are for your ceremony, it will be written to suit – be it a formal and elegant affair, or a casual, relaxed event or a simple elopement style wedding using my ceremony room. While I am based in South West Sydney, I have conducted weddings throughout the Sydney metropolitan area from Sydney north and Northern Beaches, down by our beautiful Sydney Harvour foreshore including the Royal Botanic Gardens and other various beautiful venues within the city and Inner West, on numerous Sydney beaches, parks and gardens and out to Sydney's west and the Blue Mountains.  I have even conducted weddings in Canberra, down Wollongong and Shoalhaven surrounds and even up in the Hunter Valley. I also celebrate Renewal of Vows, Commitment ceremonies, Baby Namings and funeral services. Whatever ceremony I write for you, rest assured that I will dedicate the time and effort to making it special for you. Further details are on my website and I look forward to hearing from you for a 'no obligation' appointment for further discussions. About I enjoy dealing with people and consider myself a ‘People Person’, priding myself on providing outstanding customer service. I've gained valuable experience in every role that I occupied in my career prior to becoming a celebrant which also included 15 years in Public Relations and Events Management - acquiring knowledge and skills that has enabled me to ensure peace of mind to all my couples as I work with them as their celebrant to creating their own unique and memorable ceremony. .jpg?quality=80&format=jpg&mode=crop&autorotate=true&crop=20,20,-20,-20&width=150&height=150) Mrs Catherine Flavell Civil Marriage Celebrant Read More Photos [](https://images-cdn.easyweddings.com.au/s3/prod-ew-image-global-v2/Live/ImageUploader/Ceremonies-by-Cath---Catherine-Flavell-2096-P1077078-1712140353.JPG?quality=80&format=jpg&mode=crop&autorotate=true&crop=0,0,0,0&width=1620) [](https://images-cdn.easyweddings.com.au/s3/prod-ew-image-global-v2/Live/ImageUploader/Ceremonies-by-Cath---Catherine-Flavell-2096-P1076090-1759130359.jpg?quality=80&format=jpg&mode=crop&autorotate=true&crop=0,0,0,0&width=1620) [](https://images-cdn.easyweddings.com.au/s3/prod-ew-image-global-v2/Live/ImageUploader/Ceremonies-by-Cath---Catherine-Flavell-2096-P1076087-1759130325.jpg?quality=80&format=jpg&mode=crop&autorotate=true&crop=0,0,0,0&width=1620) [](https://images-cdn.easyweddings.com.au/s3/prod-ew-image-global-v2/Live/ImageUploader/Ceremonies-by-Cath---Catherine-Flavell-2096-P1076096-1701140315.JPG?quality=80&format=jpg&mode=crop&autorotate=true&crop=0,0,0,0&width=1620) [](https://images-cdn.easyweddings.com.au/s3/prod-ew-image-global-v2/Live/ImageUploader/Ceremonies-by-Cath---Catherine-Flavell-2096-P1076131-1707140334.jpg?quality=80&format=jpg&mode=crop&autorotate=true&crop=0,0,0,0&width=1620) [](https://images-cdn.easyweddings.com.au/s3/prod-ew-image-global-v2/Live/ImageUploader/Ceremonies-by-Cath---Catherine-Flavell-2096-P1076099-1704140306.jpeg?quality=80&format=jpg&mode=crop&autorotate=true&crop=0,0,0,0&width=1620) ‹›× See More Photos * * * Location Service Area New South Wales  * * * FAQ [COVID related question - Instead of rescheduling our wedding, can we marry now and then have a second wedding ceremony later when COVID restrictions are lifted and we celebrate with all our friends and family?](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/MarriageCelebrant/Sydney/CeremoniesbyCathCatherineFlavell/#ewfaq_1) It is law in Australia that couples cannot have a 'second wedding' ceremony if they are already married.  So for couples who have opted to have or thinking of having a small 'COVID19' restricted style wedding and have their big celebration at a later date, they can have a 'Renewal of Vows' ceremony which one can see it as a 're-enactment' because it is very much like a wedding.  The stipulation for such ceremonies is that: \\* The couple cannot call it a 'wedding' and their celebrant must make their guests aware that the couple has already married and that this is a 'Renewal of Vows' ceremony. \\* This type of ceremony does not include any legal paperwork and the ceremony written does not contain any of the required legal words. However, all is not lost - the best part of a 'Renewal of Vows' ceremony is that it can still look like a wedding ceremony where the bride can still process down the aisle, be 'given away' by her dad/parent and more importantly they can exchange their personal vows.  I have done several Renewal of Vows for couples who married overseas without their extended family and friends, but returned home to Australia and had one of these ceremonies so that they can celebrate their love and commitment with their Aussie friends and family. [COVID related question - We would still love to have our most important guests there but there's too many! How do we pick?](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/MarriageCelebrant/Sydney/CeremoniesbyCathCatherineFlavell/#ewfaq_2) Um, this one is tricky - especially if both parties each come from very large families.  Certainly I would begin with their parents, then move onto siblings and most definitely don't forget your two official witnesses (if they are not part of this initial group). Given that the elderly and those with health issues are in the high risk category - as much as couples would love their grandparents to physically attend their wedding, I'm sure couples would have already considered this risk and therefore grandparents may be high on their list as their virtual guests. As for the rest of their extended family and friends, with technology available today that is enabling weddings to be live streamed, I do believe that many will be very understanding and couple's will find that this may not be such an overwhelming issue after all.  With restrictions loosening and more people are now allowed at weddings, this is not much of a problem, but everyone still need to be careful.  Everyone's health should be first and foremost in our minds in these trying times. :) [COVID related question - What are your thoughts on a quick ceremony now and then celebration with guests later?](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/MarriageCelebrant/Sydney/CeremoniesbyCathCatherineFlavell/#ewfaq_3) Everyone is different and it is really up to each couple, but personally I like the idea.  As a Civil Marriage Celebrant, I thoroughly enjoy small intimate weddings. Even though they may be short and quick, it is by no means impersonable - in fact it is more personal for the couple as their focus is on them, their love for each other which is often beautifully reflected in their personal vows. I have celebrate many such weddings before and also since the outbreak of COVID and some of the reasons provided were: \\* They just want to be married and they are not fussed with the whole big wedding and all the hassles that comes with the organisation. \\* They are a shy couple, so taking advantage of the opportunity to have their small intimate and meaningful wedding instead of a large one (which they personally don't want but may have felt pressured into by well meaning family). \\* Taking advantage of saving money - just paying for the wedding ceremony and legalities and then have the spare money to perhaps go towards setting up their new home or a honeymoon later when travel is allowed. \\* This one is a cheeky one - some have seen this as a blessing that they don't have to feel obligated to invite certain guests that they don't know or didn't want to have at their wedding. As I said - each to their own and everyone has their reasons which we all need to respect. [ZOOM WEDDING - Can we do a wedding via Zoom and is it legal? Also one of our family members, who we'd like to be our witness is not able to physically attend our wedding, so can they still be one of our official witnesses via Zoom?](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/MarriageCelebrant/Sydney/CeremoniesbyCathCatherineFlavell/#ewfaq_4) Yes, live streamed wedding ceremonies are legal if they are legally performed by an authorised celebrant - that is it is conducted legally with the minimum of the five people present together (the couple/celebrant and their two official witnesses).  Yes, the two official witnesses MUST be physically present at the ceremony so that they can sign the required paperwork after the ceremony has concluded.  Therefore official witnesses cannot witness the ceremony via ZOOM. * * * Reviews 5.0 out of 5.0 168 reviews [Write a review](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/supplier/ceremoniesbycathcatherineflavell/ "Write a Review") 5 Stars 99% 4 Stars 1% 3 Stars 1% 2 Stars 0% 1 Stars 0% Review Summary This is an AI generated summary of this supplier's rating and feedback. Having this celebrant guide you from planning through the ceremony creates a calm, personal, and seamless experience. Couples consistently note fast, clear communication, thoughtful planning, and a warm, approachable presence that puts you at ease. The service shines in customization—vows tailored to you, flexible options from elopement to full weddings, and careful coordination of legal steps. Multilingual capabilities (including Chinese) ensure all guests feel included, with interpreters, a reliable PA system, and smooth logistics. Families appreciate the professionalism, transparent process, and the photographer-friendly support from a dedicated team. A heartfelt, stress-free choice for a memorable celebration. [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/4ea1e010-4af3-4273-9fc1-a0dc579840e7/) January 2025 Show moreShow less We waited to write this review until after attending several other weddings, which really confirmed how fantastic Cath was as our celebrant! From our first meeting 9 months before the wedding, her professionalism and warmth were evident. What really set her apart was her understanding that a wedding is essentially a production - something we hadn't considered - and her expertise in this regard was invaluable. Cath's bilingual abilities in English and Cantonese were perfect for our multicultural ceremony, making all our guests feel included and comfortable. She was incredibly flexible with our ceremony script, allowing us to modify it extensively to match our vision while providing an excellent foundation to work from. One detail we particularly appreciated was her suggestion to always remain physically connected during the ceremony - after seeing other weddings where couples stood apart, we realized how right she was about this intimate touch. Small but meaningful guidance like this really made a difference. The logistics were handled seamlessly - she was punctual for our ceremony, had proper audio equipment to ensure everyone could hear, and her communication throughout the planning process was excellent. Our guests specifically commented on how lovely she was, and the rehearsal guidance she provided helped most things run smoothly on the day. If you're looking for a celebrant who combines professionalism with warmth, and who truly understands how to orchestrate a wedding ceremony, Cath is an excellent choice. Her attention to detail and ability to create an inclusive atmosphere for multicultural celebrations makes her stand out. [Daniel W.](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/4ea1e010-4af3-4273-9fc1-a0dc579840e7/) Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell Thank you so much Daniel for your very generous review. I thoroughly enjoyed firstly getting to know you both, your love story and more importantly working with you both to perfect the ceremony that you both wanted. It is always important to me that my couples always have the freedom to make changes to their ceremony until they are happy with the final version for me to deliver. Congratulations and my best wishes again to you both for a wonderful future together. xoxo [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/707af649-89e1-4fb1-a638-ee4163c42e00/) December 2024 Show moreShow less Catherine is an extremely caring and kind person who's professional demeanour is only overshadowed by her thoughtful and bubbly personality. I will never ceased to be amazed at how deftly she was able to plan and organise a ceremony. Her genuine interest in her clients and her passionate need to fulfil their wishes restores my faith in the industry. It is important a marriage comes from a place of sincerity and generosity and I can say without a doubt that Ceremonies by Cath reflects those sentiments and then some. It is rare to see this amount of respect and understanding anywhere so to have had the experience first hand leaves me feeling overwhelmingly astounded. My only regret is that I will not be able to have Cath as my celebrant again. This is because with as wonderfull start as Catherine has given me, I know my marriage will last the test of time. Thanks for the kindness and thanks for the memories! [Jake M.](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/707af649-89e1-4fb1-a638-ee4163c42e00/) Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell Hi Jake. OMG - what can I say!!! Thank you so much for your kind and generous words. I truly love my job as a celebrant and I'm so pleased that I was able to deliver the ceremony that you both desired. It was indeed a pleasure and a privilege to have been your celebrant. Congrats and my best wishes to you both again for a wonderful future together. xoxo [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/13898811-63ba-44f3-beb7-0829ce0a24ba/) March 2022 Show moreShow less Cath provided an absolutely amazing ceremony for me and my wife. Due to extenuating circumstances, we found out 3 days before our wedding that our original celebrant was not able to officiate for us. I reached out to Cath and luckily she was available!. In 48 hours she was able to organise all the legal paperwork for us and wrote up an absolutely amazing ceremony for us. We could not be happier with what she was able to do for us in such a short amount of time. After a quick meeting with her, she was able to tailor the ceremony to reflect our personalities and this really provided the personal touch that my wife and I were after. Her communication and professionalism throughout was second to none and we would not hesitate to recommend her services. [Howe L.](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/13898811-63ba-44f3-beb7-0829ce0a24ba/) Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell Thank you Howe and Emily for your generous review. Although we only had 3 days working together before your wedding day, I thoroughly enjoyed working with you both and I'm so pleased that everything worked out for you both in the end and you had the wedding that you had both planned for - even the weather behaved for you both :). Congrats and my best wishes again to you both for a wonderful future together. xoxo [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/4a7b4f73-9eea-4612-b653-ad27c9782cb8/) November 2025 Show moreShow less Cath was amazing! She was quick and fast with responses, caring, fun, and even though we had a private intimate ceremony, she still made it special for us. I highly recommend Cath! [Carol T.](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/4a7b4f73-9eea-4612-b653-ad27c9782cb8/) [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/6669d0c7-ef6f-4d9d-949c-025ae85f4075/) October 2025 Show moreShow less Catherine was great with everything from planning our special day to performing the ceremony. She clearly outlined everything we needed to know, legally, morally and with a sense of humour. Catherine tailored our vows to a tee and clearly, alot of thought had gone into this. She executed this to perfection. This is a day I wont forget and Catherine made this day memorable. I highly recommend Catherine for her services, you wont regret it. [Toby L.](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/6669d0c7-ef6f-4d9d-949c-025ae85f4075/) Load more reviews * * * Expert Advice  As a wedding professional, **Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell** offers expert advice to help couples plan their perfect day. Ask a question or read their expert advice. [Get Expert Advice](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/MarriageCelebrant/advice/) * * * [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/fc92fd54-da61-456c-9f23-9ade229f031b/) What can you say other than life partner and husband and wife? wondering if there are any other ways to describe each other in our ceremony other than life partner, or husband and wife? Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell 0 If it is outside of the legal words, you can use any words to describe each other - even your 'pet' names like some of my couples have done.  However if it is within the required legal words or your ceremony, your options are only husband, wife or spouse.  Hope this helps. [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/596542bb-4711-4cb0-ad4c-fb39b00d0374/) My mum is very Catholic and wants me to have a Catholic priest at my wedding However, my partner does not. Is there any way I could combine the two to keep both parties happy? I want some Catholic elements, but not the whole service. Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell 0 Having Catholic elements in your wedding ceremony is absolutely possible without having a Catholic priest as your officiant.  As a Catholic myself, I am very comfortable with including prayers and religious readings within a ceremony for my couples if they want it. I have married Catholics who would have married in a church but can't because they are divorcees, but their faith was important to them and they wanted some of their faith included.  Also one couple explained to me that the reason why it has taken them so long to get married was because they hadn't found a civil celebrant who shared and understood their same deep faith which was very important to them. Similarly I have married couples who had their minister/pastor present to do a small part within their ceremony as well.  So if you know of a Catholic priest who will be willing and happy to 'share the stage' (so to speak) with your celebrant for your wedding. Hope this helps you and all the best. Madeleine S [](https://www.easyweddings.com.au/reviews/user/fc92fd54-da61-456c-9f23-9ade229f031b/) Different paperwork for celebrant or minister? Hi There, I was just wondering if we get married by a minister (uniting church) or by a celebrant is the paperwork on the wedding day any different or is it still 2 x Form 16 and 1 x Form 15? Thanks Ellie Ceremonies by Cath - Catherine Flavell 0 Hi Ellie, The Commonwealth legal paperwork as you have identified are the same for all celebrants (religious or civil).  However your church many have their own religous paperwork that needs to be attended to in the lead up to your wedding. 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