Planning the wedding ceremony

I've thought about what I'd like to happen in the garden for the ceremony. A beautiful historical garden. Music, readings and vows. Chairs, flowers and a path of rose petals or a red carpet? Elegance versus rock n roll? A few questions to bear in mind:

* How many guests does the venue hold? The garden that we're looking at will hold up to 80 guests in the garden
* How long will the ceremony lasts? Less than 1 hour? With photos with family and friends, maybe up to 2.5 hours?
* Can I supply a portable PA system and /or microphone? No, so the celebrant that we decide to go with will have to supply those two items
* Ask if the celebrant will assist in organsing a wedding rehearsal? Will have to check with the celebrant we decide on

Music will be either or both: Mendelssohn's Wedding March or Pachelbel's Canon played on the violin or strings symphony or harp. We have musician friends however my friend who is a pianist will be one of my bridesmaid so she's out of the music action. I have asked another friend, a guitarist(acoustic and electric) if he could play a few solos and he said no problem. Another friend, whom I've only just met via tragic circumstances- he plays the violin so beautifully and I would like to ask him but don't know if I should or shouldn't?

Readings: Favourite romantic poems to be read by a friend or family member?

Vows: Insert personal jokes and humour? Or keep it traditional and solemn?

Legalities: At least one month and one day before the wedding, sign a Notice of Intended Marriage form, must provide birth certificates. A few days before the wedding, both need to sign a Declaration of Marriage form. After the vows are spoken, both sign a wedding certificate, record book and registry paper with two witnesses aged 18 or over

Timeline for the ceremony

TWELVE MONTHS
* Book venue and enquire about any restrictions (eg throwing confetti, camera gear and music type)
* Does your religion require you to meet with the minister for pre-marital counselling in the lead up to the wedding?

SIX MONTHS
* Organise your wedding service with the celebrant - may include order of service, speakers, poems, hymns, musicians and vows

THREE MONTHS
* At least one month and one day before your wedding, sign 'Notice of Intended Marriage' form which your celebrant should have, provide birth certificates and a Decree Absolute for those marrying the second time


ONE WEEK
* A few days prior to the wedding, sign the 'Declaration of Marriage' form

WEDDING DAY
* After vows are spoken, sign the wedding certificate, record book and registry paper with two witnesses aged 18 or over