Courtney Kissel Ceremonies

08/01/2024

Like getting wrapped in a great big squeezy hug, coming home to this message and some happy snaps from one of my 2023 couples was an absolute DAY MAKER ☀️ (and I got to pat a beagle puppy today soooo...that's saying something!)

It is ME who is eternally grateful to be part of so many beautiful love stories ❤️🩷💛

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10/11/2023

Three ways to have an ultimately YOU reception?
- Kombi van photobooth
- Zooper Dooper canapes
- Audio Guestbook

Lucky for you, I can help you out with one of these! 😆

An Audio Guestbook is a fun way for your guests to leave you unforgettable, moving, hilarious memories and messages (or prank calls, taxi requests, karaoke voicemails...) to treasure long after your big day is over!

You can send me a DM, message me through my website www.courtneykisselceremonies.com or call me (😜) to enquire about including one at your next event!

25/10/2023

I forgot to post an out of office last week...
So just popping on 💍 to say I'm having a jolly holiday and won't be back for a few weeks. I'll follow up any emails then 😘
Stay magical and twitterpated ❤️🩷💛

(This was one of at least 2 proposals we saw today!! 😍)

01/10/2023

I hope your weekend is as full of love and happiness as my Friday was ❤️🩷❤️🩷

29.9.23 🥰 What a dream it was marrying Lily and Sol! An epic love story spanning years and lifetimes - the universe has certainly brought these souls together before.
I don't have words for the amount of magic and love that just radiates from them both!

📸 shout out to - no pressure at all being the wedding photographer for two wedding photographers 😜 Lucky he was trained by the best (i.e the groom) - and what stunning photos and moments Lachie captured!! 😁

29/09/2023

What song kicked off this dancefloor and got everyone up grooving?

Take a guess in the comments, then tap the video for the answer!!

Hint: it's (somehow) 20 years old today! 🤯🎉

27/09/2023

A 'handfasting ceremony' is a traditionally Celtic ritual that we can incorporate into your wedding ceremony as a visual representation of your union. It is a lovely way to incorporate, and publicly acknowledge and recognise some of your values, as well as include some meaningful ribbons or fabric, and it can be a beautiful physical keepsake of your wedding!

But what does it actually look like in your ceremony? Easy peasy!

Step 1 (photo 1): I will braid three ribbons around your joined hands and say some loving words about what each ribbon represents. (These are unique to you!)

Step 2 (photo 2): I will concentrate extremely hard (hehe) as I knot them strategically around your hands.

Step 3 (photo 3): I will ask you to each pull an end of the ribbons - now joined as one rope.

Step 4 (photo 4): Voile! I will smugly announce that you have literally just tied the knot!! (Fun fact: this ritual is where this expression came from!)

Both you and the ribbons are now eternally tied ❤️

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22/09/2023

If you're scrolling my page and wondering if I'm the kind of celebrant who is happy for you to bring your pooch along to your wedding then please know...

I am MORE than happy.

In fact, I completely encourage, and borderline BEG OF YOU - bring 👏 your 👏 fur 👏 baby!!!

Just... Maybe give me a little heads up so I don't embarrassingly squeal with excitement when they show up which may or may not have been what happened when Amy and Ben's gorgeous pup Audrey entered the ceremony ❤️

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23/06/2023

I get to know you so well while preparing your wedding - it's only fair you learn a little about me too!

So here's 10 tidbits about me!

-I consider myself a "serial hobbyist" - I've more enthusiasm than talent, but love to try new things! In my home are tap shoes, rollerskates, cookie decorating kits, papercutting templates & no less than 3 ukuleles... I've actually kept up learning to sew for 3yrs now - my goal is to sew an outfit I can wear to a wedding!

-I love to travel - I've lived in 2 other countries, and travelled to 38. Covid put a spanner in my "40 countries before 30" plan but I hope to hit 40 by the end of 2023! My fav spots so far have been Nepal, Iceland & London

-I'm a musical theatre nut. I was part of the most amazing community in London with the West End Musical Choir - with them I recorded at Abbey Road Studios & performed at some awesome venues, including Disneyland Paris!

-Christmas Eve is my favourite day of the year & next to my parents tree is my happiest place. I even made the front page of the local paper dressed as a Christmas pudding once. In all honesty I looked like a giant 💩 but all publicity is good publicity, right?

-I have a clown alter ego named Chuckleberry Grin. She's done 2 tours with Dr Patch Adams & the Gesundheit Institute as a 'humanitarian clown'.

-Although I love them, I'm terrified of birds! I could listen to the maggies sing all day, but if one is on the path in front of me, I'll cross the road to avoid them!

-At any time you could safely bet I'm thinking about food. Chocolate, especially, is life. Nothing more to say about that… Lol, jks. I'd spend all day talking about food.

-My other job is in mental health social work. I love that both give me the opportunity to meet & connect with people.

-My family mean the world to me & I'm very close to them. I'm the middle child AND the eldest daughter - not sure what that says about my personality 🤪 I live with my wonderful husband & our incredible son.

-I also live with our fur baby: The Dapper Mr Gordon Puddles. He's my sewing supurrvisor and sometimes a little too micromanager-y.

20/06/2023

When your most special witness to your wedding isn't *quite* of legal age to be the official official witness... I will always make sure they have their own "unofficial official" commemorative Courtney Kissel Ceremonies certificate 🥰

Eleanor made sure she did a great job with hers - see pic #2 where she's still signing away! 🤣❤️

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16/06/2023

"...And most importantly, Dan do you promise to always ensure that Andrea has the necessary amount of naps?"

Dan: I do.

There's no question that your ceremony and vows should be unique to you.
The real question is... What is the necessary amount of naps? 🤔

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01/06/2023

I FREAKING LOVE A GROOM ENTRANCE!!

I always ask my grooms if they're interested in their own entrance - I'm usually met with super excitement and enthusiasm... followed by "nahh I'll just wait at the end of the aisle".

Not this fella though. Jack OWNED his entrance. A total hype man, he was hi-five-ing his guests on the way in, waving to those he couldn't reach and pumping his fists so hard like the rockstar he is!

And his guests TOTALLY met that energy!

SUCH a way to kick off the ceremony!!

Let this be your sign that if you want your entrance, take one! It's your day too and it won't come around again. Live those rockstar dreams, legends!

Big shout out to Mel at for making this moment happen!

29/05/2023

27.5.23 - Emily and Jack ❤️

Both Emily and Jack are very competitive people who love being right. And both are very serious NRL supporters ... of different teams.
So you can imagine that when they first met, and Jack made a bet that if the Dragon's lost that week Emily had to go on a date with him, the stakes were pretty high!

Seeing how perfect they are for each other, and how in love they are - I think the Dragon's loss was maybe Emily and Jack's win 🥰

What a happy and wonderful day ❤️

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28/05/2023

Heading into hibernation now! 🐻

The sun was so lovely yesterday afternoon as a final ceremony send off before a winter break!

I've no more weddings currently booked until September. I have plans to cosy on up by the fireplace, and have lots of sewing plans to fill my weekends over the next few months!

I'll be more than happy to take on some last minute bookings though, so get in touch if you need a celebrant - ESPECIALLY if you're interested in a legals only ceremony at home, warm in our PJs. (They're first on my list to sew 😜)

(Don't forget the minimum one month legal notice still applies!)

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13/05/2023

At last week's ceremony, bride Siobhan's mother Raka sang a classic Māori song in honour of groom Dave's Aunty Rose.
I'm not going to caption this "I'm not crying, you're crying" because obviously, yes I was.

*We* *All* *Were*

It was so moving, and a very special tribute to the lady who raised such a lovely man.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers and Mother-figures. Your impact is greater than you'll ever know ❤️

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06/05/2023

The smiling face of a girl who made ~100+ people cry this afternoon 😂

Happy tears!
All happy tears!

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03/03/2023

One week of Mr and Mrs Welch 🥰❤️

What an absolutely stunning day/couple/venue/crowd to celebrate these two getting married! (And me celebrating my first "Sealed With a Kissel" wedding of 2023!)

Although they laugh that without the lockdowns, they may never have gotten together, *I am convinced* that all the world’s energy, all the stars were always going to align to bring these two trailblazers, visionaries, joy-seekers, grateful, nature-loving adventurers together.

Congratulations Cachana and Taylor - thankyou so much for having me along✨

24/02/2023

Happy Friday lovers! Or in Mr and Mrs Hayes' household- Happy Mexican Food Friday! It was a Friday night like any other when Mykel turned around and asked Kahleigh "Darls, will you marry me?" over an enchilada.
My favourite part of this story was that Kahleigh said it was exactly how she imagined it would be! 🥰
My one regret marrying Mr and Mrs Hayes was having to dash off after the ceremony and not being able to say hi to this gorgeous Highland cow*!

(*I am very aware that this is not the first time I've posted about a cow... I don't know what it was about 2022 but there really seemed to be a few popping by my ceremonies! I'm not mad about it.)

23/12/2022

Just popping on to wish every one a sparkly and love-filled holiday season 🌟

Looking ahead, I'm setting the goal to make a bit more noise here on my socials in 2023.
For now though, I'm having a quiet moment thinking about the absolutely incredible couples I met and wed this year - sending oodles of love to you all for your first Christmas married 🎄
Thankyou for inviting me in to be part of your story ❤️

To my couples, their families I was so lucky to meet, and absolutely everyone else who happens to be here reading this - wishing you all a Merry Everything and a Happy Always ✨🌈

25/08/2022

Fun fact about me - in my earlier mic slinging days I was a karaoke host for at the and this would have to be one of the best* moments!! Love Shack has always been my party song!

(*Honorary mention to the dad attending his daughters 21st and who's rendition of "Walking in Memphis" moved me to my core 🤣)

Gosh I'd love to know where this couple is at... And whether they'd like to hire me now as their celebrant? 😏 💕

05/08/2022

5.2.22

This one was SUCH a goodun! (And not just because it was my first wedding back after maternity leave 🥰)

I was literally just telling someone a week or so ago about how I'm still fizzing with all the fuzzy love feels from Ted and Meg's day!

Ted and Meg's original wedding day was spent in lockdown. I absolutely love that they still celebrated that day and still had a moment together - just the two of them - to share their vows.
They decided to still get snazzy in their wedding outfits and spend the day with the best - each other, on their deck, with a fine feast of oysters, champagne, KFC and a Woolies mudcake.
They then still had their month long honeymoon in lockdown, in their home, together.

When Covid settled, their official day was again spent with the best - a beautiful, intimate day shared with their closest family, by the lake. Good food, great views, fantastic vibes, big laughs, amazing people.

When I asked Ted what they would wish for their future together, he said:
“I don't think we wish for a lot - just a nice family life with lots of fun and love”

If a party of two on your home deck, a month long lockdown stay-at-home honeymoon, and the most perfect afternoon with family and friends isn't setting the path for this, then I don't know what is!

Happy 6 month anniversary Mr and Mrs Murray!

21/07/2022

The beautiful Rosie popped by to give the newlyweds her well wishes 🥰
She was very mooved by their vows 😝 🐮

01/07/2022

✨24.6.22 ✨

I can't believe a week has already passed since Kirsty and Brad became Mr and Mrs Bennett!

They're both the most naturally kind, loving, fun, hilarious and gorgeous people and their ceremony was in the equally naturally stunning Pearl Beach Arboretum.

The first guests to arrive were the abundance of kookaburras, and Kirsty arrived to a tingling string performance (by Brads sister!) of Ed Sheeran's Perfect (oh, my heart still skips thinking of it!)

Some other perfect moments from the day include:

- ALL of Kirsty and Brad's family and friends giving the most enthusiastic, cheerful blessing over the marriage

- When I got to pay homage to the inspiring celebrant Joey Tribianni, while reflecting on the love between Kirsty and Brad, which is one based on giving and receiving, as well as having, and sharing... ( ) (I just love that these two lobsters are also Friends fans! 🦞❤️🦞)

- this golden quote from Brad, regarding their future together: "She will continue to p**s me off and I will continue to p**s her off, but I know it doesn't matter what happens or what we are put up against in the future, we will tackle it together like we always do”

- this recreation of what I am told was an amazing first kiss - but this one their first as husband and wife! 🥳

19/06/2022

I just loooooove celebrating LOVE!! ❤️ And tonight we're kicking off wedding week for these two amazing humans!
Watch this space for the most loved-up beautiful wedding coming right up 🌞

14/04/2022

Oooh how fun would this be!?

I wonder if any of my couples are interested!? ❤️

TALENT CALL OUT! VOLUNTEERS WANTED 🤩🎞🎞🎥📹
Couples ages 25-65 who are available on the 22nd April 2022
9am - 4pm to be filmed for a NSW Tourism video ad. Diversity encouraged 😀
🐒🦒🐫You will get to meet the Wildlife & have a day of adventure with the animals 🦒🐒😍
PM us today! 🙌✌️

02/04/2022

Love in the time of Covid...

Personalised hand sani wedding favours from Lisa and Ash - designed by the groom himself. 😍

30/03/2022

19.3.22 💕

I'm still on a glow from this stunning wedding that had it all!
A few tears, lots of laughs, so much love and from what I've heard, just a little bit of cow p**p 🙊

Just as Ashley's proposal had more than one surprise involved, Lisa and Ashley's journey to the aisle had a few extra surprises too - thanks to a pandemic and more than one natural disaster! But third time's a charm and in that extra time they've said they grew even more in love and undeniably stronger together (and now also have another little one to love!)

Both Lisa and Ashley are such creative and generous people, and every corner of their wedding was exquisite, an absolute joy to be part of. They are also both such resilient and loving people, and being part of their lives and having a small role in their I-got-your-back kind of love story, is the greatest joy of all ❤️

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20/03/2022

Hit the road this weekend to the gorgeous Collits' Inn in the Blue Mountains to marry two stunning humans 💕

More on that ceremony later...

But for now, an appreciation post for my driver/roadie/music director/favourite dance partner.
I love that I so often get to do what I love with the ones I love 🥰

01/03/2022

If you aren't sure you believe in miracles, let me tell you that my shampoo, conditioner AND body wash all ran out at the same time this week!

Still not sure you believe in miracles?
Then let me tell you how after 2 COVID shuffles, Aleisha and Brodie's wedding day finally arrived and was set for 70% chance rain all day until 3pm (ceremony time) when there was an 80% chance of a thunderstorm! 😱

And you know what?
There wasn't a drop of rain!

And I am so bloody stoked that they got to "tee off" their married life together in Brodie's dream spot - the first tee at the Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley!
I'm also beyond thrilled I got to be there as their celebrant ❤️ SUCH a beautiful wedding!

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06/09/2021

Happy 6 month-iversary Mr and Mrs Hamilton! ❤️

06.03.21 💕
I feel like dating apps get a bad rap..
A simple swipe right and love at first sight are not mutually exclusive! Even through a screen, Amy’s smile burst straight through and lit up Luke’s heart. His loving and caring nature beaming right back and making that swipe right simple for Amy too. And that, my friends, is still fate in action and the start of a beautiful, and lifelong romance.

During the ceremony, after Amy's dad gave his blessing for the marriage, Amy and Luke then got ALL their guests to give their blessing - with an enthusiastic and uproarious cheer!
I think I speak for everyone present on this gorgeous day when I say they were 'all round' stoked that these two found each other!