Visiting Interstate & North Queensland Couple's Weddings

Love Letter from Allyce & Kate Mt Ommaney Apartments Mt Ommaney Brisbane
As anyone planning a wedding will know, it can be very stressful and trying to book everything and everyone can make you nervous and apprehensive, my partner, Kate and I found some really amazing people, especially one lady, the one and only Marilyn Verschuure. We knew she was the right celebrant for us after the very first phone call which took place, not even 24hours after we had inquired in her Marry Me Marilyn Website.  On our very first initial meeting, Kate and I didn't feel like clients, we felt more like friends, everything we could possibly want to know and things we had no idea we could do was covered in our very first meeting. Kate and I had the most wonderful ceremony; you can't begin to imagine all the tiny little detail until the day of your rehearsal, but we didn't need to worry as Marilyn was a wonderful support to us, our bridal party and both of our parents the whole time. She is full of love and patience and we found her to be so encouraging. Marilyn knew and understood just how important our parents and best friends were and she helped us to shape our ceremony so perfectly so we could have these special people involved! There was no request too big or too small and nothing was ever too much trouble. Marilyn made us feel so comfortable and relaxed. These are some of what our dear friends and family said about our ceremony and Marilyn.' Your ceremony was elegant, funny, lovely, joyous, hilarious, surprising, you and Kate looked so connected, I loved how close you stayed to each other, Your celebrant created a wonderful atmosphere right from word go'. These were elements that were so important to us, and it was these things and the small things that set our ceremony apart from many others that we have witnessed. I would recommend Marilyn to anyone! She is truly wonderful at what she does and so helpful. Once again thank you Marilyn, you are a wonderful soul and we couldn't have asked or hoped for a better celebrant! Love Allyce & Kate xoxo

Love Letter from Kate' Mother Barbara for their Commitment Mt Ommaney Apartments Brisbane
Hi Marilyn, All the guests were very impressed with the sensitivity of the ceremony. They loved the 'Love Story' which shared Kate and Allyce's experience of getting to know each other and ultimately forming a relationship. The blessing of the rings was very touching and the general intimacy you created with your beautiful words.  It moved not only females but males to tears.  At least 4 men came up to me after the ceremony and said they had shed tears during the ceremony as it was just so lovely.  Quite a feat, I must say, as these were men I have never seen so moved.  It was a formal, well prepared ceremony but had a very happy and relaxed atmosphere throughout.  It was full of love and joyfulness.  Your ceremony set the mood for the reception to follow.  If there were any reservations among the guests attending a 'gay' union, you certainly won their hearts over - there was not one negative comment.  Everyone sung your praises and just how beautiful the ceremony was.  You are a true professional who takes great pride in their work and provides a very personal and intimate ceremony - one that my daughter and her partner will never forget. You certainly helped reinforce the fact that everyone has the right to marry the person they love. For all of this Rob and I will always be grateful. Kind regards Barbara Merrin x

Why I Chose to Become a Rainbow Pride Celebrant
The reason I started Rainbow Pride Celebrant is because I believe in equal rights for same sex couples and I believe in Gay & Lesbian Marriage. When I started Rainbow Pride Celebrant no one in Queensland or to my knowledge elsewhere in Australia had created a dedicated celebrant site for LGBTQIA+ couples and their families. It was time to take LGBTQIA+ Ceremonies out of the back of the civil celebrant site where they were relegated back with the minor ceremonies. Some have now followed in my footsteps which is a giant leap forward. I look forward to the day when I can legally marry a gay or lesbian couple and then register their marriage.

Are you currently trying to decide if you would like to have a commitments on the Gold Coast or anywhere in South East Queensland or Northern NSW? I can provide a highly creative and professional civil celebrant service for you.

The wonderful thing about going to Queensland or Northern NSW Australia for your wedding ceremony is that your choices are endless. You can have your commitment on a glorious Gold Coast beach or under the canopy of the hinterland rainforests. You can also use one of the sensational venues in and around the Gold Coast including cosy chapels, mountain restaurants with panoramic views, exquisite sub-tropical gardens, rainforest retreats and up market reception facilities or if you are adventurous jump out of a plane, go up in a hot air balloon or scuba dive if that is your passion.

Donna from England & Bridget exchange rings at their Commitment Ceremony in the chapel at the Crowne Plaza in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Danny Donna's best man hands her the rings.

Donna & Bridget's recessional from the chapel after their Commitment Ceremony in at the Crowne Plaza in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast

Smartraveller: The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service

Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs - visas.

WEATHER The Gold Coast has more than 300 days of sunshine per year. 
Average Temperatures:

Spring	September to November	15-25C (59-77F)
Summer	December to February	20-28C (68-83F)
Autumn	March to May	16-26C (61-77F)
Winter	June to August	11-21C (52-70F)

Australian Government Geoscience Australia - Sunrise Sunset & Twilight Times you can find out when the sun sets and rises and how long the twilight is on your special day to help plan the timing of your ceremony

Visiting International Couple Weddings

Love Letter from Emily & Denise' Commitment Pavilions Broken Head Byron Bay Northern NSW
Dear Marilyn, Denise and I cannot thank you enough for helping make our day so special.  We really had the most perfect day and couldn't have asked for anything to be better.  Since we were planning our wedding from America and couldn't meet with anyone in person, we were a little apprehensive at first. But once we spoke to you on the phone and then via Skype, you made us so comfortable with the whole process and we knew you were the one we wanted to tell our story.  We were unsure with how to begin the process of writing our vows and our love stories but with your examples in your resources and assistance, you made it so much easier.  Your experience and kind nature made us feel at ease with the whole process.  We even had some last minute changes (the day before the ceremony), but you handled everything as if we had nothing to worry about.  We didn't actually meet you until the morning of the ceremony but we felt like we had known you for a while.  The ceremony was beautiful and your telling of our love story made us (and our guests) laugh and cry.  We are so grateful to you and everything you put into making our day one we will forever remember.  Both of our families loved meeting you.  Thank you again for all you did. Please stay in touch! Sincerely Emily and Denise

Nathan, Hayleys brother made the surfboard for the couple as a Commitment present.Hayley and Tanja chose the beautiful Bilinga Beach on the southern Gold Coast with the white sand the blue Pacific Ocean and the Skyline of Surfers Paradise as a backdrop.

Hayely and Tanja's brothers gave them away.Hayley and Tanja live in England in the United Kingdom. Hayely is originally from Gold Coast Queensland and Tanja has an English and Austrian background.

Testimonial Liz & Danielle from Main USA held the Commitment New Farm Bowls Club in Inner Brisbane
Hi Marilyn, Thanks so much for conducting our beautiful ceremony. Your experience and advice made planning stress-free, and we felt our ceremony was very personal and reflected our commitment to each other. You put us at ease from our first phone call and meeting, and your passion and enthusiasm made the planning fun. I liked meeting you first and talking about what we wanted.Your ideas for our vows and ring-warming were really great, and we enjoyed writing our personal Love Story. We always tell people our love story (because we think ours is the greatest), and with our ceremony we got to tell everyone at once. It was great how friendly, calm and supportive you were throughout everything. We have framed our certificate and put it in the living room. A lot of people said to us that our ceremony was the nicest and most meaningful they had ever been to, and we have already recommended you to a lot of our friends. Thank you for your support. We can't wait to have you back for the baby naming. Again, thank you so much! Liz & Danielle XOXO

Are you trying to decide if you would like to have your commitment ceremony in Australia? Australia is a beautiful place to exchange your vows there are many stunning places for your ceremony and honeymoon.

Love Letter from Debra a New Zealander & Sheila from England both living in NSW Commitment Mt Tamborine Botanic Gardens Japanese Gardens
Hi Marilyn, We would like to thank you once again for what you did for us at such short notice, a beautiful ceremony, a wonderful day. We will let everyone we know how wonderful you are! Thank you from the bottom of hearts! Deb & Sheila xxx

If you plan to have your same sex commitment on the Gold Coast or anywhere in South East Queensland or Northern NSW, I can provide a highly creative and professional civil celebrant service for you. Would like to have me officiate at your ceremony but you are having your ceremony outside of the area above? I would be happy to travel to perform the ceremony but additional costs for travel and accommodation may apply.

If you live in another city or country, planning your ceremony is easy. We can communicate through email, telephone, fax or post and it is simple for me to see your official documentation when you arrive in the Gold Coast for your ceremony.

However, if you have a family member or friends in the Gold Coast, I am happy for them to come to meet me on your behalf and I can liaise with them if this helps your planning.

Call Marilyn Rainbow Pride Celebrant on
0413 344 134 for information and to see if I have availability on your special day. I offer a free obligation-free meeting at my home or by Skype or Phone to discuss your vision for your perfect day. You can also email me or use the Contact Me page.