.jpg "Celebrant Maree, Maree Livy")
Weddings are addictive.
Once you get into working in the wedding industry, its easy to get hooked on all the fun and excitement. The best wedding industry experts are all sadly as addicted to weddings as their brides, and that’s what makes them so fantastic at their jobs!!
I love chatting to other wedding industry experts/addicts and soaking up their wonderful advice and experience. Celebrant Maree is one of my favourites, she always lights up a wedding with her beautiful smile and wonderful words.
I hope you enjoy getting to know the lovely Celebrant Maree!!
How did you get started in the wedding industry?
Maree: For many people we go through a stage in our lives when all our friends get married over a 2-3 year time frame. Every few months I found myself celebrating a friend’s wedding – it was such a fun time!
After one particular wedding I was less than inspired by the celebrant officiating my friend’s wedding. The ceremony lacked warmth, personality and enthusiasm. After a glass of champagne, or two, I may have declared during their reception dinner at Butleigh Wootton that I could have done a better job! My friends wholeheartedly agreed and encouraged me to research the path I needed to take. So, 2 years later, I completed a Graduate Diploma in Civil Ceremonies at Monash Uni in 2004 and soon after was very privileged to be asked to be my friend’s wedding celebrant, the word spread – and I haven’t looked back!
What do you like the most about your job?
Maree: I love meeting and talking to people and I am privileged to do this to every single day. Each couple has a fabulous story to tell and no two couples are alike. I love uncovering the layers of how people met, what makes their relationship work, and their hopes for the future. I love working at gorgeous and diverse venues from stunning wineries, to backyard gardens to amazing spaces.There are so many incredible and talented people I have met in the wedding industry that I now consider good friends.
What is your top tip for your brides?
Maree: My advice for all couples is to be true to yourselves.Ensure your wedding is an authentic reflection of who you are. By this I mean don’t have an OTT extravagant wedding if this really isn’t your style. Make time to chat together before you engage any suppliers to ensure you are on the same page when it comes to the vibe, style and mood of your wedding.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned about weddings?
Maree: To quote from the iconic Beatles song “All you need is love”. It really is.
What is the one thing you’d love to warn couples about before their wedding?
Maree: Don’t sweat the small stuff! Sure, we all want our wedding day to go perfectly but you can’t control everything! Especially the weather, so always have a Plan B for your ceremony.
What has been your best experience over the years in the wedding industry?
Maree: I have been very lucky to meet some amazing people who have taught me so much about love, family, life, adversity and resilience.
If you had to change careers and choose another job in the wedding industry, what would it be?”
Maree: I can’t see myself doing anything else! When I decided to be a marriage celebrant I thought it would be a great job, but it has completely exceeded my expectations in every way! OK, if I HAD to choose another job it would be Wedding Cake Tester Extraordinaire!!!
To contact Maree, her website is http://www.mareelivy.com.au and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CelebrantMaree
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