Contact Shelley 0455276662
Handfasting

Neoteric Ceremonies

Celebrate life with a ceremony that has unique scripts, symbolism, rituals, themes, heartfelt fun and laughter. If you've ever wanted to dress up as a storm trooper, or a pirate or even as a steampunk noble, why not have a themed ceremony to incorporate your beliefs and/or hobbies?

  • Create memories when you commit to a relationship or renew your vows.

  • Create memories for your children on the day you have formally named and introduced them to the wider world.

  • Create peaceful and happy memories in your new home by holding a House Warming ceremony.

  • Use a scripted ceremony, rituals, symbolism or themes to celebrate milestone birthdays, anniversaries or anything else you just want to celebrate.


Rituals in life

Rituals have existed throughout human history as a means of celebrating rites of passage. They include rituals of birth, puberty (entrance into the full social life of a community), marriage, conception, and death.

Including rituals and symbolism into ceremonies creates a more meaningful experience and magical memories.

There are many meaningful ceremonies that include Druid, Wiccan and Pagan beliefs. These types of ceremony add a beautiful spiritual dimension to the rite of passage being acknowledged. Examples include Faery Naming ceremonies, Handfastings, or a Passing rite for a much loved pet.


 


 
Me and my partner Jesse in Steampunk for Halloween

Who Am I?

Hi, my name is Shelley Aherne, a full-time celebrator of life. I am fully qualified celebrant offering unique ceremonies to meet the needs of my clients.

I love public speaking and meeting new people from all walks of life. So I chose celebrancy as my full-time career. I see myself as an outgoing person with a friendly and helpful disposition. I love to dress up in costume for any occasion, or just for the fun of it. I am a very creative person with a passion for all things out of the ordinary.

On a more serious note I have numerous qualifications in Business Management, Leadership, Administration, Communication and Individual Support and most recently Cert 4 in Celebrancy. So yes, I am qualified to create and conduct ceremonies.

The photo at the top is my number one supporter (partner) Jesse Aherne with me in costume. Jesse will be my roadie at larger ceremonies to assist with setup and pack up.

Mission Statement

To provide outstanding client service and the mindful creation and delivery of extraordinary, themed ceremonies that are in tune with my customers ideals and beliefs.

I respect the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender, and also respect the diversity of culture in Australia.
Renewal of Vows


Weddings

Please contact me directly to discuss your wedding needs.

 0455 276 662

  • It can be simple and private or extravagant and loud

  • It can include rituals and symbolism makes it exciting and entertaining for your guests

  • Invite family and friends to a dinner and surprise them with a Wedding

The possibilities are limited by your imagination

See the Service Fees page for more info.

What do you need to get married?

  • Birth certificate or Passport

  • Photo Id such as drivers license or ID card

  • Proof of divorce or death if you have been married before
Commitment

Commitment

Ceremony

Legal marriage is not for everyone. Choosing a commitment ceremony is a great way to declare mutual commitment and love to a relationship.

Why have a Commitment ceremony?

  • You may have been married previously and do not want to marry legally again

  • You do not require the legalities of a legal wedding ceremony

  • You are both under 18 years and therefore legally unable to marry

  • Your wedding may have to be postponed but you would like to share your commitment with friends and family while you can and get married at a later date

This is great way to invite family and friends to a dinner and surprise them with a Commitment ceremony. You can have a full blown wedding style ceremony, something simple and personalised with a few close friends and family, or even by yourself in a romantic or interesting setting.

Renewal of Vows


Renewal of Vows

Renewing wedding vows is an awesome way to invigorate your marriage and demonstrate the success and longevity of your relationship.

  • It can be simple and private or extravagant and loud

  • You may wish to enact your original wedding day, or have the dream ceremony you couldn't have the first time around

  • Including rituals and symbolism makes it exciting and entertaining for your guests

  • Most couples hold it on a milestone wedding anniversary which makes it even more special

  • Invite family and friends to a dinner and surprise them with a Renewal of Vows
Service Fees

Name Giving Ceremony

“'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

Name giving ceremonies are a formal way to welcome a new member of a family and are therefore an important rite of passage in the life of the person being named. The process of naming firmly links a child with its family and cultural background. This is a good alternative for parents who want the formality of a ceremony without the religious content. The design will include rituals, readings and whatever spiritual content you desire. It can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as 30 minutes.

Why have a ceremony?

▪ To announce the name chosen, explain the meaning of the name, and give the reasons for choosing that name

▪ To make promises to nurture, support and educate the child so that he/she becomes an independent, contributing adult in society

▪ To formally express the parents’ wishes for the child’s future

▪ To nominate other significant adults to support the child and gain their commitment to this special relationship

▪ To blend two families so that a new family unit is created

▪ For an adult to celebrate a rite of passage for their own personal reasons
Yet to come

Transitional Naming Ceremony

Names give us a sense of who we are, the communities in which we belong, and our place in the world.

When a transgender person chooses a new name it is an expression of self that reflects their individuality and identity.

Many transgender people choose new names to go by before, during, or after their transition to their true gender, whether it’s because their dead name (given to a person at birth) is too masculine or feminine, too binary, or just doesn’t fit them anymore.

A small intimate ceremony or a large and loud ceremony with family and friends is a special way of honoring this milestone in Life's Journey.
Yet to come

Funerals and Memorials

A funeral or memorial service plays a very important role in the grief process by providing you with a safe place to express your grief and share memories of your loved one with your closest friends and family. It is an opportunity to say goodbye and accept the reality of death. 

My role as a celebrant is to liaise with the funeral director and to create a meaningful and healing service that will assist you in the beginning of your grief journey. 
Yet to come

Testimonials

"Shelley helped us with every step of planning our ceremony and vows. Shelley has an exceptional knowledge of the legal process of marriage but also has many helpful suggestions and ideas which enhanced the ceremony on the day. Shelley made us feel very comfortable and at ease. We were very fortunate and are grateful to have chosen Shelley to be our marriage celebrant."

Regards Tim Johnstone


Wedding Gallery

Testimonials
Service Fees