Friend or Family Led Ceremonies
The Co-Pilot Experience. An alternative to a full Celebrant Service ceremony
"Ashley helped us throughout the co-pilot package. She worked side by side with us and my partner’s sister to help create the most beautiful ceremony. She gave my sister in law feed back on her script and helped us to create the most authentic and unique experience. Ashley made us feel comfortable throughout the whole process and guided/educated us on things we were unsure about. She has the most beautiful energy that makes everyone feel calm and at peace. Thank you again, Ashley for such an amazing day/experience."
Joel & Tara | Redleaf, Wollombi | April, 2026
So you want your best friend or family member to lead your ceremony but you also want the reassurance of a professional celebrant guiding the way and legally marrying you. This experience gives you both.
With my Co-Pilot Experience your ceremony remains deeply personal, led by someone who knows you best, while I work behind the scenes to ensure everything flows seamlessly, your officiant feels supported, and all legal requirements are taken care of.
From guidance leading up to the day, to calm coordination before, during and after your ceremony, your chosen officiant and yourselves will feel relaxed, prepared, and completely present in the moment.
This service is the perfect balance of heart and professionalism — allowing your ceremony to feel truly yours, without the pressure on you or your chosen officiant.
Why I love this service
The Co-Pilot Experience holds a special place in my heart because it gives couples something truly unique — the warmth of having someone they already know and love lead the ceremony, while still having the guidance, professionalism and calm presence of an experienced celebrant by "their side".
There’s something incredibly special about hearing your story told by a sibling, best friend, parent or someone who knows you beyond the surface. Their perspective often brings a level of comfort, connection and authenticity that simply can’t be replicated. And for your guests, it feels warm, familiar and genuinely moving from the very first welcome.
My role is to make that experience feel seamless.
I work closely with you and your chosen person in the lead-up, helping shape the ceremony, guiding structure and flow, offering reassurance, and ensuring they feel confident and supported every step of the way. Then on the day, I’m there as a calm, polished presence behind the scenes — holding everything together quietly, while allowing your chosen person to shine.
And when the time comes, I step forward to solemnise your marriage — a moment I never take lightly, no matter how large or small my role has been throughout the day. It is always an honour to stand beside two people as they begin their marriage.
After creating a number of these ceremonies over the years, I know just how special they can be and I also know they deserve to feel elevated, intentional and beautifully executed.
For me, this is far more than simply “doing the legal bits”. It is a thoughtfully guided experience for couples who want something deeply personal, beautifully balanced, and genuinely unforgettable.
Below, you’ll find another more kind words from Jess and Ming — whose review captures exactly what makes this experience so meaningful.
Jess and Ming's Review
"Asking Ashley to be our celebrant was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding day. From the first FaceTime phone call, Ashley’s genuine and bubbly personality was palpable through the screen - like speaking to an old friend, and we knew we had met our match.
We were after someone to look after the Legals while we had a friend run our Christian ceremony and Ashley’s Legals Only Co-pilot package was the perfect fit for us. Ashley was so generous with her time, knowledge and experience; offering all of her tips and suggestions while emphasising that it was our day, there was not right or wrong and that other than the legal stuff, it was completely up to us to do what felt most like us.
Leading up to the day, Ashley checked in with our friend to discuss ceremony flow, when she would step in and out and offered our friend so much support. When
Ashley arrived on-site right before the ceremony, she did so in all her vibrant and loving wonder and we felt so at ease knowing that she was going to get us married that day, and that she did and so much more! When the skies opened up and blessed us with its rain as we stood at the altar, Ashley quietly ran around like a fairy godmother, handing everyone umbrellas and sheltering our friend from the rain with a huge smile on her face, as if it was all part of schedule. She seamlessly stepped in and out during the ceremony to do what she had to do to get us married.
Ashley was such a delight to work with both leading up to, on the day and post-wedding.
We couldn’t recommend Ashley more- thank you so much Ashley!
Keep doing what you’re doing because you’re so good at what you do!"
Jess & Ming | Wallalong House | March 2025
FAQ's
Helpful answers for couples wanting a friend or family-led ceremony in the Hunter Valley.
Can a friend marry us legally in Australia? In Australia, only an authorised marriage celebrant can legally solemnise a marriage. This means your friend cannot complete the legal marriage on their own unless they are a registered celebrant. That’s where my Co-Pilot Experience comes in. Your chosen person can lead the ceremony, welcome guests, share your story and hold the emotional spotlight — while I step in to complete the legal requirements and solemnise your marriage properly. It gives you the best of both worlds: personal and legal.
Can a family member officiate our wedding? Yes — many couples choose to have a sibling, parent or close family member lead their ceremony in a personal and meaningful way. With the Co-Pilot Experience, your family member can guide the ceremony, share stories and create a moment that feels deeply connected to you, while I handle the legal components, ceremony structure, preparation and support. This creates a warm, memorable experience without the stress of figuring it all out alone.
How does a Co-Pilot ceremony work? The Co-Pilot Experience is designed for couples who want someone close to them to lead the ceremony, with professional guidance behind the scenes. In the lead-up, I work with you and your chosen person to shape the ceremony, guide timing and flow, assist with wording, and ensure they feel confident. On the day, your chosen person leads the ceremony while I quietly support everything behind the scenes. When the time comes, I step forward to complete the legal marriage wording and solemnise your marriage. It feels seamless, elevated and deeply personal.
Do you travel across the Hunter Valley? Yes — I travel throughout the Hunter Valley and surrounding regions for weddings, including Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury, Wollombi, Branxton and beyond. I also travel for ceremonies at wineries, estates, private properties and unique venues. If you’re unsure whether I cover your location, simply reach out and I’ll happily let you know.
Can this work at wineries and private properties? Absolutely. The Co-Pilot Experience works beautifully at wineries, private estates, gardens, Airbnbs and bespoke wedding venues. It often feels especially magical in these settings, as the ceremony becomes more intimate, personal and reflective of the atmosphere you’ve created for the day. Whether you’re marrying at Redleaf Wollombi, a Hunter Valley winery, or your family property, I can help tailor the experience to suit the space and flow of your celebration.