Being a marriage celebrant in Coffs Harbour has allowed me to gain a first-hand experience of all things weddings and the impact of COVID-19. At the end of 2020, the ABS released some interesting insights as part of their provisional data for January to June 2020 highlighting changes in patterns of marriage associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and for that reason, I want to issue a minor nerd alert for my latest blog.

2020 and now 2021 has been a period of exceptions.  We keep hearing of the word unprecedented, one that I need no longer right click to check if I have spelt it correctly.  The pandemic has of course changed the wedding landscape in so many ways.  Let’s take a quick look…..

Between January and June 2020 a total of 37,813 marriages occurred in Australia – in which I proudly contributed 0.08% ‘I do’s’.   The number of marriages represented a 31.9% decrease in the same period a year ago.  When comparing the same period of the last five years, the number of marriages was lower by 62.2%.

Between April and June 2020 the median age at marriage was 32.6 years for males and 30.7 years for females.

A whopping 80% of ceremonies were performed by a civil celebrant. This is a figure that I have seen climbing every year since becoming a civil celebrant many years ago.

Over the past decade, the marriage rate has decreased from 5.5 to 4.5 marriages per 1,000 people.  Despite the restrictions, nearly 10,000 weddings went ahead between April and June 2020 – and that’s a good thing not only for couples but Coffs Harbour’s awesome wedding industry suppliers and my amazing celebrant friends.

Without question, one of the biggest trends I have seen during the pandemic is the increase in elopements and micro weddings, two popular services that I have now been providing for more than 13 years to couples locally and afar. 

If you are trying to navigate how to get married within a world with a touch of uncertainty, then let’s talk.  I can make your wedding ceremony truly one to remember for a lifetime – and for all the right reasons. It’s what I do!

< Previous
Next >
 

  • My husband and I are very grateful for the beautiful ceremony Simon put together. It was so important to us – and Simon respected and fulfilled our every need. He was so patient and understanding throughout the whole process.We cannot thank Simon enough for being apart of such an important part of our special day.

    Kane & Rohie

  • We would just like to THANK YOU for such a perfect and personal ceremony. Our guests thought you were a friend we had known for years (we didn’t tell them any different). There were so many positive comments about the work you did. We loved that you kept the ceremony about us, that you talked about our story and you were so professional. Great suggestion about the music playing throughout. We would highly recommend you to all of our friends and family (even strangers). I also believe that you made such an impact, our guests would be recommending you to their people.

    Your work was very much appreciated!! We can not thank you enough, Simon!!

    Pav & Jacob

  • Thank you for playing such a wonderful important role in our special day and starting our marriage.  We can not repay you enough for joining us in union but we will feel forever blessed that such an amazing, humourous and loving man helped us in our very beginnings.

    Libby & Mark

  • Thank you for everything you did leading up to and during our ceremony.  Your friendly and confident approach made us feel very comfortable and at ease on the big day and you played a big part in that we just wanted to say thank you very much.

    Rohan and Simone

  • Hi Simon,

    Tim and I are still on cloud nine after reminiscing about the perfect ceremony you created. It was everything we always dreamt of and is something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

    We can’t thank you enough for all your support and guidance throughout the whole experience, especially your commitment to travel all the way to the Hunter Valley for our wedding. Thank you also for keeping Tim calm whilst he was waiting for me at the alter! I instantly felt more relaxed when I saw you waiting outside the chapel for us.

    The day wouldn’t have been so perfect without you. I’ll send you through some photos of the ceremony when we get them back. If you are ever in Newcastle please don’t be a stranger!

    Tim & Aimee

  • It was lovely working along side you again at Sarah & Jon’s beautiful wedding, you were superb! I hope you don’t mind but I have put a link to your page on my website – you really are worth recommending!

    Louise Blake Photography