Jak Nguyen — Celebrant & MC | FAQs
How long have you been a marriage celebrant?
Almost 5 years as of 2020.
How many weddings have you officiated?
As of 2020 about 350 weddings. I think it was 3 weddings that first year in 2015, and last year 2019 I did 117 weddings, so that comes to about 2–3 weddings per week give or take.
How long have you been in the wedding industry?
13 years — almost all my adult life. In my uni days I worked as a weekend casual waiter for a catering company. Over time my responsibilities grew and I developed into a supervisor, manager, coordinator, then was groomed to be general manager not long after.
How did you start as a celebrant?
Some friends of mine asked me to be their celebrant for their wedding. They didn’t want anyone else to do it. I got the qualification, did their wedding and we all had a lot of fun.
That should’ve been the end of it, but the friends and family who saw their ceremony started asking me to officiate at their weddings, and then it kinda just snowballed from there.
How does anyone become a celebrant?
You complete a Certificate IV in Celebrancy, then register with the Attorney Generals Department. More information at their website.
How long does it take to become a celebrant?
It usually takes at least a year to do the Certificate IV in Celebrancy. In can be less but I wouldn’t count on it — due to the timing of my friends wedding I had to knock mine out in under 6 months.
Can anyone become a celebrant?
Sure, but unlike American movies & TV you can’t just get certified and registered overnight on the internet. That’s a misconception. More on that in another post.
It’s a professional role — you have to get the qualification, register with the governing body, supply character references, and participate in mandatory annual professional development.
Do you do same sex marriages?
Of course.
Do you have another job?
I did in the beginning, and worked a variety of roles: health insurance consultant, wealth consultant, financial planner & building estimator.
Working 7 days a week burned me out, so officiating became my full time role.
Are you married?
Yes, my partner and I have been together for 9 years now — 2 of those years as husband and wife. Together we’re raising our young daughter.
Any advice on a successful marriage?
Heaps. But the one takeaway everyone should understand is that marriage isn’t about marrying the right person — it’s in being the right partner.
How long are your ceremonies?
Depends. But give it at least a 30 minute end-to-end block in your wedding day. My ceremonies are usually about 15–20 minutes.
What languages do you speak at the civil ceremony?
Proficient — English. Vietnamese. Mandarin.
Serviceable — Cantonese. Korean. Japanese. (Enough for your families to understand the important parts of the ceremony)
Learning — Teochew. Cambodian. Arabic.
Aspiring — Woiwurrung. Russian. Espanol.
What’s your style of ceremony?
I call the vibe ‘casually professional’: it means you’ll have fun, but also your needs will be well looked after. I’m sincere, yet I can also both calibrate the ceremony to the audience — balancing the delivery with heart felt honesty.
Depending on you, the audience, and your intentions, there will be both tears and laughter.
How early do we need to book you in?
Most Saturdays are booked up to a year in advance. so try to book me in at least a month before, so we can sort out your legal paperwork.
Do you do meetings?
Yes, and all initial meetings are completely obligation free. For couples who don’t know me or haven’t seen what I do, it’s a great way for us to get to know each other.
What’s the youngest couple you’ve married?
An 18 year old software developer, with an 18 year old restaurant manager. More mature in their relationship than many couples twice their age.
What’s the oldest couple you’ve married?
A 63 year old sculptor, with a 57 year old nurse. First and only marriage too. I cried.
What gear do you bring?
PA system with wireless microphones and back up wired SM58s. I use a Bose S1 Pro, but also have a Chiayo Stage Pro as a backup system.
Can our videographer plug into the PA system?
Sure can, so long as the output doesn’t interfere with the input. You can even record the audio onto USB.
What music is played at the ceremony?
1. Entrance Song. Bride walks down the aisle.
2. Signing Song. Signing the marriage registry.
3. Exit Song. Walk out as husband a wife.
Which hand does the wedding ring go on?
Traditionally for Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States and most of Asia, the LEFT hand.
It’s also flexible. I encourage you to make your own traditions.
Which side of the aisle does my family sit on?
It’s 2020 — your guests are free to sit wherever you like. We’re not in medieval times. Be polite — let the oldies and dependents sit and fill up the seats first.
Also if you’re really interested, there are 2 ways to look at it:
1. Sit on the same groom / bride side if that’s how you know the couple.
2. Sit on the OPPOSITE groom / bride side, so you can see them.
What are your service fees?
Transparent, and with no hidden costs. See list of services and fees.
Where do you provide your services?
Melbourne, Yarra Ranges, Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula & Bellarine Peninsula.
Do you charge a travel fee?
Only if your wedding is beyond the above regions. And even then it’s usually just the cost of getting there, and accomodation. These costs are kept to a minimum, to fuel my hunger for adventure.
Do you travel interstate?
Besides Victoria, I’ve also officiated in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia & Tasmania.
Are you getting married in South Australia, Northern Territory & Canberra? Get in touch with me — I’ll marry you for just the cost of the travel and accomodation!
Where can I get married?
Garden, beach, farm, winery, chapel, bar, restaurant, reception, resort, hotel… Pending permission and access, wherever you like. Even your living room or backyard.
I’ve even done weddings on yachts, art galleries, and mountain peaks.
How long are my vows?
Depends. Say as much or as little as you want. That may not be helpful to you, but it’s true. To get a gist, the average vows are 4–5 paragraphs, or about 2–3 minutes.
Do I have to personalise vows?
No. You can just repeat after me the required legal part.
I’m nervous about the wedding! What do I do at the ceremony??
Everything is prompted for you. There is nothing for you to memorise, or even remember to do. Not even your vows — which are printed for you to read. I’ll look after you and guide you the entire time.
What happens after the ceremony?
Usually we transition into group photos, with your guests congratulating you throughout. I’ll work with your photographer to make announcements and guide your guests where required.
Do you do rehearsals?
Yes. Mostly for the bridal party to get together, and to calm the nerves before the big day.
When do I receive my Marriage Certificate?
You’ll receive a Commemorative Marriage Certificate on your wedding day, with the Official Marriage Certificate arriving in the mail via Express Post about a month later.
You don’t have to apply for it or anything, I will take care of all your paperwork for you.
Do you do anything else?
Wedding Photography. Pre-Wedding Engagement photos. I’m a professional and I shoots are fun — here’s some of my work.
Photobooth. Reception MC & Coordinator. iPad DJ & Music System. Silk Flower Walls. Arbours. Here’s what to expect. Note that all these services have been by request — because I’m a professional and reliable vendor, this list might grow even further in the future. It’s hard for me to say no to people.
Wow, seriously?
No. There’s more — I also do Bubble Tea. It’s delicious.
Do you love what you do?
110%.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a celebrant or in the wedding industry?
Probably an army reserve chaplain. Foreign correspondent. Or aquaculture farmer. That’s not even a joke, those roles play to my strengths and interests.
Are you available to conduct the civil ceremony at my wedding?
Contact me and I’ll let you know my availabilities.
