Inclusive Melbourne Wedding Celebrant for modern, non-traditional ceremonies
Your ceremony isn’t filler.
It’s the anchor — the moment the room remembers.
I create modern, non-religious wedding ceremonies delivered with the authority of experience, effortless luxury energy, and zero cringe.
Inclusive language is standard. Editorial restraint is deliberate. Personal sparkle is part of the brief.
Legal-only or full ceremony.
Melbourne or destination.
Wedding, renewal, or the next chapter entirely.
The style adapts.
The standard of ceremony doesn't.
What I’m Known For
Melbourne-based with the confidence to deliver anywhere
Inclusive language handled properly — without needing explanation or performance
Modern, non-religious ceremonies shaped with taste and precision
Fully legal, clearly guided, quietly impeccable in delivery
I’m probably the right fit if…
You want a ceremony that reflects your values, not inherited traditions
You care about language, atmosphere, and how the room feels
You want warmth and intelligence — not theatre
You expect professionalism, not hand-holding
You want the moment to feel effortless because it’s being held by experience
If you’re after something loud, tradition-heavy, or overtly performative, I may not be the right celebrant — and that’s completely fine.
If you want a ceremony that feels intentional, elevated, and unmistakably yours, you’re exactly where you should be.
CEREMONY PATHWAYS
Every love story is different. Start with the ceremony experience that suits your plans — I’ll guide you from there.
Five options, one standard.
Every ceremony I deliver is built on clarity, polish, and authority.
What changes is the level of ceremony and support you want wrapped around the moment.
The Modern
Custom Ceremony
Effortless luxury energy. Modern by design.
A contemporary, non-religious ceremony written with editorial restraint and delivered with quiet confidence.
The language lands. The pacing holds. The moment feels elevated.
The Whole Journey
Custom Ceremony
The Modern — with high-touch support.
The same ceremony, with deeper involvement throughout: vows refined, rehearsal included, and a process that stays clean from booking through to the wedding day.
The Destination
Elopement & Destination Weddings
Iconic setting. Unshakeable presence.
Elopements and destination weddings in Australia or overseas, delivered with the same standards as any high-end wedding.
No gimmicks. No scrambling. Just the moment, properly held — wherever it happens.
The Registry
Legals-Only Ceremony
A legal-only wedding ceremony — clean, composed, and beautifully handled.
A considered alternative to the registry office.
The same legal outcome, delivered with more choice, privacy, and intention.
Two formats are available:
Just the Legal Bits or The Soft Edit.
The Next Chapter
Celebrating Milestones
Life keeps happening. Mark it properly.
Ceremonies beyond the wedding day — renewals, milestones, affirmations, and moments of becoming — shaped with intention, respect, and modern language.
The Host
Reception hosting, done properly.
The Host is modern reception hosting for couples who want the celebration to feel just as intentional as the ceremony.
No shouting. No awkward transitions. No friends stuck managing a run sheet.
Just a steady, confident voice guiding the room — so the night flows naturally and beautifully.
The ceremony is the point— not the prelude.
WHY CHOOSE MARRIED BY A TEDDY?
Professional — without stiffness.
Personal — without chaos.
Married By A Teddy is for people who value taste, structure, and presence, and who want their ceremony to feel curated rather than performed.
Professionally Fabulous
Modern by Default
Contemporary, non-religious ceremonies that feel considered — never templated, curated — not performed.
Legal precision delivered with warmth, intelligence, and ease.
Melbourne-based, travel-ready
Inclusive Without Performance
Deep local knowledge and a willingness to go anywhere your love story goes.
Respect is built in. Language is handled properly. No one is othered.
MEET TEDDY
Your celebrant — steady, polished, present.
I’m Teddy Bell — a Melbourne celebrant known for ceremonies that feel relaxed, elevated, and precisely held, without slipping into cliché or performance. My background in public speaking and music means rhythm, pacing, and emotional flow come instinctively — not as an afterthought.
I’ve travelled to more than 90 countries and lived overseas, which gives me a natural ease holding space for different cultures, families, identities, and ways of loving.
Disco, my golden retriever, keeps me grounded and connected to love.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
If you’re looking for a Melbourne celebrant who brings taste, authority, and genuine ease to the moment, I’d love to hear from you.
No pressure. Just a considered conversation to see if the fit is right.
NOT READY TO ENQUIRE?
Explore the Wedding Toolkit — clear guidance, celebrant insight, and practical clarity to help you shape a ceremony that feels right.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ceremony Style & Experience
-
I create modern, non-religious ceremonies that feel relaxed, inclusive, and genuinely authentic — never scripted, stiff, or performative.
All ideas are welcome. As long as it’s legal, I’ll work with you to shape a ceremony that reflects your values, your personalities, and the way you want to be celebrated.
-
Yes. You can choose a fully custom ceremony or a beautifully written pre-scripted option — whichever suits your needs.
-
Only if you want them. I avoid outdated or awkward traditions unless they genuinely matter to you.
-
Yes. I’m happy to include readings, moments of involvement, or relaxed roles where appropriate.
-
That’s very common. My role is to create a calm, supportive environment where you feel comfortable and at ease.
-
Yes. I’m a Melbourne-based celebrant known for inclusive, modern ceremonies for couples of all identities.
Legal & Process Clarity
-
Yes. I am a registered Commonwealth-authorised marriage celebrant, and all legal requirements are handled correctly and clearly.
For overseas elopements, I’ll conduct a separate short ceremony on Australian soil to ensure your marriage can be legally recognised.
-
Yes. I guide you through the NOIM process, timelines, and required documentation to ensure everything is completed properly.
-
Legal-only ceremonies typically take around 10-15 minutes, depending on any personal elements you’d like included.
-
Yes. Even legal-only ceremonies can include a short reflection, personal wording, or meaningful moment if you’d like.
Let’s have a chat about what you’d like to include before you book, so we can ensure the I Do, I Do (legal-only ceremony) is the right package for you.
-
The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged at least one month before your wedding date, but no more than 18 months in advance.
Once your NOIM is submitted and witnessed correctly, it remains valid for up to 18 months. I’ll guide you through the timing and paperwork to make sure everything is completed properly and without stress.
Identity, Inclusivity & Values
-
Yes. Gender-inclusive language is my standard approach, not an add-on. I tailor language to reflect each couple’s identities, preferences, and values.
I work to ensure everyone, from your guests to your vendors, feels seen. I’ll switch standard phrases for more modern alternatives. For example:
“Ladies and gentlemen” > “Friends, family and gorgeous humans”
“Bride and groom” > “the Wedding Lovebirds”
“Bridesmaids/Bestmen” > “Wedding Party”
-
Yes. I regularly work with same-sex, LGBTQIA+, and gender-diverse couples and create ceremonies that feel affirming, respectful, and genuinely celebratory.
-
Yes. I offer identity-affirming and gender affirmation ceremonies that honour name changes, transitions, and personal milestones in a respectful, meaningful way.
-
Absolutely. All ceremonies are written and delivered in language that reflects each person's identity.
I’ll ensure that how you choose to identify is respected and celebrated, while discreetly balancing your legal identity.
-
I combine legal precision with calm delivery, inclusive language, and a modern approach — so ceremonies feel effortless, meaningful, and genuinely you.
Booking, Pricing & Availability
-
Pricing varies depending on the ceremony type and level of customisation. Full details are available in the Married By A Teddy Ceremony Packages guide.
-
Yes. You'll need to pay your booking fee to secure your date, with the balance due closer to the ceremony. I offer a variety of flexible payment options to find a solution which best fits your circumstances.
-
Once you enquire, I’ll confirm availability and give you a call to discuss ceremony options and outline next steps clearly — no pressure, no obligation.
