Hunter Wetlands Private Wedding Registry Room

JUST I DO

The beginning’

We are three family friendly celebrants who love what we do and want to ensure that your day is reflective of your love story and creates a very special moment in time that becomes a memory that will never be forgotten. But, you may not know how we began. So here is our story.

The three of us have known each other for many years, have been celebrants for about 10 years, operate similarly but with our own unique ways. The idea for ‘Just I Do’ germinated when the Office of Birth, Deaths and Marriages in Hamilton closed down and individuals needed to travel to Sydney for an intimate Registry Office wedding. Jack van Netten presented his thoughts to Anna van Netten and myself. He didn’t have to say too much before we realised what a great idea he had.

We wanted to fill a need for couples in our area and have been able to do this with the Hunter Wetlands agreeing to allow us to operate within their grounds. Jack approached the Hunter Wetlands Centre as it is a magnificent venue for your wedding day and we wanted to promote this venue as well as fill the void left by the closure of the registry office.  I’m very happy to say that we have been able to do this. 

Why the name ‘Just I Do’ you may ask. We decided to concentrate on marriage ceremonies as this area is the one where we have most requests and also because of the original reason for beginning our registry style weddings. We like to call these ‘Elopement’ weddings even though they do not have the romantic vision of two people running off in the middle of the night to places unknown to tie the knot! There is a simple process to follow which doesn’t allow for that romantic notion to happen, but you can marry within a short time frame if need be. 

One important thing to mention is that we are not representatives of the Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages with ‘Just I Do’. Our dealings with BDM is to register your wedding (which we are bound to do by law) and order your official Marriage certificate if you would like us to do so. 

While we offer the elopement packages we also perform more formal, larger ceremonies within the wetlands. There are a number of beautiful spots available to you and a buggy can be provided for you to travel to various places within the wetlands after your ceremony. Great spots for those special photos. 

Looking forward to celebrating many more special moments in time with many more wonderful couples.