A bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other during a beach wedding ceremony, with an officiant woman smiling in the background.
logo for Sarah Woods Marriage Celebrant Port Douglas

Wedding Celebrant Port Douglas & Palm Cove

Sarah woods celebrant wearing a black dress standing behind a couple getting married

Imagine exchanging your wedding vows amongst the stunning beauty of Port Douglas or Palm Cove, arguably Australia's most captivating tropical elopement and wedding destinations.

From the pristine Four Mile Beach to charming beachside wedding chapels, ancient rainforests and secluded island cays, every element here is tailored to create your dream wedding or intimate elopement.

Hi there, I'm Sarah Woods Marriage Celebrant and I can make your dream wedding in beautiful Far North Queensland happen for you! As an experienced wedding celebrant who is professional but relaxed and warm, I specialise in crafting personalised ceremonies that reflect your unique love story.

Whether you're envisioning an intimate elopement, or a fabulous wedding celebration, I'm here to ensure your wedding ceremony is filled with love, laughter, and attention to detail.

About Me
A husband and wife holding hands showing their wedding rings

Elopements

a couple kissing next to their wedding arbour with people watching them who are sat on ceremony chairs

Weddings

A coupe who are kissing on a beach in far north queensland who have just renewed their vows

Vow Renewals

Wedding Ceremony Locations

a newly wed couple kissing in a chapel in port douglas in port douglas

From the beaches of Palm Cove to the stunning scenery of Port Douglas, Far North Queensland is the ideal destination for your tropical wedding or elopement.
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Whether it be an intimate tropical elopement, a small family wedding or a wedding extravaganza, from the breathtaking views at St Mary's by the Sea Chapel, an intimate elopement ceremony or vow renewal at Little Cove, a sand cay off Port Douglas or the palm fringed promenade of Palm Cove I can assist with finding the perfect wedding venue.  

From Port Douglas, to Palm Cove, Cairns and the Daintree and out to the Great Barrier Reef, ​you are spoilt for choice with ideal tropical wedding and secluded elopement ceremony locations.  
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Get in touch and let's discuss how I can assist you. 

Contact Me

FAQ

There might seem to be a lot of information to take in, alot of decisions to be made but you can relax because I am with you every step of the way, guiding you on the legalities and putting together a memorable wedding ceremony!

  • To get married in Australia you will need the following:

    Notice of Intended Marriage

    (NOIM) Original Birth Certificates or Current International Passport

    Photo ID e.g., Current driver’s license or Proof of Age card

    Original Decree Absolute /Certificate of Divorce (if you have been married before & divorced)

    Death Certificate of previous spouse (if you have been widowed)

    Proof of Name Change (if you have legally changed your name)

    I am legally required to sight all originals prior to the wedding ceremony, so you will need to bring your originals with you, however in order to ensure all the information is correct on the NOIM I also require you to send copies of these documents when you lodge your NOIM (you can also scan these to me).

  • All your documents must be in English or you must supply NAATI accredited translations if they are in another language.

  • There must be 2 witnesses over the age of 18 at your wedding ceremony.

    If you are having a photographer and videographer they can also be your witnesses, I can hire two witnesses for you or you can ask someone in the general area to witness your ceremony.

  • Yes you do! You can jump on to the Douglas Shire or Cairns Regional Council website and book these yourself. Let me know and I can also help you out.

  • Absolutely! I believe it’s really important for couples to see and proof their ceremony before the special day for a number of reasons:

    – You know exactly what to expect on the day. You know how the ceremony flows, allowing you to relax and connect with each other.

    – You have the opportunity to make any changes you wish so the ceremony really reflects you as a couple.

    – There will be no unwanted or awkward ‘surprises’ on the day

    I like to have a draft of your ceremony for your review at least a month prior to your wedding ceremony, this will allow you plenty of time of personalise it further and add your own ideas to make your ceremony uniquely you! As a wedding celebrant I am well aware that on the weeks and days leading up to your wedding, couples are typically flat out, getting all the little details finalised so you don’t need me also looking over your shoulder.

  • Lots of my friends are celebrants, so I have an amazing network that will rally to ensure that your wedding ceremony goes ahead.

  • As I have sighted your original IDs and registered your marriage with BDM QLD, I am also authorised to submit an online request with Births, Deaths and Marriages

    QLD for an Official Marriage Certificate. BDM QLD then text/email you direct for payment and the Marriage Certificate is posted out to your nominated address. Then when you return from your honeymoon and have your hot off the press official marriage certificate ready and waiting for you to commence the change of name process.

  • Personally written vows are such a lovely way to incorporate your personalities into your wedding ceremony. I provide you with wedding vow examples, inspiration and how to guide on writing your own wedding vows.

    I am also more than happy to proofread them, print them for you and bring them on the day in beautiful VOW books ( saves you reading them from your phone or from some flimsy paper you grabbed in your hotel room).

  • One of the most common pet peeves that you hear from guests is that they couldn’t hear the ceremony, so a good quality PA System is vital. I have a professional PA system with cordless microphones so everyone can hear your ceremony and it means that you won’t have to yell your vows which is the last thing you want in such an intimate and personal moment.

    You can use my PA for your ceremony music free of charge, you provide the music to me and nominate a guest or your wedding co-ordinator to press play/pause (that way I can concentrate of getting the two of you married).

    If you are eloping, the last thing you want is a big PA system so I also have a smaller Portable Speaker that you can use.

  • Yes, I do. I am based in Port Douglas but will travel for weddings and elopements to Palm Cove, Cairns, The Daintree, The Tablelands, and surrounding Islands off the Barrier Reef and Cays.

  • Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance

  • The simple answer is NO. Just like getting married is about choice and preference, so is what you include in your ceremony.

    This is where I come in and work with you to craft the ceremony that is about you and the celebration of your love and whatever that means to you.

A newly wed couple in port douglas kissing down the aisle of their ceremony

“Sarah was everything we wanted and more!”

“My husband and I got married in September 2023 and wanted a celebrant who was light-hearted and fun. Sarah was everything we wanted and more - she made our guests laugh, was incredibly easy to work with and made us feel comfortable throughout the entire process and ceremony.

I’d highly recommend Sarah to anyone getting married in beautiful FNQ!”

JADE & ALEX

Reception Port Douglas Weddings & Hire

Photographer Katie Purling Photography