Christian Wedding Celebrant

Jake Smith leads Christian wedding ceremonies with warmth, clarity and genuine care. As both an ordained pastor and an authorised Commonwealth Civil Marriage Celebrant, he helps couples create a service that honours their faith, reflects their story and feels welcoming for every guest in the room.

Since 2007, Jake has walked alongside hundreds of couples as they’ve stood before family, friends and God to make their vows. His approach is gentle and steady — never preachy, never performative — so the focus stays exactly where it should be: on your commitment to one another and the God you invite into it.

Ordained Pastor and Registered Marriage Celebrant

One of the most practical benefits of booking Jake is that you only need one person to marry you. He is both an ordained Christian pastor and an authorised Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrant, which means he can legally marry you under Australian law while also leading a service that is genuinely Christian in its content, tone and theology.

You don’t have to split your wedding between a minister and a civil celebrant, navigate two different scripts, or rework your ceremony to fit a church’s in-house template. Jake handles everything in one unified service — the legal declarations, the spiritual heart of the ceremony, and all the personal touches in between.

What a Christian Ceremony with Jake Looks Like

A Christian wedding weaves together legal marriage, covenant promises and the joy of celebrating with the people you love. Jake shapes each ceremony around you, making space for meaningful faith elements while keeping the tone warm, personal and accessible.

A welcome that sets the tone

Jake opens the ceremony with a clear, relaxed welcome that brings everyone into the moment — including guests who may not share your faith. His warmth settles nerves, gathers the room and signals that this is going to be a joyful, genuine celebration rather than a heavy or formal service.

Scripture, prayer and reflection

You choose the passages and prayers that matter most to you, and Jake helps shape them into something that feels personal rather than performative. Favourite readings include 1 Corinthians 13, Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, Colossians 3:12–17, Song of Songs 8:6–7, and passages from Ruth, Genesis or the Psalms. His short reflection on love, covenant and grace speaks to the heart of Christian marriage without ever feeling like a sermon.

Vows, rings and blessing

Whether you want traditional Christian vows, personal declarations, or a blend of both, Jake helps you find the words. The exchange of rings, a marriage blessing and the pronouncement are handled with reverence and a gentle sense of occasion, so the most important moments of your wedding feel weighty without ever feeling stiff.

Optional Christian elements

Some couples want their ceremony saturated in faith; others want a lighter touch. Jake can weave in as much or as little as you’d like, including:

• A unity ritual such as a unity candle, sand ceremony or cord of three strands
• A parents’ blessing or family prayer
• Communion for the couple (or the whole congregation, if your venue allows)
• Worship songs or hymns sung by a soloist, band or the whole room
• A scripture reading from a family member, friend or mentor
• A pastoral prayer over your marriage, home and future family

Legal marriage, done properly

Jake manages every part of the legal side under the Marriage Act 1961 — the Notice of Intended Marriage, identification checks, the legally required wording and declarations, and lodging your paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages after the ceremony. You’ll never have to wonder whether something has been missed.

How Jake Supports You in the Lead-Up

Planning a Christian wedding should feel calm and clarifying, not stressful. Jake works closely with you from the moment you book through to the day itself.

• Guides you through the legal requirements in plain language
• Helps you choose readings, prayers and music that fit your story
• Writes and refines the ceremony with you, keeping it personal and succinct
• Coordinates the flow on the day with your venue, photographer and musicians
• Supports you with vow writing if you’d like help shaping your words
• Offers pre-marriage conversations and pastoral guidance if you’d like them
• Stays calm, steady and present so you can be fully in the moment

Where Jake Marries Couples

Jake is based in Brisbane and regularly conducts Christian wedding ceremonies across Southeast Queensland, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Sydney and all around Australia and the world. Whether you’re getting married in a church, a chapel, a garden venue, a winery, a beach or a family backyard, he’ll meet you there and lead a ceremony that fits the space and the moment.

He’s comfortable in traditional church settings and equally at home in non-church venues — which matters, because many Christian couples today want a faith-centred ceremony somewhere meaningful to them rather than inside a formal church building.

Inclusive, Welcoming and Real

Jake welcomes couples and guests from every background. Some couples come from deeply churched families; others are finding their way back to faith; others simply want their Christian convictions honoured without making guests feel lectured. Interfaith couples, couples with non-Christian family members, and couples whose guests come from a wide mix of beliefs all find that Jake can hold the space well for everyone.

His ceremonies are grounded in Christian hope and gospel clarity, but they’re delivered with kindness, generosity and respect — so your atheist uncle, your Buddhist friend and your pastor’s wife can all sit through the same service and leave glad they were there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we have to be members of a church for Jake to marry us?
No. Jake happily marries couples who attend church regularly, couples who are new to faith, and couples who simply want a Christian framework for their wedding day. There’s no membership test, no doctrinal quiz, and no pressure.

Can one of us be a Christian and the other not?
Yes. Many of the couples Jake marries come from mixed-faith backgrounds. He’ll work with both of you to create a ceremony that honours the Christian faith of one partner without making the other feel sidelined or spoken over.

Can we still have a fully legal Australian wedding?
Absolutely. Jake is a Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrant, so the ceremony he leads is fully recognised under Australian law. You don’t need a separate civil ceremony or a second celebrant.

How far in advance do we need to book?
The earlier the better — popular Saturdays, long weekends and peak-season dates book out months ahead. That said, if your date is close, get in touch anyway; Jake will always let you know what’s possible.

Can Jake marry us if we’ve been married before?
Yes. Jake is experienced at leading second-marriage and blended-family ceremonies with grace, and he’ll help you shape a service that acknowledges your story honestly and looks forward with hope.

Ready to Talk?

If you’d like a Christian wedding ceremony that is warm, sincere and genuinely about you — a service that honours Christ, reflects your love, and leaves your guests feeling part of something joyful — Jake would be honoured to be part of your day. Reach out and he’ll get back to you personally to talk dates, venues and what you’re hoping the day will feel like.