Create the wedding ceremony
of your dreams
Commemorate one of life's milestones
through an authentic, bespoke
wedding ceremony.
Life is short, so celebrating those special moments shouldn’t be optional – especially that ever so special wedding ceremony! I have always lived by the mantra of ‘seizing the day’ and making the most of it! After all, we don’t know when we will have another chance…COVID has taught us that lesson!
Out of adversity springs new life, and just like the many weddings that were postponed during the COVID lockdowns, post the pandemic, Evvoke Bespoke Celebrations emerged from the chrysalis!
I have always loved telling stories (especially when they involve other people’s much more interesting and inspiring lives) and creating awesome events.
So, fulfilling a long-held dream, I embarked on the journey to qualify as an Authorised Marriage Celebrant, and haven’t looked back! I am now legally qualified to perform marriages and other civil ceremonies in Australia, and civil celebrations anywhere in the world.
If you are getting married, you will have no doubt started the endless search for the right venue, dress, photographer, florist etc.
But – what you NEED first and foremost is a Marriage Celebrant, because, after all, if you don’t have a celebrant then you can’t have the wedding ceremony – simple as that!
Like everything to do with weddings, there are LOTS of celebrants. However, if you are looking for someone who is authentic and professional – no gimmicks, no crazy suggestions nor cheesy ideas – then I am the one for you! I operate with the utmost professionalism and will ensure that everything from my outfit to my delivery will exceed your expectations!
With 20+ years’ experience as a storyteller, through my work as a journalist, PR and marketing professional, mostly working in professional services, I can create a heartfelt celebration that is meaningful to you, delivered in a warm, engaging, relaxed, fun and professional manner.
I am also insanely organised! I am here to make your celebration as seamless, calm, enjoyable and memorable as possible, so you can just relax and savour the day!
My Tuscan wedding ceremony –
my inspiration!
My fiancé and I were having dinner alfresco, overlooking the Tuscan hillsides, when the waiter, perfectly on cue, held up the Franciacorta (that’s Italian for ‘champagne’) to the pink and orange tinged sky, and said (with that suave Italian accent): “You see, the Franciacorta is the same colour as the Tuscan sunset.”
Well, he had me at “sunset” and at that moment I knew that we had to get married in that exact location, with that peach-coloured fizz toasting our future together!
A year later, in 2014, we were back. I had crafted the perfect celebration for us that involved two simple ceremonies – one in the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena and another in that same 10th century castle overlooking the Tuscan hillsides. We toasted Franciacorta at dusk and shared a long-table dinner under the star-studded sky with 25 close family and friends.
It was nothing short of magic, and upon my return to Australia I decided I wanted to recreate similar unbelievable experiences for others – especially where the actual ceremony was concerned. I felt if I had known more about what was possible and had a marriage celebrant who was really engaged with ensuring our ceremony was personal to us, it would have been even more magical.
In 2015, I set up Evvoke Bespoke Experiences, designing travel and bespoke events for clients, friends and family. Five years later, with the encouragement of a friend and with many weekends at my disposal during the COVID-19 lockdown, I studied to become an Authorised Marriage Celebrant. Then a whole new world opened up to me and I realised what I had missed out on as a bride…how I could make it so much more special for couples!
I am now qualified to conduct civil celebrations including marriages, baby namings, vow renewals, graduations, anniversaries and life celebrations (funerals), or any other form of ceremony.
As a wife, mother, daughter, (recent nonna!) and friend, I understand family dynamics and the time and effort required to organise the perfect celebration to commemorate special milestones.
I would love to hear your story and work with you to create an unforgettable celebration to mark an important watershed in your life.
While I am based in Brisbane, I can conduct legal marriage ceremonies anywhere in Australia and other civil celebrations anywhere in the world.
As a travel designer and event organiser, I can also assist with sourcing venues and suppliers and organising any aspects of your event to ensure it runs smoothly.
Contact me now to discuss how I can turn your unique story into a celebration that is personal, meaningful, joyful and unique to you.
Evvoke provided terrific planning, support and coordination for an important charity function we held. Maria’s organisation and communication skills ensured every attention to detail was taken care of leading up to the event, and Maria was able to contribute ideas and source providers which ensured our event stood out from the crowd. On the evening of the event, Maria quietly coordinated all contributors, and ensured we kept to our time schedule. Maria’s liaison and communication with all parties both prior to and during the event was always extremely professional, clear and supportive. Our evening went off without a hitch, and I would highly recommend Maria and Evvoke to support your next event!
Lesley-Anne
“Organised and creative”
The Wine and Food Experience was a great success. The theme for the evening encouraged people to mingle and enjoy the wine and food matching supported by great entertainment as well as attentive service staff. Having the winemaker there to give the history and information on each of the wines added to the experience.
Rob
“Eye for detail”
What an awesome experience we had in South Australia. Our customised tour of the Barossa region exceeded our expectations in every way! The getaway was amazingly planned – and faultlessly executed. The accommodation, restaurants and winery tours were amazing and reflected an intimate understanding of our needs. Thanks Evvoke for an experience that we will never forget!
Ian
“Faultlessly executed”
Thanks again Maria, for organising this trip (to North Queensland) for our anniversary. On the way home my husband remarked that it was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing breaks that we have ever taken. I would recommend Evvoke to friends and colleagues and I am keen to book again through your company in the future!
Raley
“Anniversary memories to savour”