NSW Newcastle Caroline Coppins

Caroline Coppins – Civil Marriage Celebrant - Appointed October 2009.

My background is that I emigrated to Australia from UK in 1974, married in 1975 and have 3 children.

I was trained as a Personal Assistant and had a variety of Secretarial and Administrative positions prior to commencing nursing in 1990. I went on to do Midwifery in 2000 then in 2001 I was appointed a JP.

I was attracted to Celebrancy because several close friends asked if i could marry them in my role as JP.  I had also attended several civil marriages and observed Celebrants in practice.

I was looking for an alternate career to nursing because shift work was beginning to take its toll both physically and mentally.  I have always enjoyed public speaking and have good organisational skills so it seemed to be an obvious choice.

I was appointed a Civil Marriage Celebrant in October 2009 and have completed 3 weddings, a baby welcoming and a funeral, with four more weddings booked this year.

Having been a celebrant for only 5 months, I have not had time to build a bank of treasured memories as such, but my second wedding was most memorable because the bride was Korean and the couple wore traditional Korean dress. I thought they looked amazing and I learned a great deal about Korean culture. 

The bride taught me some of her language and I welcomed her family with a few sentences in their native tongue - they were suitable impressed.

My first funeral was also very memorable - in a paddock with horses and the coffin on 6 bales of hay - he was a country boy who trained horses and I think it was the most perfect setting.

In 5 years time I hope to have given up nursing completely and concentrate on Marriage and Funeral Celebrancy.  I enjoy working with people and am told I have a very caring nature.  I especially enjoy working with people from different cultures.

I hope that in 5 years time I will have built on my experiences and the advice of my peers and I will be able to provide a service to my clients that is rewarding and memorable to them on their special day.

Caroline Coppins

Civil Marriage Celebrant

Hunter Valley NSW