QLD Gold Coast Susan Richardson

Susan Richardson  Authorised Civil Celebrant - Appointed 2007

Hello everyone,

I undertook my study to become a Civil Celebrant whilst living in country Queensland in 2004.  I had been to the weddings of several of our friends off spring and came away feeling that could definitely be something I would like to be a part of.  I have always had a love of word, prose & poetry.  I also have a great respect for the power of words and the effect they have on humanity.  After completing my study on line and submitting the DVD of the mock wedding [this was great fun], it was a case of hurry up and wait for my accreditation to come through.  This was during the time the Attorney Generals Department only appointed so many celebrants per head of population. I was then given the go ahead in 2007.

Everything I have experienced in my life, I feel, has brought me to the dynamic, always changing forever amazing world that is Susan E. Richardson Civil Celebrant.  My first career was as a highly qualified hair stylist – this gave me a passion and eye for detail, an appreciation of colour and balance and the importance of presentation.  During this time I also was crowned Miss Brisbane in the Miss Australia quest followed by a year as the reigning Miss Queensland Rugby Union.  These titles opened up a world of community service - fund raising and volunteering.   It also brought the greatest gift of my husband Geoff – a dual rugby international - into my life.  We come from a line of believers in the wonderful institution of marriage as both of our parents have been married for 64 years.

The tragedy of losing our middle child at a school camp saw me change careers to the health sector.  I still wanted to help look after my fellow man as well as keep learning new challenges.  My love of people and hearing their stories has enabled me to really know the couples who come my way and create their ceremony for them, hence my by line, "ceremonies created for you – designed by you".  I feel so privileged to be able to facilitate such a special time in the lives of the couple, their families and their friends.

Every ceremony for me holds that special excitement and fun, underlined with passion and energy. I would like to share a treasured memory with you of a couple I married in 2009.  It was the second marriage for both & the groom had just received a cancer diagnosis & would start chemotherapy treatment on the Monday after the ceremony.  They chose to say the traditional vows which included “in sickness & in health” – never have I heard it said with so much truth and emotion – tears all round.  I saw them just last Friday & he has the all clear & they are off on their delayed honeymoon, all loved up.

I always tell my couples that we three are the most important people there on the day.  Without us nothing can happen so with that, enjoy the moment, concentrate your energies on each other - not me.  I am just there as the conductor you two are the main event, soak up the ceremony and commit it to memory.  Above all stay calm because after all you are marrying your best friend – I am there to make that happen.


Susan Richardson

Civil Marriage and Family Celebrant

Gold Coast Queensland