Married By Max

Pro

Category: CelebrantsLocation: 57 Newcastle suburbs

Highlights

Three packages, from a ten-guest legal wedding up to a bespoke ceremony with a reception MC
A practising lawyer, so the marriage paperwork and lodgement are handled carefully
Travel from the Central Coast to Port Stephens included, covering Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

About Married By Max

Max is a Newcastle marriage celebrant in his early thirties who took up the role so he could marry two of his closest friends, then kept going because he enjoyed it so much. By day he works as a lawyer, which means plenty of public speaking and a careful eye on the legal paperwork. He likes ceremonies to feel easygoing, closer to having a mate marry you than a stranger in a suit. The Shotgun is the simplest of his three packages. You meet first to sort out the paperwork, then roughly a month on you return with no more than ten of your nearest and dearest for a short ceremony. Max explains your legal obligations, sets up a Bluetooth PA and cordless mic, and lodges the documents, the official BD&M certificate among them. The Classic opens the guest list right up and adds a ceremony written entirely about the two of you, along with coordination on the day: calming nerves, gathering wandering relatives, warming up the crowd before you walk in and keeping the timing tight. The Top Shelf takes The Classic and keeps Max on the microphone for the reception as your MC. He keeps the night roughly on schedule and the conversation moving, calls on the guests you've chosen, and politely brings overlong speeches to a close. Some couples have booked him to marry them and host the reception at the same wedding. Every package includes travel anywhere from the Central Coast to Port Stephens, so ceremonies around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie carry no travel charge. Weddings further out, such as in the Hunter Valley, can be discussed when you enquire.

Inclusions & amenities

Service

Celebrants

Pricing

Max doesn't publish his fees, and all three packages are quoted when you enquire. Include your date, ceremony location around Newcastle or Lake Macquarie, rough guest numbers and whether you'd like the reception MC service. Travel within his Central Coast to Port Stephens area is included, and GST treatment isn't stated.

Service Details

Each package covers an explanation of what the law asks of you, a professional PA (Bluetooth plus a cordless mic), and lodgement of every legal document, the official BD&M certificate included. The Classic adds a ceremony written for you and has Max coordinating the wedding party and the timing on the day, and The Top Shelf adds reception MC duties. Every booking starts with a paperwork meeting, and the legal-only Shotgun ceremony follows about a month later.

Frequently asked questions

Does Max charge travel for a Newcastle or Lake Macquarie wedding?

No. Max lives in Newcastle, and every package already includes travel anywhere between the Central Coast and Port Stephens. If the ceremony is further away, raise it when you enquire.

What is the difference between the three packages?

The Shotgun is a brief legal ceremony with up to ten guests. The Classic brings a ceremony written about you, unlimited guests and someone running the day. The Top Shelf is The Classic plus Max as your reception MC.

Can the celebrant also host our reception?

Yes. With The Top Shelf, Max carries on as MC after the ceremony, hosting the night, keeping the run sheet broadly on time and wrapping up any speech that runs too long.

Will guests be able to hear the ceremony outdoors?

Yes. Every package comes with a professional PA that takes Bluetooth and a cordless microphone, so the vows carry and you can play your own music through it.

How do we get in touch with Max?

Send your names, date and ceremony location through the form on his website, or phone or email him directly. Expect a reply within a few days.

Areas we service

Lake MacquarieMerewether & The JunctionWestern NewcastleNewcastle City & Harbour

Suitable occasions

Wedding Reception

Reviews

See all reviews for Married By Max on Google

Simone Peachey

4 months ago

We were so happy to be married by Max! From the beginning, he was genuine, warm and professional. Max was super easy to talk to through the whole process and we felt like we had a friend marrying us by the time our weddi…

Alexis Tate

5 months ago

We wanted a casual, low key, but genuine heart felt wedding and Max delivered. So easy and flexible to deal with, even with a newborn and dogs. Very personable, with a great ability to combine the love and the humour for…

andrew baker

6 months ago

We could not recommend Max enough to you. He is an extremely warm and naturally funny person and can talk to anyone. You'll instantly be friends. He made a genuine effort to understand what we wanted from the ceremony a…

Catherine Manca

8 months ago

Max was our celebrant in November of 2025 and we were so so happy with how it went. From the first meeting it felt like we knew him for years. He was always organised, casual and made us at ease over the whole wedding pr…

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