Merrilyn Williams  
Trainer and Assessor
South Australia

Celebrant experience
Merrilyn has been a general celebrant since the year 1999, a Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant since 2003, and has built a very successful celebrant service called CelebrateLife! She specialises in ‘one-of-a kind’ marriage ceremonies in which the personalities, ideals and values of couples are reflected, resulting in vibrant and engaging celebrations of love, hope and commitment.

Educational qualifications

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment (TAE) 2011

Graduate Diploma in Arts (Civil Ceremonies) 2002

Certificate IV Marriage Celebrancy 2002

Graduate Certificate Public Health, Community Mental Health 1996

Graduate Diploma Health Counselling 1991

Registered Mental Health Nurse 1987

Registered General Nurse 1986

Professional Associations
Member – Civil Celebrants Graduate Association Inc. Monash

Member - Humanist Celebrant Network

Member – Australian Marriage Equality

Member - Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants

Member – Adelaide Hills Weddings

Why was Merrilyn attracted to the profession of celebrancy?

Every day in her long career as a Mental Health Nurse (working mainly in the community where ‘real life’ happens) she used a wide range of interpersonal skills in supporting people of different backgrounds, life experiences and attitudes, and whose lives had become challenging and difficult. She showed empathy and respect, understanding and compassion, and listened carefully not only to her clients’ stories, hopes and fears, but also to those who loved and cared about them. There are many significant moments in anyone’s life, and not all are wonderful!

For Merrilyn, becoming a celebrant was a natural progression in her work with people. What better way to utilise the skills, knowledge and expertise she gained over the years and to engage her creative writing skills? She believes that to be invited to walk with others as they journey through life is an honour and a privilege and one which carries many responsibilities. In addition to marriage ceremonies, Merrilyn creates and conducts the full range of milestone celebrations including same-sex unions, namings, funeral and memorial services (for humans and much loved pets) house-warming, and loss and transition ceremonies including separation and divorce.  

Merrilyn experienced ‘a light bulb moment’ when she and her husband were married by a civil celebrant in their own garden … it was perfect! She undertook the highly respected Graduate Diploma in Civil Ceremonies at Monash University and is proud to be the first of only three South Australians to receive the award. There was another ‘light bulb moment’ when she realised that her interests and expertise in presenting and teaching could benefit other authorised celebrants as they completed their annual Ongoing Professional Development requirements. She has previously trained other workers in mental health care, and in 2011 she gained Certificate 1V in Workplace Training and Assessment.

Great moments in Celebrancy
Merrilyn remembers so many great moments! Each story is unique and so each ceremony is different and incredibly rewarding. The best part of a wedding ceremony for her is witnessing the joy of the couple and their guests as they laugh and cry and really connect. She then knows she has inspired a truly authentic celebration.