Carol Astbury
Carol Astbury was in her early 20's when appointed as a Civil Marriage Celebrant in 1974. One of the first celebrants appointed in Western Australia. Carol has celebrated marriages for more than 3,000 couples in WA.
Over the years Carol has travelled extensively throughout the state conducting ceremonies – as far East as Eucla and North to Broome – she has many happy memories of the couples she has joined together since her appointment in 1974. She is always delighted when she is contacted by a couple related to one of her 'early' couples – over recent years she has been thrilled to conduct ceremonies for 'third generation' brides and grooms!
Carol brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and her own particular warmth of personality and spirit to all of the ceremonies she conducts. She feels passionately that couples should enjoy a personally meaningful, deeply rewarding ceremony and will assist each couple in every way to achieve their own unique ceremony.
Carol resides with husband Jim, in Darlington. Their home, "Chalet" is soon to celebrate her 100th birthday and they are still busy renovating with the intention of restoring the home to her former beauty. Both Carol and Jim enjoy living in the hills, they love the environment, especially in spring when wildflowers abound.
Testimonials
We are so happy that Carol was recommended to us – she was warm, welcoming and friendly every time we contacted her, and provided a fantastic service in the preparation of our wedding ceremony. She was also thoroughly professional as our wedding day approached, and provided great support for Rina and I during what was at times a rather stressful process.
Carol addressed the issues of our unconventional courtship, our cultural differences, and the absence of our family members in our wedding vows in a most sympathetic and meaningful way. The warming of our wedding rings by those present as a blessing of our marriage and the wrapping of Rina and I in the Indonesian shawl (the ulos) to symbolise our union as a couple were wonderful memorable moments.
Several of our guests and family members overseas (who saw the wedding ceremony on DVD) commented that our ceremony was the most moving and heartfelt wedding service that they had ever seen, and Rina and I are very grateful that Carol made our day so special for all present, as well as for our respective families in the UK and Indonesia.
Carol's patience and understanding was amazing as we often had to make changes of details. The final result of our wedding was a relaxed occasion with close family only. And Carol was like another member of the family. Although our wedding wasn't a massive wedding production, the ceremony was one part that we didn't need to stress about! Thanks Carol.
