Hey there my name's Benjamin Carlyle and I really Love my job!!I I'm a Love Boat Captain masquerading as a Marriage Celebrant from Byron Bay to the Tweed Coast!! But how did I get here and who the hell is Ben,,,?

I've been a Marriage Celebrant since 2009 and my journey began through playing in a band with a friend based in Melbourne. His Dad was a well sort after Celebrant in Victoria and I jelled with his lifestyle and charismatic approach to his job. I'd played music for many years and enjoyed being up in front of the crowd, directing the traffic - so the transition seemed natural. I studied the course and received my Celebrants license, my aspirations of being a rockstar was overtaken by my current path as a Celeb of another kind. I'm so honoured to now be a full time Celebrant, only 1% of those exist in Australia. It is a real buzz for me to hold the space of a wedding ceremony, amongst the nervous energy; like a moment from the Matrix where energy is flying everywhere and I'm in the center, calm and grounded helping two lovers get hitched in harmony!

I am happily married, with my two boys Nattai & Makani, who constantly amaze me with their boundless stores of energy. They're stunt kids and we're just trying to keep up with their antics. I live in Pottsville Beach located on the pristine Tweed Coastline, I'm regularilly chasing waves and hanging with my family on the pristine beaches. I'm definitely a Salt Water addict and it's the best piece of peace in my life. Jump onto my Social Media Links, to see more of my life in pictures!

So how did I get here? Well that's way too long a story. Skip to my early 20's, on the road heading towards Jyndabyne in a Panel Van with my mate, into the wide unknown. I have always had an adventurous spirit and spent the next 8 years traversing around the globe and this beautiful country. I chased the waves, the snow and everything in between was a life changing experience. I've worn many hats in my Employment history; Baker, Musician, Cook, Gardener, Door to Door Salesman, Tradie, Dodgem Car Operator!!! and so on... I am now living my passion as a Marriage Celebrant, everything else prior was just a job!

I met my gorgeous wife Tarnie, in a random colliding of universes that had both of us seeing sparks from the first meeting. I was emotionally and mentally ready for the love of my life and as they say, "I wasn't looking, it found me!!" It wasn't long before my wardrobe moved into her place, Tarnie had far better taste than I did! The next thing we knew we had traveled and worked with each other in the Movie Industry around Australia! With some cash to burn we bought a block of land down in Pottsville and built a house. Thinking back on it, having a child half way through the construction of our house, was probably not the best move but Nattai chose us and we were a family of 3!! Life was now running at full steam and Makani soon joined the Carlyle Mob 2 years later, Tarnie was actually pregnant with him in our wedding. The mayhem of the family of 4 began.

Tarnie and I now run Hitched In Paradise which facilitates Elopements from Byron Bay to the Southern Gold Coast. We're stoked to see how far our little love business has come in th elast 5 years.

I was immersed in the arts community on the Gold Coast from a very young age. My main instrument is the guitar which is accompanied by my vocals. Along my musical path, I have been involved in facilitating numerous events and weekly gigs which honed my skills in public speaking and general trouble shooting in the heat of the moment. I have always been confident and proud of my ability to hold an audience’s attention and help to steer the event in the right direction. I'm happy to be up front and center, steering the good love ship, yet it's all about letting the 2 diamonds shine brightly!!

Life is definitely an amazing journey when you open up your heart and mind to your desires.