Mr Hollis has married more than 1000 couples during his 40 years as a celebrant and today wished newly weds Greg Humphrey and Pamela Rowe a lifetime of happiness together.

Mr Humphrey and Ms Rowe wed in their Bendigo backyard this afternoon, surrounded by a small group of family and friends. 

Mr Hollis said he was feeling "a bit ambivalent" but at 81-years-of-age it was time to retire.

"I've enjoyed the position as civil celebrant but at my age I'd like to go on a high rather than miss a rehearsal or even worse miss a wedding," he said.

"I've been doing it for about 40 years. 

"When I was clerk of courts at various places I was the registrar of marriages which includes other things but I was doing ceremonies ... I've never kept count but it would be 1000 plus marriages." 

Mr Hollis said the one wedding that stood out in his mind was between leather-clad bikies. 

"Everyone was in leathers, black leathers, including the bride who for the top part of her body had a mesh top without a bra," he said.