Weddings
Looking for photos? They're on my facebook page and you don't need a facebook account to see the pictures.
Your wedding day should be one of the best days of your life! The fantastic thing about choosing a marriage celebrant is that you can have a service unique to you as a couple. You choose exactly what you want to say to each other in your vows and promises, and you can incorporate many different components in the ceremony. For example, some couples like to recognise their children; or you might wish to include readings, poems, or even 'rituals' within the ceremony such as lighting candles, a sand ceremony, or releasing doves.
You may just want to get 'straight to the point' - a simple ceremony without the 'bells and whistles'. The choice is totally yours.
I will help you create the ceremony you want. Please visit the contact page, complete the form and I will be in contact as soon as possible to confirm my availability and start planning your ceremony.
What do we need to do to get married?
There is a simple process involved in getting married.
1. First of all, you must both be over the age of 18 years, unless you have parental permission and a court order from a magistrate.
2. You need to book me as your celebrant! Get in touch via email or phone and we can check the date and time. If I am available, we can meet and you can decide if you wish to proceed with me as your celebrant. If you do, we will complete a booking form and I will take a deposit from you to secure your booking. (The deposit is deducted from the total cost of my services.) At this time we will also complete and sign the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form. The NOIM is an official Australian Government form that must be completed and signed by both parties intending to marry, in front of an authorised witness (see below). This form must be completed no less than 1 month and I day prior to your wedding and can be done up to 18 months in advance.
3. If you live locally we can complete the NOIM together and I will act as your authorised witness. If you live elsewhere in Australia, this form can be signed by each of the persons intending to marry, and witnessed by one of the following:
- An authorised marriage celebrant
- A Commissioner for Declaration
- An Australian Justice of the Peace
- An Australian barrister or solicitor
- An Australian legally qualified medical practitioner
- A member of the Australian Federal Police
- A member of a police force of a state or territory of Australia
If you live outside Australia, this form can be signed by each of the parties intending to marry, and witnessed by one of the following:
- An Australian Diplomatic Officer
- An Australian Consular Officer
- Employee of the Commonwealth authorised under Paragraph 3 (c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955
- A Notary Public
Once the form is completed and signed, you can mail it to me.
Original birth certificate for each of you if born in Australia, or a passport of your home country if you are a citizen of a country other than Australia. Australian passports are not acceptable if you were born in Australia; or
A Statutory Declaration if you were born overseas and have no record of your birth (or have lost your documentation).
If you have been previously married I will also need to see evidence of your divorce (a decree absolute) or the death certificate of your previous spouse if you are a widower.
If you have officially changed your name I will need to see your legal proof of the name change.
If your documents are in a language other than English you will need to have them translated and authorised by a person who is a legally recognised translator.
5. I supply you with a range of ideas for the wording and structure of your ceremony. You can do this close to the wedding, or months prior to the wedding date – whatever suits you. There are certain elements and words that must be included in your ceremony to make it legally binding and I will work with you to include these. I do need your completed ceremony at least one month and one day prior to your wedding date to review it and make sure it complies with the requirements as set out by the Attorney-General’s office for the marriage to be legal.
6. You both must sign a Declaration of Marriage form, declaring that there is no legal reason why the marriage cannot take place. This is done as close to the wedding date as possible, often at the rehearsal, if you are having one.
7. Get married! On the day of the marriage ceremony, you must each have a witness over the age of 18 years attend the ceremony to witness and sign the legal documentation. You must all sign three pieces of documentation.
I will guide you through the process step-by-step and lodge all paperwork on your behalf.