Wedding Services - Marriage Celebrant
Your Wedding Ceremony... Your Day, Your Way
Your Wedding Ceremony is probably the most precious and important
part of your wedding day so take the time to plan and consider your
options. You may decide to have your ceremony in a church, a garden, a
park, at home or at your chosen reception venue. A civil marriage
ceremony allows you complete freedom of choice.
The ceremony can take however long you want it to take. You can
include poems, readings, music or cultural symbols if you wish.
Family and friends may participate in the ceremony if you would like them to.
Every ceremony is unique. I love celebrating marriages. I consider it an
honour to be part of your special day
Many couples are choosing to get married in scenic outdoor surroundings
with a civil celebrant presiding over proceedings. Many of theses
couples choosing to change the wording of their ceremony. This is
understandable, because the traditional vows have been around for many
years, these have not changed to suit our modern lifestyle. It is more
sensible to promise something you mean and understand rather than
something someone else has written.
Wedding Ceremony Fees
My fees to officiate at your
wedding ceremony includes:
- Wedding ceremony consultations
- Supply of references to readings, poetry, and music
- If required, pre-ceremony practice at your wedding location
- Portable amplifier with cordless microphones and CD player
- Bridal table and chairs for the signing of your official marriage documents
- Signing of mandatory Statutory Declarations
- Officiating your wedding ceremony
- Presentation of your Marriage Certificate
- Preparation and lodgement of all your official documents
- Correspondence to Government authorities
Just a few *points to help you plan this important event!
(check out the helpful forms on our
Planning Toolkit page)
- The minimum age for marriage is eighteen years. In certain circumstances it may be possible for someone who is at least 16 years of age to marry a particular person. The partner in this instance must be over eighteen years of age.
- Marriage is not permitted for people within prohibited relationships. Those relationships are between brother and sister, or between a person and an ancestor or a descendant of that person. Half blood relationships are prohibited as well as full blood relationships. Adopted children are assumed to be natural children in determining any prohibited relationships.
- A couple intending to get married must submit a form of notice to the Marriage Celebrant of that intention to get married. The prescribed forms are available from the Celebrant, or from the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. That form will require information from each person intending to get married, relating to date of birth, place of birth, any previous marriages, and any children from previous marriages.
- Some documentary evidence in support of the Notice of Intended Marriage must be viewed by the Celebrant. A birth certificate, passport, citizenship document, or statutory declaration must be produced. This is so that the Celebrant can verify the date and place of birth as is required under the Marriage Act 1961. People who have been married before must produce evidence of the death of their previous spouse, or the dissolution of that marriage.
- The Notice of Intended Marriage must be submitted no earlier than 18 months, and no less than one month and one day before the date of the intended marriage ceremony. An additional declaration must be made in writing on the appropriate form shortly before the ceremony. The bride and groom state in the declaration that they are legally able to get married, and that there is no impediment to a marriage with the intended partner.
- Two witnesses 18 years or over must be present at the ceremony. Any of the attendants, relatives or guests may act as witnesses.
For many years, it has been a custom for a woman to change her
surname to her husband's surname when she marries. This is a matter of
choice. You are
not legally required to change your name and many women
continue to use their own surnames after marriage. In all instances, the
marriage documents are signed with the Bride's maiden name.
It is not necessary for anyone to give the Bride away, but this feature
can be included with any ceremony. Although traditionally it is the
Bride's father who gives her away, another person can fulfill this role
if it is appropriate. The parents of the couple can also be asked for
their blessings and acceptance as a part of the ceremony.
Many weddings are conducted in outdoor locations. The venue may still
have to be booked, and a fee paid to the relevant authority such as the
National Parks and Wildlife Service, or the local council. Check that
there is adequate shelter for the wedding party and the guests in the
event of rain.
Your wedding day is very special to you. For that reason, you may like
to have input to the wording or format of your ceremony. Besides
thinking about the wording of your vows, you may like to include music
or a recital as part of the ceremony. Discuss your ideas with your
celebrant. You will be shown examples of existing ceremonies, and given
guidance on ceremony format. Of course if you prefer, your celebrant
will select or compose a ceremony for you.
Music and weddings go together, although the natural sounds of an
outdoor setting is also appropriate. If the bride is going to make an
entrance accompanied by music, it is advisable to time the piece and to
plan the entrance so that the bride arrives at the groom's side at
approximately the same time as the music draws to a close.
