FAQ

• To assist with the creation and design of ceremony
• To create a solid structure that holds the ceremony with an opening and closing
• To ensure the occasion is set in a formal manner
• To inform with poems, music, readings & other resources e.g rituals
• To hear values and principles incorporated into the ceremony
• To facilitate the communication of purpose & meaning
• To set the appropriate intonation and pace for the required service
• To demonstrate the personalities required of the persons being celebrated

• Design, preparation and conducting of the ceremony
• Interview x two (Initial and Final)
• Rehearsal x one
• Preparation and lodgement of all documentation
• Arrival to wedding venue twenty minutes prior to the wedding ceremony
• Commemorative Wedding Certificate and Booklet
• PA system (Wireless and Wireless Microphone)
• Numerous communications whether by phone or email as required
• Travel; Up to 65KM return travel is included in the base rate. Additional extra.

You will need to contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state.

If in Victoria you can apply online. – www.bdm.vic.gov.au

No, there is no legal requirement to change your name after you have married, however, if you wish to, you can apply on line at www.bdm.vic.gov.au and complete a “Name Change Certificate”. Keep in mind when you do change your name, there are a number of organizations that will need to be updated with your new name.

See list as follows:

• Home Loan and or Rental Agreements
• Electoral Office
• ATO
• Credit Cards
• Will
• Car Insurance
• Passport
• Vic Roads
• Any insurance policies
• Superannuation
• Council rates
• Utility services
• Doctor / Hospital / Medicare / Donor cards
• Dentist
• Accountant / Solicitor Work place
• HR documents

You will be required to fill in the Marriage Certificate / Extract Application form which you can obtain from the BDM (Births, Deaths and Marriages), complete the form with appropriate ID and forward to BDM, www.bdm.vic.gov.au/

In accordance with the Marriage Act 1961, there are a number of legal obligations you both as a couple are required to meet prior to your marriage been solemnised, the celebrant will ask for the following:

• Original Birth Certificate from each of the couple’s place of birth
• An Overseas Passport or Australian Passport if birth certificate is unavailable
• Photo ID such as Drivers Licence
• A Divorce Certificate, if either party has been previously married
• A Death Certificate if a previous partner has passed away

Click on www.bdm.vic.gov.au/

You can contact the Family Law Court in the state your marriage was dissolved for a copy at a small fee.

• Employment related or other travel commitments
• Considerations with respects to wedding or religious arrangements
• Medical matters
• Legal reasons
• Error in giving NOIM – Notice of Intention to Marry

If none of your reasons are applicable from the above you are required by law to give 1 month before you get married.

A Declaration Form is signed before the ceremony, as close to the ceremony date as possible. This is where a couple make a declaration stating that they are willing entering into marriage and that there are no legal impediments to them getting married.

There are 3 documents that need to be signed by Bride, Groom, Partner and your two Witnesses (who must be over 18 years, as well as the Celebrant who signs the Commemorative Presentation Certificate, The Celebrant Marriage Register Book and a second Marriage Certificate (Official) located on the back of the Declaration Form.

The NOIM remains with the celebrant who will then submit it within 14 days after the wedding has taken place to the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages in the State where the wedding took place along with the Marriage Certificate (Official) which has the declaration located on the back.

Your celebrant should supply in your information kit a list of Relationship Education Centers that run on a frequent basis.

Pending the content such as rituals or number of readings etc… chosen by you, it usually goes for between fifteen-twenty minutes.

Processional / Music 

Welcome & Introduction  (Optional)

Couples (Story) of how they met and who they are as individuals and as a couple

Witnesses over 18yrs (Mandatory as per Marriage Act 1961)

The Monitum (Mandatory as per Marriage Act 1961)

The Asking (Optional but always recommended)

Vows (Mandatory as per Marriage Act 1961)

Poem (Optional)

Exchange of Rings (Optional)

Declaration (Mandatory as per Marriage Act 1961)

Signing of Register (Mandatory as per Marriage Act 1961 + 2 x witnesses over 18yrs)

Introduction of the couple / exit bridal party 

NB: Rituals can be incorporated into your ceremony so your special day can be more personalized.

Yes you can or an alternative option if preferred is to select suggestions form your celebrant’s resource kit or you can access some examples by going on line (check copyright laws). There are many to choose from, however under the Marriage Act of 1961 there are legal wordings to be included.

No, you can opt for to repeat after the celebrant or read from a card.

No, its entirely up to you what you want, it is not a legal requirement.

Absolutely, it’s your day!

Yes, Marriage Celebrants can perform wedding ceremonies anywhere in Australia, such as gardens, Island Getaways, function rooms, whatever is your preference. Just keep in mind your chosen location with respects to weather and guests attending. Keep in mind possible additional costs for a Celebrant with respects to travel and accommodation.

I as your celebrant will arrange a first meeting with you. It will give us all an opportunity to get to know one another and your requirements. In the event you are happy to appoint me, I will issue you with a Wedding Resource Kit, which will assist in creating and designing your personalised ceremony.

What a beautiful way to involve children into a very special occasion. Children can participate in simple matters such as Butterfly releasing, Sand ceremony or Candle lighting a sign of unity between both families.

We hope that this never happens, but all celebrants have an emergency “Plan B”, whereby they have a group of celebrants as colleagues whom they are able to call on and who would perform the ceremony on your behalf.