Marriage Celebrant

As your Celebrant I ensure that all the legal paperwork is correct and submitted promptly. I work with you to create a ceremony that will leave you both with the happiest memories.

It’s my role to ensure your marriage is legal.

I am happy to provide you information and suggestions related to the many aspects of a wedding like venues, photographers, florists etc.

Once you know the wedding date, please contact me.

You need to contact me more than one month prior to your planned wedding date.

Australian citizens must each present their original birth certificate and one other form of photo ID or their Australian passport.

Non-Australian’s must present to the Celebrant their (translated) birth certificate and one other form of photo ID or their overseas passport.

If you were previously married you must present to the Celebrant either your divorce notification, or the Death Certificate or your previous partner.

All documents must be in English or be accompanied by an officially accredited English translation.

It is your choice to attend per-marriage courses.

All Celebrants are bound to provide information to you on such courses and encourage you both to attend. As your Celebrant I will give you a pamphlet titled “Happy Ever… Before and After” which contains information for couples planning to marry in Australia.

You can decide where you want to hold the ceremony, it’s your choice.

I have experience at conducting ceremonies at many local and regional wedding locations and venues. So, if you’re unsure, let’s talk and let me help you make the perfect venue choice for your wedding ceremony! Try to arrange a nearby indoor or sheltered venue as an alternative in case of extreme weather. 

I may provide my place for your ceremony with additional fees if invitees are less.

Congratulations on your engagement! Once you’ve set your wedding date or have an idea when you would like to marry start looking for the right Celebrant to conduct your ceremony.

You can get in touch with me anytime and I’m happy to meet with you to start a discussion about your wedding plans!

If your marriage takes place within ACT borders, then you can apply for your official marriage Certificate from ACT Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM) –

https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/18/~/apply-for-a-birth%2C-death-or-marriage-certificate#!tabs-4

If your marriage was held in NSW, you need apply online to NSW BDM – https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/marriages/marriage-certificates.

Its very nice idea to get married in the public space like around Burley Griffin, Lawns of Old Parliament Gardens, Norgrove Park in Kingston, Tuggeranong Park etc just samples. In Canberra we have very nice natural locations where we can plan the ceremonies. For more information you can visit the following website https://www.nca.gov.au.

You will be legally married under the authority of the Marriage Act 1961 and Marriage Regulations 1963 here in Australia.

You must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) Form which is valid for 18 months. You can obtain this form yourself from the Attorney General website. Here is the weblink.

https://www.ag.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/notice-of-intended-marriage.PDF

This form must be given to me as your Celebrant at least one month prior to your wedding date.

You must be over the age of 18 years. Special requirements apply for young people under the age of 18 years to be legally married (see the above website).

Two witnesses to the marriage – both must be at least 18 years of age.

Before your marriage you both must show me, (your Celebrant) your original birth certificate and/or your Australian passport. Non-Australian citizens must show their (translated) birth certificate or their current overseas passport. One other form of photo ID is also required. I then note details from these documents on the NOIM form.

The couple must sign a legal declaration before the marriage stating that they are both legally able to marry each other.

Then, on the day of your wedding, there will be three marriage certificates to sign. Each certificate is to be signed by the marrying couple, two witnesses, and by me as the authorised marriage celebrant. One of the certificates will be given to you as a record of your marriage. I’ll manage the process on the day and the subsequent lodging of the relevant documents with the registry of births, deaths and marriages for the official recording of your marriage.

If you wish to change your name after your marriage, you’ll need to apply for your official marriage certificate from your state or territory’s births, deaths and marriages registry.

Please note ceremony without this exact wording will not be a legally valid marriage!

According to the Marriage Act 1961, the Celebrant recites:

“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.

Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”

These paragraphs are followed by the bride and groom each reciting aloud their own personal declaration or vow to all of those witnessing their marriage ceremony.

“I call upon the persons present here to witness that I [groom’s full name] take you, [bride’s full name} to be my lawful, wedded wife”, (repeated by the other partner).

These words are intended to reflect that the marrying couple fully understand the nature of the ceremony and that they are marrying each other.

The couple’s individual declarations/vows can be added to personal vows that the couple may have chosen themselves, for example;

“I call upon the persons present here to witness that I Thomas take you, Kristina to be my lawful, wedded wife. Kristina, I promise to love, honour and cherish you for the rest of our lives.”

Changes to the Marriage Act in 2017 meant that same sex couples are now legally able to marry anywhere within Australia.

Legally there is only a limited capacity for anyone [brides, grooms or celebrants] – to change the wording of these vows so it’s best to stay with that legal wording and thus be assured that the marriage is legally valid!