General Information  |  Your Ceremony  | Overseas Couples | How it Works | Legal Info |
  Wedding FAQs  | Helpful Hits | Guide for the Groom

General Information

Your Wedding Day

After settling your wedding date, contact me as soon as possible, to confirm that I am available on that date, time and place to conduct the ceremony.
A wedding is the start of your marriage adventure - your personal as well as your legal commitment to each other. As such your choice of celebrant is very important.

What does the Celebrant do?

Attend to all the legal work
Assist you if you wish to have input into your ceremony

Your Ceremony

I encourage you to help me to make your wedding something special to you both
A civil wedding allows flexibility to celebrate a special day and create moments of magic, making your dreams come true
Readings, Poems, Vows, the exchange of ring(s), the final declaration
Working together, your ceremony can be individual and personal to you both

Readings / Poems

At least two poems or readings will provide a balance to the ceremony
Read by family or friends (if you choose)

Vows

You may choose or write your own vows
Repeated in short phrases after the celebrant, starting with the sentence-

The Giving Away

Optional
Bride and or groom may be accompanied by one or both parents/ or other
relevant person(s)


Music

Live or taped music of your choice
Music played before, during the bride's arrival and during the signing of the documents.

Smoking and Drinking

As a mark of respect to you both, it is not desirable to have any guest smoking or drinking during the ceremony.

Table and Chairs

A small table and two chairs to sign documents
Please do not place water in a vase if you have one on the table
Place bride's bouquet on the table

Your Arrival

One week prior to ceremony - time your arrival at the venue
Allow time for any hold ups
Emphasize to the photographer, hairdresser / makeup person that the ceremony is required to start on time
You Come First

Your Engagement Ring

Worn on the right hand during the ceremony
Transferred to left hand during the signing of the documents

Confetti

Paper confetti not usually allowed in public parks, and in most reception lounges.

Dress

Optional.

Names Used

With a Civil or Religious Ceremony, full names on your Birth Certificate must be used at least once during the ceremony. Shortened names may be used during the rest of the ceremony.

Witnesses

You are required to provide the full names of two (2) witnesses to the wedding - over 18 years of age

Marriage and You

You will receive a copy of the brochure "Happily Ever, Before and After".  This will clarify questions regarding:

* Wills
* Health Insurance
* Taxation
* Legal consequences
* Passing on of property after death
* Joint ownership
* Welfare benefits
* Change of name on marriage
* Legal obligations to each other and to children

Your Special Ceremony

I encourage all couples to make choices of ideas to be included - particularly choose the vows you would like - or write your own.

The Vows must start with:

" I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, John (Jane) take you Jane (John) to be my wife (husband)."

Your own choice of words may then follow.

Overseas Couples

Can Overseas Visitors get married in Australia?

Yes. If you get married in Australia you have the same legal rights, and responsibilities, as if you were married outside Australia. This applies to persons born in either Australia or another country.

Victoria has many beautiful areas to be married - from the stunning botanical gardens and the renowned wine districts and the stunning spa venues around Daylesford.

You may wish to elope or bring close friends and family with you and combine your wedding with a wonderful holiday/honeymoon.

Fiance Visa Plan

If you or your fiance are applying for entry into Australia under the prospective marriage (fiancé) plan I am able to supply you with a letter suitable for presentation to the Consulate, together with a copy of the Notice of Intended Marriage.

Consult your Migration Agent or The Australian Department of Immigration for any further details.

For couples who are overseas prior to the wedding, all the arrangements can be completed by telephone, e-mail or by post. 

Happy to provide further details, if you contact me by phone, email or post. (see contact page)

How it Works

This is how it works:

1.  Contact me to discuss your requirements and my availability.

2.  I will supply you with a Notice of Intended Marriage or you can download one from the Attorney General Marriage Celebrant Section

3. Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) documentation must be completed and with the celebrant you have chosen at least one month and one day before the ceremony. If you are overseas, forward the completed Notice and relevant legal documents to me, signed by yourselves and witnessed by a relevant authority (see Page 4 of the NOIM).

The NOIM is valid for 18 months so it is a good idea to have it lodged with me sooner rather than later.

4.  A Special Marriage Statutory Declaration must be signed with the celebrant prior to the wedding stating that you know of no reason why you should not marry the other person. The meeting to sign this document may include a rehearsal at the venue where the wedding is to be held.

I will confirm your identity and check and sign any outstanding documents.

The bride and groom are presented with their marriage certificate. This certificate is a presentation one only.

After the wedding the NOIM and the certificate signed just before the wedding and witnessed on the day are sent to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state where your marriage was solemnised - then your marriage is listed legally.

It is necessary to apply to the Registry of Births, deaths & Marriages as you would a Birth Certificate. It is important to do this fairly soon after your wedding as you ma wish to relocate interstate or overseas.

Legal Info

If you were born in Australia you will need to produce an original or extract of your birth certificate. This can be obtained from the Registry Office of your state of birth.

If you were born overseas you will need your birth certificate or a current foreign passport. If these documents are in a language other than English, you will need a certified translation of the documents.

If you are widowed you will also need the death certificate of your spouse which can be obtained from the State Registry in the state where the death was registered.

If either partner was divorced a copy of the decree absolute or divorce certificate can be obtained from the Family Law Court in the state where the marriage was dissolved. ( Please note - this only applies a marriage dissolved after 1975).

For marriages dissolved before 1975, a copy of the decree absolute can be obtained from the Supreme Court in the state where the marriage was dissolved.

Deed Poll papers - if there has been a legal change of name.

Official consent if under 18 year of age.

All documents must be originals.

Helpful Hints for a Stress-free Wedding

It is not fashionable today for the bride to be late.

This also applies to the Groom.

Both the Groom and his attendants should be on hand at least a half hour beforehand to be able to greet guests, and to be ready for the Photographer.

Hairdresser and Makeup

When making appointments with Hairdressers and Makeup, please ensure that the Bride gets done FIRST.

Photographer 

Some forget the time. Please make sure that the photographer is aware that the ceremony is expected to start on time.

This also means that the Bride and her attendants need to be ready a little earlier in order for the photographer and video operator have enough time to do their jobs.

Transport to the Wedding Venue