Weddings
The joy in these ceremonies is a wonderful gift to share.
Together we create the ceremony of your dreams:
- Marriage – your wedding day. Acknowledging your love and commitment to each other, in front of your family and friends.
- Vow renewal – celebrating your wedding vows perhaps on an anniversary or sharing your happiness with those who were unable to be with you on your wedding day.
- Commitment ceremony – a wonderful ceremony for those who may be unable to make a legal binding but want to share their commitment with family and friends.
The Wedding Ceremony is the only one which is a legal ceremony, however the other ceremonies have a similar format showing love and continuing commitment.
Wedding Ceremony
Your wedding can be as formal or casual as you wish. It may be in a special Reception Venue, your backyard, the local park or on a beach. I am delighted to add special symbolic ceremonies within your marriage ceremony eg. Unity Candle, Acknowledgment of Mothers/Parents.
The basic elements of a wedding ceremony
- Welcome - to family and friends attending your wedding
- Introduction - Explaining your views on marriage, how you met and your story
- The Giving Away – where the family of both couples give their blessing to the marriage – this can be adapted as necessary
- Celebrant Authority - Legally required to remind you of the commitment you are making today
- The Asking - "Do you... take ... to be your wife, your lover, and your best friend?" or words to that effect!
- The Vows - the moment when you get to express your lifelong commitment to one another
- Ring Ceremony - the public sign of your commitment to one another
- Reading/Poem - optional, but sometimes very suitable!
- Declaration of Marriage – where you are pronounced husband and wife
- "The Kiss" !
- Signing of the Marriage Register - with your two witnesses.
- Presentation of the Bride and Groom - it's done! Your Ceremonial Marriage Certificate is presented and you go and celebrate this awesome moment with your family and friends!
Legal Requirements for Marrying in Australia
- Before you may marry, the law requires that you sign and lodge with me the Notice of Intended Marriage. This form must be submitted to me a minimum of one calendar month and one day prior to the wedding. You can submit your Notice in person, via fax or mail, but you must bring the original Notice with you when you meet with me. The Notice form will remain active for 18 calendar months from the date of submission.
- You must be over 18 years of age to marry in Australia
- If you are Australian born you must show your birth certificate in English. If born outside Australia you are required to show your birth certificate or passport from your country of birth.
- If either of you have previously been married you need to produce either your Divorce Decree Absolute papers or if widowed the Death Certificate.
On the day of your marriage you must have two witnesses over the age of 18. Witnesses do not need to be Australian or reside in Australia.
Fees
A non refundable fee of $100 is required when booking your wedding to hold your time and date. The total fee for your wedding is $400 – this covers
- All legal documentation,
- Access to my collection of ceremonies
- Access to my books on weddings
- Your personally created wedding ceremony
- Use of my PA system
- Rehearsal if required
- Meetings at my home office including the initial meeting and as many meetings as required to make your ceremony “just right” for you. These may be phone meetings or via email.
Some couples wish for a very quiet private ceremony which I can accommodate at a reduced fee. This also suits couples who would like to “elope”. Please remember in this case that the Notice must still be received one calendar month and one day prior to the wedding.