FAQ

FAQ
What does a Marriage Celebrant do?
A Marriage Celebrant is the person that officiates and legalises your marriage. Marriage
Celebrants are trained professionals that are skilled in the legalities of getting married, and will
assist you in putting together a personalised ceremony. All celebrants are encouraged to offer a
choice of ceremonies, or to assist the couple in writing their own. The celebrant will ensure your
Ceremony complies with the requirements of The Marriage Act 1961, and will officiate at your
ceremony on the day.
How do we choose a Celebrant?
The Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants Queensland (ACMCQ) is committed to helping
couples locate a qualified and professional celebrant that will work with you to create a wedding
ceremony that suits you.
Use our comprehensive search facility to locate a Celebrant from various suburbs near your area,
or the location of your ceremony. You should feel comfortable with your celebrant and feel
confident that he/she suits your needs and will complement your special day. Call and make an
appointment to meet the celebrant or chat by phone.
Do they have to provided a portable PA system?
Celebrants must ensure that all persons at your ceremony can adequately hear the ceremony.
The majority of our celebrants do have their own PA systems, however some celebrants may
charge an additional fee for this service. Numbers of guests and the location of ceremony may
impact on the need for a PA system.
How long before the wedding does the Celebrant have to arrive?
According to the Celebrant Code of Conduct, all celebrants must arrive at the ceremony at least
20 minutes beforehand (unless an alternative arrangement has been made with the couple).
Don’t they have to offer a rehearsal?
Yes, if requested by the parties, Celebrants must provide a rehearsal before your wedding day,
however please remember that Celebrants are entitled to charge an additional fee for this service
to cover their time and/or travel to the location.
What is a Booking Fee?
A booking fee is the initial payment a celebrant requests to confirm your chosen date and time as
a confirmed and secured booking. In most cases this fee is non-refundable, and covers the time
and administration costs of the celebrant in lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage, and
providing you access to relevant resources. Each celebrant has different terms and conditions.
How much does a Civil Marriage Celebrant Cost?
Just like a good wine, celebrants can vary in price. The ACMCQ recognises the importance of
providing couples with a great standard of service at a fair and reasonable price. Although all
celebrants are entitled to charge what they consider reasonable, we recommend you budget
between $400 to $600 for your celebrant… and remember… you will be trusting the most
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important part of your Wedding day to the celebrant you choose. Don’t choose your celebrant
on price alone. Make sure you get the best person to help you plan and perform the exact
marriage ceremony that YOU want.
Why does a Civil Marriage Celebrant's cost vary from Religious Celebrants?
A Marriage Celebrant is usually offering you a service that is far more flexible in time, place and
content than a Religious Celebrant can, and it is important to note that your Celebrant is not
being paid a wage by a church or religious organisation such as a Minister or Priest ordinarily
would be.
A Civil Marriage Celebrant is not required to adhere to any one particular belief or doctrine, and
is able to conduct a ceremony any time and place.
Therefore the fee they set is indicative of the level of service they provide.
What is the Notice of Intended Marriage Form (known as the “NOIM” or “NIM”)
You must give a completed Notice of Intended Marriage form to an authorised marriage
celebrant within 18 months of your proposed marriage and no later than one month and one day
prior. All marriage celebrants have the necessary paper work to perform your marriage.
When meeting with your celebrant, ensure that you have all your required documentation with
you eg. birth certificates (original) and evidence that any prior marriage has been dissolved.
What is a Shortening of Time?
It is possible to shorten the minimum notice time for a marriage to less than a month if special
circumstances set out in the regulations are met.
You need to approach a Prescribed Authority for approval (please discuss this with your
Celebrant)
Prescribed authorities (usually at your Local Court or Registry officials) can shorten the required
period of notice if they are satisfied that circumstances prescribed in the regulations are met.
There are the five categories of circumstances set out in the regulations. These are:
1. Employment related or other travel commitments,
2. Wedding or celebrant arrangements, or religious considerations,
3. Medical reasons,
4. Legal proceedings,
5. Error in giving notice.
The reason for seeking a shortening of time for notice must fall within one of these categories
before an application can be considered. There is no capacity to grant shortening of time outside
these circumstances. Shortening of time is not automatic. When making a decision the Registry
of Births, Deaths and Marriages or prescribed authority will weigh up the information provided
in support of the application and may seek additional information as outlined in the regulations.
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A list of Prescribed Authorities may be found at the following address:
http://www.ag.gov.au/mclisting
If these categories are relevant to your circumstances.
What do I need to do?
At this stage the notice of shortening form is not available from the local courts website so you
will have to collect it in person.
Note : Please verify with the court to ensure they are a prescribed authority.
1. Contact me to book the time, date and venue for your wedding ceremony.
2. Complete the form and make an appointment to see the Clerk of the Court.
3. Once the permission has been granted you can be married.
Transfer
If for some reason you need to change your marriage celebrant you will need to obtain the Notice
of Intended Marriage form that you lodged with the original celebrant and give it to your new
celebrant or fill in a new form and wait a further month. The original celebrant may charge a fee
for work performed when passing on the form.
If you are currently seeking a divorce
You can lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage Form with a marriage celebrant prior to your
divorce proceedings being finalised. However, celebrants will ensure that they take note of the
date when the decree becomes absolute as a marriage can only take place after that date. The
marriage cannot be performed until the divorce is finalised. As from 1 July 2002, the Family
Court and Federal Magistrates Court ceased issuing separate documents for a decree nisi of
dissolution of marriage and a decree absolute. They now issue a document headed "Certificate
of Divorce" which contains the date of both the decree nisi and the decree absolute. This
certificate is evidence of divorce for the purposes of solemnising a marriage (see section
42(10)). If you were divorced prior to that date you will need to show the celebrant a copy of the
decree absolute.
Participating in a Marriage Ceremony
People not authorised as marriage celebrants may participate in aspects of a marriage ceremony.
However, an authorised marriage celebrant must fulfil all the legal requirements for solemnising
the marriage. These include:
• to consent to be present as the responsible authorised marriage celebrant,
• to take a public role in the ceremony,
• to identify themselves to the assembled parties, witnesses and guests as the celebrant
authorised to solemnise the marriage,
• to be responsible for ensuring the validity of the marriage according to law,
• to say the words required by section 46 in the presence of the parties, the formal
witnesses and the guests before the marriage is solemnised,
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• to be in close proximity (ie nearby) when the vows required by section 45(2) are
exchanged because it is the exchange of vows that constitutes the marriage and the
authorised celebrant should ensure that they see and hear the vows exchanged,
• to be available to intervene (and exercise the responsibility to intervene) if events
demonstrate the need for it elsewhere in the ceremony,
• to be part of the ceremonial group or in close proximity to it, and
• to sign the papers required by the Act.
Getting Married Overseas
For information on getting married overseas please contact the Embassy or other diplomatic
mission of the country concerned. If that country requires you to get a certificate of no
impediment to marriage, contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on (02) 6261
3015.
Marriage to a Relative
The Marriage Act prohibits people marrying:
• an ancestor or descendant, or
• their brother or sister (whether whole blood or half-blood siblings)
These restrictions also apply to adoptive relationships even if these have been annulled,
cancelled, discharged or cease to be effective for any reason (for example, due to a subsequent
adoption order being made).
This means, for example, that a person cannot marry their parent, grandparent, child, grandchild,
brother or sister. However, a person may marry their aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, "first"
cousin or step-sibling.
Same-Sex Commitment Ceremony
Section 5 (1) of the Marriage Act 1961 defines marriage as "...the union of a man and a woman
to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life." This definition was added to the
Act in August 2004. Accordingly, it is not possible for same sex couples to marry under existing
Australian law.
It is not illegal to conduct commitment ceremonies between same-sex couples provided that they
do not purport to be legal marriages.
Change of Gender
In his decision in the case of Re Kevin, Chisholm J of the Family Court decided that a post
operative transsexual female to male person is a "man" for the purposes of the Marriage Act and
was able to enter into a valid marriage with a woman. On 21 February 2003, the Full Court of the
Family Court upheld the original decision.
The decision of the Full Family Court does not affect the definition of marriage in Australia as
"the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life".
The parties to a valid marriage must be a man and a woman. The issue in the case was the status
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to be assigned to 'Kevin' who had undergone sexual reassignment surgery and had been issued
with a new birth certificate in New South Wales to reflect his reassignment to the male sex. The
decision is only applicable to post-operative transsexuals.
This decision means there are circumstances in which a person who has undergone sex
reassignment surgery may be able to marry in their reassigned gender as long as they fall within
the parameters set down in the decision in Re Kevin.
The information above has been providing in good faith by ACMCQ member Christine Reid
(edited by Andrew Sinclair). The writers and ACMCQ have endeavoured to ensure that this
information is correct however please check with your ACMCQ member for up-to-date
information.
What is a marriage celebrant ?
A Civil Marriage Celebrant is someone who has been appointed by the Australian
Commonwealth Attorney General to solemnize marriages at any location in Australia pursuant to
sub section 39 (2) of the Marriage Act 1961.
What does the Celebrant do?
I attend to all your legal paperwork, assist you to write and arrange a ceremony to suit your
needs and solemnise your marriage.
When should I book a marriage celebrant?
Book your celebrant as soon as you decide on the wedding date. Good celebrants book out
quickly as they are in demand, so it is best not to leave it too late. It's a bit like booking seats for
a concert or special event. I you book early you have the choice of the best seats. If you leave it
too late, the concert may sell out or only the cheaper, less-desirable seats may be left.
Don't forget that I only take one booking on any wedding day. This means that I will be booked
out earlier than many other celebrants.
What can we have for our Ceremony?
It is your day! This can be as you wish it to be, provided that the monitum and vows are included
somewhere in your wedding. I provide you books, that offer you hundreds of selections to
choose from or you could write your own. I will offer you assistance and advice at any time or
you may pick a few sections that you like and leave the rest up to me.
Can we have a quiet, simple ceremony with a small number of people attending?
Yes, I can help you arrange a simple yet beautiful ceremony. However, you must have two
witnesses aged over 18 years present at the ceremony.
What documents do I need?
1. Your birth certificate and an official English translation if it is in a foreign language.
2. An overseas passport, if you were not born in Australia, may suffice (If there is no
reasonable way that you can obtain your birth certificate).
4. Evidence that any pervious marriage has ended eg: Decree Absolute or Death Certificate.
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Do we need a marriage licence?
In Australia you don’t need a marriage license, health or blood test to marry. You simply
complete the Notice of Intended Marriage and have your signatures witnessed by a qualified
person as listed on the form, send it to me or bring it when we meet and then you can marry after
a one calendar month and one day cooling off period has passed.
What are the legal requirements for marriages in Australia ?
• Before a marriage can be performed, the law requires that you sign and lodge with me a
Notice of Intended Marriage (NIM) form a minimum of one calendar month and one day
prior to the wedding. You can lodge your Notice in person, via fax, email or mail, but
you must bring the original Notice with you when we meet. The NIM form will remain
active for 18 calendar months from the date of lodgement.
• You must be at least 18 years of age to marry in Australia
• If you are Australian born you must show an original copy of your birth certificate. This
can be obtained at the Registry Office of your state of birth (New South Wales,
Queensland, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Western Australia,
Northern Territory, Tasmania). If born outside Australia, you are required to show your
birth certificate or passport from your country of birth. If these documents are in a
language other than English, you will need a certified translation of the documents.
• For persons who have previously been married - an original Divorce Document is
necessary and if your previous partner is now deceased, an original Death Certificate is
required.
• If you are widowed you will also need the death certificate which can be obtained from
the State Registry in the state where the death was registered.
• On the day of your marriage you must have two witnesses over the age of 18.
• If you are bringing your partner into Australia on a prospective spouse visa I can provide
you with the necessary letter for the Immigration Department.
NOTE: ORIGINALS REQUIRED NOT PHOTOCOPIES
All documents are returned by the celebrant immediately.
What do I do if I can't find my documents?
If you were born in Australia, you can obtain a copy of your Birth Certificate (and if applicable,
the Death Certificate of former spouse) from Births, Deaths & Marriages, in the state in which
you were born.
If you have divorced and need a copy of your Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute, then this
can be obtained from the Family Law Court in the state in which the marriage was dissolved.
Can I give you my celebrant a photocopy of my birth certificate or passport?
No. The actual document or certified document must be sighted and noted by the celebrant.
I cannot find my Birth Certificate, but I do have my passport. Does the celebrant need to
see both Birth Certificate AND Passport, or can they just see one of them?
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The Attorney General is now asking for Birth Certificates of Australian Citizens. This can be
issued from Birth Deaths & Marriages if you have lost yours.
As long as these papers are produced before the marriage, there is no problem. The marriage
cannot take place without the celebrant sighting these documents.
I can not find my birth certificate or I have never had a birth certificate?
If you were born in Australian then your birth should have been registered, and a new birth
certificate can be obtained at short notice from the State Registering Authority where you were
born. If your birth was never registered then you must obtain a “Letter of “No registration of
Birth” from the state Registering Authority where you think you were born.
Can I give a Stat Dec if I don’t have a birth certificate?
No. If you were born in Australia "a Statutory Declaration is not acceptable" you must obtain a
birth certificate.
What if I was born overseas and cannot obtain a birth certificate?
If you were born overseas, and there is no reasonable way for you to obtain your birth certificate
in time, a current passport from that country is OK.
If you were born overseas and your birth certificate, passport and all records of your birth have
been destroyed you can complete a Statutory Declaration.
No. The actual document or certified document must be sighted and noted by the celebrant.
I have lost my divorce papers?
Apply to the Family Court for a copy. Supply as much information as you can and the court will
issue a new Certificate of Divorce. The issue is not automatic and you should be prepared to
wait for 1 to 3 weeks for the copy to arrive. There is also a minimal charge for the search and
printing.
What is the minimum age of marriage in Australia?
The minimum age is 16 years. However permission from a parent/s and a Judge of a Magistrate
is a legal requirement, and at least one party to the marriage must be over the age of 18
years. Persons 18 years and older do not need parental permission to marry
How soon can we get married?
Unless there are mitigating circumstances you must wait one clear calendar month from the date
that the “Notice of Intended Marriage” form is lodged with the celebrant. However, under
certain circumstances there is provision in the law to shorten this time down to just a few hours.
If either of us are applying for immigration, what do we need to do?
Make an appointment with the Celebrant where you will complete and sign the Notice of
Intended Marriage. The Celebrant will then type you the necessary letter for the Department of
Immigration. Only one of you need to complete the form for this to be done.
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A - No. The actual document or certified document must be sighted and
noted by the celebrant.
Q - I can't find my birth certificate, and I don't have a passport, so how can
I do this and still be within my one month and one day for the notice.

What documentation is needed if you are marrying people from overseas..
Firstly, you can download the Notice of Intent to Marry form then fill in the third page with all
your information, DO NOT SIGN. This can be then taken to the celebrant to witness your
signature, (it can be signed by just one person) then show your birth certificate as well as your
partners photocopy of passport details. The partner can then sign their section on the N.O.I.M.
when they arrive, and then produce the ACTUAL birth certificate ( translated into English) for
identification.
The photocopy is not usually accepted, but in this case it is providing the birth certificate (and
translation) is shown before the marriage can take place. If you are applying for a visa for this
person from immigration, then the Notice of Intent to Marry form must be accompanied by a
letter from the Celebrant to verify the fact that you have set a date and paid a non refundable
deposit or booking fee. This will be given to you with a photocopy of the N.O.I.M., and the
original kept with the Celebrant.
Do we need to have my birth certificate, divorce papers and death certificate translated into
English? YES
For translation or interpreting services contact - Community Relations Commission 24hr/7days
on site interpreting service available 1300 651 500
I live overseas. Can I get married in Australia during my holiday ?
Yes, you can, providing all the legal requirements are met. The details can be arranged via email,
telephone, fax and your plans finalised when you arrive in the country.
I was hoping to get married in before the usual one month and one day. Is that ok?
A shortening of time can be granted if there is a genuine reason. The N.O.I.M. must be
completed and with an accompanying letter from the celebrant, taken to the Magistrate at your
local court. There is no guarantee that this will be granted, and there will be a cost.
What do we need to do after we are married?
British Commonwealth Residents:
After your marriage, all couples will need to obtain a registered copy of their Marriage
Certificate. I can arrange all this for you, or you can obtain this yourselves the next working day
from the Department of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
Passports:
If you hold an Australian passport and want to change your name after you marry, be sure to
change it within 12 months of the wedding - otherwise you will have to pay for a brand new
passport. If you change it within 12 months, it is free of charge.
Residents from all other countries:
If you live in a non-British Commonwealth country, as well as obtaining your Registered
Marriage Certificate, after your marriage you will also need to obtain an Apostile stamp from the
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Department of Foreign Affairs in Sydney, so you can register your marriage in your country of
residence. I can arrange this for you.
Note: You can do all this yourselves however you must allow at least 2 working days after your
marriage to organise this.
Notice of Intended Marriage
In order to be married complete and lodge a "Notice of Intended Marriage" form at least one
month and one day and no more than eighteen months prior to the wedding day.
Where can I obtain a "Notice of Intended Marriage" form?
You can download one from the Attorney-General Department website – Marriage
www.ag.gov.au
Alternatively you can collect one from me.
If you are overseas, you can also obtain one from Australian Embassy or Australian High
Commission
What do I need to complete the NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE FORM?
International Couples
In order to complete the form fill out all your personal particulars and have your signatures
witnessed in the presence of:
• An Australian Diplomatic Officer
• An Australian Consular Officer
• Notary Public
Once the document has been witnessed return the notice to me by fax, bringing the original with
you within the minimum one month and one day Notice period and no more than eighteen
months prior to the wedding day.
Once the Notice has been duly signed and returned to me it is considered lodged.
You do not need to be in Australia to lodge the Notice.
• You have until your wedding day to produce your birth certificates, passports, divorce
papers and death certificates
• The Notice must be signed in the presence of an Australian Diplomatic Officer, an
Australian Consular Officer or Notary Public
•
Australian Couples
The Notice must be signed in front of either :-
• An authorised celebrant
• A commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959
• An Australian Diplomatic Officer
• An Australian Consular Officer
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• A Justice of the peace
• A barrister or solicitor
• A legally qualified medical practitioner
• A member of the Australian Federal Police force or a Police force of an Australian
Stateor Territory
After the Notice has been duly signed and returned to me it is considered lodged.
What notice period do I need to provide?
The Notice must be lodged with me at least one month and one day and no more than eighteen
months prior to your wedding.
Fiancé Visa
Information requested by The Australian Embassy world wide when arranging a fiancé visa.
In due course, a letter is required by the Australian Embassy requesting confirmation from the
marriage celebrant who will be officiating at your wedding ceremony, the completion date of the
Notice of Intended Marriage form and the time, date and venue of your wedding ceremony.
Without this information the Australian Embassy will not accept this letter.
Once the Notice of Intended Marriage form is completed, this letter will be handed to you to be
forwarded to your fiancé and the application will proceed.
Australian Embassy or Australian High Commission
What are our first steps?
1. Book in a time and date with me as soon as you can.
2. Organise an appointment to discuss your requirements.
3. Your ‘Notice of Intended Marriage' needs to be completed no less than a calendar month prior to
marriage but it is strongly advisable to complete this with me as soon as you have decided on the
date and time for your ceremony.
4. Most couples book months is advance.
5. Only one person needs to visit the Celebrant to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage. The
other person can sign at a later date prior to marriage
Intial Phone Interview
Make an appointment with me to complete the "Notice of Intended Marriage" form.
At this meeting :-
1. Bring the birth certificates, divorce(decree absolute) or death certificates.
It would be preferable if you could bring your birth certificates and if previously married
your divorce papers (decree absolute) or death certificates. We will be able to record
these with your Notice. If not available they can be forwarded to me at any point prior to
your wedding day.
2. Sample wedding ceremonies
I will supply you with a list of sample ceremonies that you can use as a guide line to
compose your own.
Your "Wedding Ceremony" is the commitment you are making to each other in the
presence of your family and friends. It will be remembered for a lifetime and is the
reason we are here.
3. Cover every aspect of your wedding day
• Whether you are being given away by your mother, father or both
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• Walking down the aisle with your future husband
• Wish to greet your guests as they arrive
• The colour you and the bridal party will be wearing
• Whether family or friends are reading a poem during the wedding ceremony.
• The position of the wedding party.
• Music during the ceremony
• Anything else...
What does our fee include?
• Lodging of all legal documents
• Unlimited appointment & consultation time.
• A comprehensive compilation of ceremony material if desired.
• Personally written ceremony with vows of your choice, to suit your individual needs.
• Your beautifully printed wedding certificate.
• Appreciation certificates for the Bridal party and any additional ceremonial participants.
• A guaranteed 30 minutes arrival at the ceremony venue before the scheduled commencement
time.
• A personal guarantee that I will not rush away immediately at the conclusion of the
ceremony.
• A personal guarantee of my total familiarity with your ceremony and also that my part will
be read with total interest and sincerity.
• I will present you with a bound copy of the ceremony at the conclusion of the wedding.
• I will liase with the musician or the C.D operator to ensure that the music is effective
throughout the ceremony.
• I will dress to fit in with your wedding to suit the formality or informality of the ceremony.
• I will conduct your very special wedding ceremony in a professional yet caring and sensitive
manner - it will flow beautifully.
• Use of public address system with CD player; music supplied if required
• Registration table, decorated to your theme
• Costs: Travel / stationary / postage / telephone calls within Australia only.
• Your consultations and pre-wedding practice at my residence.
• After the ceremony I will actively seek your feedback.
How far in advance do I need to make a booking?
It is always best to book early to ensure you have a better chance of securing your preferred date
and time. At a minimum your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged at least one
month and one day prior to the marriage.
Can we choose spiritual or religious wording for our ceremony?
Feel free to suggest any service or wording that reflects your religious beliefs or way of life.
What are the fees and when are they paid?
When you return the Notice, a $100 non-refundable processing fee is payable, the balance ($250)
being due 1 week prior to your marriage. Pay by electronic banking, cash, cheque or money
order.
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Are there any hidden or additional costs?
No. All costs are explained at the initial meeting so that are no nasty surprises!
Is there a charge for travel?
Yes, but not for ceremonies within 20km. Beyond 20kms most celebrants do charge a small fee.
Can we meet a number of celebrants before choosing one?
Many of us are happy to meet couples in no obligation meetings, but it is not unusual for us to
meet two couples wanting to marry on the same date/time. Arrange to meet your selected
celebrants early on, as we are regularly booked on the spot, via phone or email, or following
recommendations, and obviously accept the first confirmed booking. Remember that celebrant
bookings are not secured until a deposit is made, similar to venues, photographers and hire cars.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. If a deposit has been paid then dependent upon the amount of time already invested in
preparation, up to fifty percent of the deposit is refundable.
How many times do you meet with us?
Usually two or three meetings are required. After the initial meeting most contact is via email
until the rehearsal, however I am quite flexible and you can phone me as often as you need to so
that you feel comfortable
Must we see the celebrant beforehand?
The majority of the paperwork and contact can be via mail/email/fax/phone, however both
parties need to sign declarations in the celebrant’s presence before the wedding. If you are unable
to call in before, you need to allow time for the signing before the ceremony on your wedding
day.
How many weddings do you do in a weekend?
As a general rule I conduct one or two weddings per day depending on the location. This ensures
that you get a high level of attention as I am not rushing around thinking about the next one!
Do I have a choice of ceremony?
Yes. I ask your preferences when you book and provide up to 20 ceremonies: contemporary,
elegant, romantic, short, simple, relaxed, traditional, spiritual, meaningful, etc. All clients
receive a wedding pack and guidelines on how to create a unique and personal ceremony
reflecting their relationship, values and who they are, they can mix and match sections from
various ceremonies, or I can help write one especially at no cost.
Can I write my own vows?
Yes providing the vow complies with the current Marriage Act clients are welcome to write their
own vows, and ceremony. All ceremonies are written and approved before the day of the
ceremony, to ensure that there are no nasty or unexpected surprises.
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How long does it all take?
Allow 30 minutes on average. The length depends on the service and readings chosen (it can be
10 or up to 45 minutes).
Can we combine other rituals into our ceremony?
Yes, providing the legal requirements of the Marriage Act are met, the client can have whatever
they like in the ceremony.
Can we have our children involved in the ceremony?
Yes. This is a good idea as it will assist with the bonding of blended families.
Do we have to remember any words?
No, most couples choose to repeat a few words at a time after me.
Signing of the register
Signed immediately at ceremony end and requiring a small table and chairs. I can provide these
if you wish. Two witnesses over 18 are required (attendants/parents/guests). After the signing,
the celebrant presents the marriage certificate and leaves shortly after, not attending the
reception.
What name do I sign on my marriage certificate?
The name on your birth certificate.
AKA (Also Known As)
My parents divorced when I was young and I took my mothers maiden name without formal
legal arrangement. My Birth Certificate is in my fathers name, but all other identification ie.
License/Passport is in my mothers name. What name do I sign the marriage documents in?
The name on your birth certificate is the one required. You may have AKA (Also Known As)
on your marriage certificate as well.
The new Australian Passports Act (Cth) 2005 means that if you no longer use your birth name, it
may be difficult to get an Australian passport in the name you use, unless you can show
documents that explain your change of name. In most cases, you will need to use your birth
name on your marriage documents (unless you are using a previous married name). If you really
do not want to use your birth name on your marriage documents, you may need to apply for a
Change of Name Certificate with your local Births Deaths and Marriages Authority.
Is it possible to have more than two people sign the register? I would like both of our
mothers to be witnesses as well as our single bridesmaid and groomsmen.
The legal documents that go to the Government must be signed by two witnesses only. There is
no reason why you can't have all the signatures on the Wedding Certificate which is yours to
keep afterwards.
Do you present certificates ?
I present personalised certificates at all naming, commitment and re-affirmation of vows
ceremonies. These can be signed by family and friends who are present at this special occasion.
For marriages, apart from your official marriage certificate, I can help you with the application to
obtain the registered version from the Births, Deaths & Marriages office.
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Will the celebrant be able to be heard by every guest?
Yes, I have a portable PA system if needed.
What does the celebrant wear?
Usually semi-formal, but I can dress to suit you. Let me know the colours you and the Bridal
Party will be wearing, to enable me to colour coordinate. I usually try where possible to wear the
same colour as the groom, best man or father.
Can we have a rehearsal?
Yes rehearsals can be carried out at the actual wedding venue or at my office, which ever is
easier for the client.
Do we have to attend pre-marital courses?
You are free to attend at your leisure, however all celebrants are trained to advise you of any
information needed to make your day successful. Printed information is available to you. Most
couples who have taken advantage of one of these courses, have gained a lot of insight and
confidence in their marriage.
Pamphlets
As required by Law I will provide you with the "Happy ever... before and after and Helping your
relationship" pamphlets.
Where can our ceremony take place?
Your ceremony can take place anywhere within Australia or Australian Territorial waters, at any
time of the day or night. There are many beautiful and romantic places you can get married in –
parks, gardens, beaches, historic trust homes and churches. Some parks and gardens
require a fee for usage – the Celebrant can advise you and assist with your booking. If you
prefer an intimate ceremony you may choose your hotel or restaurant venue, or perhaps on a
beach for a sunset wedding.
Wedding venues may offer you a reduced rate if you have a ceremony through the week instead
of on the weekend, when most weddings occur. This may be convenient, especially if held later
in the afternoon so that guests are able to attend. You might like to check with those most
important to you first, however, to ensure they are able to make it.
Do we need to make any arrangements in case of adverse weather?
All ceremonies being conducted in a location that would be affected by rain or other inclement
weather will require an alternate venue to be available for the ceremony.
What time do I put on the invitations?
Have your invitations printed with a starting time 15 minutes before the time you have booked
with me. This allows the bride to arrive “late” whilst not holding up the reception/photographs.
Is the Bride expected to be late?
Yes! By a few moments only! Not ten or fifteen minutes! I ask that you are punctual - "late" for
the bride means 3-4 minutes - If the Bride does not arrive within 3-4 minutes of the booked
time, I have no option but to leave for the next ceremony after 10 minutes has elapsed in order to
14

be fair on the next appointment. Please do not listen to others that advise you to be ' Fashionably
late' if you are late - you may be disappointed.
The Bride has indicated she will arrive late for the ceremony!
You have booked a date, Time and the venue for your Marriage Ceremony and I am particularly
anxious that this should be a happy and momentous occasion for all concerned. It is usual for the
Celebrant to have other commitments before and after your ceremony and is on a strict timetable
to keep faith with your own and other commitments. Hence punctuality is of paramount
importance.
You have agreed to and signed a written contract with the Celebrant to commence the service at
the time specified. This includes the acknowledging and signing of the "Punctuality Clause"
making you aware of the reasons should the Celebrant decide to leave, if you are Late.
Remember: The Celebrant allocates up to 1/2 hour at the venue or chosen place of your
wedding, in connection with solemnising marriage, whether the bridal party turns up or not!
Late arrival of the Bride or any part of the Bridal Party including guests and family, can cause
numerous problems in the form of undue stress for the groom, the attendants, the Celebrant, your
guests, especially the elderly and young children. These people have already been standing
around for some time and tend to become tired and unsettled. Some may decide to leave for the
"bar", while others who become weary return to their cars.
Also the site maybe booked for another wedding. As well as, your Celebrant will most likely
have another engagement and does not wish to arrive late for that ceremony.
If this looks likely, he has the right to leave and return to your wedding at a later time.
Remember if the bridal party is late arriving at the wedding venue your contract is broken by
you by being late and not the celebrant.
Should the Celebrant be prevented from starting within exactly - Ten Minutes (10) minutes of
the appointed time due to lack of punctuality of the Bridal party, family, guests, I will either:
(a) Leave for the next appointment.
(b) Arrange to perform the ceremony at a later time at a venue to be agreed upon by myself and
the Groom.
(c) At the celebrant’s discretion choose to stay if convenient.
(d) If the Celebrant decides to stay the Bride and Groom agrees to pay in advance a *late fee for
the extra time.
*The late fee will be dependent on how late the bride is. At present the 'late fee' is $65.00
per quarter hour or part thereof.
Who has the rings?
Whilst there is no legal requirement about wedding rings, it is quite common for there to be only
one ring.
The ring or rings are usually held by the best man or pageboy on a cushion, be careful not to tie
them on. Sometimes the knot can’t be undone. Hook them on with a pipe cleaner or loosely tie
them with a bow, or as a last resort use a safety pin to secure them to the cushion.
15

Which way do we face?
This is the only aspect of weddings, which I am firm about. I have couples face their guests. I do
this for several reasons,
Firstly, the guests want to see your face, not your back.
Secondly, some people want to have their back to the guests because they are nervous. Nerves
don’t disappear when you turn around. When you actually say anything, (your vows) you stand
side-on to the guests (facing each other) no matter which way you face in the beginning. Finally,
it is very difficult for the guests to hear the ceremony unless I am speaking to them directly and
most words are directed to everybody, not just the bride and groom.
I stand side-on of the wedding party, so that I can speak to the guests and to you.
Who stands where?
The bride stands on the groom’s left
The bride’s father or the person doing the giving away stands on the bride's left and the
bridesmaids next to him
The best man stands on the groom’s right
Drinks/Mobile Phones
Generally speaking, it is best not to serve drinks until after the ceremony. If drinks are served,
the Celebrant may ask that all drinks be put aside. He will also ask that all mobile phones be
turned off until the ceremony is over.
Can music be played at our Wedding?
Yes! I am a great believer in music at weddings; it soothes the nerves and helps focus on the task
ahead. Music should be played as guests arrive and definitely ‘Herald’ the arrival of the Bride. It
should also be played in the background whilst the register is signed. The selections are up to the
bride and groom.
Please assign the task of the music to a reliable person and ensure that the person is there at least
15 min before and not to be late.
PLEASE NOTE: Remember only original discs must be used in any ' player' you supply. Or it
may contravene the Copyright Act and APRA (Association Performing Rights Association) and
or licensing fees will be required for any music deemed to be played.
How many attendants should we have?
This is really your choice, but there are a few comments for you to consider. The wedding is
yours, and you should be the centre of attention. When you have more than two attendants each,
the bridal party begins to look enormous, consider even with two attendants, there are 8 people
standing together.
When there are four attendants each, you have 12 people standing, often looking uncomfortable.
(Bride, groom, 4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen, bride’s father, and celebrant - 12 people)
There are two things to bear in mind.
The first is that in some locations there is simply not enough room for more than 4 or 6 people to
stand together.
16

The second, is that in my experience, the third and fourth attendants feel very uncomfortable and
this tends to make them look uncomfortable and feel a little “out of it.”
Also bear in mind that the larger the bridal party, the further back the photographer needs to be
to include everyone.
My experience is that smaller wedding parties contribute more meaningful and enjoyable
ceremonies for everyone.
Commitment Ceremony:
Did you know that if you do not wish to marry or cannot marry for some legal reason, you can
still hold a commitment ceremony. This runs much like a wedding and you receive certificates as
evidence of your relationship. While the certificates have no legal standing, they are evidence of
your relationship.
What proof of marriage will I receive when I marry?
You will be required to sign three marriage certificates following the ceremony:
1. an official certificate which the minister or celebrant will send to the Victorian Registry of
Births, Deaths and Marriages to register the marriage
2. a duplicate which the minister or celebrant keeps as his/her record of the marriage
3. a keepsake certificate which will be given to you by the minister or celebrant on the day of the
marriage.
A certified copy of the official certificate can be purchased from the Registry five working days
after the presiding celebrant or minister has lodged the relevant registration information with the
Registry. This document may be presented to organisations as evidence of the marriage and to
facilitate a change of name.
How do I apply for my marriage certificate?
You can apply for your marriage certificate using a marriage certificate application form
www.justice.qld.gov.au You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download this form.
What information is included on a marriage certificate?
Information on a marriage certificate includes: marriage ceremony details, bride and groom
details, residential details, parents' details, priest/celebrant and witness details.
Change of name through marriage
In Australia, many women change their surname when they marry. Institutions such as banks, the
Passport Office and transport authorities require a registry-issued marriage certificate to change
the bride’s surname on their records. Apply to change your name at www.justice.qld.gov.au
17

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