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Wedding Process


"Each and Every Wedding is unique and entirely special"

The Process

On your initial inquiry, you will receive a beautifully presented package (by post)  that will include all of the information necessary in regards to planning your wedding ceremony. Once you have received this and you have together decided that I am the Celebrant of your choice, it is Vital that you inform me of your decision, so that I am able to confirm your booking into my diary. I will invoice you for a deposit of $150 at this stage. Once your deposit is paid - your selected time and date belongs to you. The final balance payment is not due until 2 weeks prior to the wedding day.

I am more than happy to meet with you both / one of you / or (yes) the whole family for a coffee and chat if you feel the need to meet with me prior to making your celebrant selection. Actually any reason for a coffee and chat suits me just fine - I am a woman! After initial discussions, we schedule a time for us to meet formally. However I do make every effort to make you both feel completely at ease when you are in my company. (Just ask the many Grooms who have raided my husband's beer fridge) During this meeting, I have a process to draw from you both, lots of exciting information to assist me in designing your wedding ceremony. I will complete the first legal document at this stage - 'Notice of Intended Marriage' (NOIM) See Legal requirements for further information. Your personally designed ceremony draft will be emailed to you for your selections and approval. Together you can have as much or as little input as you prefer.

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The Big Day

Usually, early during the week of your wedding, the three of us meet for a rehearsal at your wedding venue. All aspects of the ceremony are discussed to ensure a perfectly planned execution of your important event.  On your wedding day, I always arrive quite early to give myself ample time to set up my equipment, arrange documents and to check that everything you require for your ceremony is evident. It is the 'little things' that will make your ceremony special and memorable. I take pride in my appearance and strive to wear appropriate colours and styles that will suit your wedding theme. I fuss after the Groom (and Groomsmen) and make sure they are all in 'schmick' condition. Parents and Grandparents are very proud on this day, so I like to make them feel important. The ceremony will be 'audible' to all of your treasured guests. My promise to you is that I will do everything I possibly can to give you the ceremony that you have always dreamt of.

The Legal Requirements

Australian Law defines marriage as “the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life” from The Marriage Act of 1961.
Your marriage may take place on any day, at any time, and any place in Australia, or within Australian territorial waters.
At least two people (other than the celebrant) over the age of 18 years, must be present at the marriage ceremony, to act as your witnesses.
“The Notice Of Intended Marriage Form” (form 13) ( I will take care of this for you) must be filled out, signed, witnessed and then lodged with your celebrant.
This form must be lodged a minimum of one calendar month and one day before the wedding date. The notice is valid for 18 months.
The notice requires proof of birth i.e. If you were born in Australia you must produce a birth certificate. If you were born overseas, either a birth certificate or an overseas passport.
If either party has been married before, evidence of how the marriage ended will be required i.e. either a Decree Absolute in the case of divorce, or if previous partner has died, a death certificate.
If either party has changed their name by deed poll, the official ‘Change of Name’ document must be produced.
All documents need to be in English, or have an official translation of the document into English, attached.
To ensure there is no last minute panic, it is a good idea to locate all documents needed, as soon as possible.
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE ORIGINAL, EXTRACTS, OR CERTIFIED COPIES. PHOTOCOPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
You both must sign a “Declaration” stating that you believe there is no legal impediment to your marriage. This must be done with your celebrant, just prior to the marriage.

During the ceremony, the authorised celebrant must say to the parties, in the presence of the witnesses, the words,
“My name is Celebrant's name, and I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages in Australia, according to Australian law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence, and in the presence of these witnesses, I am bound 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 a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”
The ceremony must take place in the presence of an Authorised Celebrant. All authorised celebrants will have a registration number, are listed on the Attorney General’s wesite www.ag.gov.au/celebrants and follow the 'Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants'.

The following vows must be exchanged during the ceremony:
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I groom's name, take you bride's name, to be my lawfully wedded wife.
And
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I bride's name, take you groom's name, to be my lawfully wedded husband.
The full names of the bride and groom must be mentioned here in the vows.
Both parties, the celebrant, and the two witnesses must all sign each of the three marriage certificates. The bride signs in the same name she used on the Notice of Intended Marriage form.


PROOF OF MARRIAGE

At the end of the wedding ceremony, the couple are presented with a ‘Certificate of Marriage’. This is conclusive evidence that the marriage has taken place. It is an important document and should be kept in a safe place with other official documents. However, this certificate does not provide conclusive evidence of the identity of the couple. In some situations you may be asked to produce a registered copy of your marriage certificate, which may be obtained from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory in which you were married. This is available usually 3-4 weeks after the wedding. Ask your celebrant about the new service which streamlines this application.

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like more information on Marriage, Relationships or contacts for obtaining legal documents please use the links below.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Location of Australian Embassies   www.dfat.gov.aufrillbeach

Birth Deaths and Marriages WA     www.justice.wa.gov.au

Attorney-General’s Department     www.ag.gov.au

RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION

Relationships Australia                www.relationships.com.au