Your big day

Your big day

Have you been dreaming abut this day? Have you been planning every aspect of your day? Let me help guide you through the process and create the ceremony you’ve always wanted.

Here’s the thing – you can have your day any way you want. You can make it traditional or makeup something entirely new.

During the ceremony, I have to say this:

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.

And there are a few other words that you guys have to say, but other than that – it can be however you like. So, you get to make your ceremony exactly as you like.

You can do it naked, covered in chocolate cake, or skydiving if you like. Whatever it is, give it your style, make it meaningful to you.

My job, as your celebrant, is to guide you and work with you. I will use my creativity, my skills and knowledge and of course my awesome delivery skills to create a ceremony that is heartfelt, memorable and has meaning to you. I am not bound by any rules, religions, or traditions that can dictate how you celebrate your day. We are free to make your day uniquely yours.

The formalities

I am a Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant and as such I am authorised by the Registrar of Celebrants of the Attorney-General’s Department, to legally solemnise marriages in Australia.

As a registered marriage celebrant, I am bound by a Code of Practice. Check it out here.

The legal requirements for couples marrying in Australia is comprehensively explained in the Notes section on page two of the Notice of Intended Marriage.

The legal requirements for marriage in Australia that must be attended to prior to your marriage include:

  • You must lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage with me at least one month prior to your big day (maximum 18 months);
  • You and your partner must provide me with evidence of their place and date of birth (eg; birth certificate);
  • If either or both of you have been previously married, you must show me evidence of your divorce, or if you are widowed, then you must provide me with evidence of the death of your previous spouse;
  • You both need to sign a declaration of no legal impediment to the marriage in my presence just prior to your wedding day (we usually do this at the rehearsal).

Births, Deaths and Marriages

If you were born in Australia and need to obtain a birth certificate, you will be able to purchase one from Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) in the state or territory of your birth. You will also be able to purchase a death certificate of a previous spouse at BDM. If you registered a change of name at the BDM you will need a copy of this document to show me prior to marriage. Finally, you will want to purchase a registered certificate of marriage from the BDM office in the state/territory where your marriage was solemnised. Here are links to all the BDM offices: