Frequently Asked Questions... get your answers here!
Q. Where can we get married/ have our ceremony?
I am authorised to solemnise marriage ceremonies anywhere within Australia. Ceremonies typically take place in ceremony/reception centres, restaurants, hotels/resorts, beaches & parks, gazebos, chapels, private homes …
Q. What is legal documentation is required for us to get married?
The NOIM is completed at least one month prior, and no more than 18months prior, to the wedding date. I need to sight your original birth certificate or passport, licence/photo ID, and evidence of termination of previous marriage/s.
You will be required to sign a declaration that there is no legal impediment to the marriage (generally this is completed at the rehearsal or within a few days prior to the ceremony). I provide this declaration for you.
At the marriage ceremony you will be required to sign three marriage certificates. These are also signed by your witnesses. I will lodge all legal paperwork with the BDM in the State/Territory in which the marriage is solemnised.
Q. What if I can’t find my birth certificate/ do not have a passport?
There will be a copy of your Birth Certificate held at the Office of Births Deaths and Marriages in the State in which you were born. There is a small fee that must be paid when ordering your Birth Certificate and there can be a processing delay of up to 14 days, so you will need to consider this and the deadline of completing your Notice of Intended Marriage.
Q. What other legal considerations do we need to be aware of?
Both parties to the marriage must be over 18 years old, have no legal impediment to the marriage and must complete the NOIM with the celebrant at least one month prior to the wedding. I will complete the NOIM with you at your client interview however if you wish to you can download this form and complete it yourself at http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/7529/bdm-notice-intended-marriage-form.pdf . Your two witnesses to your wedding must be over 18years old.
Q. What do I need to do to change my name?
The following link to BDM Queensland provides some information on changing your name: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/changing-your-name/changing-your-name-through-marriage/
The wedding certificate that you receive from your celebrant is only ceremonial, so it isn’t an official identification document. Therefore, some organisations may not accept it as proof of your identity. You need to apply for an official marriage certificate for changing your name with most organisations. I arrange this for my couples at no additional charge.
The following link provides a useful list of places you may need to change your name:
http://www.easynamechange.com/au/articles/Marriage-name-change-checklist/?hc_location=ufi
Q. When should we book our celebrant?
A lot of people are tending to book 12-18 months in advance. You can book me as far in advance as you like. It is important to note that the NOIM must be completed minimum 1 month before the wedding (so you would need to book at least one month beforehand) and maximum 18months before the wedding (however you can book to secure your price and date and we can complete the NOIM closer to your wedding date).
Q. Can my children be witnesses for the wedding?
Anyone can be a witness to your wedding as long as they are over 18years of age.
Q. Can we use a pen of our choice for signing the certificates?
You may use your own pen however it is a legal requirement that the signing be done in black ink.
Q. Can we write parts of our ceremony and our own vows?
Absolutely. You can have as much or as little say in the format, structure, content and actual words of your ceremony as you like. I write every ceremony from scratch so each ceremony is unique and written personally for each couple. If you have ideas on what you would like to include in your ceremony we will incorporate these. If you need inspiration, I have the resources and experience to guide you along the way.
A lot of couples like to write their own vows. I have lots of examples for you to peruse for ideas. Legally you must say a set vow first however after that your vows can be as traditional or personalised as you like.
Q. Can both my parents give me away at my wedding?
Yes. There are no rules on who or how many or if anyone must ‘give you away’. There are many options including father, mother, step-parents, family friends, children, community …
Q. How will everyone know where to stand?
If we have a rehearsal we will go through this then. On the day of your ceremony I will arrive 30minutes before the ceremony and will arrange everyone.
Q. Should we have a rehearsal?
It is good to have a rehearsal so that people involved know what they have to do and where they have to be. If possible all people involved in the wedding should attend the rehearsal. Ideally the rehearsal will be conducted within two weeks of the ceremony.
Q. How long do civil wedding ceremonies typically go for?
The average ceremony is 25-30minutes (including time for signing the register and certificates). Your ceremony may be shorter or longer depending on the content you want to include.
Q. What types of ceremonies do you officiate?
I perform civil wedding ceremonies, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies, and naming ceremonies. Within these I am comfortable to include most rituals and traditions from religious and non-religious backgrounds and have developed and delivered traditional and contemporary ceremonies across these categories.
I offer bespoke ceremonies. This means that every ceremony I deliver is individual and custom-designed. This offers you the most choice and creativity in creating a ceremony that truly reflects you.
Q. Do we have to attend pre-marriage counselling?
Pre-marriage counselling is not required in Australia, however it is recommended. I will provide you with lots of information on the services available and you can decide for yourselves if it is right for you.
I am authorised to solemnise marriage ceremonies anywhere within Australia. Ceremonies typically take place in ceremony/reception centres, restaurants, hotels/resorts, beaches & parks, gazebos, chapels, private homes …
Q. What is legal documentation is required for us to get married?
The NOIM is completed at least one month prior, and no more than 18months prior, to the wedding date. I need to sight your original birth certificate or passport, licence/photo ID, and evidence of termination of previous marriage/s.
You will be required to sign a declaration that there is no legal impediment to the marriage (generally this is completed at the rehearsal or within a few days prior to the ceremony). I provide this declaration for you.
At the marriage ceremony you will be required to sign three marriage certificates. These are also signed by your witnesses. I will lodge all legal paperwork with the BDM in the State/Territory in which the marriage is solemnised.
Q. What if I can’t find my birth certificate/ do not have a passport?
There will be a copy of your Birth Certificate held at the Office of Births Deaths and Marriages in the State in which you were born. There is a small fee that must be paid when ordering your Birth Certificate and there can be a processing delay of up to 14 days, so you will need to consider this and the deadline of completing your Notice of Intended Marriage.
Q. What other legal considerations do we need to be aware of?
Both parties to the marriage must be over 18 years old, have no legal impediment to the marriage and must complete the NOIM with the celebrant at least one month prior to the wedding. I will complete the NOIM with you at your client interview however if you wish to you can download this form and complete it yourself at http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/7529/bdm-notice-intended-marriage-form.pdf . Your two witnesses to your wedding must be over 18years old.
Q. What do I need to do to change my name?
The following link to BDM Queensland provides some information on changing your name: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/changing-your-name/changing-your-name-through-marriage/
The wedding certificate that you receive from your celebrant is only ceremonial, so it isn’t an official identification document. Therefore, some organisations may not accept it as proof of your identity. You need to apply for an official marriage certificate for changing your name with most organisations. I arrange this for my couples at no additional charge.
The following link provides a useful list of places you may need to change your name:
http://www.easynamechange.com/au/articles/Marriage-name-change-checklist/?hc_location=ufi
Q. When should we book our celebrant?
A lot of people are tending to book 12-18 months in advance. You can book me as far in advance as you like. It is important to note that the NOIM must be completed minimum 1 month before the wedding (so you would need to book at least one month beforehand) and maximum 18months before the wedding (however you can book to secure your price and date and we can complete the NOIM closer to your wedding date).
Q. Can my children be witnesses for the wedding?
Anyone can be a witness to your wedding as long as they are over 18years of age.
Q. Can we use a pen of our choice for signing the certificates?
You may use your own pen however it is a legal requirement that the signing be done in black ink.
Q. Can we write parts of our ceremony and our own vows?
Absolutely. You can have as much or as little say in the format, structure, content and actual words of your ceremony as you like. I write every ceremony from scratch so each ceremony is unique and written personally for each couple. If you have ideas on what you would like to include in your ceremony we will incorporate these. If you need inspiration, I have the resources and experience to guide you along the way.
A lot of couples like to write their own vows. I have lots of examples for you to peruse for ideas. Legally you must say a set vow first however after that your vows can be as traditional or personalised as you like.
Q. Can both my parents give me away at my wedding?
Yes. There are no rules on who or how many or if anyone must ‘give you away’. There are many options including father, mother, step-parents, family friends, children, community …
Q. How will everyone know where to stand?
If we have a rehearsal we will go through this then. On the day of your ceremony I will arrive 30minutes before the ceremony and will arrange everyone.
Q. Should we have a rehearsal?
It is good to have a rehearsal so that people involved know what they have to do and where they have to be. If possible all people involved in the wedding should attend the rehearsal. Ideally the rehearsal will be conducted within two weeks of the ceremony.
Q. How long do civil wedding ceremonies typically go for?
The average ceremony is 25-30minutes (including time for signing the register and certificates). Your ceremony may be shorter or longer depending on the content you want to include.
Q. What types of ceremonies do you officiate?
I perform civil wedding ceremonies, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies, and naming ceremonies. Within these I am comfortable to include most rituals and traditions from religious and non-religious backgrounds and have developed and delivered traditional and contemporary ceremonies across these categories.
I offer bespoke ceremonies. This means that every ceremony I deliver is individual and custom-designed. This offers you the most choice and creativity in creating a ceremony that truly reflects you.
Q. Do we have to attend pre-marriage counselling?
Pre-marriage counselling is not required in Australia, however it is recommended. I will provide you with lots of information on the services available and you can decide for yourselves if it is right for you.
