Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where do I start planning a wedding?

    Start by having a conversation about what you both want the day to look like. What is important to you both?

    • Choose a budget

    • Look at venues and choose a date & time

    • Book a celebrant

    • Research the rest of your vendors ie. photography etc

    • Choose your elements ie food, drink, clothing..

    • Invite guests!

  • What are the legal requirements?

    All wedding ceremonies legally must including the following:

    - Both party must recite the legal Vows according to the Marriage Act

    - Signing of Marriage Certificate (signed by couple and 2 witnesses)

    - Celebrant to recite the monitum

    - Introduction of the authorised celebrant

    - Celebrant must meet separately with the two parties to ensure full consent (usually done when signing the DONLITM)

    The rest is up to you!

  • What is the official paperwork?

    1. Notice of Notice of Intended Marriage- This must be completed between 1 and 18 months before the ceremony. The celebrant will need to site your personal ID docs.

    2. Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage- This needs to be signed as close to the wedding as possible (usually at the rehearsal)

    3. Marriage Certificates- x2 these will be signed at the ceremony with your 2 witnesses (one for the celebrant and one for BDMs)

    4. Form 15- This is the beautiful marriage certificate that you keep for display!

    5. Once I have registered your wedding BDM will send you their official certificate in 4-6 weeks.

    view documents here

  • Example of ceremony structure

    • Processional

    • Welcome

    • Monitum

    • Acknowledgements

    • Story of the couple

    • Reading

    • Asking aka “I do’s”

    • Legal Vows

    • Personal Vows

    • Ring Exchange

    • Signing of documents

    • Pronunciation/kiss

    • Recessional

  • Do we have a ceremony rehearsal?

    Depending on the type of ceremony you have selected. Usually we will plan a rehearsal as close to the wedding ceremony as possible. This is a great opportunity to sign the Declaration of no legal impediment to marriage as it needs to be signed as close to the ceremony as possible.

    Please ask your venue about available times.

  • Do I have to write my own vows?

    It is up to you!

    You can just say the legal vows.

    You can write personal vows.

    And then you can read them in front of your guests in the ceremony or in private, before or after your ceremony.

  • What is process with your celebrant?

    1. Say hi- send me an email!

    2. Meet and greet- on zoom we set up a quick catch up, then it is up to you to inform me if you want to continue with the booking.

    3. We set up a meeting to complete the NOIM & I need to witness ID docs

    4. Plan and communicate about ceremony decisions

    5. I write the script

    6. You write your vows

    7. Rehearsal

    8. Get Married!!!!!

    9. I send off the documentation to BDMs to officially register you as married.

  • Can we have a friend run the ceremony?

    You can definitely ask a loved one to perform the non-legal elements of the wedding ceremony. It is a great way of included personalised element to the ceremony to have a loved one host or speak on your love story.

    Legally, to be married in Australia an authorised celebrant must do the legal bits. This can happen alongside your host or it can happen before or after the ceremony, it can be done with just the couple, the two witnesses and the celebrant.

  • Vendors

    Here are just a few suggestions of vendors to include:

    • Photographer

    • Videographer

    • Florist

    • Food/drinks vans, ie. cocktails after the ceremony

    • Musician, band, DJ

    • Stylist, wedding planner or coordinator

    • MC (hired or ask a friend or family member)

    • Entertainment ie, dancers, musicians, roving performers

    • Your outfits and bridal party outfits

    • Hair and make up stylist

    • Hiring options including photo booths, phone guestbooks and so on

  • Bridal Party

    Bridal parties are totally optional!!

    If you want one, you can have loved ones included in your bridal party. You can walk down the aisle with them or they can sit in the front row or stand with you.

    You can ask family, friends, children or pets - of any gender! There are no rules. They can be involved any way you like in your ceremony. You and your partner do not have to have the same number of people in your parties.

  • Wild and wonderful ideas to include

    You ceremony design is up to you and your celebrant. You are welcome to ask and discuss including any of the following:

    - Personal music or song

    - Group choir or sing along

    - Group vows or witness random draw

    - Include a collaborative art piece

    - Plant a tree

    - Share wine, shots… anything!

    - Include multi media, voice clips, notes, power point, photos and so on

    - Circular ceremony setting - you do not have to have an aisle or seating at all