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!

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

The rest is up to you

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.

• 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

Depending on the type of ceremony you have selected. For the full ceremony, we do plan a rehearsal as close to the wedding ceremony as possible.

Please ask your venue if about available times.

It is up to you!

• You can just say the legal vows.

• You can write personal vows.

• Or you can recite pre-written vows.

I will provide info to help

Ceremony music- pick songs for entrance, exit and signing songs

Readings- you can ask a family or friend to recite a reading, this can be something you ask them to write or your can pick a reading, quote or poem from online, a song, a novel and so on

Rituals- you can include cultural, religious or family traditions into the ceremony, some options are; tea ceremony, hand fasting, candle lighting, sand ceremony, planting of tree, wine sharing and so on

Processional- is the start of the ceremony, couple can enter together, bridal party can enter and flower people/ ring bearers, even pets. Please choose a song for this.

Recessional- is the couple exiting the ceremony, pick a song for this, your bridal party can follow or lead the way or the couple can exit on their own.

Ring exchange- this is optional, most people share rings in civil ceremonies but you do not have to, you could share another item or jewelry, also one person might do this and the other person may not want to receive a ring

If outside, have a wet weather option/ cover for guests. For hot weather, include water/drinks for guests. Think about cooling options such as fans, parasols or umbrellas. Have seating available for those who may need it.

For the set up, it is common to have an aisle and guests on either side. You do not have to have an aisle, guests can be seated like a stage or standing in a circle or semi circle.

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.

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.

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 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 include loved ones, children, pets and so on. You and your partner do not have to have the same number of people in your parties. You can ask them to be involved in your ceremony.