frequently asked questions

Q. What has to be said during the Ceremony?
All that is required for you to be married is that you must be made aware that marriage is a serious undertaking and must not be regarded lightly. You must respond to a question as to your commitment "I will" or "I do" and you must make promises to one another for the future - "The Vows"
Q. I am not religious. Do we have to include religion in our ceremony?
No, you have complete control over what is said during your wedding.
Q. Does the bride have to be "Given Away"?
No, this is not a legal requirement. Some brides like to walk in with both parents, groom and bride can both walk in accompanied by their parents, bride and groom can walk in together or children can be involved by presenting the bride. There are no rules as to how this part of the ceremony is conducted.
Q. What can we do to make our wedding really special?
As your celebrant I can give you lots of choices to help you design a wedding that is truly yours to celebrate your special day. If you want to write your own vows, please do so. If you want certain poetry or readings or music let's include them. If you want someone close to you to participate by reading, speaking or singing by all means include them. You may want to include other ceremonies such as handfasting, the rose ceremony, marriage candle ceremony, sharing of wine, sand or salt ceremony. All these and more can be made available for you to choose from.

Notice Required

A Notice of Intended Marriage Form must be lodged within 18 months and not less than one calendar month from the date the marriage is due to take place. (I will arrange this for you at your first interview)

Documents Required

For a person born in Australia - a Birth Extract or Birth Certificate.
For a person born overseas - a birth certificate or a passport issued by a government of an overseas country, showing the date and place of the party's birth will be acceptable.
If previously married and divorced - a Decree Absolute of Divorce
If previously married and widowed - a Death Certificate
Note: Uncertified photocopies of documents are not acceptable.

Q. Witnesses

The law requires that two witnesses aged 18 years or over must be present at a marriage.
Q. What does the Celebrant do?  I attend to all your legal paperwork, assist you to write and arrange a ceremony to suit your needs and solemnise your marriage. Your legal obligations are as follows: 

• Both must be over the age of 18 years 
• If you are born in Australia, you need to produce your Birth Certificate. If you were born outside Australia you will need to produce either your Birth Certificate or your overseas Passport. 
• You must sign your Notice of Intended Marriage with the Celebrant no less than one calendar month (one day and one month) prior to the marriage.  
• If previously married you must produce your Divorce Decree Absolute papers and/or if either of your spouses are deceased, you will need to produce the Death Certificate
• You must have two witnesses over the age of eighteen 

If either of you are applying for immigration, what do we need to do?

Make an appointment with the Celebrant where you will complete and sign the Notice of Intended Marriage. The Celebrant will then type you the necessary letter for the Department of Immigration. After your marriage, all couples will need to obtain a registered copy of their Marriage Certificate.You can obtain this from the Department of Births, Deaths & Marriages. Ground floor of 595 Collins Street Melbourne 1300 369 367

Residents from all other countries:

If you live in a non-British Commonwealth country, as well as obtaining your Registered Marriage Certificate, after your marriage you will also need to obtain an Apostile stamp from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Melbourne so you can register your marriage in your country of residence.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Level 13, Casselden Place 2 Lonsdale Street (corner of Spring Street)
Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 9221 5555

Q. Do we have to attend any pre-marital courses? No. However, all Celebrants have course information should you wish to attend. Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Lifeworks Level 4, 255 Bourke Street Melbourne 03 8650 6200Relatewell 21 Bell Street Coburg Vic 3058 03 9354 8854

Q. How soon do I need to book my celebrant?

Professional Celebrants are busy, so please think about booking as soon as you have decided on your date. Call and make a time for an obligation-free appointment.

Q. Does the bride have to be "Given Away"?

No, this is not a legal requirement. Some brides like to walk in with both parents, groom and bride can both walk in accompanied by their parents, bride and groom can walk in together or children can be involved by presenting the bride. There are no rules as to how this part of the ceremony is conducted.

Q. What can we do to make our wedding really special?

As your celebrant I can give you lots of choices to help you design a wedding that is truly yours to celebrate your special day. If you want to write your own vows, please do so. If you want certain poetry or readings or music let's include them. If you want someone close to you to participate by reading, speaking or singing by all means include them. You may want to include other ceremonies such as hand fasting, the rose ceremony, marriage candle ceremony, sharing of wine, sand or salt ceremony. All these and more can be made available for you to choose from.