FAQS
What can I/We add to the ceremony?
You can add pretty much anything realistic, legal & appropriate.
Unity Candle Ceremonies,
Blending of Sands Ceremony,
Ring ceremonies,
Releasing of butterflies/doves/balloons,
Book or Box of wishes,
Time capsules...and the list go on.
Can we take stuff out of the ceremony that we don't like or don’t want?
Sure. It is your ceremony and you can have it the way you like it.
Except for weddings, in which case the legal wording of the celebrant (The Monitum) must be in the ceremony and the legal vows of the bride and groom(s45(2) of Marriage Act) .
The Monitum:
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 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
Vows (Section 45(2) of Marriage Act):
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B (or C.D), take thee, C.D (or A.B) to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband).
I am currently married. Can I marry someone else?
No. A person who is already married cannot marry someone else under Australian law until the first marriage has ended. A Notice of Intended Marriage/booking form can be completed for the proposed marriage.
A Divorce or Death Certificate must be provided as proof of an end to a marriage, should you wish to remarry and will be required before the ceremony date, otherwise the ceremony will not go ahead.
Can we marry if we are related?
In regards to marrying someone of relation; a bride cannot marry a grandfather, father, brother (by blood or not). However, she can marry an uncle or cousin.
A groom cannot marry a grandmother, mother, sister (by blood or not).
However, he can marry an aunty or cousin.
I am 18 but my partner isn't. Can we marry?
Yes, with permission from parents and the Australian Courts. The underage person should apply to a judge or magistrate in a State or Territory for an order authorising him or her to marry a particular person who is of marriageable age.
The procedure to make an application for permission to marry is set out in regulations 15-30 of the Marriage Regulations.
I will not agree to conduct a wedding ceremony until I have received the court order under Section 12.
Once the order is obtained, the marriage must take place within three months, otherwise the court order becomes void.
Note: Under no circumstance can a person under the age of 16 be married.
We are both under 18. Can we marry?
Under no circumstance, can two people under the age of 18 marry.
Can the ceremony just involve the celebrant, bride & groom?
A marriage cannot be conducted unless there are two witnesses present (other than myself, bride or groom).
The witnesses must be over the age of 18.
Do I have to be 'given away' (Presentation of the Bride)?
No you do not have to be 'given away'/presented.
If you do want to be given away/presented, it can be done by your father/mother, mother and father, a brother, a sister, a friend...anyone you wish.
Do we have to have a ring ceremony?
No. This is not compulsory and you may have other traditions/rituals/symbols or any other ways to symbolise your love/vows/commitment.
Will there be extra costs/fees?
Extra fees or costs apply for:
*Transportation costs to ceremony venue over 80km from Sydney International Airport ;Mascot, NSW 2020.
* For chargeable parking costs (on the day of the wedding, if applicable)
* To the cost of the couple, if an interpreter or translator is required
* Sand, candles or any ceremonial inclusion props at cost to client
(clients can purchase these themselves or have me purchase it for them-with minimum 1 month notice)
Can I get a refund?
If during the planning process, you decide to use another celebrant or religious celebrant; your ceremony can be transferred to another celebrant of your choice. If notice is given not less than 14 days before ceremony a refund shall be given.
In any other case, a refund may be given.
If I do not turn up to your ceremony, you will be provided with a refund.
Is a deposit required?
A $170 Deposit/ Booking fee (Notice of Intended Marriage Lodgement) is required. The deposits is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of booking. The deposit holds the booked date and timeslot for ceremony. Please understand that other couples may also be interested in the same date/time and only one client (who ever books and pays the deposit first) will be confirmed. (I am only one person and cannot be in two places at once...unfortunately). Therefore a possible client and potential business is lost should you decide to cancel.
What are the payment options available?
Cash, Direct Deposit/Bank Transfer, Paypal, credit or debit card payments in person via Square.
What is required to lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage Form?
Original Birth Certificates/Original Passport
(If in another language, the document must be translated by an authorised NAATI approved person)
Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate (required if previously married)
Photo Identification (If passport not used/provided)
We don’t live in Australia; can we still marry in Australia?
Yes you can.
All necessary documents mentioned above are required.
You can add pretty much anything realistic, legal & appropriate.
Unity Candle Ceremonies,
Blending of Sands Ceremony,
Ring ceremonies,
Releasing of butterflies/doves/balloons,
Book or Box of wishes,
Time capsules...and the list go on.
Can we take stuff out of the ceremony that we don't like or don’t want?
Sure. It is your ceremony and you can have it the way you like it.
Except for weddings, in which case the legal wording of the celebrant (The Monitum) must be in the ceremony and the legal vows of the bride and groom(s45(2) of Marriage Act) .
The Monitum:
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 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
Vows (Section 45(2) of Marriage Act):
I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, A.B (or C.D), take thee, C.D (or A.B) to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband).
I am currently married. Can I marry someone else?
No. A person who is already married cannot marry someone else under Australian law until the first marriage has ended. A Notice of Intended Marriage/booking form can be completed for the proposed marriage.
A Divorce or Death Certificate must be provided as proof of an end to a marriage, should you wish to remarry and will be required before the ceremony date, otherwise the ceremony will not go ahead.
Can we marry if we are related?
In regards to marrying someone of relation; a bride cannot marry a grandfather, father, brother (by blood or not). However, she can marry an uncle or cousin.
A groom cannot marry a grandmother, mother, sister (by blood or not).
However, he can marry an aunty or cousin.
I am 18 but my partner isn't. Can we marry?
Yes, with permission from parents and the Australian Courts. The underage person should apply to a judge or magistrate in a State or Territory for an order authorising him or her to marry a particular person who is of marriageable age.
The procedure to make an application for permission to marry is set out in regulations 15-30 of the Marriage Regulations.
I will not agree to conduct a wedding ceremony until I have received the court order under Section 12.
Once the order is obtained, the marriage must take place within three months, otherwise the court order becomes void.
Note: Under no circumstance can a person under the age of 16 be married.
We are both under 18. Can we marry?
Under no circumstance, can two people under the age of 18 marry.
Can the ceremony just involve the celebrant, bride & groom?
A marriage cannot be conducted unless there are two witnesses present (other than myself, bride or groom).
The witnesses must be over the age of 18.
Do I have to be 'given away' (Presentation of the Bride)?
No you do not have to be 'given away'/presented.
If you do want to be given away/presented, it can be done by your father/mother, mother and father, a brother, a sister, a friend...anyone you wish.
Do we have to have a ring ceremony?
No. This is not compulsory and you may have other traditions/rituals/symbols or any other ways to symbolise your love/vows/commitment.
Will there be extra costs/fees?
Extra fees or costs apply for:
*Transportation costs to ceremony venue over 80km from Sydney International Airport ;Mascot, NSW 2020.
* For chargeable parking costs (on the day of the wedding, if applicable)
* To the cost of the couple, if an interpreter or translator is required
* Sand, candles or any ceremonial inclusion props at cost to client
(clients can purchase these themselves or have me purchase it for them-with minimum 1 month notice)
Can I get a refund?
If during the planning process, you decide to use another celebrant or religious celebrant; your ceremony can be transferred to another celebrant of your choice. If notice is given not less than 14 days before ceremony a refund shall be given.
In any other case, a refund may be given.
If I do not turn up to your ceremony, you will be provided with a refund.
Is a deposit required?
A $170 Deposit/ Booking fee (Notice of Intended Marriage Lodgement) is required. The deposits is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of booking. The deposit holds the booked date and timeslot for ceremony. Please understand that other couples may also be interested in the same date/time and only one client (who ever books and pays the deposit first) will be confirmed. (I am only one person and cannot be in two places at once...unfortunately). Therefore a possible client and potential business is lost should you decide to cancel.
What are the payment options available?
Cash, Direct Deposit/Bank Transfer, Paypal, credit or debit card payments in person via Square.
What is required to lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage Form?
Original Birth Certificates/Original Passport
(If in another language, the document must be translated by an authorised NAATI approved person)
Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate (required if previously married)
Photo Identification (If passport not used/provided)
We don’t live in Australia; can we still marry in Australia?
Yes you can.
All necessary documents mentioned above are required.