A Person is of marriageable age if they have attained the age of 18 years.  A person under the age of 16 cannot marry.  A Person between 16 and 18 years of age may apply to a judge or magistrate in a State or Territory for an order authorising him or her to marry a particular person of marriageable age.

Both parties will need to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (Form 13). 
Notice of Intended Marriage Form. Please could you bring your Full and Certified Birth Certificates and if originated in a non-English country,  Birth Certificates to be translated by a recognised translator. 

If either of you have been previously married, evidence of termination of the last marriage such a Decree Absolute or Death Certificate will be required. If originated in a non-English country translated by a recognised translator.

A contract will need to be signed confirming time, date of Wedding etc which will include the"Punctuality Clause" and Contingency plan.

Absolutely.  However I will give you the information and guidance to enable you both to choose or compose a marriage ceremony that will meet your needs and expectations.  Please note that there are obligatory words that must be stated in front of witnesses.

You may wish other friends/family members to read poems etc. on the day.

At the initial appointment,  and accepting my services  as a Celebrant I require a non-refundable deposit to secure the date/time.  The fee structure will be presented to you at your first appointment.   You can pay either by Cheque or Cash.

Declarations.  Prior to the solemnisation of the marriage, each of the parties to the intended marriage must make and subscribe before the proposed celebrant a declaration, as to the party's conjugal status and to the party's belief that there is no legal impediment to the marriage.  The declarations must be made before the marriage is solemnised.

This is included in the overall cost of my service to you.  A rehearsal is great way of "Ironing Out" any unforeseen problems/situations. Generally the Rehearsal should take place a couple days before the actual Ceremony. 

I would suggest that you put on the invitations for the people to arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the actual ceremony.

Two witnesses 18 years or over must be present at the ceremony.

You may wish to ask a relative a guest or any of the attendees to act as witnesses,  provided that they are 18  years or over.

Generally the Groom should arrive at least 20 minutes before the Wedding Ceremony.

Absolutely.  It would be good to ask a friend or a family member to be in charge of this on the day. 

You will need to check with the Copyright Act and APRA (Australasian Performing Rights Association) with regards to your selections. 

It would be preferable if drinks are served after the Ceremony has taken place.

I would prefer that mobile phones are switched off during the Ceremony as it may be off-putting to the Bride and Groom.

Yes!

As the Celebrant is governed by the Code of Practice (copy of which will be shown to you at your first appointment),  we have to be present at the Ceremony 20 minutes before.  Therefore if the Bride is "Traditionally late" it may make the Celebrant  late for the next Wedding and the Bride may be extremely disappointed.  Therefore I normally request that the Bride is late by 3-4 minutes at the most. 

In addition you have both signed a contract which includes the "Punctuality Clause",  and if the bridal party is late arriving at the wedding venue your contract is broken by you by being late and not the celebrant.  

The Venue may also be booked later for another Wedding which may cause complications.

The bride stands on the groom’s left.

The person doing the giving away stands on the bride's left.  Please note that the Bride does not need to be given away this is not a legal requirement.

The  bridesmaids are either  next to the person giving the Bride away or behind.  This will be established.

The best man stands on the groom’s right.

No! Any obligatory words which you have to say I will ask you to repeat after me.

There is no legal requirement for you or your partner to have Wedding Rings.

Yes however in order to supply this, there will be a charge of $15.

Absolutely.  However I will give you the information and guidance to enable you both to choose or compose a Renewal of Vows ceremony that will meet your needs and expectations.

You may wish other friends/family members to read poems etc. on the day.

I would suggest that you put on the invitations for the people to arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the actual ceremony.

Generally the Groom should arrive at least 20 minutes before the Wedding Ceremony.

Absolutely.  It would be good to get a friend or a family member to be in charge of this on the day. 

You will need to check with the Copyright Act and APRA (Australasian Performing Rights Association) with regards to your selections. 

It would be preferable if drinks are served after the Ceremony has taken place.

I would prefer it if Mobile phones are switched off during the Ceremony as it may be off putting to the Bride and Groom.

Yes!

The bride stands on the groom’s left.

The person doing the giving away stands on the bride's left.  Please note that the Bride does not need to be given away this is not a legal requirement.

The  bridesmaids are either  next to the person giving the Bride away or behind.

The best man stands on the groom’s right.

No! It  is a perfect Occasion for you and your partner without the need for legal obligations, to  follow the lines of a traditional marriage ceremony.

At the initial appointment,  and accepting my services  as a Celebrant I require a non-refundable deposit to secure the date/time.  The fee structure will be presented to you at your first appointment.   You can pay either by Cheque or Cash.

Absolutely.  However I will give you the information and guidance to enable you both to choose the promises to the child/adult.  Also to be included are the friends/family  who have undertaken special responsibilities.

You may wish other friends/family members to read either poetry,  a prayer or religious text if desired.

Yes!

Absolutely.  It would be good to get a friend or a family member to be in charge of this on the day. 

You will need to check with the Copyright Act and APRA (Association Performing Rights Association) with regards to your selections. 

At the initial appointment,  and accepting my services  as a Celebrant I require a non-refundable deposit to secure the date/time.  The fee structure will be presented to you at your first appointment.   You can pay either by Cheque or Cash.