Planning Your Perfect Day
... and things you must do (eg. legal and documentation etc.)
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What needs to be done and when
Long term: Ensure those essential services and items are secured early. We all know how hard it may be to get the right combination as time draws nearer. These may include the venue(s), photographer(s), your wedding dress and of course the Celebrant.
Medium term: Your legal marriage documentation should be well under way or completed with your Celebrant. The timing for lodgment is a minimum of one day and one month prior to your weding day. For overseas couples, please see the section on Overseas Couples and contact me to ensure all the legal and administration is correct well ahead of your arrival into Australia.
Short term: Fine tuning everything gets it right. Changes in the ceremony need to be known well ahead of the day and may need to be rehearsed. We need to get the timing, words, poems, verses, music etc to fit exactly into place. (see Civil Marriage Ceremony - 12 Step Outline, below).
What are your first Steps?
- Book in a time and date with me as soon as you can, to organise an appointment to discuss your requirements.
- Your Notice of Intended Marriage needs to be completed within one day and one month prior to marriage but it is strongly advisable to complete this with me as soon as you have decided on the date for your ceremony. Under exceptional circumstance a court can approve a shorter timing. Please contact me regarding this requirement.
- Most couples book months in advance, so it's advisable to call as soon as you can.
- Only one person needs to visit the Celebrant to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage. The other person can sign at a later date prior to marriage
Legal & Helpful Information - This is very important. What needs to be done and when Legal:
- If you were born in Australia you will need to produce an original copy of your birth certificate. This can be obtained at the Registry Office of your state of birth.
- If you are widowed you will also need the death certificate which can be obtained from the State Registry in the state where the death was registered.
- If you were born overseas you will need your birth certificate or a current passport. If these documents are in a language other than English, you will need a certified translation of the documents. (see Overseas Couple Marrying in Australia).
- If either partner was previously divorced, a copy of the decree absolute can be obtained from the Family Law Court in the state where the marriage was dissolved. (please note - this only applies to marriages dissolved after 1975).
- For marriages dissolved before 1975, a copy of the decree absolute can be obtained from the Supreme Court in the state where the marriage was dissolved.
- You both must be over the age of 18 years.
- Prior to the day of marriage, you need to produce either your Birth Certificates if born in Australia and if born outside Australia you need to produce either Birth Certificates and/or Passports.
- You must give the Celebrant at least one day and one month notice.
- If either of you have been 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.
- On the day of your marriage you must have 2 witnesses over the age of 18 years
Civil Marriage Ceremony - 12 Step Outline
Use this form in conjunction with the master wedding guide to create your ceremony.
(Available from your Celebrant)
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Step No.
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Who does this? |
Enter Reference No. noting any alterations or enter 'Not Required' |
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1
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Introduction - Celebrant
These words reflect your belief in marriage and why you have decided to get married. Enter reference or preferred introduction or attach own words |
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2
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The 1st Reading - Family/Friend
State who this is to be, their relationship to you, and the full reading reference |
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3
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Monitum for Marriage |
Part of the legal requirements and by Celebrant Only |
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4
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The Giving Away - optional
State name of person & their relationship to you. |
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5
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The Asking - Celebrant |
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6
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The Vows - Repeat after Celebrant
Enter reference or attach own words. |
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7
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The Ring Ceremony
State the number of rings or other tokens to be given, the reference or own words. |
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8
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The 2nd Reading - Family/Friend
Family member or friend's name, and reference of reading . |
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9
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Wedding Blessing - Family/Friend
Family member or friend's name, give reference number of reading. |
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10
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Declaration of Marriage |
Celebrant Only |
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11
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Signing of Register
Supply FULL names of witnesses who must be over 18. |
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12
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Introduction
Select required introduction (ie. Mr & Mrs, etc.) |
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If you require any special words for loved ones passed on, please let your Celebrant know. Ensure that READERS are instructed to be at the ceremony at least 30 MINUTES prior to the wedding for a sound check and practice with your Celebrant, and to collect their readings. I am happy to do a rehearsal. It is highly recommended that you spend time with your bridal party going over what is required of them on the day, even if you elect not to have a wedding rehearsal. Most venues allow for rehearsals on non-busy days/times - all you have to do is ask them.
© Paul Forrest, Civil Marriage Celebrant, JP
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