A couple can have what ever you wish during your ceremony which is specific to your requirements, personality and even spiritual requirements which may be the wish to be in front of a beautiful garden or a sound of a ‘lapping’ seashore.
It may be a request for traditional walk by the bride, down the isle of a non-denominational church offered for the special occasional.
Whatever you feel will suit you both, and perhaps also someone special to either of you in terms of family, can be arranged to satisfy all.
You can choose poems/readings from anywhere, including any text of you belief or of spirituality. I have an expansive range to assist your choice if this will assist your choice/decision.
Your vows are a most special part of the ceremony and also a legal requirement.
You have the opportunity here to write your own words here; placing emphasis on such personal and pertinent feelings which you both wish to make public.
I will guide you where ever feel the need and also express the simple legal process in stating such vows.
The ceremony can comprise a traditional “asking” in which you each are asked, by me, to respond to the simple question of your desire and willingness to become husband and wife – and each answer: I will or I do etc.
The Vows are stated later on in the ceremony when you commit to each other by either reciting your chosen words as described earlier, or the couple read them straight out or can learn them ‘off by heart’ and state them to each other. It is up to you both as to your choice, and again, I can guide you and also be ready if one or the other forget their lines etc. All is in my “quiet, yet competent control” – please trust me – it always goes well !
You can be married wherever you wish, as long as it’s within the Australian land, sea and correct air space !
Prior to your wedding and as part of your plans, we can meet at least twice; first time to fill in with me the NIM form which I hold, and/or accept the NIM form from you which you have already filled in and perhaps, as in the case of over seas couples, have the form already signed. I check all of the completed form, and documents supplied, to assure there will be no, legal “hick-ups”, and if so, remedy it at once. If you require a rehearsal, this is appropriate and arranged at no extra cost to you.
At the last meeting with me, conscious that you both have much on your mind, I will present a final draft of your ceremony with the chosen poems/readings/prose which your have chosen/agreed on and then give you whatever you need if you wish to include much of the written ceremony in your wedding booklet – that is if you intend having one.
During the period of time from our first meeting to our last, I am in contact with you as much as you require via ‘phone and the ‘net, finalising your chosen ceremony.
Our laws require that a couple submit a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ form to me, as Celebrant, no less than one calendar month plus one day prior to the wedding date.
This NIM form remains active for 18 calendar months.
The form can be faxed to me, if the couple is overseas, or the long distance in Australia is an immediate concern. The original ‘Notice’ must be given to me when we first meet.
The form may be signed by one party (couple) initially, then by the other party prior to the wedding; although I am more comfortable, unless it is not possible or practical, for the couple to have signed the form either prior to or at our first meeting.
If overseas, and intending to travel to Australia to be married, the NIM form can be signed/witnessed by an Australian diplomatic Officer, an Australian Consular Officer, a notary public – with their official stamp placed on the form, and further advice may be obtained from the Australian Consul or the Australian Embassy in your country. It is wise to also make sure that your marriage, solemnised in Australia, will be recognised by your country.
It is necessary for the couple to bring with them to the initial meeting, an original, ‘extended’ Birth Certificate i.e. with parents’ details on it. If born outside of Australia, then either an overseas passport (even if expired – NOT cancelled) from your place of birth is acceptable. This shows evidence of both your identity and birth date. If an overseas born party cannot produce a birth certificate, then a Federal Statuary Declaration can be taken to state this reason. [You must be over 18 years of age to be married in Australia.] If either of the party have been divorced or widowed, then an original Divorce Decree papers, and/or a Death certificate of the former spouse must be provided.
The marriage is recognised when it becomes registered by the Department of Birth, Deaths and Marriages in the State where the marriage was solemnised.
This procedure can be commenced, by me, immediately after the wedding ceremony via the internet and after a confirmation/registration number is obtained, the relevant papers are forwarded, by me, to the Department for verification.
The married couple are then able to order, direct, over the ‘net the official marriage certificate or visit the Department in Sydney CBD.
I am able to directly order this official certificate immediately when transferring all the information required by the Department, and with this a commemorative certificate and have them sent directly to the couple's address.
It is advisable, and much more convenient for the ‘overseas’ couple to have me arrange this at the Departments price, and the couples expense, saving them a trip to the Department’s offices or send for it at a later time, perhaps when back home.