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Leaves Shadow

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please note this is general guidance on marriage in Australia, not specific to individuals and their circumstances.  For further guidance, specific to your circumstances, please contact me.

  • This is a generic outline of what happens, however, every couple and ceremony are different, but this will at least give you an idea:

    1. Call or email for a chat to discuss what you are looking for, where and when so I can check my availability.

    2. We’ll meet and chat through everything in more detail and we’ll complete the first element of the legal paperwork.  The payment of the deposit locks in my services, exclusive to you, on that date.

    3. You take some time to finalise your ceremony and provide me with the details – I will use this to write the ceremony script.  (I can assist you write your vows/select readings etc).

    4. I will send you a draft script.  If you would like, we can meet up again in person, or online/FaceTime to chat things through.

    5. We will meet for a rehearsal (you and ideally your witnesses as a minimum), usually 24 hours before the ceremony at the venue.  We complete some more legal paperwork.  You can then relax before the big day.

    6. Your special day arrives and you just need to show up on time and let the day unfold!

  • This is someone who has trained specifically to be a marriage celebrant and holds a Certificate IV in Celebrancy AND has undergone a rigorous vetting process with the Attorney-General’s Department (eg referee checks, qualification checks, National Police Checks) and are “registered” on the Attorney-General’s Department website.  They are then registered to perform civil (non-religious) ceremonies and must undertake ongoing professional development each year and continue to be registered to allow the Attorney-General’s Department to regulate all marriage celebrancy activities and submit marriage paperwork, post ceremonies.

  • That is a decision only you can (and should) make.  

    You need someone that you feel comfortable with, that you have trust will complete all the legal paperwork correctly, that they are able to explain the legal stuff to you and not leave room for error (are they always thinking 2 steps ahead and have they discussed a Plan B with you eg in case your outdoor wedding gets rained on?).  You need to feel confident they “get you” and understand what you want from your special day.

  • To get married in Australia, you must:

    • not be married

    • not be marrying a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister

    • be at least 18 years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where 1 person is 16-18 years old

    • understand what marriage means and freely agree to marry

    • use specific words during the ceremony

    • give a completed Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) Form to an authorised marriage celebrant at least 1 month and no more than 18 months before your wedding

    • be married by an authorised marriage celebrant

     

    You do not have to be:

    • An Australian citizen

    • A permanent resident of Australia

  • Yes, we can meet and fill out the forms together and I will need to see:

    • evidence of your date and place of birth (eg original (not an extract) birth certificate or passport)

    • identity (driver's licence or passport)

    • proof that any previous marriage has ended

  • We need to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) – this can be done a minimum of one calendar month out from the ceremony (unless there are exceptional circumstances) up to a maximum of 18 months from the date of ceremony.

  • If there is less than 1 month until your wedding, talk to your authorised marriage celebrant. You may be able to get married if  a ”prescribed authority” approves it. Reasons for getting married in less than 1 month include:

    • employment-related or travel commitments

    • wedding or celebration arrangements

    • medical reasons

    • legal proceedings

    • error in giving notice.

    Evidence to support any early application will be required, along with a completed NOIM.  

    If you think this would be something for you, or what to know more about what’s involved, eg who is a prescribed authority, let’s chat asap!

  • It is a legal requirement for the ceremony to be witnessed by 2 people, aged 18 or over.  If there aren’t two witnesses, we can simply do a commitment ceremony, which is individual and unique to you, but is not a legal ceremony.

  • That depends entirely on you and what you would like to include, eg whether you are opting for “legals only” or if you want to include readings, music etc.  Let’s chat about what suits you as a couple.

  • Absolutely, I complete the forms, you just need to then read, check they are 100% accurate, then sign.  On the day, at the end of the ceremony, you and your 2 witnesses (who must be over 18) sign 3 forms: two copies of the Official Certificate of Marriage and the Form 15 Certificate of Marriage. Simple!

  • I would be delighted to work with one or both of you, individually, to help create something that is personal to you.  This can be added to the package cost at a small fee.

  • I don’t book more than one ceremony per day, so I can devote my time entirely to you and there is no time pressure or rushing to get from A to B.

  • As both parties getting married have to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) a minimum of one month prior to the legal ceremony, they do need to be aware of the wedding in advance.  However, it can be a “surprise” ceremony for your guests eg they think they are coming to a family birthday celebration and we “surprise” them on arrival with the news that it’s a wedding.

  • No, I will provide you with a memento, a ceremonial certificate (known as a Form 15).  

    If you would like an official marriage certificate from the Birth Deaths and Marriage (BDM) Registry, I can request this when I lodge your marriage paperwork (the quickest and easiest way), or you can do so yourself at a later date.  Additional costs are involved as the BDM charge for this but I can easily incorporate it into my service, so you don’t have to do this yourself.  

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    Note: You will need the official marriage certificate from the BDM if you wish to change your name or prove that you are married, the ceremonial certificate will not be sufficient in those circumstances.

Ceremonies other than legal marriage ceremonies.

  • Any life celebration celebrations eg 

    • Funerals and/or memorial services

    • Vow renewals

    • Commitment ceremonies

    • Baby naming

    • Engagements

    • Pet memorial services

    • and other “Life Celebration Ceremonies” on request

Funerals

  • No, the choice is absolutely yours.  Whilst they may have someone available, you are 100% able to engage with someone else.  It’s important that whoever you choose, listens to your needs and is able to deliver for you.

  • No, the choice is yours.  You can have a religious service conducted by a vicar/priest etc or, if you prefer, you can have a non-religious service.

  • A living funeral is a break with tradition and is a celebration at a time chosen by an individual.  The reasons for having them vary eg someone may have a terminal illness diagnosis or they may simply recognise they are aging.  What they do have in common is that an individual wants a chance to celebrate their amazing life with those special to them whilst they are able to participate and enjoy it themselves.

Vow renewals & commitment ceremonies

  • That depends entirely on you and what you would like to include, eg If you want to include readings, music etc.  Let’s chat about what suits you as a couple.

  • It is often a matter of personal choice or circumstance.  Whether it is a legal ceremony or not, it is an opportunity to celebrate your life and commitment to each other, with or without family and friends.

  • Absolutely, let’s chat and create a unique and personal event for the both of you.

Bride and Groom
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