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                               Legal stuff - let's get it out of the way first.

In accordance with the Australian Marriage Act 1961, a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form must be completed and received by the celebrant at least one calendar month before the marriage and remains valid for up to eighteen months before the marriage.  A copy of the NOIM is available for download  HERE: 

A prescribed authority may approve a shortening of time in some limited circumstances.

Please also note:
  • To marry, you must be over the age of 18 years, not in a prohibited relationship (too closely related) and not already legally married.
  • Two witnesses to the marriage will be required and they will need to be over the age of 18.
  • There are documents which you must produce and which have to be sighted by the celebrant
  • There are some compulsory words which must be said for your ceremony to be valid  (more about that later...)


The steps...

I offer an obligation-free meeting to get to know a little about each other; after all you will be trusting a stranger to share one of the most important times in your life. You need to be sure that I'm the right person to be your celebrant. We can also also talk about ceremonies, fees and what is included. So you may wish to go away and discuss it and perhaps come back later, or go ahead and proceed as below.  It's your choice.


 At the first meeting

Should you wish to go ahead, we commence the process by booking the date. There is non-refundable fee to secure a date and commence the process. (Your date can be changed, providing I am available).

Then we can get the formal requirements under way

(a) Sign the Notice of Intended Marriage which needs to be signed at least one calendar month before. To complete this step, you may be asked to produce some of the following documents:

  • Birth certificate or passport
  • Official translation of birth certificate if not in English
  • Statutory declarations if not born in Australia and no passport
  • Current photo ID, in the form of a driver's license or passport
  • Evidence of termination of any previous marriage, in the form of:
             -  Death certificate if either party has had a spouse who is deceased
-             - Divorce papers where a marriage was dissolved

(b)  Receive the Happily Ever Before and After pamphlet

    A celebrant is obliged to give each of you a copy of this pamphlet which details: something of what it means to be married, the laws you need to know about when you marry, where to go for marriage education, counselling or family dispute resolution.

(c)  Then we can begin the discussion of your special ceremony.  I will tell you which words must be used in the ceremony. I will outline a suggested order of service, but you can vary this in any way which suits you

(d)  You tell me what kind of wedding you would like and details such as:
  • Where are you thinking of having it?
  • What kind of tone would you like? - e.g formal / informal / traditional / unusual / romantic / intimate / your own choice
  • How many guests are likely to be there?
  • Any special words / readings you want included?
  • Who might be doing a reading or taking part in the ceremony?
  • Any rituals you might like?
Check out an order of service here


(e)  I send you a digital resources folder with readings, suggestions, notes and sample ceremonies, so you can begin to make some choices.


By phone or email

I am available at any time to answer queries, make suggestions, go over drafts, sort out problems, find more readings, or for any other reason.

At subsequent meetings

There may be more documents I need to sight (if not available at first meeting). We  put the ceremony together, discuss whether options will work, practice if you wish, discuss placement of wedding party, and I can answer any questions in person.

At the rehearsal or final meeting.

  • You will need to sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage. This MUST be signed prior to the marriage ceremony, or it will not take place.
  • Balance of fee is payable.
  • I will also have available the completed documents that you will sign on the day, for checking to make sure there are no errors.

A rehearsal is not a requirement and some couples choose not to have one at all. If there is to be a rehearsal it is preferable that it is at the venue so that we can be sure there is nothing which will impact on what you have chosen, e.g. make sure that the lighting will be right for your photographs, the sound system is appropriate and that your music works with the system. A rehearsal, even if not on site, ensures that all members of the wedding party know what they have to do. This will also help with any nerves anyone might be experiencing.

On the day

I will be at the venue at least half an hour before the start time. The PA system (if using) will be ready and someone instructed in its use for music if needed. The signing table will be set up during this time. Of course, if you are having a surprise wedding, the arrangements will be different.

I conduct your ceremony in the agreed way. I will present you with your commemorative Marriage Certificate and a presentation copy of your ceremony as a keepsake.


Afterwards

I will lodge the documents with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on the next available business day.  If your wedding is interstate, they will be sent by Registered Post.

I will notify you when your marriage is registered by the Authority, and will provide you with the documentation to order your Official Marriage Certificate, and Name Change kit, which has lists of the places which might need to be notified of your marriage.

It is always good to touch base later; feedback and reviews are most welcome.

I hope that your special day was what you dreamed about, and I wish you a long and happy marriage.




Eileen Dunstone, JP
Authorised Marriage Celebrant
3 Portus Place
Bruce  2617
0411 332 963   /  6251 4323
[email protected]