A couple intending to get married must submit a form of notice to the Marriage Celebrant of that intention to get married. The prescribed forms are available from the me, you celebrant, or from the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. That form will require information from each person intending to get married, relating to date of birth, place of birth, any previous marriages, and any children from previous marriages.
Some documentary evidence in support of the Notice of Intended Marriage must be viewed by the Celebrant. A birth certificate, passport, citizenship document, or statutory declaration must be produced. This is so that the Celebrant can verify the date and place of birth as is required under the Marriage Act 1961. People who have been married before must produce evidence of the death of their previous spouse, or the dissolution of that marriage.
The Notice of Intended Marriage must be submitted no later than one month and one day and no earlier than eighteen months before the date of the intended marriage ceremony. An additional declaration must be made in writing on the appropriate form shortly before the ceremony. The bride and groom state in the declaration that they are legally able to get married, and that there is no impediment to a marriage with the intended partner.
Witnesses to the marriage must be eighteen years or over.
I also have information on marriage education and counselling available .
A couple may already have children together before their marriage. They may desire those children to be legitimated after the marriage. In this situation, assistance can be given to register the child or children in the Register of Legitimations.
Many weddings are conducted in outdoor locations. The venue may still have to be booked, and a fee paid to the relevant authority such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, or the local council. Check that there is adequate shelter for the wedding party and the guests in the event of rain. A table and chair will be required for the signing of certificates. These will be supplied by me your celebrant.
Your wedding day is very special to you. For that reason, you may like to have input to the wording or format of your ceremony. Besides thinking about the wording of your vows, you may like to include music or a recital as part of the ceremony. Discuss your ideas with me. I can give guidance on ceremony format. Of course if you I can select or compose a ceremony for you.
Music and weddings go together, although the natural sounds of an outdoor setting is also appropriate. If the bride is going to make an entrance accompanied by music, it is advisable to time the piece and to plan the entrance so that the bride arrives at the groom's side at approximately the same time as the music draws to a close.
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