Weddings
Hello and Congratulations on making the decision to Marry.
Weddings can be huge affairs or just a small number of people.
The minimum number of people required to make a marriage Legal, are:
The Celebrant, The Bride and Groom and two witnesses over the age of 18years.
There is no particular location that a Civil Marriage Ceremony must take place in, in Australia so the sky is the limit when making your decision.
I do not officiate at underwater or in the sky ceremonies (sky scraper buildings are not counted).
You will need to fill in the NOIM ( notice of intent to marry form) which I will provide for you at our first face to face meeting. You will also need your birth Certificates (not an extract)
In the event of one or both partners having been married before I will need to see the Decree Absolute as evidence that the marriage has Legally Ended. In the case of one or both partners havings been married before and the marriage ended when the partner became deceased, I will need to see a copy of the Death Certificate. Certified copies of last two forms will be sufficient.
My Motto is "Your Ceremony, Your Way"
My promise to you:
I will write and conduct the ceremony that you have in mind and not use a generic ceremony with just the names changed. I will not push my ideas onto you but I will suggest ideas if you do not have any. I am not racist, and I do not have any problem performing an alternate ceremony should that be what you would like. Religious ceremonies are not a problem and niether are cultural rituals. However I will have to draw upon your knowledge of your cultural background and the rituals performed in order to write and conduct the ceremony. I do have sample of poems and readings should you require them.
Forms I provide where necessary: NOIM, Official Marriage Certificate, Fancy Marriage Certificate, Statutory Declaration.
The Ceremony
Every Ceremony is written according to the clients wishes. A typical Ceremony would include:
The Arrival of the Bride accompanied by the person who is giving her away eg: Father, Mother or both, Brother, Uncle, Good Friend or No one
Processional: Bride and her attendants walk to join the Groom who is already waiting accompanied
by his attendants. A favourite song might be played here.
Introductions: I introduce the Bride and Groom and myself.
The Giving Away of the Bride by Father or etc.
A reading or Poem by myself or by a guest.
A prayer if requested, or a singer performs a song of special significance if requested.
The vows: the Bride and Groom may choose to say their own vows to one another or they repeat after me, vows they have chosen.
The giving of rings. It is tradition to give rings and not a legal requirement. Some couples prefer that only the Bride recieves a ring while others have rings for both the Bride and the Groom.
N.B. In every Ceremony there are words that by Legal Requirement I must say to make any marriage legal and binding.
The Declaration of Marriage
The signing of the register
The formal introduction of the Newly Married Couple
Conclusion
I thank the Guests for attending on behalf of the Bride and Groom and give a brief explanation of what is to happen next EG: Guests congratulate the Couple, Refreshments for guests while official photographs are taken. Information about the Reception (where, when)
Any other thanks requested.
I speak briefly with any guests who may wish to talk to me.
I discreetly depart.
The Ceremony can be as short or as long as the couple desire.
