Questions that may be on your mind!
And probably, some that you didn't even realise you need to ask.
Read on to find out answers to the most common questions.
If you have a question that is not covered, then simply contact me and I will be more than happy to help.
Why get married by a marriage celebrant?
More and more people each year choose to be married by a marriage celebrant (66%) rather than a minister of religion (34%). The main reason is because marriage celebrants provide choice and flexibility with when, where and how you can get married.
What does a marriage celebrant do?
A marriage celebrant’s primary role is to ensure that the marriage is a valid one. This means:
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Providing you with information and resources so that you have the type of wedding ceremony you like,
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Conducting a rehearsal before the actual wedding ceremony to make sure that you are happy with the ceremony,
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Officiating your wedding ceremony, and of course
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Ensuring that all the necessary legal documents are accurately prepared, completed and lodged with the appropriate government body within the prescribed timeframes.
When do I need to book a marriage celebrant?
You should call me on 0403 122 593 as soon as you have set your wedding date. Once you have confirmed the booking, I will dedicate my time and effort to ensure that your ceremony is just the way you had imagined.
Is it possible to meet you first before booking you in?
Yes, of course. I strongly believe that we both need to feel a connection so that we can interact freely and honestly during the process leading up to the ceremony and beyond. After talking with me over the phone, some people already feel connected and book the first meeting. Others would prefer a face to face meeting before making their decision. Either way suits me fine.
What happens at the first meeting?
The first meeting usually takes place at my premises and takes about 1.5 hours. It is an opportunity for both of us to ask questions and to get to know each other better. I will discuss with you the wedding details, explore your expectations and ideas and get a sense of your preferences. I will take you through my wedding resources and provide you with ceremony ideas for you to consider.
I will also complete the Notice of Intended Marriage for you (if you have not done this already) and sight your birth certificates, passport, photographic identification etc.
What do I need to do to get married?
The first step is to complete and lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage with me at least one calendar month prior to the wedding date (but no more than 18 months before the wedding date).
What if I don’t have the required documentation?
You must produce either your original birth certificate or your passport.
If you do not have a passport and you cannot locate your birth certificate, you will need to apply at Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State/Territory in which you born or the relevant authorities in the relevant country to obtain the required document. I suggest that you attend to this as soon as you can as it might take some time for your application to be processed.
What do I do if my documentation is in a foreign language?
You will need to arrange for your documentation to be translated by an accredited translator from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Click here for more information.
When and where can a marriage ceremony take place?
The marriage ceremony can take place on any day of the week, at any time and at any place within Australia, its waters or its airspace.
My partner doesn’t speak English – can the marriage ceremony be in a different language?
Accredited interpreters must and should be used if you or your guests require it. An interpreter deals with the spoken word or signed language (eg Auslan) and is required for situations where people need to understand what is being said or need to have others understand them.
As I am a Greek Celebrant, I can conduct your ceremony in Greek.
What does a marriage ceremony look like?
The order and structure of a wedding ceremony can be in any way you like and can include any ritual or symbols that you like. A basic ceremony structure is as follows:
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Processional by bridal party
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Welcome and Introduction
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First reading of poetry or other text
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Monitum (mandatory)
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The asking
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Vows (mandatory)
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Exchange of rings
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Second reading of poetry or other text
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Pronouncement
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Signing of marriage register (mandatory)
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Introduction of married couple
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Recessional of bridal party
Apart from the mandatory parts, the rest of the ceremony can be designed at your discretion. For instance, you can only have one reading or none at all. You can have a number of rituals such as, exchanging rings, lighting unity candles, hand-fasting, a pledge by the guests and so forth.
It is important for us to work together to create a ceremony that meets your individual needs and expectations. There are many options from which you can choose and we can go through these together. Once you’ve had time to think it through and know what you want included/excluded, I can start to design the marriage ceremony just for you.
Can I have religious or cultural content in the marriage ceremony?
You can include any religious and or cultural content as you like. This may be especially important for some inter-faith couples or couples that would like to add some spirituality to their ceremony.
It is important for you to have an authentic ceremony that distinguishes your beliefs and is meaningful to you. I am committed to this philosophy and will work with you to achieve this goal.
What do I need to do if I live overseas and would like to get married in Australia?
You don’t need to be an Australian resident to marry in Australia but you do need to meet the legal requirements – see legal info.