Frequently Asked Questions

The Marriage Act 1961 defines marriage as “the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”. This new definition became law on 9th December 2017 allowing all members of the LGBTQIA community to be included within the Marriage Act.

1. Not to be married to someone else.
2. Not be related to your partner – parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother or sister including by adoption.
3. Be at least 18 years old, unless a court has approved a marriage where 1 person is 16-18 years old under Section 12 of the Marriage Act 1961.
4. Understand what marriage means and freely consent to getting married.
5. Use specific words during the ceremony.
6. Lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant, further details below.

1. Secure Louise as your Celebrant.
2. Notice of Intended Marriage lodged with Louise.
   Lodged no less than one month prior to your wedding date and valid for 18 months.
3. Declaration of No Legal Impediment signed by both partners stating there is no legal obstruction to your marriage. This is usually done at the time of rehearsal or just before your marriage.
4. Three Marriage Certificates signed together with two witness’ over the age of 18.

1. Birth Certificate and Drivers Licence or Passport that has not been cancelled. These documents provide proof of date and place of birth together with photo ID.
2. If your Name is Different from your Birth Certificate:
   • Marriage Certificate or
   • Change of Name Certificate issued by Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM)
   • Or Australian Citizenship Certificate
3. If you have been Previously Married, proof of how your last marriage ended:
   • Divorce Certificate
   • Decree Absolute
   • Death Certificate
4. If documents are not in English a translation by a Level 3 or higher qualified NAATI Translator (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd). They can be contacted as follows:
   Website https://www.naati.com.au/contact/
   Email info@naati.com.au
   Phone 1300 557 470

Once you have chosen your Venue and date, this is the time to choose your celebrant. A celebrant is the most important part of your day! Without a Celebrant it is just an expensive party! The right Celebrant comes down to trust and knowing they will do a great job.

Good Question! Pick up the phone and have a chat. Are you on the same wavelength and have a good feeling about them? That emotional connection is important to enable the celebrant to recreate your vision. Will they deliver a great ceremony as well as have attention to detail? Celebrants’ standards vary and it is important to get it right.

The ideal is about 30 minutes. This starts when the Bridesmaids walk down the aisle until the Bride and Groom make their exit. I have found this is the ideal timeframe to hold everyone’s attention without going too long. You do not want guests yawning.

This is a personal choice; you may choose to write your own or choose from my Booklet with many suggestions and creating yours by cutting and pasting.

Well, I think it’s a good idea! unless you are a small sized wedding party. It takes some of the nerves out of the day and everyone knows what their role will be and what to expect. I also believe it’s necessary to achieve a polished, professional, beautifully flowing ceremony. The added benefits are great looking photos and a ceremony that sets the scene and mood for the reception!

You can download your music and play through my PA System. This is a complimentary service and is free of charge. You will need to ask a Tech Savvy person to oversee the music that will work with me. Depending on the size of your wedding party you could choose 1 or 2 songs for the bridal party to walk in with. A song for the signing and a song for the exit. YouTube top 50 wedding music/songs is a great place to start looking.

Yes, anywhere from a park, beach, backyard, venue, mountain top, restaurant, art gallery, inside your home, at sea or in the air as long as you have permission and are in Australian Territorial GPS coordinates. Be aware there may be fees and permits involved.

No, anyone can marry in Australia provided they are over the age of 18 and not currently married. If one of you is between the age of 16-18, you are required to obtain your parents consent on the required form and a court order under Section 12 of the Marriage Act.

I dress to fit in with the Bridal Party and theme of the day, choosing a colour that will not clash with the Bridesmaids.

I have contacts within these services that cater to different budgets and will give you the best advice.

Recommendations coming soon.