FAQs

Common Questions about weddings:

What is the average length of the ceremony?

There is no set amount of time for a wedding ceremony. The average ceremony is around 20 minutes however, the length of time is completely up to you and the style of wedding you’d like.

Is a celebrant compulsory?

If you are having a civil ceremony in Australia a registered celebrant is required to solemnise your marriage according to law – The Marriage Act 1961 (Cth).

Are witnesses needed?

For your wedding to be lawful, you must have two witnesses over the age of 18 who are able to witness the ceremony and sign your marriage paperwork along with the couple and the celebrant on the day of the ceremony.

How soon can we get married?

A Notice of Intention to Marriage must be completed and received by the celebrant at least one calendar month prior to the intended date of the ceremony. Under special circumstances a prescribed authority may approve an application to shorten this period.  

What does a celebrant do?

After studying and being registered with the Australian Attorney General’s Dept to lawfully marry couples around Australia, celebrants have an important list of tasks. We complete a number of legal documents and include specific components into your ceremony to make it legally binding under The Marriage Act 1961. We also guide you through developing a ceremony structure to incorporate the readings, rituals and ideas you would like to include. We will provide the PA (if needed) and conduct the ceremony you desire.

What are the legal requirements to marry in Australia?

The parties need to be at least 18 years of age. In limited circumstances a court may allow the marriage of a couple where one party is between 16-18 years.

Both parties are not able to be married to anyone else (anywhere in the world).

Each party should understand the definition of marriage as being between two people for life and freely able to give their consent to marry.

A party is not able to marry their grandparent, parent or sibling including adopted siblings. You would both need to provide forms of identification for the initial paperwork to verify your identity and marital status.

What if you couldn’t conduct our ceremony?

I wouldn’t want to miss your big day however if exceptional circumstances occurred and I needed to, I would draw on my network of lovely colleagues and connect you with a suitable celebrant to conduct your ceremony. No additional cost to you of course. This hasn’t needed to happen yet!

Photo credits: Ray Messner Photography, Vispenn Photography, Little Way Photography, Pause the Moment, Ben Weinsten Photography, Blissful Dreams.