When can we get married?
You can book your marriage ceremony with me anytime up until one month prior to your ceremony date. You can register your intent to marry up to 18 months in advance with a civil celebrant, which is the maximum amount of time legally permitted to register your intent to marry.
The shortest amount of time between booking and your marriage ceremony is 4 weeks, there can be some exceptions where short notice periods are permitted, but this requires additional approval which we can discuss if need be.
Where can we get married?
Honestly, just about anywhere. I can legally perform a marriage ceremony anywhere as long as your NOIM has been lodged with me one month before the ceremony date. Beaches, Parks and Lookouts are popular given the wonderful weather we enjoy in Queensland.
If you are considering a Beach wedding, you may require a permit. Parks and Lookouts also require a permit, and most city councils charge a fee to secure the space. The easiest way to find out if the site you have chosen requires a permit is to search the local council’s website, and if necessary, give them a call before finalising the location if your chosen site isn’t listed in the permit section.
Do you travel?
Yes. I am based on the sunny Gold Coast, Qld, and I do ceremonies all around the Gold and Tweed Coast and across the Scenic Rim. I also cover Brisbane.
For any ceremonies outside of a 50km radius from my home in Parkwood I charge a small mileage fee to cover petrol and any road tolls.
What is the NOIM?
The NOIM or Notice of Intended Marry is the first piece of legal paperwork required to get married in Australia. It is the written notice that you want to get married. It has to be completed by the couple wanting to marry, and it must be witnessed by an authorised witness in Australia are: an authorised celebrant, a justice of the peace, a barrister or solicitor, a medical practitioner, a member of the federal, state or territory police.
When completing the NOIM you will both be required to show identification which confirms place and date of birth as well as identity. Choices for identification to use are current passport, current drivers’ licence and full birth certificate. If either of you have been previously married, you will need to show proof of the end of that marriage with either a death certificate or court issued divorce certificate.
What other paperwork is there?
The day before or on the day of the ceremony you will both need to sign a Declaration of No Impediment which is a legal document confirming there is nothing stopping you from going ahead with the marriage ceremony. For example, you are not legally married to anyone else, you are not being coerced or under the influence and unable to make clear decisions. It is a simple form you complete with me as your celebrant.
The other pieces of paperwork are signed during the ceremony which include two copies of the Marriage Certificate and the Commemorative Marriage Certificate which is the one you take with you on the day. It is important to note that the Commemorative Marriage Certificate is not suitable for use for legal purposes. If either of you is plan on changing your name, you will need a copy of the official Marriage Certificate.
When we are completing your NOIM I will ask you if you would like to pre-order a copy of your official Marriage Certificate which I can do for you during the NOIM process. To order your copy of the official certificate costs around $55 which is not included in your ceremony fees. You can also order your official certificate online via Birth, Deaths and Marriages in the state your marriage took place. You can order a copy at any time. The cost is the same and the certificate is posted to you which usually takes two weeks to arrive.
Who signs the paperwork at the ceremony?
You each sign the marriage certificates and the commemorative certificate on the day.
The signing is done in my presence witnessed by two witnesses. Your witnesses can be anyone present on the day who is over 18 years of age, and able to read and understand English as they are signing a legal document.
Once you have all signed, I sign as the registered civil celebrant and the ceremony is complete – you are married!
What are your payment terms?
If you decide to book with me, I send you several things (contract, information, inspiration etc) via email including your first invoice for your Booking Fee/Deposit which is 50% of your package fee.
Payment of your Booking Fee/Deposit is due before our first interview which is either online or in person. This is when I get to know you both a bit more, find out more about your story and your hopes for the ceremony and get the details I need to write YOUR ceremony. It is also when we fill in your Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM) which is the first piece of legal paperwork required to get married in Australia.
Your final invoice, the remaining 50% of your package price plus any additional costs like mileage or travel, is due 14 days prior to your ceremony.
What are your terms and conditions?
The full ts and cs are included in your contract but my general terms are as follows: The Booking Fee/Deposit is non-refundable. This fee covers the work I do once you book with me which includes securing your ceremony date, the preparation and lodgement of your Notice of Intended Marriage as well as preparing your ceremony script.
If you are booking my Your Ceremony & Photography package our photographer will have their own contract for you that is specific to the photography package including number of edited images as well as how you will receive them. My contract covers your marriage ceremony. The fee payment terms remain the same, and we work closely together to ensure your ceremony runs smoothly.
What if you or I get sick?
Before the big day I will confirm with you, as a couple, your preference with regards to what you would like to happen if I am ill on the day of your wedding and unable to perform your ceremony. Most couples agree to have me find a replacement celebrant which I can do through my professional association network, The Celebrant Society.
A replacement celebrant would be given you script by me, and the relevant paperwork so they can take over the legal elements of solemnising your marriage on the day. If one of you get sick and for any reason the ceremony date changes, there are a few things to consider. If I am not available on the new date chosen, I will either find a replacement for you via my professional association network or refund the final payment and provide you with the legal paperwork to give to your new celebrant.
In the instance of your ceremony date changing and the new date being after the expiration of the NOIM, e.g 18 months after the initial lodgement of the NOIM, a new contract agreement will be required which will include a new deposit as all your legal paperwork will need to be started again, including your NOIM.
Are you insured?
Yes. As a member of The Celebrant Society I am insured. I am a registered Civil Celebrant and details of my registration is available on the Australian Attorney General’s Department website. Insured by: Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited
Member of: The Celebrant Society
ABN: 62112332755
Any other questions? Get in touch or check out my social channels to get an idea of how I work.
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