Celebrants online welcomes ...

Marriage Celebrant, David Courtney, CMC.

David is Scottish and prides himself on offering weddings that can incorporate authentic traditional Scottish ceremonies, e.g. hand-fasting, pinning of the tartan and sharing of the Loving Cup.

Based near Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, David travels extensively throughout the Sydney, Central Coast & Hunter Valley regions.

To learn more about David, visit his profile on Celebrants Online.

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Marriage Celebrant, Orna Binder, CMC.

Based in Sydney's Northern suburbs, Orna is an experienced Celebrant. She services all areas of Sydney and works out of a wide range of venues. Orna enjoys working closely with clients to produce ceremonies that are elegant and meaningful.

In addition to Wedding Ceremonies, Orna also celebrates Naming Ceremonies, Commitment/Love Ceremonies and Renewal of Vows Ceremonies.

To learn more about Orna, visit her profile on Celebrants Online.

Marriage Celebrants Program Reforms

Beginning 1st July 2014, the Australian Government is instituting a Marriage Celebrant Registration Charge.  First touted by the former Labor Government, the Marriage (Celebrant Registration Charge) Bill 2014 was passed by both Houses on 27th March.

The new Bill imposes an annual registration fee on all Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrants and allows for the fee to be indexed annually.

Set at $600, the registration fee is expected to net the Government approximately $6.3 million from over 10,500 eligible Celebrants. to the chagrin of many of those Celebrants, Ministers of religion of a recognised denomination proclaimed under Section 26 of the Marriage Act and State and Territory Officers authorised to celebrate marriages are exempt from the registration fee.

In addition to the registration fee, the Government will also raise funds by charging a fee to those applying for registration as a Marriage Celebrant and those seeking exemption from the various newly imposed charges!

Read the Bill Explanatory Memorandum here (pdf format in browser).

Wedding Dresses Transformed

Over 1,000 wedding dresses have been donated to a drive organised by WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas. The donated dresses will be transformed in to beautiful 'angel gowns' for babies that don't make it home from hospital.

The Angel Gown Program is run by NICU Helping Hands, a local Fort Worth organisation that supports parents dealing with the premature delivery of a child.

Accompanying the wedding dresses as they were donated were heartfelt stories of love and loss, and the desire to make a difference to families in their time of suffering.

What a beautiful outcome for one's wedding dress.

Bishop Backs Gay Marriage

Right Rev. Nick Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury has offered his support to gay marriage and gay couples, saying that gay marriage, "embodies a commitment to be faithful, loving, and lifelong. These are virtues which the Church of England wants to see maximised in society."

On Saturday, same-sex marriage became legal in Great Britain. Gay and lesbian couples across England and Wales were wed, to joyful acclaim from family, friends and the general public.

Although the Bishop was forthright in his comments, the Church of England is divided by the question of marriage equality. The Church's formal line is that Anglican clergy are not to marry partners of the same sex, despite heterosexual clergy being allowed to marry.

Bishop of Salisbury, Nick Holtam - Photograph: London News Pictures/Rex

Forced Marriage in Australia

The issue of forced marriage happening in Australia has reared its ugly head recently, with the case of a child being 'married' to a 26-year-old man.  The case came to light when the 'husband' attempted to enrol his 'wife' in school. The imam who celebrated the 'marriage' has been charged, as has the 26 year-old man.

Until this case hit the headlines, many Australians would have vehemently protested the notion that forced marriage happens here in Australia. "There are laws preventing such a thing happening." "That only happens in 3rd world countries!" "No one would do that to a child!" and so on.

But it does happen, it has been happening and it will continue to happen unless people are educated and more are willing to take a stand.

The Marriage Act expressly states that a couple being wed must be aged 18 or over, unless a court has waived that rule for one or other of the couple. And the Slavery Act just on a year ago was specifically changed to outlaw forced marriage in Australia.

And yet it still happens. At a forum held at the NSW Parliament a number of advocates against forced marriage called for increased education on the subject, for students and for religious leaders. Young women need to be educated in human rights and the laws of the land, as do the religious leaders who hold sway in their communities.

Over 14 million girls are forced in to marriage each year according to the charity, Plan International. This is an appalling, shocking statistic. Education and awareness raising, community and generational change may, in years to come, save some of these girls.

Child marriage in India, Public Domain from Wikimedia Commons

Marriage Equality on the Agenda Again?

The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Sydney by ACON Online

Tanya Plibersek, Deputy Opposition Leader, is set to introduce a new Marriage Equality Bill to Parliament.

Based closely on the Bill that was voted down in 2012, Plibersek has the support of Labor's caucus to introduce the private members bill.

Plibersek has indicated she will only introduce the bill if Prime Minister Tony Abbott allows all Liberal MPs a free, conscience vote as opposed to a Party bloc vote.

Without such a commitment, a new bill seems unlikely to pass.

The 2012 Bill was soundly defeated 48 votes to 92.

Anna Richards - Featured Marriage Celebrant

I wasn’t always going to be a Celebrant. In fact, when I was growing up and I used to sneak around the house when my father was preparing his Sunday sermon, it couldn’t have been further from my thoughts that I would one day be officiating at similar ceremonies myself. I spent the first forty odd years of my career being a nurse, still am a nurse! 

Anna Richards, CMC with Julie & Joe

Funnily enough, one day I went to watch a marriage ceremony because my daughter was one of the bridesmaids and I came to see her looking beautiful. That ceremony changed my life. I kept thinking of myself being the Celebrant and how I would have conducted the ceremony. The thought wouldn’t leave me and even though my husband thought I was nuts and definitely didn’t think I was serious I went ahead and did the course. It was one of those short crash courses and, as I didn’t even know how to use a computer then, it was the most difficult week of my life.

Anna Richards, CMC with Helen & Pasquale

I spent weeks pre-reading and preparing for the course. Most of the others just went home and Googled what they needed to know! I plodded on regardless and got through (teacher was very happy). The problem was the Government decided we had far too many celebrants at this time and I had to wait two years before I was registered even though I was qualified. Finally registration came through! Now for a booking!  Being a rather shy person I didn’t mention to anyone that I was a celebrant so needless to say, I didn’t get many bookings. 

That was 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I love my work and only nurse two days a week so I can spend time expanding my Celebrancy business. In 2012 I updated my qualification to Certificate IV in Celebrancy at The Gordon Institute of TAFE in Geelong to be able to provide my couples with even more resources and to give them the best ceremony possible and something they will always remember because it was just as they imagined it.

I like to think of myself as the friendly Celebrant with a professional image who really cares about and listens to what my couples want. It is their day and it should be all about them. I give them a 20 page comprehensive Celebrant resource booklet which covers everything from the legalities to examples of vows, readings, music, writing your own vows and how to apply for an official marriage certificate.

I have learnt how to use the computer by the way, and my computer guru son is quite impressed how I now manage my own blog, website and various other forms of social media.

I love performing marriages for couples from overseas and have helped many couples obtain their prospective spouse visas.

My most memorable ceremony was in a suburban backyard where the groom decided, after having first said the legal vows, to sing his own vows to his bride.  I was a little apprehensive but she loved it and it was amazing how he kept it all together. We were all in stitches!

Anna Richards, CMC with Annie & Ben

Destination Weddings - To Be or Not To Be?

So, you've decided to get married in Bali, Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand, Noumea ..... insert your destination here.  It'll be your dream wedding: bright blue sky, palm trees swaying, crystal clear sea gently lapping as you and your beau stand on the gleaming white sand and exchange vows.

But wait! What's wrong with this picture? Oh yes ... the guests.

Choosing an overseas destination for your wedding opens up a huge can of worms and can create all sorts of problems with family & friends. You will have valid reasons for choosing the location - it may be to tie in with a honeymoon, it may be that that has been your dream since you were tiny, it may be that family is spread out across the world and you've chosen what you think is a central location.

But have you thought about the expense involved for your family & friends?

Flights, accommodation, living expenses, use of annual leave or leave without pay ... all can add up to be a pretty costly endeavour. Your closest friends and nearest and dearest want to be with you as you celebrate such an important milestone so, when choosing the destination bride and groom should talk about what you might need to do to make it a reality for those you love. How much of the cost can you / are you willing to contribute? Can you set up some technological solution so those who really can't be with you in person on the day can still be a part of the occasion?

Talk with your family & friends well before-hand. Find out what they think about it. Ask them what you can do to make it a reality. This is such an important occasion. Do whatever you can to enable your loved ones to be with you. But be prepared for some knockbacks. Understand that not everyone can take leave at the drop of a hat. Realise that plans for annual leave may have already been made and can't be changed. Know that not everyone has the ability to save hundreds or thousands of $$, even when given plenty of notice. Perhaps you can have a relaxed, informal party when you return home and relive the occasion via your videos and photos?

Above all, be realistic about what you are planning and what you are asking of your potential guests.

Wedding trellis with twin palm trees by Captain Skyhawk / CC from Flickr

Beijing Wedding Outfit Accessory

Not sure if this article is fair dinkum or whether it's a political protest with models, as the couple is not named at all in the article.  Nor in the various other articles I looked at. Regardless, it does highlight the horrific pollution blanketing Beijing and the impact it's having on the daily life of the citizens. Perhaps gas masks will become de rigueur ... the next trend?

Image from the Mirror via Twitter / AFP

Owl Behaviour

Years ago I came across a delightful book about an owl called Uhu (pronounced Yoo-Hoo) by Annette Macarthur-Onslow.  It tells of the short life and untimely death of a baby tawny owl that had fallen from its nest and been rescued by Macarthur-Onslow.

Today I'm reading about another owl, Wesley the barn owl, who is the subject of a NY Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller. In the first couple of pages of her book, Stacey O'Brien talks about the 'Way of the Owl'.

"Owls mate for life, and when an owl's mate dies, he doesn't necessarily go out and find another partner. Instead, he might turn his head to face the tree on which he's sitting and stare fixedly in a deep depression until he dies. Such profound grief is indicative of how passionately owls can feel and how devoted they are to their mates. This is the Way of the Owl."

Until Death Us Do Part ...

Every so often we hear stories from friends, colleagues & family about couples who've lived and loved for decades, dying within a few hours of each other. Here's a beautiful story of a love lived long ...

Ed holds Floreen's hand. Photo courtesy of Renee Hirsh, their daughter

Floreen and Edward Hale are a Canadian couple who died recently, just 36 hours apart. As Floreen died, her husband of 60 years held her hand and comforted her to the end. Thanks to the wonderful work of staff from two hospitals, Ed and Floreen were brought together to share their final hours. Love in action, right to the end.

Marriage Ceremonies ... within the Marriage Ceremony

Just the right ceremony for you! - by Guest Contributor, Robyn Rodda, CMC 

These days, weddings are so much more fun than they used to be. Gone are the days of having to go through a ceremony that's long and boring for the bride, groom and guests. Couples have a lot more input now, with as little or as much personal aspects as they wish. Another benefit of the modern day wedding is the innovation of different ceremonies and rituals, such as “The Heart Lock” (where couples use a lock as a symbol of their lifetime love for one another) and the “Rose Ceremony” (with the bride and groom during the ceremony each presenting the other with a rose, representing the words “I love you”).

While most of these rituals come from much earlier days, they have adapted to modern times to be short little ceremonies within the main wedding ceremony. For example, a Handfasting ceremony comes from Celtic weddings but is now often adapted to suit any contemporary service. But undoubtedly, the most popular of these ceremonies within ceremonies are Sand, Ring Warming and Unity Candles.

 A wedding sand ceremony is very popular. Two vessels of sand are poured together either into a third keepsake vessel or into the wind, to represent the coming together of your lives. It can also be a wonderful way to unite two families if either party has children already from a previous relationship. Each member of the family is represented by different colour sand, and as each is poured into the container, the individual portions of sand will no longer exist on their own, but will instead be joined together as one. Just as every individual grain of sand has its own unique beauty, strength and character, when blended together, they form an entirely new and extraordinarily more intricate whole. Like marriage, the sand ceremony respects the individuality of each person, but also unites them as one.

The ring warming ceremony is one that can include all of your guests or just a handful of them. During a ring warming, the couple’s wedding rings are passed among their guests, as the rings are a visible sign of the couple’s commitment to one another. Each guest is invited to hold the rings for a moment, warms them with their hands and makes a silent prayer, blessing or personal wish for the health and happiness of the couple, and their future together. When the rings come back, the warmth of these precious rings represents all the hopes and dreams from their family and friends.

But my favourite ritual is the Unity Candle Ceremony, although it is not recommended to be done outside as the candles will not stay lit. The flames from the candles represent the “light” and “souls” of the bride and groom, and this ritual is done with one large, central “unity” candle, and two smaller candles on either side. The two smaller candles symbolize the separate lives, families and experiences of the bride and groom before the wedding day, and these candles are lit early in the ceremony by a member from each family, usually the mother. After the exchange of vows, but before the exchange of rings, the bride and groom take each side candle and light the centre unity candle together, uniting the families and experiences into one.

The beauty of all of these types of ceremonies is that they can be adapted to suit anybody in any way. Changing the core of the ceremony does not necessarily make the service right or wrong, but more individual. And by adding one of these rituals, the wedding can be far more entertaining and personal, and not tiresome or uninteresting.

Robyn Rodda

Civil/Marriage Celebrant

www.robynsweddings.com.au

www.facebook.com/pages/robyns-weddings

www.twitter.com/Robynsweddings

Making Your Marriage Last

A quick search on the web reveals a multitude of tips & tricks to ensuring a long-lived marriage.  Two articles I just came across offer advice from quite different sources - long-married couples and an unmarried Pope!

Sweethearts by Patrick - CC on Flickr

The HuffPost Wedding site article, Tried and true marriage advice, includes pithy thoughts and tips from a select group of 9 long-married couples. My favourite is the advice from 65-years married, Jenny & Manny DaSilva, to touch toes when you go to bed.

And from Agnes and Harry Hutfles, married for 60 years, "You give and you give and you give." And if both are giving, then both are also receiving.

The advice given by the 9 couples may seem trivial, and I'm sure their suggestions aren't the only things that have kept them together over the years through the ups and downs of their long marriages. But as little things that can be done mindfully, they add up, and are positive and affirming.

Pope Francis also has some tips on how to achieve a healthy, happy marriage. His advice can be summed up in 3 words - Please, Thanks, Sorry.

Speaking on Valentine's Day to 12,500 couples, Francis said that courtesy, gratitude and contrition shown towards the other can go a long way to ensuring a lasting marriage. Again, it's about the little things being done mindfully to affirm and respect each other.

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Funeral Celebrant, Jenny Tacken.

Based in Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs, Jenny offers personalised & caring Life Tributes. She works closely with the bereaved to create a fitting tribute that commemorates a loved one's life, personality & achievements.

In addition to Funeral ceremonies, Jenny also celebrates Naming Ceremonies & Pet Funerals / Memorial Ceremonies.

To learn more about Jenny, visit her profile on Celebrants Online.

Get Married for $36,200?

Wow, do you have a spare $36,200 to devote to your wedding day?  Apparently, that's what it'll take to get yourselves hitched! At least, according to the latest data from ASIC, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. ASIC's data comes from 400 online responses to a survey it ran on its MoneySmart website in December 2013.

Check out the infographic here at Lifehacker. You'll see that, apparently, couples spend about $18,000 on catering, almost $4,000 on photography and almost $3,000 on flowers.

So, where does your actual Ceremony fit in to this picture? At just over $900, that's where. And I'm guessing that figure includes photocopying your order of service and other minor expenses, as well as your Celebrant.

Your Celebrant is the one who celebrates your ceremony, lodges the paperwork and ensures that you are legally married. Without that involvement you aren't actually married! All the rest - $35,000 worth - is really just a party. Pretty expensive party if you ask me.

Getting Married in Bali?

Are you among the growing number of Australian couples planning to get married in Bali?  If you are, take care that your Bali wedding planner is legal.

The Bali Wedding Association is a new organisation of registered wedding organisers. Currently, the Association has about 100 members.

Deden Acep Saefulloh, Chair of the new organisation, suggests that couples ensure they have a means of contacting their planner other than just email address. Office address and phone contact is a good start. He also advises using locally-based planners rather than an overseas-based planner that may not be fully aware of all the rules and regulations relating to marriage in Bali.

Inter-caste Marriage

In many western countries the marriage issue that garners the most press is that of marriage equality or same-sex marriage. But in many other countries there are other marriage issues that concern young and old. I came across this article by Prayas Raj Koirala about inter-caste marriage.

From a Times of India article on inter-caste marriage

In India, many of the arguments against inter-caste marriage sound similar to those against same-sex marriage:

• - against tradition
• - break down the family / society
• - sinful
• - disrespectful to one's family

It's interesting to learn of the struggles faced by others throughout the world in relation to getting married. We might like to think that marriage is a personal act but Prayas and the Times of India article remind us of the social and political elements tied up in this ceremonial act.

Marriage Equality for Scotland

UK Dept for Culture, Media and Sport

Scotland has become the 17th country to legalize same-sex marriage. With a vote of 105 to 18, Parliament was overwhelmingly in favour of the change.

The new law should come in to effect later this year. Religious organisations which opposed the move to marriage equality will not be made to celebrate same-sex weddings on their premises.

A government consultation prior to the passing of the new bill resulted in over 77,000 responses - a record number of responses that indicates the huge level of public interest in this issue.

Read more about Scotland's historic decision here.

Shortening of Notice Period

Here's a heart-warming yet terribly sad story of a US couple who were married, with a shortened period of notice, due to family illness. Aly & Anthony Femia arranged their wedding within a 24-hour period after Aly's mum was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.

BuzzFeed's telling of the story of the couple from New Haven, Connecticut has lots of photos of the happy/sad occasion.

Aly & Anthony celebrate their wedding at New Haven Hospital.
Picture by Aly Femia.

Getting Married in Shortened Time

Australian law says that you can get married a month after lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form with a Marriage Celebrant. Sometimes though, a couple may need to get married sooner than that. Is that possible?

Yes, indeed. There are some circumstances for which an exception may be made. In each of these cases an application for shortening may be filed - with the Prescribed Authority - for consideration. The 5 circumstances are:

• employment related or other travel commitments


• wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious considerations


• medical reasons


• legal proceedings, or


• an error in giving notice

The above are the only situations in which consideration may be given to shortening the one month notice period. There's no guarantee that a shortening will be granted, so couples should never bank on their application receiving automatic approval. You can see the type of situations that may be considered here on the Australian Government ComLaw website.

Click here for the official Application to shorten period of notice of intent to marry.

Coming Out for Marriage

It takes courage to come out and stand up for difference. It takes particular courage for people of faith to come out against the tenets of their faith. And so, it is gratifying to discover people of courage willing to come out in favour of Marriage Equality.

Rev. Andrew Clive Millard is such a man of courage. He's a Virginia clergyman who will be standing up for Marriage Equality on February 14, St. Valentine's Day, the day that traditionally celebrates Love & Lovers. Rev. Andrew will join other people of faith as a Witness for LOVE, standing up for Marriage Equality in the US state of Virginia.

Read Rev. Andrew's thoughts about Marriage here.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula minister, Rev. Andrew Clive Millard

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Marriage Celebrants Eunice Phipps, CMC and Glenda Belcher, CMC.

Eunice is a Brisbane-based Marriage Celebrant who conducts ceremonies from the Gold Coast to the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane,  Bayside to Toowoomba and Beaudesert.

Humbled by her appointment as a Marriage Celebrant, Eunice is totally committed to helping you with your celebration, be it a Wedding, Naming, Commitment or Renewal of Vows.

For further information about Eunice, visit her Celebrants Online profile.






Glenda Belcher, CMC lives in Daylesford in Central Victoria. As a former secondary school teacher, Glenda is highly skilled in writing ceremonies. She prides herself on being caring, organised, professional and open-minded.

To find out more about Glenda, visit her Celebrants Online profile today.

Marriage & name change

If you are going to change your name on getting married, you may find it helpful to use a Change of Name kit.

Such kits usually include all the official forms you might need, and step by step instructions, for changing your drivers licence, registration, passport, bank accounts, electoral enrolment, Medicare, private health funds, superannuation, insurance policies, memberships, store accounts, and more!

I've just done a quick search on Google and come up with some sites that may be useful, (in no particular order):

• Name Change Kits from Newlywed

• Smart Bride Name Change Kit from The Smart Bride

• Marriage Name Change Kit from After the Wedding

There are other sites out there offering a similar service - just be mindful that you select a kit that applies to the country/state you live in.

The above is an update of an article originally published on 29-Sept-2007.

14-carat gold wedding rings by Jeff Belmonte from Cuiabá, Brazil

Marriage - What does it mean to you?

Do you have strong feelings or thoughts on the topic of Marriage and Weddings?  If so, Relationships Australia (SA) is inviting you to share them.

The South Australian branch of Relationships Australia wants to learn more about people's attitudes to weddings, marriage, and divorce ... and they're hoping you'll share your thoughts with them.

Survey results will inform the organisation's practice and assist with planning its education and counselling programmes.

If you're interested in participating in the 5 minute survey, click here. 

Wedding trends? Really?

I loved reading Pip Doyle's article on Daily Life commenting on six new wedding ideas or trends that may be big in 2014. The ideas were originally proposed by Simone Hill in her post on The Knot.

I read Simone's post first and my reactions were as follows:
1. What the? - Living table numbers
2. OMG, that doesn't look too safe! - Suspended wedding cakes
3. Mmm, nice. - Multiple engagement rings
4. Like that, the colours look beautiful! - Prickly centrepieces
5. Where are the chairs for the oldies? - Picnic-style receptions
6. You've got to be kidding! - Pretty phone charging stations

Then I read Pip's commentary and laughed out loud. Her very down-to-earth style and spot-on thoughts highlight the inanity of some of these potential 'trends'.

For the life of me, I can't see why any bride or groom who is dreaming of a unique, personal, individual ceremony and reception would blindly follow trends. Why follow the crowd? Is that original? Or unique? Does it really speak to the life and personality of the bridal couple? I don't think so.

Should we follow trends? by CALLit-ringo

Celebrants Online welcomes ...

Marriage Celebrants Leah Phillips, CMC and Alannah Sheridan, CMC.


Based on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula, Leah is a Marriage Celebrant for areas including Colac, Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Melbourne's Western Suburbs.

On her website, Leah describes herself as 'a very friendly, easy going, caring and young professional celebrant'. She is totally committed to helping you with your celebration, be it a Wedding, Naming, Commitment or other ceremony.

For further information about Leah, visit her Celebrants Online profile.



Alannah Sheridan, CMC is a Melbourne Marriage Celebrant based in North Fitzroy. She travels across Melbourne celebrating Marriages and other ceremonies.

As your Celebrant, Alannah aims to inspire, guide and support you as you prepare and celebrate your special occasion.

To find out more about Alannah, visit her Celebrants Online profile today.

Your Marriage Certificate

You, your Marriage Celebrant and witnesses will all sign 3 Marriage certificates on your wedding day:

1. Form 16 - the official Certificate of Marriage that is sent to the relevant BDM
2. the Certificate of Marriage that is kept by the authorised Marriage Celebrant
3. Form 15 - the Certificate of Marriage that is given to the bride and groom

The Form 15 Marriage Certificate has a variety of in-built security features, including special inks and a unique number. Although not an official identity document it can be used as evidence that a couple is married. This certificate is NOT able to be replaced if lost, so keep it in a safe place.

You can see a sample copy of the certificate here.

Remember that the Certificate you receive is evidence of your change in marital status. it is not a proof of identity document and, in some cases, will not be accepted as such.

Further information about Certificates of Marriage can be found in Guidelines on the Marriage Act 1961 for Marriage Celebrants.

The above is a revision of an article originally posted on 20-Sep-2007.

Certificate of Marriage - Civil Ceremonies - Sample Copy

 

Notice of Intended Marriage - NOIM

Your Marriage Celebrant can assist you in filling out the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form. Completing this form is part of the legal requirements of getting married in Australia.

You need to give this completed form to the Marriage Celebrant who will conduct your wedding. This can be done up to 18 months before your wedding and at least one month before the ceremony. The information included on the form is used by the Registrar of Marriages to register your marriage. Non-identifying information on the form is also used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics when it generates statistics on marriage and family life in Australia.

The Marriage Celebrant must sight official evidence of the date & place of birth of both the bride & groom. There is a section on the form where the Marriage Celebrant indicates they have sighted your official identification documentation or a statutory declaration.

The form has 4 pages and can be completed online and printed out to be witnessed and signed by the Marriage Celebrant or an authorised witness.

Your Marriage Celebrant will have a copy of this form to give you, but you can also follow the link above to download a pdf copy from the website of the Attorney-General.

The above is a revision of an article originally posted on 19-Sep-2007.

Front page of the Notice of Intended Marriage form

Marriage Celebrant Code of Practice

Did you know that Marriage Celebrants have a recognised Code of Practice under which they operate?

The Code is a 3-page document with 6 sections covering:

1. To whom the Code applies
2. High service standard expectations
3. Recognition of the significance of Marriage
4. Compliance with the Marriage Act and related laws
5. General requirements of Marriage Celebrants
6. Knowledge & understanding of Family Relationships Services

 This Code outlines the expected behaviour, community standing and appropriate practice of the Marriage Celebrant in relation to conducting your Marriage Ceremony.

Your Marriage Celebrant will give you a copy of the Code of Practice. This ensures that you are aware of the level of service you can expect from your Celebrant.

The above is a revision of an article originally posted on 18-Sep-2007.

Pg. 1 of the Marriage Celebrant Code of Practice