Frequently Asked Questions

​When a couple marries under Australian law, their legal status formally changes and affects other areas of their lives. Finances, property, children and Wills are just a few of things affected by a change in a couple's legal status through marriage.

On this page you will find some important things you need to know about getting married in Australia, including the current legal requirements, what things need to be said within the marriage ceremony, and more.

What Are Your Fees?
The fees for each type of ceremony I conduct are listed in the headings on the Wedding Ceremonies and Other Ceremonies pages. 

But Why Pay So Much For 20 Minutes Work On My Wedding Day?
The "20 minutes" is the time taken to deliver your wedding ceremony on the day. What people don't see is the hours of work that have gone into planning and developing your ceremony, meeting with you to complete paperwork and discuss the ceremony, and the time taken to rehearse the ceremony in your chosen venue (if required).

I Need To Marry Quickly - Do I Have To Wait A Month?
There are some special circumstances which enable you to obtain permission to marry under the month-and-day notice period. Contact me for further information about how to do this.

My Fiance Lives Overseas - What Do We Need To Do?
If you live here, you can lodge the Notice of Intended Marriage, and your fiance can complete the papers when he/she arrives after gaining a visa. Copies of information your fiance needs as part of his/her visa application can also be provided by your celebrant.

Can I Write My Own Vows?
Of course you can - in fact, you can write the entire ceremony yourself, if you wish. However, you need to be aware that some specific legal information including required marriage vows must be incorporated into your ceremony. I can provide further guidance on this, and there is further information under the "Marriage Legalities" page.

Do You Let Us Do What We Want In Our Ceremony?
As long as the legal elements are incorporated in your ceremony, you are welcome to structure the ceremony to feature anything else that you like. Obviously, if something you aimed to do could be illegal or possibly risking public safety, I would strongly (but courteously!) advise you against doing it.

How Long Does A Ceremony Take?
The average civil ceremony without readings and rituals in it will take 12-15 minutes to conduct, including the processional, signing and recessional. When readings and rituals are added into the ceremony, it may take as long as 20 to 25 minutes or more. Civil weddings rarely go beyond 30 minutes. It is possible to have an ultra-short, sub-10 minute ceremony if desired. By comparison, some religious faiths take up to an hour to conduct a marriage ceremony according to the rites of the particular faith.

What Happens If We Need To Use An Interpreter?
As I only conduct ceremonies in the English language, an interpreter will be needed in situations where either the couple or their official witnesses do not speak/understand English fluently. 

The couple/witnesses must fully understand what is taking place in the marriage ceremony, and what they are committing themselves to by saying vows and signing papers. If they don't, the marriage could be declared invalid and the celebrant could face legal and disciplinary action. 

An interpreter works with the celebrant to ensure the celebrant meets his/her legal obligations in conducting a valid marriage ceremony for non-English speaking couples/witnesses. 

Do You Supply A Table And Chairs For Signing At Ceremonies?
No, I do not supply these items because they pose a public liability insurance risk.

How Do I Change My Name After Marrying?
Although you receive a Marriage Certificate at your wedding, you CANNOT use this to change your name because it is not one of the Federal Government's approved primary identification documents. 

You need to order a Registered Copy of the Marriage Certificate from the Registering Authority of the state/territory in which you married. 

If I Cancel My Ceremony, Will You Give Me A Refund?
Yes - but the amount of the refund will depend on how much you have paid and what work I have performed for you prior to your cancelling the ceremony. My Full Terms and Conditions of Booking will outline the circumstances under which you can cancel your ceremony and how refunds are paid.

Are There Occasions When You Would Cancel On Couples?
Yes, in the following  circumstances:

1) Failure by the clients to pay for my ceremony services in full before the day of the wedding.
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2) If the bride/groom (and official witnesses) were under the influence of alcohol/mind-altering substances. (Witnesses can be replaced but obviously the couple can't. The ceremony can be delayed or rescheduled if these circumstances arose).