Your Australian Wedding Ceremony
Congratulations! You plan to have an Australian wedding. As your Australian Marriage Celebrant, I would be delighted to conduct your Australian wedding ceremony!
What does an Australian Authorised Marriage Celebrant do?
Australian wedding ceremony with Glenda Ashleigh, Brisbane’s Really Good Celebrant
- Rules and regulations for civil or secular wedding ceremonies are the same in all Australian States and Territories.
- I conduct these wedding ceremonies at any location within Australia on land, sea and air, at any time, and on any day of the year.
- See Marriage Celebrant definition for more information about what a Marriage Celebrant does.
Get the Right Information for How to Get Married Australia
Here are some questions about an Australian wedding ceremony that people often ask me when they contact me.
Who can marry in Australia?
Two people from anywhere in the world, who meet the Australian legal requirements can marry in Australia.
What are the residency requirements to marry in Australia?
There are no residency requirements to marry in Australia. You and your partner can marry on the day you arrive in Australia. If you wish to remain in Australia as a resident following your marriage, then you must have the relevant visa.
Do we need a marriage licence?
There is no licence to marry in Australia. You must however, lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with me as your authorised Celebrant at least one month before the intended date of the wedding ceremony. Are you in a hurry? A prescribed authority can shorten this one-month waiting time period under certain circumstances. This ‘shortening of time’ process starts when you book me as your Celebrant.
Do we have blood tests before we get married?
Australia does not require blood tests to get married.
Do we get a Marriage Certificate?
You receive a ‘ceremonial/presentation’ marriage certificate on the day you marry. This is a legal document that is proof of your marriage. This certificate is not an ID or personal identification document as it does not include your date of birth. However, the Registry in the State or Territory in which you marry can supply a copy of the Official Marriage Certificate for a fee.
Can we marry a second time in Australia?
You are already married if you marry legally in another country! You cannot marry again in Australia. However, you may choose a Renewal of Vows, Affirmation or Commitment ceremony so that your Australian family and friends can celebrate with you. Although these ceremonies have no legal status, they are great occasions for celebrations!
Can we only marry either at a religious venue or at the Registry Office?
You have a much wider choice! As an authorised Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrant, I conduct wedding ceremonies anywhere in Australia and on any day and at any time that is mutually convenient.
Do we attend pre-marriage counselling before we marry?
It is your choice. You choose whether or not you participate in any relationship education programs or in counselling before you marry. Relationship education is available in Australia, through both government and non-government agencies and information is freely available. As an authorised Commonwealth-registered Marriage Celebrant, however, it is mandatory that I give you information regarding relationship education agencies.
Do we have to say certain words?
The law requires that both parties say some specific words in a civil, or secular wedding ceremony. These words are as follows:
“I, (name of Bride/Groom/Spouse) call upon all persons here present to witness that I take you, (name of Bride/Groom/Spouse) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/spouse.”
There are some acceptable minor variations to this wording. For example, “call upon” to “ask”; “persons” to “people”; “thee” to “you”.
Do we use our full names in all parts of the wedding ceremony?
It is your choice. You choose whether or not to use only your given names when you make your lawful marriage vows. For example, a person whose full name is ‘Marion Aly Rose Wickham’, the given names are ‘Marion Aly Rose‘. You may even add a nickname, eg ‘Marion Aly Rose (Max).‘
Where the surname or family name eg ‘Wickham‘ does not appear in the lawful marriage vows, it is mandatory that it appears somewhere else in the ceremony. This usually happens early in the ceremony. This establishes the legal, personal identity of the individuals who make the contract of marriage.
Are wedding rings needed?
It is your choice. You choose whether or not you give or exchange rings, or anything else at the wedding ceremony. The two parties make the contract of marriage when they say the legal marriage vows.
Who gives who away?
It is your choice. You choose whether or not you wish that someone gives you away, accompanies, or presents you at the wedding ceremony. This is your personal choice.