Celebrate You By Sue Jennings

You can have and I would encourage you to have a huge amount of input to your wedding. There are certain parts of the wedding ceremony that must be included to satisfy the legal requirements, however, as long as these are included in some part, then I will guide and support you in creating a ceremony that is uniquely yours.

This is where I can help you.  I have a range of readings, verses, music and rituals that you can choose to include in your ceremony. The key to a unique and special wedding is to put your personality into it.  That is why it is so important we get to know each other, so I can craft something very personal, it will be more meaningful for both you and your guests. You may have a particular passion, perhaps an interest that brought you and your partner together, let's workshop how this may feature in your day. Some couples want a themed wedding, others want something very simple and for some, the more elaborate the better. My job is to help you achieve what you want your day to look like. On your special day, it's important to celebrate you, your way.  

A celebrant's job is often underestimated. To become a celebrant in Australia, one must successfully complete a Certificate IV with a registered training organisation. The Attorney General's Department must then be satisfied that the applicant is fit to become a "registered" celebrant and this process involves a comprehensive background check, referencing and an exam. On a yearly basis every celebrant must pay a registration fee to the AG and must undertake ongoing professional development. Your celebrant has to maintain equipment such as the PA system, update resources and stationery including legal documents such as the official wedding certificate that must be lodged with the department of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Then there is the time involved behind the scenes. Most celebrants will communicate with their couple numerous times via phone, email and text as well as meeting with them to meet and greet, sight documents and rehearsals. The script for the wedding ceremony will usually undergo numerous edits to ensure it is accurate, appropriate and importantly personalised for the couple. This is just a brief insight into the celebrant role, which involves a lot more than just a 20 minute ceremony. 

You must be over 18 years of age.  If one person is under the age of 18 marriage is still possible by parental consent as per section 12 of the Marriage Act. A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged with a Celebrant at least one calendar month prior to the wedding ceremony and is valid for 18 months.  I will prepare the document and witness your execution of the document.  You must present your original birth certificates or passports and another form of photo ID (i.e driver’s licence).  If either of you have been previously married, I will need to sight an original Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate.

To obtain a copy of your Birth Certificate or the Death Certificate of your former spouse contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If you require a copy of your Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute, contact the Family Law Court in the state in which the marriage was dissolved. For further details visit Family Law Courts.

• If parties born overseas do not have a passport and are unable to obtain a full birth certificate, I can prepare a statutory declaration for your execution.
• Foreign language documents must be translated into English and a NAATI accredited Translation Certificate supplied.

a. The ceremony must be witnessed by two people, over the age of eighteen years.  I cannot act as a witness.

b. The Marriage Act 1961 requires that certain statements are included in your ceremony.  I will explain this in more detail at our first meeting.

c. You must sign a declaration to state that there are no legal impediments to the marriage e.g. being married to someone else, the bride and groom being too closely related etc.

Most civil marriage ceremonies last between 10-15 minutes with an extra 5-7 minutes for the signing of the marriage register and certificates. Your ceremony may be shorter or longer depending on the content you would like to include.

Allowing 30 minutes from start to finish is a good guide.