Lifetimes Celebrant

Unlike the movies, marriage ceremonies cannot be a surprise to the other party to the marriage. This is based on one of the key premises of what makes a marriage legal and that is one of consent. It is deemed that a surprise in effect could be seen as one person not being given the required time to knowingly and willingly enter into the legal bonds of marriage.

HOWEVER, you can do a surprise ceremony for your guests as all the paperwork would have been completed beforehand and both parties would have confirmed no legal impediment to the marriage.

I have been part of a wedding where the couple had invited all their friends and family to what the guests believed was a 40th birthday party but was actually a wedding. The witnesses were also in on the secret too but that was easier as it was the mum of each of the marrying couple.

There are requirements for a wedding to be legal. One of which is the registration or notice of the intended marriage and the completion of the paperwork and the verification of the ID of the marrying couple. The lodgement of the intended date of wedding has to fall between 1 calendar month and 18 months after the date of notification.

So in short, no you can't get married any quicker than 1 calendar month after you pop the question.

UNLESS, there is a significant reason such as a medical emergency. In which case I can work with you to apply for something called a Legal Shortening. The application is submitted and the registrar has the final say over whether it is an acceptable reason. Under no circumstances should concrete plans be made until the legal shortening has been approved. Reasons such as a holiday, someone's birthday or a work event, won't cut it.

All celebrants have to complete registered training and also be licensed with the Attorney General's office. You can check these two details by simply asking to see the Training qualification and also visit the Attorney General's website and check the celebrant is indeed registered.

But after that part is done, how DO you choose?

Well it really is down to you and you feel that celebrant represents you and your wishes best. After all they will be on this journey with you and also help you be centre stage at this wonderful time of your life.

Sometimes its as simple as whether you felel you "gel" with them. You sometimes just get a feeling. 

Or it could be that they remind you of someone or a place that has fond memories.

I have a UK accent and sometimes couple choose me because of it. 

And sometimes don't choose me for the same reason.

Most celebrants offer a free no-obligation coffee and chat close to their homes or nowadays over Zoom or Skype or over the telephone.

Some couples also like to get a set of simple questions together to get the celebrant accross what they are after and then see if their values and approach to the ceremony align.

It is SOOOOOO important for both parties to feel they can bring out the best of the cermeony in way that fits.

So don't be afraid to say NO if something doesn't feel right.