Can the celebrant refer to us as husband and wife in a commitment ceremony?

The recent Commitment Ceremony I performed was because the couple failed to get the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) to me before the one-month deadline.

So, instead of signing the Marriage Certificate and other paperwork, we signed the NOIM and Declaration of No Legal Impediment on that day.

The Commitment was to each other as loving partners (NOT husband and wife) and to commit to marrying "later in the year".

Worked a treat.

I then met up with the couple, best man and maid of honour a little over a month later, and legally married them in their kitchen!

A commitment ceremony is not a legal wedding ceremony where the couple become husband and wife, but can be referred to as husband and wife as long as those present understand that the ceremony is not a legal ceremony in Australian law.

Yes, your are already legally married.

Cheers

Angela

Commitment ceremonies are not a legal union of two people... so cannot refer to the coup[le as husband and wife.

You may choose instead to say like.... "life partners"

Hi there from a sunny Docklands!

To answer your question - as you will not be legally marrying you will not be husband and wife so the celebrant cannot call you that. The celebrant I am certain can workshop some beautiful words that will ensure your ceremony will be everything you want it to be. 

Congratulations on wanting to show your commitment to your loved one. Do let me know if you would like to know more or if you would like to chat. Please get in touch. 

All the very best,

Petra

x

Petra Harmer-Shrowder

Commonwealth Registered Marriage Celebrant

The Marriage Act 1961 is very specific: during a 'legal' marriage ceremony, the couple must start their vows with the following sentence:
"I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I, (add name of groom/bride), take you, (add name of groom/bride) to be my lawful, wedded wife/husband."  Because a Committment Ceremony is not a legal marriage ceremony, the words husband/wife must not be used.
Also, it is illegal to purport, or make out, that the Committmant Ceremony is actually a Marriage Ceremony.

Bruce Kilpatrick
Authorised Marriage Celebrant.

As a commitment ceremony you cannot be named Husband and wife however if you are having a commitment ceremony you should always consider "partners for life" as the commitment you are making and personally I love this.

Apologies on the slow response but, as my esteemed colleagues have pointed out, the term 'husband and wife' is essentially reserved for those who have been legally married.

A celebrant can refer to you as husband and wife if you would prefer that for sure.
Talk to your celebrant about all the options available. 

Many people dont realise what a celebrant can do for them to make the ceremony personalised and make you feel special

When performing a commitment ceremony, everyone present must be aware that it is not a legal wedding ceremony where the couple become husband and wife.

The Celebrant will deliver words to the affect that you are wishing to make a lifetime commitment to each other, knowing that it will bind them just as close as any legal ceremony.

Love and Light 

Liz Underdown CMC