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Queensland Celebrant - Wide Bay Area
Creating your ceremony...
Where to Begin...
Lawful Marriage - Remember, without the celebrant, your special event will be no more than a grand party - possibly with a big price tag - so choose carefully, book early and always consult before making any changes to your plans.
This link http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/MarriageGetting_Married will direct you to the Attorney General's website where you will find ALL the documents and information you will need in relation to a lawful marriage in Australia.
 STEP 1:
You should begin by completing a Form 13 Notice of Intended Marriage (often referred to as a NoIM or NIM). This form can be downloaded direct from the above website page or I can email a copy direct to you.
NB. For the purpose of formal lodgement, it is sufficient that you provide a witnessed signature of only one (1) party to the marriage. The second party can provide a signature and have it witnessed at any time prior to the ceremony. The NoIM can be "lodged' to begin the notice period even if other documents are not yet available. However, "proofing" is not achievable until your support documents are submitted and validation of your NoIM cannot be confirmed by me.
STEP 2:
Gather any Support Documents required. These will include any or all of the following:
• Proof of Identity - eg. photo driver's licence or identity card
• Proof of Birth - eg. full birth certificate or international passport
• Termination of previous marriage - eg. divorce or death certificate
• Change of name Certificate - NB Deed Pole is no longer accepted
• Certified translation of all non-English support documents - NB some passports and certificates have dual languages and won't need translation.
• Any other evidence requested for the purpose of "proofing" your documents and/or legal conformity.
STEP 3:
Forward COPIES of documents to me along with your NoIM and Lodgement/Booking Fee (payment can be made by cash, direct deposit, bank check, money order or, if time allows, by personal cheque).
These documents need to be received by me no later than 1 month and 1 day prior to the proposed date of your marriage ceremony.
NB. While your notice period has now formally begun, it is important to understand you have not yet engaged your celebrant and compliance of your documentation is not guaranteed!
STEP 4:
By now I will have provided you with a copy of my Service Provision Agreement and details of your payment options.
The Service Provision Agreement defines my obligations to you and your obligations to me. Like most legal documents, at first it may appear a little daunting but as you will see it is predominantly based on good manners and common courtesy.
To engage my services, this agreement must be signed by at least one party and returned to me along with payment of your Lodgement/Booking Fee.
Your Lodgement/Booking Fee provides for all your documents to be 'proofed' to ensure compliance, assistance with amendments where necessary and the provision of a single letter to confirm engagement. (A letter such as this will be required as support for immigration or VISA applications.)
In addition this fee provides for sample material, legal and support documents in accordance with the lawful requirements and your chosen service package. It will also confirm reservation of my services for the agreed date, time and place.
STEP 5:
You are now underway to prepare for your ceremony. If you have booked well in advance remember to stay in regular contact with me. In particular you should confirm dates and times before sending our material in relation to your ceremony. A simple typographical error such as 12 or 21 on either side could mean your ceremony will not take place as intended.
Planning the Ceremony...
No matter if you are doing this for yourself or having me do it for you, the first step to planning the content of your ceremony is to ask yourself some basic questions.
I like to ask both Bride and Groom to separately consider the following.
You can be free to answer however you choose but please indicate anything your consider to be in total confidence.
• What does union mean to you?
• What do you think you will gain from the union?
• What qualities will you bring to the union?
• What particular verse or song best exemplifies your relationship?
• What is your favourite shared pastime?
• What would the future hold if not for this partnership?
List 3 main elements you wish to incorporate in your ceremony.
This may include such things as themes, rituals, formality, IN-formality, family mergers (particularly important when young children still share the family home) family inclusion or recognition, guest involvement, fun, children, absent loved ones, dove/butterfly release, sand ceremony, time capsule, entertainment value, time limit, etcetera...
This would be followed by a prioritised list of any and all other elements you would like to incorporate.
With the aid of this information I can help compose a ceremony which can be brief without being curt or disappointing to you or your guests or a full length ceremony that will not only be momentous to you as a couple but also entertaining to your guests and rewarding for all.
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