Lorna McKenzie
FAQ: Frequently Addressed Queries
FAQ for weddings
- Does a marriage celebrant have to be registered?
- Do you have public liability insurance?
- How far in advance do we have to book the ceremony?
- Can we write our own vows?
- How can I involve my family and friends?
- What will the Celebrant wear?
- If we don’t like your ceremony, is there a place to complain?
- What are your terms and conditions?
- What if you fall sick or are unable to hold the ceremony?
- What do we do if you were involved in a traffic jam or accident and can’t get to the ceremony?
- What name does the bride sign on the day of the wedding?
- What’s the legal marrying age in Australia?
- How many witnesses are required at the wedding?
- What happens in the event that we have to postpone our wedding?
- How long will the ceremony take?
- Is it fashionable for the bride to be late?
- What do we do if we have organised an outside wedding and it rains?
- We want to have the ceremony and reception on a boat or an island, would you stay onboard afterwards?
- What happens if there are people around where we plan to hold the Ceremony?
- Will you stay for the reception?
- I’m divorced. What documents are required?
- My former husband/wife died. What documents are required?
- What legal stuff is necessary for an Australian marriage?
- What if I can’t find my documents?
- Other Legal stuff
- Declarations
- Wedding Ceremony Documents
- I’m coming to Australia to get married, what do I need to bring with me?
- How long must we be in Australia before we can be married?
- What other legal forms will be required in Australia?
- What do we need to do after we are married?
- Where can we get married?
- Can we choose spiritual or religious wording for our ceremony?
- Do we have to attend any pre-marital courses?
- When do I need to book the Celebrant?
- What is the immigration process in Australia?
- Does a marriage celebrant have to be registered by anyone?
Yes! For the marriage to be legal in Australia, the Marriage Celebrant must be authorised by the Australian Attorney-General. I am an authorised Civil Marriage Celebrant, Registration Nº: A12 433
- Do you have public liability insurance?
Of course, I wouldn't operate without it.
- How far in advance do we have to book the ceremony?
To avoid disappointment please book as early as possible, contact me to make your booking now!
We must sign the Notice Of Intended Marriage form at least 1 month and 1 day prior to your wedding day. The only exclusions are serious health issues.
- Can we write our own vows?
Yes, you certainly can write your own vows and this is my preference, for who knows your beloved more than you?
With regard to the legal vow, The Marriage Act 1996 - section 45(2) states that each party must say to the other, in the presence of the marriage celebrant and witnesses the words: “I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, (name of groom/bride) take thee, (name of bride/groom) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband” or words to this effect.
- How can I involve my family and friends?
There are many ways to include family and friends. The traditional role has been to have them as attendants in your bridal party or you can invite them to:
- Present a reading, sing a special song, or play an instrument. Be the ring bearer (even if they are not in the bridal party, they can come forward when requested).
- Be witnesses for the signing of the legal certificates and register.
- Be the wedding day co-ordinator — someone who has a clear picture of your vision and ensures that everything is unfolding as you would like. This person can make decisions on your behalf. They can introduce themselves to the celebrant, venue and reception co-ordinators, musicians, etc
- What will the Celebrant wear?
I wear clothes that suit the style of your ceremony, i.e. to suit the formality/informality of your wedding. It is your day not the celebrant’s; therefore, it is always my intention to compliment the bridal party.
If your ceremony or wedding is in an historical style or themed in some way, then I have a range of appropriate gowns to wear as well.
- If we don’t like your ceremony, is there a place to complain?
Yes. All Civil Marriage Celebrants are covered by The Australian Attorney-General’s Department Code of Practice. If you are dissatisfied with my services The Australian Attorney-General’s Department has a complaint process that you can implement.
- What are your terms and conditions?
Any cancellation occurs a 25% cancellation fee. If a service is cancelled 4 weeks or less, prior to the wedding day, 100% of the amount will be payable, if the wedding is cancelled the deposit is forfeited. This is all outlined in the contract that we sign.
- What if you fall sick or are unable to hold the ceremony?
If either of these events takes place I will assist in getting another celebrant to perform your ceremony. This is stated in our contract.
- What do we do if you were involved in a traffic jam or accident and can't get to the Ceremony?
The appropriate thing to do would be to continue on with the photographs and then onto the Reception venue. We could perform the Ceremony at the Reception once I arrive. It is always sensible to provide a contact person for the day; this is included in our contract.
- What name does the bride sign on the day of the Wedding?
Her maiden name on all documentation as this is her legal name. Getting married does not legally change your name, to do this, you must contact the Birth Deaths and Marriage office in your state.
- What’s the legal marrying age in Australia?
You must be 18 years of age or older.
- How many witnesses are required at the wedding?
You must provide two witnesses, both over the age of 18 years. They may be from overseas, but they must understand English, if not you will require and official translator.
- What happens in the event that we have to postpone our wedding?
The Notice of Intended Marriage is valid for 18 months. I can reschedule the wedding with you.
- How long will the Ceremony take?
The average time is between 15 to 30 minutes but this may vary depending on how many readings, poems, musical interludes etc. that you include.
- Is it fashionable for the bride to be late?
No, it is not fashionable to be late. Consider your guests, who may be elderly and become hot, tired and thirsty. Your reception, caterers, photographers and musicians are all running to a time schedule. If the Ceremony starts late so does everything else.
- What do we do if we have organised an outside wedding and it rains?
I always ensure you include a backup plan for all outdoor events and this is included in your contract.
- We want to have the ceremony and reception on a boat or an island, would you stay onboard afterwards?
No, I will ask that the captain take me back to the pick up point or else I will get a water taxi to take me back to land. (The water taxi would be at your expense).
- What happens if there are people around where we plan to hold the Ceremony?
Providing you have written approval from the relevant Council to hold the Ceremony, you have the right to ask them to move. I am happy to do this on your behalf or you can organise a member of the family to be prepared to do this. Most people will happily accommodate your request.
- Will you stay for the reception?
No, I will stay for after ceremony photos and then I’ll leave.
- I’m divorced. What documents are required?
I need to sight the original divorce certificate (Decree Absolute).
- My former husband/wife died. What documents are required?
I need to sight the original death certificate.
- What legal stuff is necessary for an Australian marriage?
When you commission my services for your wedding we make an appointment to meet and get the legal paperwork under way. There are some things you will need to bring with you, but I’ll handle the rest.
What you need to bring to the first meeting with me:
- Birth Certificate:
If you are born in Australia you must produce an original birth certificate. These can be obtained very quickly from the Births, Deaths and Marriages office in your state.
If you were born overseas and have difficulty producing a birth certificate, your passport will be acceptable along with a statutory declaration (which I can arrange for you).
- Dissolution of Marriage (Decree Nisi or Decree Absolute):
This is the document that proves you were legally divorced if you have been married before, with the date of the Decree Nisi identified.
- Death Certificate:
If you’re previous spouse has passed away.
- What if I can’t find my documents?
If you were born in Australia, you can obtain a copy of your Birth Certificate (and if applicable, the Death Certificate of former spouse) from Births, Deaths & Marriages, in the state in which you were born.
If you have divorced and need a copy of your Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute, then this can be obtained from the Family Law Court in the state in which the marriage was dissolved.
The Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages
35 Regent Street
Chippendale NSW 2000Postal Address:
PO Box 30
Sydney NSW 2000- Other Legal stuff
A Notice of Intended Marriage (known as a NOIM) has to be completed and in my hands one month and one day before the ceremony. So it is very important to organise a meeting with your celebrant as soon as possible.
Please — if you do obtain the NOIM off the Attorney-General’s website (http://www.ag.gov.au/celebrants), do not pre-sign it as your signature must be witnessed and dated in front of an authorised person, the Registered Civil Marriage Celebrant (like me) or a JP.
- Declarations
Prior to the marriage ceremony being conducted, the Bride and Groom are required to complete declarations stating that all information given to the celebrant is true and neither of them is aware of any impediment to marrying the other. The celebrant witnesses this.
- Wedding Ceremony Documents
There are three documents to be signed on the wedding day by the Bride and Groom, two witnesses of their choice (who must be 18 years or over), and the Celebrant. The Bride and Groom take the Wedding Certificate with them on the day of their wedding, but please are advised that this is a ceremonial document only, even though it is an officially numbered document. You will receive a Marriage Certificate issued from the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM) as an official document if one person is changing their surname. I apply for the official Marriage Certificate to be sent to you when I electronically submit your marriage for registration after the ceremony.
As you might have already noticed, there is a lot of legal stuff like forms, age requirements, and witnessing requirements, covered by the Marriage Act 1961-1976, that need to be covered off before you can legally get married. In our first meeting we can talk about all of this to ensure your special day is also recognised in law.
- I’m coming to Australia to get married, what do I need to bring with me?
Australian law requires that couples who wish to marry in Australia complete a form called the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). This form can be obtained from the Australian Attorney-General’s Department website, they are also available at the Australian Consulate in your country.
It is essential that the NOIM form is completed by the couple and witnessed by a Notary Public then sent through to me, your celebrant, in Australia approximately 2 months before departing for the wedding. This time may vary depending on when and where the couple are planning to marry.
- How long must we be in Australia before we can be married?
As long as the Notice of Intended Marriage [link to NOIM info above] form is received within a specific amount of time you can arrive in Australia on the morning of your wedding day, however, I wouldn’t recommend this, its best to have a few days to acclimatise and recover from any jet lag or travel weariness so you will both be at your best.
Also, you must make sure you give yourself enough time to meet with me to finalise all the legal documents. See What other legal forms will be required in Australia
- What other legal forms will be required in Australia?
You will have to fill some forms out when you meet with me before the wedding. You will need to take your birth certificate and passport to this meeting. If either party is divorced or widowed, the original of either the Decree Absolute or death certificate is also required.
It is advisable to bring photocopies of each form of ID as you are required to send off copies of your ID when you apply for the official marriage certificate. When the application for your official wedding certificate is made you may also have to present a photocopy of a current utility bill.
- What do we need to do after we are married?
- British Commonwealth Residents:
After your marriage, all couples will need to obtain a registered copy of their Marriage Certificate. I can arrange all this for you, or you can obtain this yourselves the next working day from the Department of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
- Residents from all other countries:
If you live in a non-British Commonwealth country, as well as obtaining your Registered Marriage Certificate, after your marriage you will also need to obtain an Apostile stamp from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Sydney, so you can register your marriage in your country of residence. I can arrange this for you.
- Where can we get married?
You are spoiled for choice in Australia and especially in Sydney as there are many beautiful and romantic places: parks, gardens, beaches, historic trust homes, Sydney Opera House, universities, lighthouse areas, on Sydney Harbour and of course in the beautiful Blue Mountains world heritage national park just outside of Sydney.
Some parks and gardens require a fee for usage — I can advise you and assist with your booking.
If you prefer an intimate ceremony you may choose your hotel or restaurant venue, or perhaps on a beach for a sunset wedding.
- Can we choose spiritual or religious wording for our ceremony?
Yes. You are welcome to include any wording you feel reflects your beliefs or way of life.
- Do we have to attend any pre-marital courses?
No. However, all Celebrants have course information should you wish to attend.
- Relationships Australia — 1300 364 277
- Interrelate — 1300 736 966
- Anglicare — 02 9895 8054
- When do I need to book the Celebrant?
To avoid disappointment please book as early as possible, contact me to make your booking now!
We must sign the Notice Of Intended Marriage form at least 1 month and 1 day prior to your wedding day. The only exclusions are serious health issues.
- What is the immigration process in Australia?
For a comprehensive list of questions and answers on this subject visit Australian Immigration and Visa Services or Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship
