Choosing a Celebrant

Choosing a Marriage Celebrant is an important decision and you need to feel comfortable with the person who will conduct the ceremony when you "tie the knot". You should meet your potential Celebrant before making that decision to ensure that they are approachable and will make every effort to listen to your ideas, dreams and requests and guide you through the process of incorporating them into a memorable and unique ceremony. Your Celebrant should offer you several samples of different styles of ceremonies, and assist you with readings, writing personal vows if you so desire, rituals, and ideas about how to include special friends or family.

That's why I offer a free confidential meeting before you make your decision, so you can get a 'feel' for me and my style. There will be no obligation to proceed, and certainly no pressure to make a decision on-the-spot.

What to expect from your celebrant

Here is what you can expect from me, and what will be included in every wedding package:

  • I will attend to all legal paperwork and explain what words need to be said during the ceremony, and what is optional. I will solemnise your marriage according to Australian law and register your marriage with Births, Death and Marriages.
  • I will create a personalised. individual ceremony for you. Whether you like 'traditional' or want something totally unexpected, I will work with you to give it a personal touch that is distinctively you.
  • I will help you to write your own vows, if you so desire, and assist with the selection of readings, poems, and music and any significant rituals you want to include.
  • I will provide a PA where necessary to ensure that all your guests hear everything clearly and don't miss those special words that you worked on for so long!

Who can marry in Australia?

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According to the Australian Marriage Act, marriage in Australia is defined as the union of two people, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. Both parties must be over the age of 18 (under certain circumstances a magistrate or judge may give permission for a marriage if one party is under 18, but over 16, but not both parties). One month's notice is required to be given by lodging a Notice of Intended Marriage with a celebrant at least one month before the wedding. Neither party is required to be an Australian citizen or permanant resident, however marrying in Australia does not guarantee that an application for residency will be approved. 

Planning to get married

Things to think about

Some things to consider when planning your wedding ceremony:

  1. If you would like an outdoor ceremony (in a park or on a beach, for example) have a back-up plan in case of bad weather.
  2. Will your preferred location be accessible to any disabled or elderly guests?
  3. Are there any special friends or family members you'd like to include in some way in the ceremony? Your Celebrant will be able to help with ideas.
  4. Would you like to acknowledge departed friends or family members in some way?
  5. Would you like to include some cultural or traditional rituals in your ceremony, perhaps to acknowledge your heritage or ethnic background(s)? For example, hand fasting is a lovely Celtic ritual, which can be used in any wedding ceremony and is particularly suitable for a couple with a Irish, Scottish, Welsh or other Celtic background who would like to somehow acknowledge their cultural heritage. Your Celebrant may have more ideas.
  6. If you would like to include some religious elements in your Ceremony, even though your 'civil service' is not conducted in a church or place of worship you may still be able to include some religious rituals, such as prayers or blessings. Your Celebrant can guide you. (Some venues do not allow religious rituals, even in civil marriage ceremonies, so you may need to check).
  7. Would you like to write your own vows? Your Celebrant will be able to tell you the words which are legally required, and help you to write your own vows around these, if you desire. A Celebrant should also be able to give you some suggestions and vows to choose from or to use as a guide for writing your own.
  8. Would you like your ceremony to be 'traditional' or completely unique to your occasion? If there are any traditional words or rituals which you'd like to include while still creating a personalised ceremony your Celebrant should be able to help you.

Documents you may need

  • As a general rule, for people who have never been married before, a Birth Certificate (not a photocopy) OR
  • A Passport (either Australian or overseas).
  • Some form of photo identification (e.g. a Drivers Licence). 
  • If either person does not have, and cannot get, a birth certificate or passport, you should discuss this with your Marriage Celebrant who can advise other options that may be available.
  • If either person has been married before you will also need evidence of the termination or annulment of the previous marriage, or marriages. This will usually be either (a) divorce papers (e.g. a Certificate of Divorce, a 'Decree Absolute', a Divorce Order, or overseas equivalent); or, if the previous partner has died, (b) an original Death Certificate. If the evidence of a divorce is in a different name to the name on the birth certificate or passport (e.g. if a person has changed their name after marriage and their married name is on the divorce certificate), then the original Marriage Certificate will also need to be produced.
  • You will need to give your Marriage Celebrant at least one month's notice (this is a legal requirement).

Stephen Cook 
BA (Hons), PhD, JP
A Professional Celebrant to ​Help You Celebrate Life's Special Occasions 

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