What's the first thing we need to do, to get the ball rolling?

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Apart from confirming that your venue, photographer, dress maker, makeup artist, bridal party, guests, caterers, car hire, and any other vendors, including your marriage celebrant, are available on the date you've set...

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<breathe>

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One of the first things your marriage celebrant will ask of you is the legal requirement to submit your Notice of Intended Marriage (your NOIM). This must be submitted by your celebrant at least 30 days prior to your planned wedding date but no more than 18 months prior.

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This is easy to do over the phone with your celebrant. They can log into the government portal and enter your details based on your answers to a series of questions.

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What identification documents does a Celebrant need to see?

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To complete your NOIM, you will need to provide details around your birth certificates or your passports and your current photo IDs, such as your driver's licenses.

If either of you has been previously married, then you must provide evidence of the termination of the marriage.

This can be in the form of an original of your final divorce papers or if one of the parties is a widow, an original death certificate.

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Your celebrant will need to sight these at a later date, usually when they witness you signing your NOIM. Please ensure that all the documents you provide are the originals, and if the originals are not in English, then a qualified interpreter must translate them.

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How long before our wedding must we submit our Notice of Intended Marriage?

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Your Marriage Celebrant must submit your NOIM, at least one month before your planned wedding date. You can give it to your celebrant up to eighteen months beforehand and it still remains valid during that period.

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Can we have a wedding sooner than the minimum notice period?

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Couples can apply to shorten the minimum notice period by making an application to a ‘Prescribed Authority’, located at your Local Magistrates Court or the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages. The prescribed authority can shorten the required period of notice if they are satisfied that the circumstances prescribed in the Regulations are met.

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There are five categories of circumstances set out in the Regulations.

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1. Employment-related or other travel commitments

2. Wedding or celebration arrangements, or religious considerations

3. Medical reasons

4. Legal proceedings, and

5. Error in giving notice

 

And, importantly, lodging an application does not automatically mean a shortening of time will be granted.

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How many witnesses do we need?

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You need two persons as witnesses. They must speak and understand English, and be at least 18 years of age.

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How long will the ceremony take?

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Normally 15 to 40 minutes, depending on how many readings you have, how many elements you include in your service, and how long the signing photographs take.

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Can we have a surprise wedding?

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You can have a surprise wedding for your guests, but you can’t have a surprise wedding for your intended spouse.

Both of you need to be fully aware that you are getting married.

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In what name does the Bride sign the Marriage certificate?

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On her wedding day, the bride must sign the marriage certificate and other documents in her current name, or her married name if she was previously married and still uses that name. All of the signatures must be the same across all documents.

 

Can my children give me away?

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They certainly can, if that is what you wish.

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Should we have music during the ceremony?

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I recommend that you choose to have music for your ceremony, it is another way of personalising your ceremony. One track at the start, for your arrival, and two to be played during the signing and one at the end of the ceremony.

 

Can we write our own vows?

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Yes, you can as long as the required legal wording is included.

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How much are your fees?

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Please refer to my PREMIUM WEDDING PACKAGE page. My ceremonies are premium and personalised for each couple and I take time to make it perfect and a ceremony to cherish. For elopement type weddings, we can discuss a legals only ceremony. These don't include a rehearsal and are charged at a lower rate.

 

What does a Marriage Celebrant do, exactly?

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My services as your Wedding Celebrant will include:

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An obligation free phone consultation with myself.

Unlimited correspondence thereafter.

A phone meeting with you and your partner to submit your NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage).

Assistance with the writing of each of your personal vows, if required.

Advice about choices of readings, poems, music and rituals.

(items required for rituals are your your own expense)

Provision of items for rituals such as candles, sand and pouring.

A full wedding ceremony. Your ceremony is most often completed in around 30 minutes. 

A full wedding rehearsal at your chosen wedding venue, unless you opt for a legals only ceremony.

A thorough inspection of your chosen venue for OH&S compliance. 

A high-quality battery powered PA system and cordless microphone for your ceremony – this can also be used to play music from a nominated person's mobile device.

Certificates and finalising all of the legal aspects of your marriage.

Lodgement of your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) and all other required paperwork.

A keepsake ceremonial wedding certificate.

There may be additional travel charges for venues 30km outside of (Brisbane).

You can also book me to be your MC at your reception, for an extra $95.00 per hour.

 

Do you offer other ceremonies or services?

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I'm also available for other special ceremonies such as:

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Wedding vow renewals

Commitment ceremonies

Baby naming ceremonies

Funerals

 

Apart from funerals, none of these ceremonies has a legal component so you will be able to have a ceremony that is entirely written to suit you. It will be personal and meaningful and include those people who are special to you and make the celebration exactly as you would like. You can even make some of these ceremonies a surprise for party guests.

 

I’m really good at keeping secrets!

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My services for these ceremonies will include:

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A personally crafted ceremony, with your help.

My attendance at your venue of choice.

Unlimited email exchange.

Advice about choices of readings, poems, music and rituals.

Provision of items for rituals such as candles, sand and pouring vessels.

(there may be an additional charge for these).

Provision of a copy of your ceremony for you to keep.

PA system, if required.

There may be an additional travel charge for venues 30km outside of Brisbane.

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Please feel free to contact me to discuss your plans further.