Your very special day

You have found your partner and now I can help remove the mystery of officially becoming husband and wife. My aim is to help make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

To begin with you will need to find a celebrant who reflects your feelings and ideas for your wedding day and who will ensure all of the official requirments are taken care of to include lodging your paper work with the Registery of Births Deaths and Marriages.

The next step is to fill out and lodge, with your chosen celebrant, the Notice of Intended Marriage form which must be lodged no later than one month and one day before your chosen date and no sooner than 18 months.A downloadable form can be found by clicking on Giving Notice.

I can help further by weaving a ceremony from either your own thoughts and ideas or by providing samples from my extensive collection of ceremonies. These ceremonies range from traditional, spiritual, Celtic or you may choose inclusions of blessing of the rings, lighting candles,acknowledging the past and much more. I can guarantee we can create something that will appeal to you and yours.

As this is your special occasion you may wish to see me in person.Please feel free to contact me via email or phone to make an appointment and I will be happy to answer all of your questions.

As part of my practice I follow the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants as set out by the Attorney Generals Department. Full copy included below.

In short - I love being a celebrant and working with people and would be honored to be part of your special day.

Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants
(Regulation 37L)

  1. Application of this Code of Practice

    This Code of Practice applies to marriage celebrants (being persons registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961).

    Note Under paragraph 39I(1)(b) of the Marriage Act 1961, if the Registrar of Marriage Celebrants is satisfied that a marriage celebrant has not complied with an obligation under section 39G of that Act, including this Code of Practice, the Registrar may take disciplinary measures against the marriage celebrant.

  2. High standard of service

    A marriage celebrant must maintain a high standard of service in his or her professional conduct and practice.

  3. Recognition of significance of marriage

    A marriage celebrant must recognise the social, cultural and legal significance of marriage and the marriage ceremony in the Australian community, and the importance of strong and respectful family relationships.

  4. Compliance with the Marriage Act and other laws

    A marriage celebrant must:

    1. solemnize marriages according to the legal requirements of the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth); and
    2. observe the laws of the Commonwealth and of the State or Territory where the marriage is to be solemnized; and
    3. prevent and avoid unlawful discrimination in the provision of marriage celebrancy services.

  5. General requirements for marriage ceremonies

    A marriage celebrant must respect the importance of the marriage ceremony to the parties and the other persons organising the ceremony. To that end, the marriage celebrant must do the following:

    1. give the parties information and guidance to enable them to choose or compose a marriage ceremony that will meet their needs and expectations;
    2. respect the privacy and confidentiality of the parties;
    3. maintain appropriate facilities to interview parties and provide office facilities, including facilities for the secure storage of records;
    4. within a reasonable time before the marriage ceremony:
      1. confirm all details with the parties; and
      2. ensure the return of all personal documents belonging to the parties (unless it is necessary to keep the documents for the ceremony); and
      3. sign any necessary declarations;
    5. if requested by the parties, conduct a marriage ceremony rehearsal;
    6. ensure that his or her personal presentation is of an appropriate standard for the marriage ceremony, and respect the expectations of the parties in relation to the ceremony;
    7. make efforts to ensure that the marriage ceremony is audible to all those present (using audio equipment, if required);
    8. ensure accuracy in the preparation of documents, and in the conduct of the marriage ceremony;
    9. arrive at the venue for the marriage ceremony no later than the time agreed with the parties;
    10. if the marriage celebrant has agreed to perform more than one marriage ceremony on the same day:
      1. ensure that the parties to each marriage receive a level of service that meets their separate and special requirements; and
      2. be available at the venue for each marriage ceremony at least 20 minutes before the agreed commencement of each ceremony (unless, in the case of consecutive ceremonies, the ceremonies are to be held at the same venue);
    11. ensure that all relevant documents are completed and sent to the appropriate registering authority within 14 days after the marriage ceremony, as required by section 50 of the Marriage Act 1961.
    12. in relation to the provision of marriage services, accept evaluative comment from the parties, and use any comments to improve performance;
    13. give the parties information about how to notify the Commonwealth Attorney-Generals Department of any concerns or complaints they may have regarding the marriage services provided by the marriage celebrant.

  6. Knowledge and understanding of family relationships services.

    A marriage celebrant must: (a) maintain an up-to-date knowledge about appropriate family relationships services in the community; and (b) inform parties about the range of information and services available to them to enhance, and sustain them throughout, their relationship.

Some of this information can be obtained by going to www.fahcsia.gov.au/frsp and www.ag.gov.au