Frequently asked questions
Q. Are there any
limits on where a marriage ceremony can take place?
A. Marriage ceremonies can take place almost
anywhere, private homes, reception centres, restaurants, hotels,
beaches, mountains, national parks, gazebos and chapels to name a
few.
Q. Do I need a
permit to marry in a park?
A. Permits are necessary if you choose to marry
in
national
parks
and some beaches. Your local council will give you
advice on this or contact
Q. What does the celebrant's
cost include?
A. All the necessary documents,
preparation of the ceremony, a typed copy of same,
calligraphy on the Marriage Certificate, my time and
travel.
Q. Is a rehearsal included in
the cost?
A. I do a run through / mini rehearsal a week prior
to the wedding, at my home office, and this is
included in the price. If you require an 'on site'
rehearsal, I am happy to provide this for an additional
fee.
Q. We have a small child
already and would like to have a naming ceremony included
within our marriage ceremony. Is this permissible?
A. Yes, quite often we have weddings followed by
a naming ceremony. It is always a lot of fun, and only a small
additional fee applies for the extra ceremony.
Q. Will a photocopy
of a birth certificate be acceptable?
A. No . An original birth certificate or extract
of birth entry must be provided for any person who was born in
Australia. Photocopies are not acceptable. If
either party was born overseas an overseas passport or
birth certificate is acceptable.
Q. I
have lost my birth certificate / divorce papers. Where can
I get a copy?
A. A copy of the birth certificate can be
obtained from the Registry of Births, Deaths and marriages
and a copy of the divorce certificate can be obtained from
the Family Law Court. If you need assistance in obtaining
this information I will be happy to assist when we work
through the planning process.
Q. I did not know
one month and one days notice is required, can I get married any
sooner?
A. No, unless there are exceptional circumstances
in which case the appropriate statutory authority may overrule
this, but not necessarily so. You must first meet with
the celebrant, complete a Notice of Intended Marriage then apply for
an interview with a prescribed authority in the Dept. of Births,
Deaths and Marriages.
Q. Our wedding is not for 12
months, is it too early to book a celebrant?
A. No, it is preferable to book as early as possible to
avoid disappointment. The Notice of Intent to Marry is
valid for eighteen months, from the date of signing.
Q. Can my own children be the
witnesses for the wedding?
A. Yes, provided they are over 18 years of age.
Q. How many times do we meet
with the celebrant?
A. At the initial meeting the Notice of Intended
Marriage is completed, and documents sighted and noted, and a
deposit is paid. Usually then we go through samples of
ceremonies and choose the appropriate words. Sometimes
couples may take information sheets home to peruse at their
leisure. We meet again about a week before the wedding to
complete a Statutory Declaration and finalise
details. Payment should be made at this meeting
also. Other appointments can be made to suit, or any
number of phone calls are welcomed.
Q. Can we write our own vows?
A. Yes, and you are encouraged to do so.
Q. Can both my parents
give me away at my wedding?
A. Yes, there are no restrictions on
this. The person who presents the bride for
marriage usually walks the bride up to the groom and then steps
aside. Later, within the ceremony, the celebrant will
ask "Who presents the bride", the person then
replies.
Q. We are having a naming
ceremony for our child, is there an age limit for
godparents?
A. No, there are no restrictions, but you
should choose someone who will be responsible and a good role model
for the child.
Q. It is "fashionable"
for the bride to be late, but how late can the bride be?
A. This is usually discussed with the celebrant,
I always advise that the bride should arrive 15 minutes after the
actual time that is printed on the wedding
invitation. I also reserve the right
that should I have another booking, and the bride is
more than 15 minutes later than the agreed arrival
time, then I have the right to leave to officiate at my
next appointment, and that I will return to the reception to carry
out the ceremony. Fortunately this has never
happened to me yet.
Q. How will the attendants know
where to stand?
A. I arrive at least 20 minutes earlier,
and arrange the groom and his attendants,
and invite the guests to stand in a semi-circle or any
other position that is suitable for the venue. When
the bridesmaids lead the bride in, I instruct them
where to stand. All this is discussed at the initial
interview with me and again when we meet the week before
the wedding.
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