FAQs

Q. Are you fully vaccinated against Covid-19?

Simple question, simple answer - YES.

Q. What kind of paperwork do I need to get married in Australia?

You will need to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant no later than one month before your intended wedding date. This NOIM is valid for 18 months and can be transferred to a new celebrant if your wedding plans change. Your celebrant will usually meet with you to complete and sign the NOIM but you can also complete the document yourself and have your signatures witnessed by a JP. The date of lodgement will be when your celebrant receives your NOIM.

Q. Do I need to write my own wedding vows?

In Australia, there are specific words you MUST say to be legally married. “I call upon the persons here present to witness that I (insert full name) take you (insert partner’s full name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/spouse.” Many couples choose to add their own personal vows after saying the legal vows. Writing your own personal vows can be a daunting task! If you would like some advice/tips/inspo, you can read my cheat sheet.

Q. What name do I sign on my marriage certificates?

After your wedding ceremony, you will sign three different marriage certificates. The name and signature you should use on these documents is the same one you used when completing the NOIM. Changing your name after getting married is a process and does not automatically happen after your wedding.

Q. What is your best advice for planning a wedding?

I work with some of the best wedding vendors in Brisbane and surrounding areas. I have collected some of their best advice and shared it here.

Q. Do you have your own PA system.

Yes. Some venues have their own built-in sound systems which I’m happy to use but I always bring my own just in case! If you are playing recorded music during your ceremony, you can connect to my speaker via bluetooth and have a friend be responsible for pressing play etc. My PA is battery powered and does not require electricity. I use a wireless hand held microphone.

Q. Will my wedding ceremony be religious?

No. I am a Commonwealth registered Marriage Celebrant. I perform civil ceremonies which are generally non-religious. If you want to include a prayer or religious reading, I am happy for you to ask a guest or family member to perform this. If you would like a specifically religious wedding ceremony, you will need to find a Religious Marriage Celebrant or a Minister of Religion.

Q. Do you support marriage equality?

Absolutely. I advocated for marriage equality and I celebrated when the legal definition of marriage was changed in Australia. Love is love and love will always win.

Q. Should I have a rehearsal?

No. I personally think your time is better spent having brunch with your wedding party! Your wedding ceremony is not a performance so resist the pressure for it to be perfect! During the planning process, we will have many opportunities to discuss and go over all the elements of the ceremony and what you can expect. I will also call you during the week of the wedding to double check and clarify details and on the day of your wedding, I meet with you briefly before the ceremony for last minute questions, show your vow cards and get your signature on one last document. For a list of logistics and things to think about instead of having a rehearsal, please head over to my blog.

That being said, there is a small number of people who are so nervous and/or detailed orientated that a rehearsal is necessary to ensure they will be more relaxed and able to enjoy themselves and be present during the actual ceremony.  For these people, I say definitely have a rehearsal just for the piece of mind. 

Q. How do I change my name after I’m married?

If you choose to change your family name when you get married, there are a number of agencies and bodies you will need to inform of your new married name. Your driver’s licence and passport can be changed to your married name by showing your official marriage certificate. Different organisations will have different requirements for what proof they need for your change of name, so you should check with each one. For a list of who to tell about your new married name, please read my blog.

Q. What is a reading and should I include one in my wedding ceremony?

In my opinion, there are a only two reasons to consider having someone read aloud during your ceremony - either the person you've asked is incredibly special to you AND/OR what they are sharing is meaningful to your relationship. For more advice and inspo about including readings in your ceremony, please read this.

Q. We can’t wait a month to get married, what should we do?

In some extreme circumstances, the minimum one month waiting period can be waived. Your celebrant can apply for a Shortening of Time on your behalf. A shortening of time is not granted easily, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Queensland require supporting documentation to your application. For more information regarding this process, you can read my personal account here.

Q. I can’t find my divorce certificate, what do I do?

If you were divorced in Australia, please read this. If you were divorced outside of Australia, you will need to contact the relevant court or authority in the country where the divorce was granted.