• Complete the Notice of Intended Marriage and lodge with a marriage celebrant/ registry office no later than 1 month prior to the date of marriage.
• Provide appropriate identification and documentation to support the Notice of Intended Marriage.
• As close as possible to the date of marriage sign a Declaration of No Legal Impediment.
• Participate in a marriage ceremony, performed by a Registered Marriage Celebrant, that includes all required wording under the Marriage Act and is witnessed by at least two people over the age of 18, not including the celebrant performing the ceremony.

• In our first meeting you will need to fill in the Notice of Intended Marriage – you can download it here and fill in your part before you arrive to save time.
• You will need to bring along original documentation to prove your identity and age. Eg, birth certificate or passport.
• If you have been divorced or widowed you will need to bring with you evidence of death and/or marriage nullity.
• If you are under 18 you will need consent for minors from a parent or guardian and a court order.

• After the ceremony I will lodge all of the legal paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages.
• I can also give you advice on how to apply for your Marriage Certificate.

Photography

Taking photos is certainly the best way to ensure your special occasion is recorded for your memories. The best memories are those recorded when expected and  when everyone is aware of what is happening. I would recommend that you hire a photographer for the special purpose.  I am happy to meet with the photographer and make sure that times such as signing of the register are recorded in a comfortable manner for all concerned.

Photo Montages – Funerals

The funeral home will happily make a montage of your selected photos of your loved one if you require.

Readings, Music and Poetry

These additions to services personalise and often paint visual/aural pictures to guests of the occasion. It is wonderful to have a well chosen, apt reading, poem or piece of music.

The names of these and who will be presenting them need to be on any program if you require. Please note ‘changes’ to names in my Stationery ordering document.

Copyright

This a very important consideration under Australian Law. To ensure the smooth running of the ceremony, you must make sure that your additions to the service have the correct permissions.

Music

Usually the occasion is seen as private, so copyright permission is not required.

Poetry or a reading

A short extract is unlikely to require permission, but a longer one may.

 The complete payment of my fee is to be finalised  the day before your ceremony.

• The fee should  be paid into my bank account, details will be given at our initial meeting. 
• An initial deposit of $200 paid immediately (2 days) after our initial meeting will be expected.
• No refund will be given of the deposit upon cancellation of my services within seven (7) days before the ceremony.
• If the total amount is paid immediately, a  discount will be given of 10%.
• My fee is set at $600 for weddings and $500 for a funeral. All other ceremonies are $450.

Under the Marriage Act of 1961, the Marriage Regulations of 2017, Commonwealth Government Privacy Act and the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants, complete privacy and confidentiality of your private information is guaranteed and are legal expectations. 

• All meetings and conversations around planning and developing your personalised ceremony will be guaranteed confidentiality.
• Your personal information will not be divulged to anyone without your permission. Under the Information Privacy Principle 4, I am obligated to make sure your information is protected against loss, unauthorised use, modification or disclosure.  If the information needs to be taken to e.g. another celebrant, then steps would be taken to ensure total privacy is maintained.  
• Your details, planning and information will be kept within a locked cabinet in my home. 
• The sort of information that would not be divulged would include all details of names, addresses, family situations, permissions, previous names, planning.

Document Recording and Storage

• Under Marriage Regulations 40-42 , 2017, all documents must be stored in a secure location.
• Documents can only be used for the purpose they are intended for.
• Documents must be retrievable for the Attorney-General’s Department if so required.
• I am required to record and keep Form 15 of Marriage and the celebrant’s copy of the Official Certificate of Marriage for six (6) years.