What You Need to Know

Why then choose a Celebrant?

Having a civil marriage celebrant allows you the freedom to choose your venue, your time, your theme and the opportunity to write your own vows, allowing you to have as much input as you wish.

What Should You Look For In a Celebrant?

Most importantly someone who is open and friendly and with whom you feel relaxed and comfortable. This is the person you are asking to convey your deepest feelings and thoughts on the most special day of your life. Your celebrant is a professional and is there to help make your day go smoothly.

How Do We Begin?

At our initial meeting you will be asked to bring your original birth certificates. If you’ve been divorced you will need your decree absolute, and if you are a widow or widower the death certificate of your deceased spouse. If you have trouble assembling these documents let me know as I may be of assistance to advise you where to obtain copies or provide you with a Statutory Declaration.

Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) Form 13

This will enable us to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). This must be done at least one full calendar month and one day before you can legally marry; and no longer than 18 months before your planned wedding date.

e.g. if you complete your ‘NOIM’ on 1st January, you can then marry on 2nd February of that same year. We will then talk about your wedding – your wishes, the size, style, format and content.

A deposit will be required at our initial meeting. This will secure my availability of the time and date of your wedding. Please note that this is non-refundable, as I will hold this time and date for your ceremony and commence the paperwork necessary for your marriage to be solemnized on that date

You may download the Notice of Intended Marriage form from the website listed below complete it and have your signature/s witnessed by the appropriate person. Please read the notes carefully on page 2 of the Notice and follow all instructions. Once you have completed it and signed, mail the original copy to me and this will secure your booking and my availability.

www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd/nsf/page/MarriageGetting_Married

Interstate Visitors:

If you choose to be married in or around Sydney, we have some magnificent venues either by Sydney Harbour, National Parks or our beautiful surrounding waterways.

Immigration or Fiancé Documents: If your Fiancé is intending to marry you in Australia, the Notice of Intended Marriage Form 13 must be completed (download instructions are above), and given to me together with a date for when you plan your wedding date. I will then send a letter to Immigration stating that you have chosen and booked me for your wedding and you have completed the Notice of Intended Marriage.

As you can see there are a lot of decisions to make, and as your celebrant, I will be there to help and guide you by offering suggestions and samples of readings, vows, and parts of the ceremony you would like to include. Nothing needs to be cemented on this day, but you will be well on the way. We will arrange for a second meeting closer to your wedding date to view the ceremony contents and finalise the details. If you choose to have a rehearsal, we can make arrangements at a convenient time to suit all parties.

What Will The Celebrant Charge?

There are no set charges, as every wedding is unique, however it may depend on travel time and what other requirements the celebrant is supplying, i.e, immigration correspondence, extra travel time. Compared with other costs of your wedding the celebrant’s fee is very reasonable, and as you are aware, without the legal documentation and formalities of the ceremony, there isn’t a wedding.

When Do We Pay?

You will be asked to pay a deposit which will confirm your booking for the day of the wedding. This is payable at the first interview when filing your NOIM, and is non-refundable. However your forms (NOIM) can be transferred to another celebrant if the need arises. The final cost is paid at our second meeting, which is usually two weeks prior to your wedding. This is much more dignified for both parties leaving no money transactions on your wedding day.

Can A Friend Or Family Member Be Part of The Ceremony?

Absolutely! In fact nothing makes a ceremony more personal than when someone you know sings, recites a poem, a reading or gives you a blessing. There are many ways to involve your family, friends and guests.

Please remember this is your special day, and as your Celebrant we will combine to design the ceremony that you and your guests will remember.

Bernice


	What You Need to Know Why then choose a Celebrant? Having a civil marriage celebrant allows you the freedom to choose your venue, your time, your theme and the opportunity to write your own vows, allowing you to have as much input as you wish. What Should You Look For In a Celebrant? Most importantly someone who is open and friendly and with whom you feel relaxed and comfortable. This is the person you are asking to convey your deepest feelings and thoughts on the most special day of your life. Your celebrant is a professional and is there to help make your day go smoothly. How Do We Begin? At our initial meeting you will be asked to bring your original birth certificates. If you’ve been divorced you will need your decree absolute, and if you are a widow or widower the death certificate of your deceased spouse. If you have trouble assembling these documents let me know as I may be of assistance to advise you where to obtain copies or provide you with a Statutory Declaration. Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) Form 13 This will enable us to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). This must be done at least one full calendar month and one day before you can legally marry; and no longer than 18 months before your planned wedding date. e.g. if you complete your ‘NOIM’ on 1st January, you can then marry on 2nd February of that same year. We will then talk about your wedding – your wishes, the size, style, format and content. A deposit will be required at our initial meeting. This will secure my availability of the time and date of your wedding. Please note that this is non-refundable, as I will hold this time and date for your ceremony and commence the paperwork necessary for your marriage to be solemnized on that date You may download the Notice of Intended Marriage form from the website listed below complete it and have your signature/s witnessed by the appropriate person. Please read the notes carefully on page 2 of the Notice and follow all instructions. Once you have completed it and signed, mail the original copy to me and this will secure your booking and my availability. www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd/nsf/page/MarriageGetting_Married Interstate Visitors: If you choose to be married in or around Sydney, we have some magnificent venues either by Sydney Harbour, National Parks or our beautiful surrounding waterways. Immigration or Fiancé Documents: If your Fiancé is intending to marry you in Australia, the Notice of Intended Marriage Form 13 must be completed (download instructions are above), and given to me together with a date for when you plan your wedding date. I will then send a letter to Immigration stating that you have chosen and booked me for your wedding and you have completed the Notice of Intended Marriage. As you can see there are a lot of decisions to make, and as your celebrant, I will be there to help and guide you by offering suggestions and samples of readings, vows, and parts of the ceremony you would like to include. Nothing needs to be cemented on this day, but you will be well on the way. We will arrange for a second meeting closer to your wedding date to view the ceremony contents and finalise the details. If you choose to have a rehearsal, we can make arrangements at a convenient time to suit all parties. What Will The Celebrant Charge? There are no set charges, as every wedding is unique, however it may depend on travel time and what other requirements the celebrant is supplying, i.e, immigration correspondence, extra travel time. Compared with other costs of your wedding the celebrant’s fee is very reasonable, and as you are aware, without the legal documentation and formalities of the ceremony, there isn’t a wedding. When Do We Pay? You will be asked to pay a deposit which will confirm your booking for the day of the wedding. This is payable at the first interview when filing your NOIM, and is non-refundable. However your forms (NOIM) can be transferred to another celebrant if the need arises. The final cost is paid at our second meeting, which is usually two weeks prior to your wedding. This is much more dignified for both parties leaving no money transactions on your wedding day. Can A Friend Or Family Member Be Part of The Ceremony? Absolutely! In fact nothing makes a ceremony more personal than when someone you know sings, recites a poem, a reading or gives you a blessing. There are many ways to involve your family, friends and guests. Please remember this is your special day, and as your Celebrant we will combine to design the ceremony that you and your guests will remember. Bernice