Celebrant Services

So, what do you, as a Marriage Celebrant, actually do and what does your fee include?

All Certified Marriage Celebrants MUST offer and include:

• Complete all necessary legal paperwork regarding your marriage.
• Officially solemnize your marriage according to the Laws of Australia
• Comply with the Australian Code of Practice for all registered Marriage Celebrants as set out by the Attorney General’s Department.
• Register your marriage with the relevant State Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

As a full time, experienced, professional Gold Coast Marriage Celebrant, this fee also includes:

An obligation free initial meeting, to discuss your ceremony ideas, and, of course, to give you the opportunity to meet “me” and should you accept my services, we will

(a) Confirm your ceremony date, time and venue, confirm your eligibility to marry; when available, sight your identification documents and confirm them as correct; and go through the  Notice of Intended Marriage (this is commonly thought to be a “Marriage Licence” from us all watching far too much US television!)

and

(b) Assist you with a basic ceremony format (or, ceremony run sheet – the basic steps for you to create your ceremony and all the decisions you will have to make along the way…..)

• This fee also includes as many further meetings as you require prior to your ceremony.
• With your guidance and your decisions from my “Wedding Folders” – these folders have a comprehensive range of choices for each component of your ceremony – together, we will create a ceremony that expresses your personalities; your beliefs; your ideals; and your promises to each other for a long, happy, rewarding marriage.
• Source and supply all the music requirements you chose for the ceremony – pre-ceremony music, processional music, music whilst you sign the Marriage Register and your recessional music (unless you have live music – a harpist, guitarist, etc.,).
• A rehearsal, at the venue with the bridal party and, when necessary with all participants of the ceremony (e.g. a handfasting/hand binding ceremony or a five candle ceremony), so everyone involved in the ceremony is completely comfortable with every aspect of the ceremony on the day.
• Professionally present your ceremony using wireless sound equipment – travels anywhere with me (e.g. open air venues, paddocks, beaches, parks, etc) and a wireless microphone for your readers and/or musicians.
• You will receive a beautifully presented copy of your ceremony together with all the necessary paperwork, i.e. your Marriage Certificate, application for your “official” Marriage Certificate to the relevant State’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and any further relevant information pertaining to the recognition of  your marriage in an overseas country.

In summary, as your Gold Coast Marriage Celebrant, everything about your ceremony and the necessary legal documentation, including being available 24/7 by phone, email or fax, until I pronounce you “Mr & Mrs ….” is my responsibility (Phew!).

HOW DO WE GET MARRIED – Where do we start?

You are about to plan one of the most exciting events in your life! There are many questions relating to where to start, as a Marriage Celebrant I’ll answer some of the more commonly asked questions………….

What do we need to do first?

The first step is to meet – there is no obligation, nor fee, for this meeting. Once appointed as your Gold Coast Marriage Celebrant, together we will fill out a form known as a “NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE” or NOIM (in the USA, they would recognise this as a Marriage Licence – we obviously watch too much television!)

You can download a copy of this form at  www.ag.gov.au/celebrants

Do we need to give you any notice before we can marry?

Yes, by law, you are required to give a minimum of one calendar month’s notice to your Marriage Celebrant. That is, if you complete the NOIM on March 15, your marriage may take place on, or after, April 17.

Do we require any identification?

Absolutely! If you were born in Australia your original birth certificate (or original Extract of Birth) must be sighted prior to your marriage being solemnized.

To apply for a new Birth Certificate (please hover and click to the right of the State in which you were born to download their application):

• In Queensland, visit www.bdm.qld.gov.au
• In New South Wales, visit www.bdm.nsw.gov.au
• In Victoria, www.bdm.vic.gov.au
• In South Australia, www.ocba.sa.gov.au
• In A.C.T, www.rgo.act.gov.au
• In Western Australia, www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au
• In Northern Territory, www.nt.gov.au
• In Tasmania, www.justice.tas.gov.au

It is important to note that an Australian Passport is not an acceptable form of identification for Australian citizens.

But one, or both of us was born overseas, what form of identification do we need?

If you were born overseas, your original birth certificate, in English (that is, if it is in a foreign language, I require a “certified translation” of your birth certificate (preferably by the Embassy of your country of birth). For overseas citizens, should an original birth certificate not be possible, an original, current overseas passport is acceptable.

My first husband has passed away and my fiancé is divorced – do we need any proof of this?

Again, yes! In any situation where a Divorce or Death is relevant, you will need to provide evidence before your marriage is solemnised, by providing your ex-husband’s original Death Certificate and your fiancé’s original Divorce Paper.

Can we complete “The Notice of Intended Marriage” prior to having the original documents that a Marriage Celebrant needs to sight?

Yes! Before a Marriage Celebrant can “solemnise” your marriage, the original documents must be presented and sighted, although the NOIM can be completed by your Marriage Celebrant and signed by you prior to sighting your original documentation.

My fiancé is overseas and won’t be in Queensland until two days before our wedding….. What should we do?

It’s not a problem at all…. In this situation your Marriage Celebrant can complete the NOIM with you and have it signed by one party only, as long as you remember this must be a minimum of 31 days prior to your ceremony. Your Marriage Celebrant will then have your fiancé sign the NOIM and sight his original documentation when he/she arrives.

We are both interstate/overseas at the moment and won’t be returning to Queensland until a few days before our wedding. What should we do?

You can download the NOIM form from www.ag.gov.au/celebrants (click left – 4 pages). Once you have completed the NOIM and have it signed before a notary, you need to arrange to have the original NOIM to your Marriage Celebrant, allowing for the minimum 31 days notice. On your arrival, your Marriage Celebrant will need to sight your original identification documents and verify your signatures as received on the NOIM.  We would then communicate by email, telephone or fax to each other to prepare all the components of your ceremony.

Do we need anyone else to sign anything at our wedding ceremony?

Yes, you’re required, by law, to have two witnesses at your ceremony who must be 18 years of age, or over.

What if immigration is an issue?

One of you must complete the NOIM. If your partner is in the process of submitting a “Prospective Marriage Visa” application, your Marriage Celebrant will provide you with the necessary letter for the Department of Immigration.

When should we book a celebrant?

Once you’ve decided on the date – it’s best to book your celebrant as soon as possible to ensure you can confirm your preferred date and time of ceremony.

How much of the ceremony do we get to choose?

According to the Law of Australia, your Marriage Celebrant must introduce themselves in the prescribed format, and the “Monitum” and “Declaration”, in the prescribed format, must be included within your ceremony.

The rest of the ceremony (which is basically everything) is your choice!  Your choices for every component of your ceremony is vast and varied – your vows, your ring exchange vows, readings/poems, prayers (if desired), music, rituals – from the simple to the extravagant, your whole ceremony is about “choice”.

Should we appoint you as our Gold Coast Marriage Celebrant – how much do your services cost?

My fees are all inclusive (completion of all legal requirements; providing the “wedding book” for all your choices for your ceremony components – use them “as is”, mix and match, or, of course, write your own!; wireless sound equipment; a rehearsal at your venue and  being available to you 24/7 (well, nearly!)  Whether your ceremony is simple or complex; traditional, contemporary or sacred; and irrespective of size; I understand that everyone’s wishes differ and, as each ceremony is created to reflect your personalities, fees will differ accordingly……. Please contact me for an obligation free quote for your special ceremony!

Payment Options: Cash, Money Order, Direct Deposit, Pay Pal

For your convenience, Visa, Bankcard and Mastercard are accepted..

Should you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact me by Phone 0418 887 646 or Email – ceremonies@sheridanbryant.com.au or use the “Contact Page”……

Copyright©Sheridan Bryant, 2011

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