10 easy steps to organising your wedding in Australia

Discussions with your celebrant, friends and family, helps cover off all the legal obligations while building the wedding of your dreams incorporating your individual style, likes, and personality.

Organising an Australian wedding for international guests in 10 easy steps:

The minimum legal requirements are:

At least 1 month prior to your wedding

1. Between 18 months and up to 1 calendar month prior to your wedding lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant. You can send this by email, fax or regular mail.

2. Show your celebrant your birth certificate, or if born overseas your passport issued by your country of birth.

3. You must both be at least 18 years of age

4. Organise for two witnesses (both must be over the age of 18) to attend your wedding ceremony.

5. If you or your partner has been previously married, you need to show your Divorce Decree Absolute or a death certificate of a previous spouse.

During the Ceremony

While the ceremony can be designed by the couple to reflect your own style, (including poems, songs, readings etc), the following are required to be included:

For the Celebrant:-

6. At the beginning of the ceremony the celebrant must introduce themselves

7. Before the exchange of vows the celebrant is required to say:

"Before you are joined in marriage, in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am bound to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life".

8. Bride and Groom must say:

"I, (groom), take you (bride) to be my (wife)" &
"I, (bride), take you (groom) to be my (husband)" – or words to that effect.

Your wedding celebrant will be able to help you with navigating the legal considerations and the finer details like filling out the forms etc. As mentioned earlier, after these conditions are met you can plan to host your wedding as you choose.

To ensure your marriage is recognised in your own country:

9. On the wedding day you are given a Presentation Certificate. You will also need to check with your own local authorities on what documentation is required to have your marriage recognized in your country.

10. Many countries require you to obtain a certified copy of your Marriage Certificate. This is issued by the office of Births Deaths and Marriages once your marriage is registered. Some countries require you to have an Apostile Stamp attached to this certificate. Your celebrant can advise you fully on this.

Further information for international visitors wishing to marry in Australia can be found on the Australian Government Website. http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/MarriageGetting_Married

For assistance finding a wedding celebrants visit the wedding planner directory website.
http://www.weddingplannerdirectory.com.au