Marriage Wedding Celebrant Melbourne
During these times of social distancing, and changes throughout the world; I would like to announce I will no longer be performing Marriage Ceremonies, until all social restrictions have been lifted.
I wish everyone in Australia and across the World good health and please stay safe.
Happy 1st year Anniversary to Equality in Australia … Congratulations to all the couples married in 2018
Wedding Invites:
2019 will see less paper and more acrylic, wood and letterpress invites.
It will be all about saving the date and saving the Planet at the same time!
Colors:
2019 Sees more metallic, soft pinks with shades of purple, coppers , rose gold and silver.
These colors and combinations can be seen in your wedding party, your flowers right through to your reception: candle holders, cutlery, vases, serviettes, balloons and even your cake!
Headpieces:
Headpieces this year, should you choose to wear one are looking more Royal with Tiaras and jewels replacing the traditional veil. You can also choose a veil with a tiara or a tiara with flowers and jewels… so many options for you! … don’t forget those trending colors to adapt in your hair.
Farm Weddings:
This year couples once again are choosing farms as a location for their ceremony. This is because they are rustic, quite affordable, have more of a relaxed atmosphere, not to mention the views of mountains and bush land, which is also amazing for your photo shoots, some farms also allow you to have photos with their animals. I performed 85% of my weddings last year on a Farm. The other 15% were on beaches. One was even under a waterfall in a National Park! So as you can see, you can perform a Ceremony almost anywhere (always making sure you have Council permission first)
Rustic:
You can combine all of the above to be a rustic wedding.
This also allows you to DIY everything … Your headpiece can include raffia, flowers and tiaras… you can make your own centrepieces with nature inspired decor …your photo shoots in sepia are very popular for 2019.
You can decorate old ladders with candles, flowers and special photos of each other and family members. Its a celebration of all things special for you both.
You can even create you own aisle walkway with flowers, feathers, raffia and anything you collect … even seashells.
Pinterest always has fabulous ideas.
Recommendations:
I can highly recommend a band called: “MADZ GOT RICH” ; https://www.madzgotrich.com
For venues: Providence Gully – Farm Vigano and La Gomme Rouge
HAVE A VERY HAPPY 2019
On 9 December 2017, Marriage Equality in Australia became Legal.
As of Tuesday January 9, 2018 ALL couples in love can be Married!
I have updated the Legals in line with the new legislation.
Here is what you need to know about the legal requirements for getting married in Australia as of Tuesday 9th January 2018.
Requirements
There are essentially 4 requirements to fulfil before you get married.
1: You must not be married to someone else.
2: You must be over 18 years (there are some circumstances in which people under 18 can marry)
3: You must not be Brother and Sister (or in another prohibited relationship)
4: You must give real consent to the Marriage to be ordained.
Documentation
Before you get married, you need to complete some legal documentation that supports these requirements.
These documents are LEGAL and there are penalties for providing false information.
Notice of Intended Marriage
The Notice of Intended Marriage must be completed and lodged with your Celebrant no less than 1 month and no more than 18 months prior to your Wedding date. Your Celebrant is able to complete this Form for you at one of your meetings at least One Month before the Wedding.
To complete the NOIM – Your Celebrant needs to sight ORIGINALS (certified photocopies do not suffice) of your Birth Certificate or Passport, a form of photo ID – Your Current Drivers Licence would suffice. ORIGINALS of the proof of dissolution of your previous marriage – i.e. a divorce or death certificate if relevant.
The Notice of Intended Marriage now provides parties to a Marriage with the choice of whether they would like to be described as Groom, Bride or Partner, and it also asks Celebrants to list each party’s Gender, whether that be Male, Female or X.
Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage
The Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage gets signed either at your rehearsal, or on your wedding day prior to the ceremony.( I prefer to complete at our 2nd meeting). This Form asks you both to declare that you meet those requirements: that you are not married to someone else, that you’re over 18, and that you’re not Brother and Sister – and by signing it (with the help of an interpreter if required), you’re regarded as giving consent.
Ceremony
During the Ceremony on your Wedding day, there are four Legals that must occur.
1: The Celebrant must introduce themself by name as an Authorised Celebrant.
2: The Celebrant must recite the Monitum.
3: Both parties must recite the legal Form of Vows as laid out in the Marriage Act 1961.
3: The couple, two witnesses and Celebrant must sign three marriage certificates.
The Monitum
The Celebrant must recite the following lines for your marriage to be valid.
I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are married in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I must remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
Vows
You both must say the following sentence for your marriage to be valid:
I call upon the people here present to witness that I, A., take you, B, to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse.
You can always add personalised words after the legally required ones if you wish.
Witnesses
Witnesses must be over 18 years of age, and must be able to hear and understand the Ceremony.
I trust this has helped with the legal framework for getting married in Australia from January 2018.
Your wedding ceremony isn’t just about the Legals, it is also a Celebration of Love and Commitment sharing with your family and friends.
It can be as romantic and colourful as you want.
What will be trending for 2018?
Hopefully next year will be the year of Equality…
With 2017 almost behind us, all the copper, grey and blush accessories are still keeping up their appearances.
This will be the year Pampas Grass makes a huge appearance…both in bouquets and installations.
Fun and quirky floral installations are on trend for 2018. Suspended from the ceiling on their own, in baskets, shapes, initials, amidst a chandelier or two, across your arbor, over your signing table.
Pretty much anywhere you want!
Minimalist white on white will always be on trend, both at your Ceremony and Reception. Be sure to book in advance!
Pops of tarnished silver, copper and industrial textures will keep the minimalist look both relevant and interesting.
Informal weddings are becoming very popular in 2018. Restaurants, Cafes and Wineries are on the increase.
Booking your Ceremony and Reception at the same space on a Friday or Sunday during the day is on trend and also less expensive.
Fairy lights, fairy lights and more fairy lights, chandeliers and more chandeliers.
Farm weddings are also on the rise, as is the hiring of a huge house on Air BnB and Stayz.
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI)
Lily Infusion Weddings (Interpreter for Mandarin-Chinese ceremonies)
Spring is the time when Celebrants start to get very busy with our inquiries for the Year ahead … You will find that the current Year is now fully booked …
You have now decided on your Wedding Date and created your Wedding Checklist … by the way, Kikki K have a fabulous Wedding Folder … Note: I do not get paid for any endorsements!
You have by now chosen your Venue and Photographer … Next is usually your Celebrant.
So what is the process when you contact a Celebrant?
Please understand, this is my guide only of the process … Many Celebrants have varying prices and procedures.
The only procedure that has no changes are the Legals.
The very first question I always get asked, is price. I am more than happy to advise of my price range for both Civil and Commitment Ceremonies at this point according to current Australian Law at the time of writing this article. I list my fees to save time for my couples.
However, as I have stated in my previous Article “Celebrant Costs” please don’t base your decision on price alone.
You will then arrange a time and place (usually a Cafe) for you both to meet and chat about your Ceremony – Your vision of how you see your special day – how you met and the proposal with your Celebrant … This meeting can often last more than the average 45 minutes to 1 hour … I have personally stayed for dinner and a wine with one couple!
Sometimes, you just click with your Celebrant – other times they may not be the one you see sharing your day … This is fine … I always recommend you meet 3 Celebrants before you make your final decision.
Celebrants have various fees, therefore various deposits.
To help my couples, I have a variable Payment Plan. This is to relieve the financial pressures of planning a Wedding.
Celebrants (including myself) require full payment prior to your Wedding Day.
On this day you will also be required to complete the necessary paperwork, as follows:
You must both be over 18 years of age. If one person is under the age of 18 … your marriage is still possible with Parental consent (as per section 12 of the Marriage Act)
A Notice of Intended Marriage (N.O.I.M) must be lodged with your Celebrant at least One Calendar Month prior to your Ceremony.
Your Celebrant will prepare the document and witness your execution of this document. Your Celebrant must also sight your Current Drivers Licences and Passports. If you do not have one of these documents … you will require your Original Birth Certificates … If either of you have been previously married … you will need to present your original Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate. (Certified copies of supporting documentation will not be accepted)
To obtain a copy of your Victorian Birth Certificate or the Victorian Death Certificate of your former spouse contact the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.
If you require a copy of your Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute, contact the Family Law Court in the state in which the marriage was dissolved. For further details contact Family Law Courts.
* If parties born overseas do not have a Passport and are unable to obtain a Full Birth Certificate, your Celebrant can prepare a Statutory Declaration for your execution.
* Foreign language documents must be translated into English and a NAATI accredited Translation Certificate supplied.
* The ceremony must be witnessed by 2 people … over the age of 18 years. Your Celebrant cannot act as a witness.
*The Marriage Act 1961 requires that certain statements are to be included included in your Ceremony.
What if you want to be married sooner than the minimum time permits.
If special circumstances exist … a Prescribed Authority may approve your Application to Shorten Period of Notice of Intent to Marry.
Special circumstances are the following:
You must attach documentation as evidence … such as letters of employment, travel documents, Airline tickets, receipts of payment, letters from your Medical Practitioner or Court orders. Your executed NOIM … copies of your supporting identity documents and a letter from your Celebrant should also be included.
There is a lot to absorb … however your Celebrant will be able to help you with all of the above.
Not all Celebrants will do this … It is a complete choice by both parties.
I prefer to send all or part, to be confirmed … (never the Vows)
You can do this up to one week prior to your Ceremony.Your Celebrant will advise the best time based on your circumstances.
These are usually:
* Your Attendants are arriving from Overseas or Interstate, and can’t be available.
*Your Venue has another function on that day.
You can also conduct your rehearsal at a nearby park or even your backyard. Of course, it is always preferable at your Venue.
It is preferable your whole Bridal Party also attends the rehearsal.
Your Celebrant will arrive half to 1 hour prior, to ensure everything goes exactly to plan.
I do hope this has helped in the process of finding the right Celebrant for celebrating your perfect day.
Jo.
No matter the tone, theme or number involved, most Ceremonies follow a similar process.
This is a sample running order of a Ceremony that flows nicely, however you can omit anything but the Monitum and Vows.
Then you read your own vows from cards for you to easily read.