The legalities of a marriage ceremony – boring, but useful information — Melbourne Celebrant

You are getting married, but how does a Celebrant make a wedding ceremony legal?

Surprisingly enough the legal elements of a wedding ceremony in Australia last approx 2.5 minutes of the ceremony in total.

That leaves the rest of the ceremony freed up to do all the fun storytelling, romantic smooching and grand entrances involving Vivaldi or Eminem.

Let me break it down for you-

The Celebrant needs to identify you by your full name (first, middle and last) the name stated on your ID documents.

The Celebrant needs to say the Monitum from the Marriage Act, which explains what marriage is in Australia-

I’m duly authorised by law to solemnise this marriage according to law.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to 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.

Both of you need to say the Marriage Declarations/Vows, which are-

I call upon the persons here present to witness that I (first, last name) take you (first, last name) to be my lawful wedded husband/wife/spouse/partner in marriage.

You need to sign three Marriage Certificates, your witnesses sign all three certificates, then I sign all three Marriage Certificates.

YOU ARE THEN MARRIED!

Pretty simple really! Then you can fill up the rest of your ceremony with tales of your tinder meeting, stories of your awks first date and of course your proposal story! We can also include fun elements in your ceremony such as having a lucky dip for your witnesses, some sounds effects to back up your first impressions of each other and room for your personal vows if you want them!

Getting married is easy, I can take care of all of the legal elements to ensure that you are legally married by Australian law – that just a bit of what I do for my couples. I will also make sure I have breath mints in my pocket and a spare tissue to give your Mum if she needs it!