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Frequently asked
questions
Q. Are there
any limits on where a marriage ceremony can take place?
A. Marriage ceremonies can take place almost anywhere,
private homes, reception centres , restaurants, hotels, beaches,
mountains, national parks, gazebos and chapels to name a few.
Q. Do I need
a permit to marry in a park?
A.
Permits are necessary if you choose to marry in
national parks
and some beaches. Your local council will give you advice on
this or contact
Q. What does
the celebrant's cost include?
A. All the necessary documents, preparation of the
ceremony, a typed copy of same, calligraphy on the Marriage
Certificate, use of my portable P.A. system, my time and
travel.
Q. Is a
rehearsal included in the cost?
A.
I do a "run
through/mini rehearsal " a week prior to the wedding at my
home office, which is included in the price. If you require an
'on site' rehearsal, I am happy to provide this for an
additional fee.
Q. We have a
small child already and would like to have a naming ceremony
included within our marriage ceremony. Is this permissible?
A. Yes, quite often we have weddings followed by a
naming ceremony. It is always a lot of fun, and only a small
additional fee applies for the extra ceremony.
Q. Will a
photocopy of a birth certificate be acceptable?
A. No . An original birth certificate or extract of
birth entry must be provided for any person who was born in
Australia. . Photocopies are not acceptable. If either party
was born overseas a valid overseas passport or birth
certificate is acceptable.
Q. I did not
know one month and one days notice is required, can I get
married any sooner?
A. No, unless there are exceptional circumstances in
which case the appropriate statutory authority may overrule
this, but not necessarily so. You must first meet with the
celebrant, complete a Notice of Intended Marriage then apply for
an interview with a prescribed authority in the Dept. of Births,
Deaths and Marriages.
Q. Our wedding
is not for 12 months, is it too early to book a celebrant?
A. No, it is preferable to book as early as possible to
avoid disappointment. The Notice of Intent to Marry is valid
for eighteen months, from the date of signing.
Q. Can my own
children be the witnesses for the wedding?
A. Yes, provided they are over 18 years of age.
Q. How many
times do we meet with the celebrant?
A. At the initial meeting the Notice of Intended
Marriage is completed, and documents sighted and noted, and a
deposit is paid. Usually then we go through samples of
ceremonies and choose the appropriate words. Sometimes couples
may take information sheets home to peruse at their leisure. We
meet again about a week before the wedding to complete a
Statutory Declaration and finalise details. Payment should be
made at this meeting also. Other appointments can be made to
suit, or any number of phone calls are welcomed.
Q. Can we write
our own vows?
A. Yes, and you are encouraged to do so.
Q. Can both my
parents give me away at my wedding?
A. Yes, there are no restrictions on this. The person
who presents the bride for marriage usually walks the bride up
to the groom and then steps aside. Later, within the ceremony,
the celebrant will ask "Who presents the bride", the person
then replies.
Q. We are
having a naming ceremony for our child, is there an age limit
for godparents?
A. No, there are no restrictions, but you should
choose someone who will be responsible and a good role model for
the child.
Q. It is
"fashionable" for the bride to be late, but how late can the
bride be?
A. This is usually discussed with the celebrant, I
always advise that the bride should arrive 15 minutes after the
actual time that is printed on the wedding invitation. I
also reserve the right that should I have another booking, and
the bride is more than 15 minutes later than the agreed
arrival time, then I have the right to leave to officiate at
my next appointment, and that I will return to the reception to
carry out the ceremony. Fortunately this has never happened
to me yet.
Q. How will the
attendants know where to stand?
A. I arrive at least 20 minutes earlier, and arrange
the groom and his attendants, and invite the guests to stand
in a semi-circle or any other position that is suitable for the
venue. When the bridesmaids lead the bride in, I instruct them
where to stand. All this is discussed at the initial interview
with me and again when we meet the week before the wedding.
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