Answers to Some of the most commonly asked questions
Q: I am only having 10 people at my wedding, does your price then drop for this small amount of people?
A: The Price I charge covers every aspect of you getting married, from the legal paperwork set up, writing your ceremony, the rehearsal*, then delivering your ceremony and this price does not vary depending on the number of people you have at your wedding ceremony as the same amount of work goes into every ceremony no matter the size of your guest list.
* Rehearsals vary with each couple and are subject to a travel fee
Q: Is Travel Included in the price?
A: Travel is an extra small fee that is added to the legals and services fee and is worked out at the formal meeting. As not every wedding ceremony is a short driving distance away for me, travel is worked out depending on where the ceremony is held in relation to how far I have to travel. I also charge travel fees for the following: your actual ceremony, any and every meeting I need to travel to, your ceremony rehearsal, any venue site inspection or any other travel I am required to do in relation to your wedding.
Q: What is meant by a Surprise Wedding and can I surprise my partner with a wedding like they do on TV?
A: A surprise wedding is not one to surprise your partner with as that does not comply with the Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations of 1961. For a legal marriage to take place both parties to a marriage must fill in the Notice Of Intent To Marry Document (NOIM) no less than 30 days before (longer if possible) of your intended marriage ceremony. At the same time you also must have the NOIM dated and witnessed by an appropriate authority (usually the Celebrant) to comply under Australian Law.
The Surprise Wedding is a surprise for your guests only at a function... they think they are attending your engagement party or some other celebration where in fact it is your wedding they will witness.
Q: What is a Shortening Of Time?
A: A shortening of time is only granted under exceptional circumstances to the 30 day waiting period from the time the NOIM is completed and signed to the time you can actually marry.
A Shortening of time enables you to both marry within the prescribed 30 days if:
a) either of you are terminally ill and not expected to survive the 30 days (a Doctors letter will be accepted as proof of this)
b) You or your partner will be deployed for active service overseas (proof will be needed)
c) Other exceptional circumstance the Attorney General can grant a shortening of time for.
Q: Who can I have as my Witness to my marriage?
A: You both need one witness each and you can have anyone you like as a witness to your marriage as long as they are over the age of 18. Anyone from your family, friends, bridal party, or even neighbours. You can not however be a witness to each other as you must have an independent witness each.
Q: My partner is arriving in Australia to be married and does not speak very good English
A: An interpreter must be used to enable the person who does not understand English to know what is being said and what they are agreeing to as this is a legal ceremony. They must also be able to read and understand what they are signing so if they also need a translator then one needs to be arranged through an approved translator or interpreter service like NAATI or you may have someone translate for them if one is not available for this. (Documentation will also be provided to ensure the correct translation is made).
A: The Price I charge covers every aspect of you getting married, from the legal paperwork set up, writing your ceremony, the rehearsal*, then delivering your ceremony and this price does not vary depending on the number of people you have at your wedding ceremony as the same amount of work goes into every ceremony no matter the size of your guest list.
* Rehearsals vary with each couple and are subject to a travel fee
Q: Is Travel Included in the price?
A: Travel is an extra small fee that is added to the legals and services fee and is worked out at the formal meeting. As not every wedding ceremony is a short driving distance away for me, travel is worked out depending on where the ceremony is held in relation to how far I have to travel. I also charge travel fees for the following: your actual ceremony, any and every meeting I need to travel to, your ceremony rehearsal, any venue site inspection or any other travel I am required to do in relation to your wedding.
Q: What is meant by a Surprise Wedding and can I surprise my partner with a wedding like they do on TV?
A: A surprise wedding is not one to surprise your partner with as that does not comply with the Marriage Act and Marriage Regulations of 1961. For a legal marriage to take place both parties to a marriage must fill in the Notice Of Intent To Marry Document (NOIM) no less than 30 days before (longer if possible) of your intended marriage ceremony. At the same time you also must have the NOIM dated and witnessed by an appropriate authority (usually the Celebrant) to comply under Australian Law.
The Surprise Wedding is a surprise for your guests only at a function... they think they are attending your engagement party or some other celebration where in fact it is your wedding they will witness.
Q: What is a Shortening Of Time?
A: A shortening of time is only granted under exceptional circumstances to the 30 day waiting period from the time the NOIM is completed and signed to the time you can actually marry.
A Shortening of time enables you to both marry within the prescribed 30 days if:
a) either of you are terminally ill and not expected to survive the 30 days (a Doctors letter will be accepted as proof of this)
b) You or your partner will be deployed for active service overseas (proof will be needed)
c) Other exceptional circumstance the Attorney General can grant a shortening of time for.
Q: Who can I have as my Witness to my marriage?
A: You both need one witness each and you can have anyone you like as a witness to your marriage as long as they are over the age of 18. Anyone from your family, friends, bridal party, or even neighbours. You can not however be a witness to each other as you must have an independent witness each.
Q: My partner is arriving in Australia to be married and does not speak very good English
A: An interpreter must be used to enable the person who does not understand English to know what is being said and what they are agreeing to as this is a legal ceremony. They must also be able to read and understand what they are signing so if they also need a translator then one needs to be arranged through an approved translator or interpreter service like NAATI or you may have someone translate for them if one is not available for this. (Documentation will also be provided to ensure the correct translation is made).