Congratulations on getting engaged!!!!!  And now onto the fun of planning your wedding!!! 

Here are the steps you must know surrounding the Marriage Act and your big day!!!

 

LEGALITIES

1. Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM):

The NOIM is a piece of legal paperwork that needs to be signed by the Bride, Groom and the Celebrant, one calendar month and one day prior to the wedding.  Most couples will easily fulfil this ability, however there can be a number of difficulties in completing the paperwork, such as how to sign if you live in another country or state.  Or  perhaps personal circumstances have arisen that mean you need to get married in a shorter time frame, for which the Court can approve under certain conditions.  Any of these questions I can easily answer for you.

To fill out this paperwork you will both need the following original documents;

* Birth certificate

* Passport or drivers licence to prove your identity

* A notice of dissolution of your previous marriage such as; divorce papers if either of you have been previously married, or the death certificate of a previous partner if you are now widowed

2. Declaration of No Impediment to the Marriage;

This legal piece of paperwork is completed as close to the ceremony as possible, and basically states that there are now changes to your current details as filled out in the NOIM, such as address changes or if one of you have married someone else in the meantime…..well I guess these laws were made for a reason!!!!!

This paperwork is typically filled out in our last meeting before the wedding when we are going over the final details of the ceremony…..that means the countdown is nearly over!

3. Certificate of Marriage:

This is completed on the day of your wedding and is just a matter of signing your names.  You will also require two witnesses to your marriage, who must be over 18 and this is a nice way to include someone significant in your lives into your wedding day.

Note: The bride must sign using her maiden name!

4. Legal Wording:

The following are the words that I must say to ensure your wedding has been legally conducted.  This includes my introduction, the monitum and the legal vows;

My name is Melinda Frowde and I am a Civil Marriage Celebrant. I am authorised by law to solemnise 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.

“l call upon the persons here present to witness that I, <Groom’s full name>,

Take thee, <Bride’s full name>, to be my lawful wedded wife”

 

Once all of these important elements have been included in the planning and on your wedding day……your marriage will be deemed legal.

Be sure to read my post about THE FUN STUFF to help start planning your ceremony!!

 

If you have any questions about any of the above, please let me  know!!